Integrated Aqueous Pollutant Removal System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for treating industrial waste gas streams require multiple technologies and steps to remove various pollutants, resulting in complexity and high costs, and often produce multiple product streams that need specialized handling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a single processor that contacts industrial waste gas, containing carbon dioxide and other components like SOx, NOx, metals, and particulate matter, with an aqueous solution to remove these pollutants, producing a composition of carbonates, bicarbonates, and derivatives that can sequester carbon dioxide and other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate technologies and steps are used to remove different pollutants, then each component can be removed effectively, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pollutant removal functions (CO2, SOx, NOx, heavy metals, particulate matter) into a single integrated aqueous processing system. The aqueous solution simultaneously absorbs and reacts with multiple different pollutants through various chemical mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate treatment units for each pollutant type while maintaining effective removal of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous solution serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an absorbent for CO2, a reactant for SOx and NOx conversion, a precipitating agent for heavy metals, and a suspension medium for particulate matter. This multi-functional approach allows one system to perform what previously required multiple specialized systems.
2Reliability
If multiple separate unit operations are used for pollutant removal, then comprehensive treatment is achieved, but the number of product streams increases requiring specialized handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple product streams into a single integrated product stream containing all removed pollutants in one aqueous phase. Instead of producing separate streams for CO2 (amine solution), SOx (scrubber liquid), NOx (catalyst effluent), metals (precipitate), and particulates (filter cake), the system produces one unified aqueous composition containing all removed components that can be handled and processed together.
3Reliability
If conventional multi-step processes are used, then each pollutant is removed with dedicated technology, but the overall cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple expensive specialized systems (electrostatic precipitators, selective catalytic reduction systems, flue gas desulfurization systems, amine gas treating systems) into one more economical integrated aqueous processing system. This reduces capital costs for multiple units, operating costs for multiple systems, and maintenance costs for multiple technologies while achieving the same comprehensive pollutant removal.
4Reliability
If pre-treatment steps are added to remove particulate matter before main processing, then the main processor handles cleaner gas, but the overall process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aqueous processing system is designed to handle all pollutant types simultaneously without requiring pre-separation. The aqueous solution's multiple mechanisms (absorption, reaction, precipitation, suspension) allow it to process mixed pollutant streams directly, making pre-treatment steps unnecessary while maintaining effective removal of all components including particulate matter.
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 simplifies the removal process, reduces costs, and effectively captures a wide range of pollutants in a single step, producing a composition suitable for environmental placement and potential reuse in building materials.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the gas with a liquid under conditions adapted to cause at least some of the carbon dioxide and the other component or components to exit the gas and enter the liquid
Implementation Method 2
producing a composition of carbonates, bicarbonates, and derivatives that can sequester carbon dioxide and other components
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, the invention provides systems and methods for removing carbon dioxide and/or additional components of waste gas streams, comprising contacting the waste gas stream with an aqueous solution, removing carbon dioxide and/or additional components from the waste gas stream, and containing the carbon dioxide and/or additional components, in one form or another, in a composition. In some embodiments, the composition is a precipitation material comprising carbonates, bicarbonates, or carbonates and bicarbonates. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises carbonate and/or bicarbonate co-products resulting from co-processing SOx, NOx, particulate matter, and/or certain metals. Additional waste streams such as liquid, solid, or multiphasic waste streams may be processed as well.