Chlorine Dioxide Storage Segmentation for Loss Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale chlorine dioxide production systems face challenges in controlling production rate variability and minimizing losses due to chemical reactions and degassing in storage tanks, leading to inefficiencies and high costs, especially in pulp bleaching applications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a process with a short residence time for chlorine dioxide aqueous solutions, combined with purification and storage strategies that include stripping and absorption, maintaining low temperatures, and using multiple storage tanks to manage demand fluctuations and maintain stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large storage tank is used to meet demand variations and production interruptions, then the reliability of chlorine dioxide supply is improved, but the loss of chlorine dioxide due to chemical reactions and degassing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply reliabilityVSAvoidchlorine dioxide loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into multiple separate storage tanks instead of using one large tank. This segmentation allows each tank to operate with smaller volume, reducing the total surface area for degassing and chemical reactions while still providing sufficient total storage capacity to meet demand variations and production interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Chlorine dioxide is produced and stored in advance in multiple smaller tanks, maintaining a reservoir that can be drawn upon during demand variations or production interruptions. This preliminary storage action ensures supply reliability without requiring an excessively large single tank that would increase losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the residence time of chlorine dioxide aqueous solution is extended to manage demand fluctuations, then the adaptability to demand variations is improved, but the loss of chlorine dioxide due to chemical reactions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemand management capabilityVSAvoidchlorine dioxide loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple storage tanks that can be independently managed, allowing flexible allocation of stored chlorine dioxide to meet demand variations without extending the residence time in any single tank. This segmentation enables adaptability while minimizing exposure time and associated losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the distribution and withdrawal of chlorine dioxide from multiple storage tanks based on real-time demand conditions. This dynamic management allows the system to adapt to demand fluctuations without requiring extended static storage periods, thereby reducing chemical reaction losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple storage tanks are used to manage demand fluctuations, then the adaptability to demand variations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemand management capabilityVSAvoidstorage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into multiple tanks that can be arranged in a simple parallel configuration. Each tank operates independently with basic inlet and outlet connections, maintaining operational simplicity while providing the adaptability to manage demand fluctuations through flexible allocation of stored chlorine dioxide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If chlorine dioxide is produced and stored for later use, then the productivity of the production system is improved, but the loss of time due to chemical reactions and degassing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidstorage time loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Chlorine dioxide is produced and stored in advance in multiple smaller tanks, creating a ready reservoir that can be quickly deployed to meet demand. This preliminary action enables continuous production operation while minimizing storage duration, thereby reducing time losses from chemical reactions and degassing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 chlorine dioxide losses, enhances storage stability, and allows for efficient demand management, minimizing unnecessary delays and energy consumption while maintaining high purity levels.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing chlorine dioxide from the chlorine dioxide comprising gas into water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

purification comprises stripping off chlorine dioxide gas from the aqueous solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStripping: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2526047B1Process for the production of chlorine dioxide

Publication Date: 2017.08.23 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

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AI summary

The invention relates to a process for the production of chlorine dioxide comprising formation of an aqueous solution comprising chlorine dioxide, bringing at least part of the aqueous solution comprising chlorine dioxide to its end-application within an average residence time of less than 60 minutes, and maintaining part of the obtained aqueous solution comprising chlorine dioxide in at least one storage tank.