Ammonia Removal via CO2 Ultrafine Bubbles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ammonia gas removal methods are inefficient and costly, particularly in high-temperature processes, and may result in ammonia gas re-volatilization due to solubility/gasification equilibrium, leading to low processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An ammonia gas removal system using CO2 ultrafine bubbles is developed, where CO2 is dissolved in process water to induce a rapid chemical reaction, converting ammonia gas into ammonium ions, which are then maintained in a 100% liquid state for enhanced processing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-temperature pyrolysis is used to process exhaust gas, then ammonia gas can be removed, but the driving cost becomes high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveammonia gas removal effectivenessVSAvoiddriving cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature pyrolysis to low-temperature range (20-40°C), and changes the chemical approach from thermal decomposition to chemical reaction with CO2 ultrafine bubbles, thereby removing ammonia effectively while significantly reducing energy consumption and driving cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses CO2 ultrafine bubbles as a temporary reagent that reacts with ammonia to form ammonium carbonate. The CO2 is consumed in the reaction but can be continuously supplied from low-cost sources such as breathing air separation or dry ice sublimation, replacing expensive high-temperature processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If clean water is used to dissolve ammonia gas, then ammonia gas can be absorbed, but processing efficiency becomes low due to solubility/gasification equilibrium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveammonia gas absorption capabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical dissolution mechanism (solubility equilibrium) with a chemical reaction mechanism. CO2 ultrafine bubbles react chemically with ammonia to form ammonium carbonate, converting a reversible physical process into an irreversible chemical process that continuously drives ammonia absorption without reaching equilibrium limitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates localized high-concentration CO2 regions through ultrafine bubbles, increasing the local reaction rate and efficiency. The ultrafine bubble structure provides large surface area to volume ratio, enhancing the local chemical reaction between CO2 and ammonia while maintaining overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If CO2 is dissolved in process water in high concentration, then reaction efficiency is enhanced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas/liquid reaction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pneumatic methods to generate CO2 ultrafine bubbles by injecting CO2 gas into process water under pressure. The high-pressure gas injection creates fine bubbles that dissolve rapidly in water, achieving high CO2 concentration without complex mixing equipment or advanced processing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic injection of CO2 ultrafine bubbles into the exhaust gas stream, creating continuous cycles of bubble generation, dissolution, and reaction. This periodic action maintains high reaction efficiency while allowing the system to reset and replenish CO2 concentration, avoiding continuous high-complexity operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 enhances the gas/liquid reaction efficiency, allowing for rapid and economical removal of ammonia gas from exhaust streams by maintaining ammonium ions in a liquid state, thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

carbon dioxide is dissolved in process water in a high concentration in a fine bubble generation method, and a sudden chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and water is induced, such that ammonium ions can be rapidly generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

carbon dioxide is dissolved in process water in a high concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas dissolution: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a sudden chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and water is induced, such that ammonium ions can be rapidly generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid-base reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11642623B2Ammonia gas removal system using CO2 ultrafine bubble

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 SUNG KWANG ENF CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided an ammonia gas removal system, including a fine bubble generation device which is configured to receive at least a portion of scrubber process water from a storage tank, and to generate fine bubbles containing carbon dioxide gas in the received scrubber process water, the storage tank being configured to store the scrubber process water to be provided to a gas scrubber, the gas scrubber being configured to spray the process water onto ammonia-containing gas.