Alkaline Effluent Biogas Desulfurization Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biogas from anaerobic digesters contains high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which hinder its use as a valuable energy source due to environmental and health concerns, and the existing methods for purification are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A novel process utilizing an alkaline effluent, produced through anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery, is used to selectively remove H2S from biogas, followed by regeneration and reuse to further remove CO2, eliminating the need for expensive chemicals and reducing operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to remove H2S and CO2 from biogas, then the biogas purity is improved, but the operational costs and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alkaline effluent from the anaerobic digester itself to remove H2S from the biogas, rather than introducing external chemicals or complex purification systems. The effluent naturally contains alkaline substances that react with H2S, making the system self-sufficient and reducing operational costs while maintaining biogas purity
Solution Approach 2:
The alkaline effluent serves multiple functions: it acts as a pH buffer in the digester, removes H2S from biogas through chemical reaction, and can be applied as a fertilizer due to its nutrient content. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate H2S removal systems and reduces overall device complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If alkaline effluent is used to remove H2S from biogas, then the operational costs are reduced, but the H2S removal efficiency may be insufficient compared to specialized chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH of the alkaline effluent to enhance its H2S removal capacity. By maintaining appropriate alkalinity levels through pH adjustment, the effluent achieves sufficient reaction efficiency with H2S while using readily available materials, thus balancing cost-effectiveness with removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously circulates and reuses the alkaline effluent through the biogas stream, ensuring sustained H2S removal over time. The effluent is regenerated and reused multiple times, maintaining continuous purification action without requiring frequent replacement of chemicals, thereby achieving both cost reduction and consistent efficiency
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 H2S concentrations in biogas, enhancing its energy potential and reducing maintenance costs, while also providing a nutrient-rich effluent for fertilizer applications, thus improving the sustainability and efficiency of biogas utilization.
Implementation Method 1
A novel process utilizing an alkaline effluent, produced through anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery, is used to selectively remove H2S from biogas
Implementation Method 2
followed by regeneration and reuse to further remove CO2
Implementation Method 3
Anaerobic digester technology is a manure management technology capable of alleviating environmental concerns through waste stabilization
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas with ease of operation and reduced operating and capital costs. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S over CO2 from biogas.