Ammonia Removal Equipment with Real-Time Concentration Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ammonia removal systems face challenges in predicting breakthroughs in adsorbers, leading to increased frequency of regenerating or replacing adsorbers and production of gases with high ammonia concentrations, as they require switching between adsorbers before breakthrough occurs.

Innovation Solution

Configuring multiple ammonia removal apparatuses in series with real-time ammonia concentration measurement using WS-CRDS systems to detect breakthroughs promptly and switch operations effectively, allowing continued use of the first apparatus until breakthrough and ensuring the second apparatus treats the gas to low concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If switching operation between two adsorbers arranged in parallel before breakthrough occurs, then ammonia removal reliability is improved, but the frequency of regenerating adsorbers increases and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia removal reliabilityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between parallel adsorber configurations based on real-time ammonia concentration measurements. The control unit monitors breakthrough occurrence and automatically transitions adsorbers between service and regeneration modes, optimizing both reliability and productivity by extending service life until actual breakthrough rather than predetermined intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Ammonia concentration measurement units provide real-time feedback on breakthrough occurrence to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adjust operation modes dynamically, switching from preventive replacement to condition-based replacement, thereby reducing unnecessary regeneration frequency while maintaining reliable ammonia removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If using adsorbers until immediately before breakthrough, then productivity is improved, but it becomes difficult to predict breakthrough timing and ammonia removal reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidammonia removal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Real-time ammonia concentration measurement provides feedback on actual breakthrough occurrence. The control unit uses this information to determine precise switching timing, allowing the system to maximize adsorber utilization while reliably detecting breakthrough moments, thus resolving the conflict between productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces predictive timing mechanisms with actual measurement-based detection. Instead of relying on predetermined schedules or estimation methods, the system directly measures ammonia concentration to detect breakthrough, enabling both extended operation and reliable control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces the frequency of regenerating or replacing ammonia removal apparatuses and minimizes the discharge of high ammonia concentration gases, maintaining efficient ammonia removal and hydrogen gas production.

Implementation Method 1

the fuel gas is introduced into an adsorber to remove ammonia

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

measuring an ammonia concentration in a gas after being treated by ammonia removal apparatuses at previous stages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength-scanned cavity ring-down spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP3388135B1Ammonia removal equipment, ammonia removal method, and hydrogen gas production method
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 RESONAC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP3388135B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3388135B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3388135B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Ammonia removal equipment and the like, the equipment including a first ammonia removal apparatus that removes ammonia in a mixed gas comprising hydrogen and ammonia, a second ammonia removal apparatus that is installed at a stage subsequent to the first ammonia removal apparatus and that treats a first treated gas treated by the first ammonia removal apparatus, and a first ammonia concentration measurement apparatus that measures the ammonia concentration in the first treated gas treated by the first ammonia removal apparatus.