Catalytic Wet Oxidation Using Recycled Copper Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catalytic wet oxidation systems face inefficiencies in catalyst recycling and solubility, leading to suboptimal treatment of undesirable constituents in process streams at varying pH levels, which affects the destruction of organic and inorganic contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic wet oxidation process that involves contacting an aqueous mixture with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure, followed by pH adjustment to precipitate and recycle the catalyst, ensuring its solubility and effective reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catalyst is kept soluble in the aqueous mixture throughout the oxidation process, then the catalytic activity is maintained, but the catalyst cannot be easily separated and recycled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the aqueous mixture to control catalyst solubility. During the oxidation process, the pH is maintained in a range that keeps the copper catalyst soluble and active. After oxidation, the pH is adjusted to precipitate the catalyst for separation and recycling, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining catalytic activity and enabling easy separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pH of the aqueous mixture at different stages of the process. The pH is kept in a first range during oxidation to maintain catalyst solubility, then adjusted to a second range after oxidation to precipitate the catalyst. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both catalytic activity and catalyst recovery.
2Loss of substance
If the pH level is adjusted to precipitate the catalyst for recycling, then catalyst recovery is improved, but the catalytic activity is reduced due to precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by alternating between two pH conditions: a first pH range that maintains catalyst solubility and activity during oxidation, and a second pH range that precipitates the catalyst for recovery. This periodic switching between solubility and precipitation states allows both high catalytic activity during treatment and effective catalyst recovery after treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary pH adjustment to ensure the catalyst remains soluble before the oxidation process begins, guaranteeing optimal catalytic activity. After oxidation is complete, a second pH adjustment is made to precipitate the catalyst for recovery, thus preparing the system in advance for both high activity and effective recovery.
3Ease of operation
If traditional non-catalytic wet oxidation is used, then the process is simpler to operate, but higher temperatures and pressures are required increasing capital cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a copper catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the oxidation reaction. This catalyst enables the oxidation of undesirable constituents to proceed at lower temperatures and pressures compared to non-catalytic wet oxidation, thus reducing capital costs while maintaining process effectiveness. The catalyst acts as a mediator that lowers the activation energy barrier for the oxidation reactions.
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 enhances the destruction of undesirable constituents by maintaining catalyst solubility and facilitating its recycling, thereby improving the efficiency of the wet oxidation process and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Catalytic wet oxidation processes generally allow for greater destruction to be achieved at a lower temperature and pressure
Implementation Method 2
The method involves aqueous phase oxidation of undesirable constituents by an oxidizing agent, generally molecular oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas
Implementation Method 3
At least a portion of the catalyst is precipitated by adjusting a pH level of the oxidized aqueous mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure. At least a portion of the catalyst may be precipitated by a pH adjustment and recycled back to contact the aqueous mixture