Two-Stage Ammonia Detoxification Tower with Liquid Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detoxification methods fail to effectively absorb ammonia gas, which is corrosive and irritating, posing risks to human health and the environment, especially during emergency conditions, and do not provide adequate safety measures for handling toxic gas emissions.

Innovation Solution

A dry-detoxification device comprising an absorption tower, an ammonia adsorber, and an absorption circulating system, utilizing a two-stage detoxification process with forced liquid circulation and solid adsorption, incorporating a sump, tower column, circulating pump, ammonia adsorbent, and emergency exhaust ports to manage ammonia gas absorption and neutralization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-stage absorption method is used, then the device structure is simple, but the absorption capacity and depth are insufficient to reduce ammonia concentration to trace levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidabsorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The detoxification device is divided into two independent stages: a first absorption tower for bulk ammonia absorption and a second absorption tower for trace ammonia removal. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both high absorption capacity and deep purification without excessive complexity in a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A circulating pump system acts as an intermediary between the two absorption towers, transporting absorption liquid from the first tower to the second tower and back. This intermediary mechanism enables the connection of two absorption stages while maintaining operational independence and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If a two-stage detoxification process is implemented, then ammonia concentration is reduced to trace levels, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia concentration reductionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two absorption towers are merged into a single integrated detoxification system with unified structural support, common circulation infrastructure, and coordinated operation control. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to completely separate systems while maintaining the benefits of two-stage purification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption liquid circulation system serves multiple functions: it transports liquid between towers, provides cooling, maintains absorption efficiency, and enables flexible operation modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby controlling device complexity.

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

3Productivity

If absorption liquid is continuously circulated, then absorption efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circulating pump operates periodically rather than continuously, circulating absorption liquid during critical absorption phases and allowing passive diffusion or gravity-driven flow during less critical periods. This periodic operation maintains effective absorption while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption system utilizes natural convection currents, gravity-driven liquid flow, and concentration gradients to maintain absorption efficiency without constant mechanical intervention. The system serves itself by leveraging inherent physical processes, reducing reliance on energy-consuming pumps and mixers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device achieves high absorption capacity and depth, ensuring ammonia concentration is reduced to trace levels, providing both conventional and emergency detoxification options, enhancing safety and environmental protection by combining liquid and solid adsorption techniques.

Implementation Method 1

The sump is filled with ammonia gas absorption liquid... the reaction of the ammonia gas absorption liquid with the ammonia gas continues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the reaction of the ammonia gas absorption liquid with the ammonia gas continues until a pressure-indicating value tends towards stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The circulating pump is communicated with the circulating system joint via a pipeline, the circulating pump conveys the ammonia gas absorption liquid inside the sump to the circulating liquid nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

the circulating liquid nozzle is mounted on the top of the tower column and sprays the ammonia gas absorption liquid downwards into the tower column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 5

an ammonia adsorbent is present inside the ammonia adsorber... a trace amount of ammonia gas is pushed by the ammonia gas into the ammonia adsorber for reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3228377B1Detoxification device for toxic gas
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 M I LLC(US)
  • EP3228377B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A detoxification device for absorbing ammonia gas. A tower kettle (1-1) of an absorption tower (1) is provided with an ammonia gas inlet, a nitrogen gas inlet and an emergency inlet; a liquid outlet and a circulating system interface are arranged at the bottom of the tower kettle (1-1), and a stainless steel wire net filter is arranged at the circulating system interface; the tower kettle (1-1) is filled with an ammonia gas absorption liquid, and a polypropylene plastic ring is arranged on the inner wall of a tower column (1-2); a pressure gauge (1-3) is arranged at the top of the tower column (1-2); a circulating pump (3-1) of an absorption circulating system (3) is in communication with the circulating system interface via a pipeline, the ammonia gas absorption liquid in the tower kettle (1-1) is conveyed to a circulating liquid spray head (3-2), and the circulating liquid spray head (3-2) is mounted at the top of the tower column (1-2) and sprays the ammonia gas absorption liquid downwards into the tower column (1-2); and an ammonia adsorber (2) is in communication with the top of the tower column (1-2).