Complex Alcohol-Amine Solution for SOx Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desulfurization methods for flue gas and industrial raw material gases, such as wet and dry desulfurization processes, face challenges including high water consumption, equipment corrosion, low efficiency, high operating costs, and the generation of undesirable by-products like sulfinates and sulfonates, which reduce the effectiveness and stability of the desulfurization solutions over time.
Innovation Solution
A complex alcohol-amine solution is developed by mixing ethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol with hydroxyl or carboxyl organic compounds containing nitrogen, forming stable associates via hydrogen bonds that partially dehydrate to form ether or ester bonds, enhancing the desulfurization capacity and stability of the solution during regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional desulfurization methods (water washing, limestone and limewater, alkali metal solution, alkaline solution, ammonia, alcohol amine) are used, then sulfur dioxide can be removed from flue gas, but high water consumption, equipment corrosion, and generation of undesirable by-products occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the absorbing solution by using a specific complex alcohol-amine solution containing ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxyl/carboxyl organic compounds with basic nitrogen groups. This parameter change enables selective absorption of sulfur dioxide while avoiding the formation of harmful by-products like sulfinates and sulfonates that occur with conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite absorbing solution made by combining multiple components: ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxyl/carboxyl organic compounds containing basic nitrogen groups. This composite material approach creates a synergistic effect that improves desulfurization efficiency while preventing by-product formation, overcoming the limitations of single-component conventional solutions.
2Productivity
If ethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol solutions are used for desulfurization, then sulfur dioxide absorption occurs, but the solutions deteriorate during regeneration by heating, increasing operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hydroxyl/carboxyl organic compounds with basic nitrogen groups as intermediary substances that form stable associates with ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol through hydrogen bonds. These intermediaries act as protective agents that prevent the deterioration of the glycol solutions during heating regeneration, thereby maintaining solution stability and reducing operating costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure and interaction parameters of the absorbing solution by incorporating compounds with both hydroxyl/carboxyl groups and basic nitrogen groups. This parameter change enables the formation of stable hydrogen-bonded associates that resist thermal degradation during regeneration, solving the reliability issue of conventional glycol solutions.
3Productivity
If limestone and limewater method is used, then sulfur dioxide can be absorbed, but more solid wastes are generated and equipment becomes clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of the absorbing medium from inorganic limestone/limewater system to an organic complex alcohol-amine solution system. This parameter change eliminates the formation of solid calcium salts while maintaining effective sulfur dioxide absorption, thereby preventing equipment clogging and reducing solid waste generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses complex alcohol-amine compounds as intermediary substances that provide selective absorption of sulfur dioxide through their chemical structure, avoiding the direct formation of solid precipitates that occur in the limestone-based method. The intermediary compounds facilitate gas-phase sulfur dioxide capture without generating harmful solid by-products.
4Productivity
If water washing method is used, then sulfur dioxide can be removed, but great deal of water is consumed and secondary pollution is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the absorbing medium from pure water to a complex alcohol-amine solution with specific hydrogen-bonding capabilities. This parameter change enables more efficient sulfur dioxide absorption per unit volume, significantly reducing water consumption while preventing secondary pollution from waste water discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite absorbing solution combining ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxyl/carboxyl organic compounds with basic nitrogen groups. This composite material provides enhanced absorption efficiency and selectivity compared to pure water, reducing the total volume of absorbent needed and thereby minimizing water loss and associated environmental issues.
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
The complex alcohol-amine solution effectively absorbs and regenerates sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, maintaining high desulfurization efficiency without producing sulfinates and sulfonates, reducing water content to improve stability, and allowing for the reuse of the solution, thus lowering operational costs and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
bringing an absorbing solution into contact with the gas containing SOx to absorb the SOx in the gas
Implementation Method 2
the ethylene glycol and/or polyethylene glycol interact with the hydroxyl organic compound having basic group containing nitrogen and/or carboxyl organic compound having basic group containing nitrogen to form a stable associate via hydrogen bonds
Implementation Method 3
under the action of strong acid or strong base, or in the condition of thermal dehydration, the formed associated hydrogen bonds partially dehydrate to form ether bonds or ester bonds
Implementation Method 4
the formed associated hydrogen bonds partially dehydrate to form ether bonds or ester bonds
Implementation Method 5
the complex alcohol-amine solution with absorbed SOx is regenerated by one or more of heating method, vacuum method, gas stripping method, ultrasonic method, microwave method, and radiation method
Implementation Method 6
the complex alcohol-amine solution with absorbed SOx is regenerated by one or more of heating method, vacuum method, gas stripping method, ultrasonic method, microwave method, and radiation method, and the regenerated complex alcohol-amine solution is recycled for use
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for removing SOx from a gas by using a compound alcohol-amine solution is provided. The compound alcohol-amine solution is made by mixing ethylene glycol and/or polyethylene glycol with hydroxyl and/or carboxyl organic compound having basic group containing nitrogen. The compound alcohol-amine solution is contacted with the gas containing SOx to absorb the SOx in the gas, wherein x = 2 and/or 3. The compound alcohol-amine solution with absorbed SOx is regenerated by one or more of heating method, vacuum method, gas stripping method, ultrasonic method, microwave method, and radiation method to release by-products of sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, and the regenerated compound alcohol-amine solution is recycled for use. This method can be used for removing SOx from flue gas, burning gas, coke-oven gas, synthesis waste gas from dyestuff plants, sewage gas from chemical fiber plants, and other industrial raw material gases or waste gases containing SOx.