Ammonium Salt Production via Mechanical Vapor Recompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing ammonium salts from aqueous ammonia-containing streams are energy-inefficient and lack effective utilization of mechanical vapor recompression techniques.
Innovation Solution
The process employs mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) to compress and condense ammonia vapor streams into a concentrated ammonium solution, which is then contacted with an acid to produce ammonium salts, utilizing a cyclone evaporator for efficient evaporation and recycling non-vaporized feed streams to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If steam stripping is used to produce ammonium salts from aqueous ammonia streams, then ammonium salt production is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using mechanical vapor recompression to compress the vapor stream to higher pressures and temperatures, allowing the vapor to serve as its own heating source in the heat exchanger, thereby dramatically reducing external energy input while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed vapor stream serves its own heating function by transferring its heat to the liquid feed stream in the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for external steam heating and making the system self-sufficient in terms of energy input
2Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical vapor recompression is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the evaporator and heat exchanger into a single integrated unit where the vapor generated in the evaporator is directly compressed and used to heat the liquid feed in the same device, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and reducing overall device complexity despite the addition of the compressor
3Use of energy by moving object
If only a small amount of feed stream is evaporated, then energy consumption is reduced, but ammonia removal efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter by compressing the vapor stream to high pressure, which increases the temperature and allows for efficient condensation and ammonia recovery even when only a small fraction of the feed is evaporated, thereby maintaining high ammonia concentration in the condensed product
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 energy consumption and facilitates the production of ammonium salts suitable for use as artificial fertilizers, while also providing a method for treating wastewater and scrubbing hydrogen sulfide from biogas, offering a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
feeding a heated feed stream comprising water and ammonia (NH3) into an evaporator, producing a vapor stream comprising at least part of said NH3 and at least part of said water
Implementation Method 2
compressing said vapor stream by a compressor into a compressed vapor stream comprising at least part of said NH3 and at least part of said water
Implementation Method 3
bringing said compressed vapor stream and said feed stream in heat-exchanging contact in a heat exchanger, thereby transferring heat from the compressed vapor to the feed stream and condensing at least part of the compressed vapor stream into an ammonium solution
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for the production of ammonium salts from a liquid comprising ammonia (NH 3 ), which process comprises the steps of: - feeding a heated feed stream comprising water and ammonia (NH 3 ) into an evaporator, producing a vapor stream comprising at least part of said NH 3 and at least part of said water, and - compressing said vapor stream by a compressor into a compressed vapor stream comprising at least part of said NH 3 and at least part of said water, and - bringing said compressed vapor stream and said feed stream in heat-exchanging contact in a heat exchanger, thereby transferring heat from the compressed vapor to the feed stream and condensing at least part of the compressed vapor stream into an ammonium solution, and - contacting at least part of said ammonium solution with an acid, thus obtaining an ammonium salt solution.