Ammonia Removal System for Vapor Compression Distiller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor compression distiller devices struggle to effectively remove ammonia from distilled water, as ammonia can enter the condenser in gas form and dissolve into the condensing water, resulting in high ammonia concentrations in the distilled liquid, typically around 75 ppm.
Innovation Solution
An ammonia removal system is integrated within the distiller, featuring liquid flow surfaces for downward liquid flow and upward vapor movement, allowing ammonia absorption and removal. This system includes an evaporator, compressor, condenser, and recirculating conduit to enhance ammonia removal efficiency, with specific configurations such as thin spaced apart upright or curved surfaces for efficient ammonia stripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If vapor compression distillation is used to purify wastewater, then water purification is achieved, but ammonia remains in the distilled water at high concentrations (75 ppm)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ammonia removal function from the traditional distillation process by adding a separate ammonia removal portion. This portion uses liquid flow surfaces where downward-flowing distilled water contacts upward-moving vapor to strip ammonia from the condensate, thereby removing the harmful ammonia component that standard distillation cannot eliminate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vapor as an intermediary medium between the distilled water and the ammonia removal process. The vapor rising through the liquid flow surfaces acts as a carrier that absorbs and removes ammonia from the condensate, enabling effective ammonia separation without compromising the purification quality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ammonia removal portion with liquid flow surfaces is added, then ammonia concentration is reduced to less than 5 ppm, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ammonia removal portion with the existing distillation system by integrating it within the same housing and connecting it to the condenser outlet. The liquid flow surfaces are positioned to receive distilled water directly from the condenser, and the vapor source is connected to the evaporator, combining multiple functions into a unified system that reduces ammonia to less than 5 ppm without requiring completely separate equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multi-functionality by having the vapor compression distillation system serve dual purposes: traditional water purification and ammonia removal. The vapor generated by the evaporator serves both to compress and condense water, and to rise through the liquid flow surfaces to strip ammonia from the condensate, thereby achieving ammonia removal without adding significant operational complexity
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 system significantly reduces ammonia concentration in the distilled water to less than 5 ppm, improving the overall purification efficiency of wastewater distillation processes.
Implementation Method 1
receiving vapor moving upwardly past and over the downward flowing liquid for absorbing and removing ammonia from the liquid
Implementation Method 2
One portion of the liquid with reduced ammonia can evaporate and produce the vapor for moving upwardly into the ammonia removal portion
Implementation Method 3
A compressor can be in communication with the ammonia removal portion for compressing the vapor after exiting the ammonia removal portion
Implementation Method 4
A condenser can be in communication with the compressor for receiving compressed vapor from the compressor for condensing into liquid condensate
Implementation Method 5
liquid flow surfaces for flowing the liquid over the liquid flow surfaces downward with gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An ammonia removal system can remove ammonia from liquid, and can include an ammonia removal portion having liquid flow surfaces for flowing the liquid downward with gravity, and for receiving vapor moving upwardly past and over the downward flowing liquid for absorbing and removing ammonia from the liquid. An evaporator can be positioned below the ammonia removal portion for receiving the downward flowing liquid now with reduced ammonia from the ammonia removal portion. One portion of the liquid with reduced ammonia can evaporate and produce the vapor for moving upwardly into the ammonia removal portion for removing the ammonia. Another portion of the liquid with reduced ammonia can be drained for removal or use. A compressor can be in communication with the ammonia removal portion for compressing the vapor after exiting the ammonia removal portion. A condenser can be in communication with the compressor for receiving compressed vapor from the compressor for condensing into liquid condensate. A recirculating conduit can connect the condenser to the ammonia removal portion for recirculating at least a portion of the liquid condensate to the ammonia removal portion for reprocessing and flowing again over the liquid flow surfaces.