Ballast Water Treatment Hydrogen Removal Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballast water treatment systems face challenges in safely managing hydrogen gas generated during seawater electrolysis, requiring additional equipment and structural modifications, which increase costs and installation complexity due to limited space on vessels.
Innovation Solution
A ballast water treatment system that employs a hydrogen gas removing device using a catalyst reaction tank with a hydrophobic catalyst to oxidize hydrogen gas, eliminating the need for a separate gas-liquid separator and allowing for miniaturization and easier integration on vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gas-liquid separator is installed to remove hydrogen gas, then hydrogen safety is improved, but installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrogen removal function with the existing ballast water treatment system by integrating a catalyst reaction tank into the seawater supply line. The catalyst reaction tank is positioned within the existing water treatment flow path, allowing hydrogen gas removal without adding separate standalone equipment. This merging approach eliminates the need for additional gas-liquid separators while maintaining hydrogen safety through catalytic conversion of hydrogen to water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance to facilitate hydrogen gas removal. The catalyst (such as platinum or palladium) acts as a mediator that converts hydrogen gas into water through catalytic reaction. This intermediary approach allows hydrogen removal without mechanical separation equipment, reducing installation space requirements while effectively addressing hydrogen safety concerns.
2Reliability
If a gas-liquid separator is installed to remove hydrogen gas, then hydrogen safety is improved, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrogen removal function into the existing ballast water treatment system infrastructure. The catalyst reaction tank is integrated into the seawater supply line that already exists for ballast water treatment operations. This integration eliminates the need for separate hydrogen removal equipment, reducing both installation costs and installation time while maintaining effective hydrogen safety management.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst reaction tank utilizes the existing water treatment flow to automatically remove hydrogen gas. The system leverages the existing pump and piping infrastructure to pass seawater through the catalyst reaction tank, where hydrogen is converted to water. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional power sources, control systems, or maintenance infrastructure that would be required for conventional gas-liquid separators.
3Reliability
If a gas-liquid separator is installed to remove hydrogen gas, then hydrogen safety is improved, but piping configuration becomes more difficult due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrogen removal function with the existing ballast water treatment piping system. The catalyst reaction tank is positioned within the existing seawater supply line flow path, utilizing the same inlet and outlet connections already present for ballast water treatment. This merging eliminates the need for separate gas-liquid separator connections and reduces piping complexity despite limited vessel space.
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 solution reduces installation space, costs, and time by removing hydrogen gas through a catalyst reaction, enhancing electrolysis efficiency by using reaction heat to warm seawater, and ensuring safety by eliminating explosive hydrogen gas risks.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolysis device (200) receiving a part of the seawater being supplied to the ballast water tank, and generating sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen gas as by-product gas by electrolyzing the part of the seawater
Implementation Method 2
a catalyst reaction tank (310) having therein a catalyst (313) that generates water by a catalyst reaction with the hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic catalyst that generates water by the catalyst reaction with the hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 4
a hydrophobic catalyst provided inside the body
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a ballast water treatment system including: a ballast water supply unit for supplying seawater employed as ballast water to a ballast water tank; an electrolysis device receiving a part of the seawater being supplied to the ballast water tank, and generating sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen gas as by-product gas by electrolyzing the part of the seawater being supplied to the ballast water tank via the ballast water supply unit; and a hydrogen gas removing device receiving a gas-liquid mixture of electrolyzed water and the hydrogen gas that are generated in the electrolysis device, removing the hydrogen gas by a catalyst reaction, and supplying remaining electrolyzed water to the ballast water tank via the ballast water supply unit.