Amalgam Sorbent Mercury Capture in Fluidized Bed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current emissions control systems, particularly in coal-fired power plants, are ineffective in capturing mercury and other heavy metals due to their nano-sized vapor form, leading to significant environmental release, and rely heavily on expensive and inefficient activated carbon, which generates hazardous waste and high carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A reverse venturi apparatus with a mass of reactive material containing an amalgam forming metal is used to chemically bind contaminants, reducing the need for activated carbon and enhancing mercury capture, combined with a sorbent that can be rejuvenated for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If activated carbon is used to capture mercury and heavy metals, then some contaminants are removed, but the system generates hazardous waste and high carbon dioxide emissions while being expensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the sorbent material by using amalgam-forming metals (such as zinc, copper, or their alloys) instead of activated carbon. These metals form chemical amalgams with mercury through chemisorption, fundamentally changing the capture mechanism from physical adsorption to chemical bonding, thereby improving capture effectiveness while enabling sorbent rejuvenation and reducing harmful byproducts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a sorbent rejuvenation process where spent sorbent material containing captured mercury and heavy metals can be thermally processed to recover the amalgam-forming metal for reuse. This closed-loop approach eliminates the need to discard contaminated activated carbon as hazardous waste and reduces carbon dioxide emissions associated with continuous sorbent replacement
2Device complexity
If nano-sized mercury vapor is allowed to pass through conventional systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but significant environmental release occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous sorbent materials with high surface area to volume ratios, such as extruded monolithic structures containing amalgam-forming metals. These porous materials provide extensive contact surface area for capturing nano-sized mercury vapor particles while maintaining a relatively simple device configuration, effectively preventing environmental release without complex multi-stage treatment systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces amalgam-forming metal sorbents as an intermediary substance that chemically binds to mercury vapor, transforming the gaseous contaminant into a captured solid-phase amalgam. This intermediary mechanism efficiently intercepts nano-sized mercury particles that would otherwise pass through conventional systems, balancing simplicity with effective contamination control
3Reliability
If more activated carbon is used to improve capture efficiency, then contaminant removal increases, but operational costs and carbon dioxide generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sorbent rejuvenation process where spent sorbent material containing captured mercury and heavy metals can be thermally processed to recover the amalgam-forming metal for reuse. This closed-loop approach eliminates the need to continuously purchase and replace expensive activated carbon, significantly reducing operational costs and the carbon dioxide emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting large quantities of sorbent material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the sorbent material by using amalgam-forming metals that form strong chemical bonds with contaminants through chemisorption. This chemical mechanism is more efficient than the physical adsorption of activated carbon, requiring less sorbent material to achieve the same or better removal efficiency, thereby reducing both operational costs and the environmental footprint of sorbent replacement
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 significantly reduces mercury and heavy metal emissions, lowers operational costs, and allows for the reuse of hazardous materials, meeting stringent regulatory requirements while minimizing carbon dioxide generation.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse venturi apparatus with a mass of reactive material containing an amalgam forming metal is used to chemically bind contaminants
Implementation Method 2
A reverse venturi apparatus with a mass of reactive material containing an amalgam forming metal is used to chemically bind contaminants
Implementation Method 3
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/808,563, filed on Jul. 24, 2015
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing contaminants from emissions including a reverse venturi shaped fluidized bed device featuring a method for tilting and/or agitation. The system includes numerous component devices such as, but not limited to, an influent source, a fluidized bed device, a post filter device, and an effluent discharge, each of which are able to be isolated, integrated, bypassed, and/or reconfigured for application specific emissions requirements. The filter media is a mass of reactive material disposed within the fluidized bed which is in intimate contact with the emissions as they pass through the fluidized bed. The mass of reactive material contains an amalgam forming metal which chemically binds with the emissions that are passing through the system. Methods for removing contaminants from gaseous and non-gaseous emissions are also provided.