Crystallization System for Hydrocarbon Process Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current separation processes for aqueous mixtures derived from hydrocarbon processes, such as evaporative crystallization, reverse osmosis, and extractive crystallization, are inefficient and economically impractical due to limited yields, high energy requirements, and limited applicability to contaminants like salts, acids, and organic compounds.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving crystallization and separation of aqueous mixtures to produce a contaminant-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction, utilizing a crystallizer coupled with a refrigeration system and a separator to recover water and contaminants, characterized by determining the conductivity, pH, and density of the mixture to optimize the crystallization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If evaporative crystallization, reverse osmosis, or extractive crystallization is used to separate contaminants from aqueous mixtures, then separation capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases and yield is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes freezing phase transition of water to separate contaminants. By cooling the aqueous mixture to below freezing point, pure ice crystals form while contaminants remain in the liquid phase, enabling separation without the high energy consumption of evaporative crystallization or reverse osmosis
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes temperature parameters to control the separation process. By adjusting cooling temperature and controlling freezing rate, the system achieves effective contaminant separation while minimizing energy consumption compared to thermal evaporation methods
2Reliability
If conventional separation processes are applied to aqueous mixtures containing salts, acids, and organic contaminants, then some separation is achieved, but applicability is limited and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing-based separation process is universally applicable to various contaminant types including salts, acids, and organic compounds. The phase transition of water to ice naturally excludes diverse contaminants, providing broad applicability without requiring process modification for different contaminant types
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal separation system that handles multiple contaminant types through a single freezing mechanism. The process can treat aqueous mixtures containing various salts, acids, and organic contaminants using the same operational parameters, enhancing adaptability
3Reliability
If crystallization and separation process is implemented, then water and contaminants are effectively separated, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into distinct stages: nucleation, crystal growth, and separation. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently and facilitates easier process control and monitoring, reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nucleating agents or seeds as intermediaries to control crystal formation. These intermediaries facilitate orderly crystal growth and improve separation efficiency without requiring complex process equipment or control systems
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 effectively separates contaminants from water, achieving efficient recovery of both water and contaminants, thereby improving the economic viability and efficiency of hydrocarbon process waste management.
Implementation Method 1
at least partially crystallizing an aqueous mixture derived from a hydrocarbon process to provide a crystallized aqueous mixture
Implementation Method 2
The crystallized aqueous mixture can contain varying amounts of ice, solidified or crystallized contaminants, and 'mother liquor'
Implementation Method 3
a crystallizer coupled to a refrigeration system
Implementation Method 4
separating the crystallized aqueous mixture into a contaminant-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for purifying an aqueous mixture is provided. The method can include at least partially crystallizing an aqueous mixture derived from a hydrocarbon process to provide a crystallized aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture can comprise water and one or more contaminants to be separated from the water. The crystallized aqueous mixture can be separated into a contaminant-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction. Water can be recovered from the water-rich fraction and the one or more contaminants can be recovered from the contaminant-rich fraction.