Absorption Chamber Gas Stream Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for concentrating substances from gas streams are costly and inefficient, often requiring external energy and facing limitations in concentration degree due to thermodynamic constraints, leading to high storage and transportation costs for dilute products.

Innovation Solution

The method involves introducing a gas stream and a dilute solution into an absorption chamber, where the gas stream is at an elevated temperature to partially evaporate the solution, producing a concentrate solution, and using the sensible heat in the gas stream to evaporate excess liquid, thereby concentrating the contaminant without external energy inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional concentration methods are used, then the substance can be concentrated from the gas stream, but external energy input is required and the process is costly and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidprocess cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gas stream itself provides the energy needed for concentration through its sensible heat, eliminating the need for external energy input. The system uses the thermal energy already present in the gas stream to evaporate the solvent and concentrate the substance, making the process self-sufficient and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter of the gas stream to utilize its sensible heat for evaporation. By controlling the temperature and flow rate, the system optimizes the concentration process without requiring additional energy input, transforming the gas stream from a passive carrier to an active energy source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional concentration methods are used, then the substance can be recovered, but the concentration degree is limited due to thermodynamic constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration degreeVSAvoidthermodynamic limitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes phase transition (evaporation) of the solvent to concentrate the substance. By controlling the evaporation process through temperature and residence time, the system achieves high concentration degrees that overcome conventional thermodynamic limitations, transforming liquid solvent to vapor and leaving concentrated solute behind

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Ease of manufacture

If dilute products are produced, then the concentration process is easier, but storage and transportation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration process easeVSAvoidstorage and transportation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the concentration parameter during processing to achieve high concentration output. By optimizing evaporation conditions and residence time in the absorption chamber, the process produces highly concentrated products that minimize storage and transportation volumes, directly addressing the cost issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process effectively reduces costs by utilizing the energy present in the gas stream to concentrate the substance, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective method for producing a concentrated product from gas streams, minimizing storage and transportation expenses.

Implementation Method 1

the elevated temperature of the gas stream or dilute liquid may be controlled to partially evaporate the dilute solution upon contact with the gas stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

using the sensible heat in the gas stream to evaporate excess liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

using the sensible heat in the gas stream to evaporate excess liquid, thereby concentrating the contaminant without external energy inputs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensible heat: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

introducing the gas stream comprising the contaminant into an absorption chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11857922B2Systems and methods for concentrating a substance recovered from a gas stream

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 NUORGANICS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods of producing a concentrated solution from a gas stream are disclosed. The method of producing a concentrate solution includes introducing the gas stream having the contaminant into an absorption chamber, introducing a dilute liquid having the contaminant into the absorption chamber, at least one of the gas stream and the dilute liquid being at an elevated temperature, and contacting the gas stream with the dilute solution to produce a liquid-enriched gas stream and a concentrate solution. The systems for producing a concentrated solution include a source of a gas stream having a contaminant, a source of a dilute solution having the contaminant, and an absorption chamber fluidly connected to the source of the gas stream and the source of the dilute solution. The source of the dilute solution can have a subsystem for removing contaminants from the gas stream, constructed and arranged to receive the gas stream or a liquid-enriched gas and produce the dilute solution.