Regenerative Afterburner SCR Catalyst Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing regenerative thermal afterburning systems with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) face challenges in maintaining optimal SCR catalyst temperature, mechanical stress, and high energy consumption due to fluctuating temperature profiles and the need for excessive catalyst quantities, which limits the effectiveness in purifying organic components and nitrogen oxides.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a thermal afterburning system with at least two regenerators and a common combustion chamber, where exhaust gas is alternately sent to heated regenerators for thermal cleaning, and the thermally cleaned gas is used to heat the SCR reaction, maintaining a constant optimal temperature for the SCR catalyst, reducing mechanical stress, and minimizing energy input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the exhaust gas flows through multiple regenerators and SCR catalytic converter in sequence, then the purification of nitrogen oxides and organic components is achieved, but the temperature profile fluctuates strongly in the direction of flow over the SCR catalytic converter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification effectivenessVSAvoidtemperature profile stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the regenerator into multiple sections (first regenerator section and second regenerator section) with different functions. The first section handles thermal oxidation at high temperatures, while the second section handles heat exchange at lower temperatures, allowing the SCR catalyst to operate in a stable temperature range throughout its volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the regenerator are assigned different thermal characteristics and functions. The first regenerator section is designed for high-temperature operation to oxidize organic components, while the second section is optimized for heat recovery at lower temperatures, creating localized functional zones that maintain overall system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the SCR catalytic converter operates with fluctuating temperature profiles, then the purification process continues, but the SCR catalytic converter experiences high mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous purificationVSAvoidmechanical stress on catalyst
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the regenerator into multiple sections with different thermal roles, the system isolates the thermal fluctuations to specific zones while maintaining a stable temperature environment for the SCR catalyst, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the catalyst structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second regenerator section acts as a thermal buffer that absorbs and dampens temperature fluctuations before they reach the SCR catalytic converter, protecting the catalyst from sudden temperature changes and reducing mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If heat is released during NOx reduction, then the chemical reaction proceeds, but the maximum NOx inlet concentration is limited due to overheating risk

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx reduction rateVSAvoidcatalyst temperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the heat released during NOx reduction in the second regenerator section, where it can be used for heat recovery without causing overheating of the SCR catalyst. This separates the exothermic reaction zone from the catalyst zone, allowing higher NOx inlet concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The second regenerator section serves as an intermediary between the exothermic NOx reduction reaction and the SCR catalyst, absorbing the released heat and preventing it from directly heating the catalyst, thus enabling higher reaction rates without thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If multiple regenerators with SCR catalysts are used, then the purification capacity increases, but the quantity of catalyst required increases dramatically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification capacityVSAvoidcatalyst quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The SCR catalytic converter is designed to perform multiple functions: it catalyzes NOx reduction, handles heat exchange, and operates stably across varying flow conditions. This multi-functionality allows a single catalyst unit to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate catalyst beds, reducing total catalyst quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the SCR catalytic converter with the regenerator system, integrating the catalyst into the existing thermal management infrastructure. This merging allows the catalyst to utilize the thermal environment created by the regenerator sections, eliminating the need for separate catalyst units and reducing overall catalyst requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach allows for efficient thermal denitrification and oxidation of organic compounds without external energy, maintaining the SCR catalyst at optimal temperature, reducing mechanical stress, and minimizing catalyst usage, achieving high cleaning performance and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

The exhaust gas to be cleaned is alternately sent to a raw gas inlet regenerator, the heat storage bodies of which have previously been heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage and release: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 2

the thermally cleaned exhaust gas emerging from the combustion chamber is sent to a clean gas outlet regenerator for heating its heat storage bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

The exhaust gas is then heated to 800 ° C in the upper high-temperature regenerator section, with the organic substances being thermally burned in the subsequent combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

the organic substances being thermally burned in the subsequent combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 5

oxidizable, thermally cleanable compounds... are, in particular, volatile organic compounds (VOCs for volatile organic compounds), carbon monoxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2759329B1Method and device for purifying exhaust gases
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 CHEM THERMISCHE PROZESSTECHN
  • EP2759329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2759329B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2759329B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

For the purification of exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides in combination with CO, VOCs or nitrous oxide, in particular exhaust gas generated during the production of cement clinker, nitric acid, adipic acid, fertilizers or uranium trioxide, a regenerative thermal afterburner with at least two regenerators (A, B) is used, in which the CO, VOCs and nitrous oxide are thermally purified at a temperature of 800 - 1000°C in the combustion chamber (1) and the nitrogen oxides are thermally reduced by means of an SCR catalyst (6) by supplying a nitrogen hydrogen compound, wherein the already thermally purified exhaust gas is taken from the respective two-part regenerator (A or B) at a suitable point at approx. 300°C, passed in a constant flow direction over the SCR catalyst (6) and then fed back into the remaining section (A', B') of the regenerator (A or B).