Desorption Device for Rapid CO2 Removal in Water Conductivity Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing CO2 from water in power plants are inefficient, requiring 20-45 minutes, which delays steam turbine loading and impacts plant efficiency, whereas existing alternatives are costly and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
An automated degas process using a desorption device that rapidly removes CO2 from sample water by passing decarbonated ambient air through it, achieving 92-94% removal in 45-90 seconds, utilizing ambient air to produce inert gas for efficient CO2 removal without hazardous pressurized gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional reboiler method is used to remove CO2 from water, then CO2 removal is achieved, but the process time is excessively long (20-45 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces decarbonated ambient air as an intermediary substance to facilitate CO2 removal from water. The decarbonated air acts as a mediator that absorbs CO2 from the water sample in the desorption chamber, enabling rapid degassing without requiring lengthy thermal processing through a reboiler system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical reboiler system with a gas-phase mass transfer system. Instead of using heat and mechanical boiling to remove CO2, the system uses decarbonated ambient air flowing through the water sample to strip CO2 via gas-liquid mass transfer, dramatically reducing process time to 45-90 seconds.
2Productivity
If rapid CO2 removal is implemented, then productivity increases, but hazardous conditions and costs may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ambient air as a free, non-hazardous, and readily available medium for CO2 removal. Unlike expensive or hazardous pressurized gases that might be required for rapid degassing, ambient air provides a safe and economical solution that achieves rapid CO2 removal without introducing harmful conditions or high costs.
3Extent of automation
If automated degas process is implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The desorption chamber serves multiple functions: it holds the water sample, provides the interface for decarbonated air injection, facilitates gas-liquid mass transfer, and collects degassed water. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components that would otherwise be required, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite achieving automation.
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 process reduces start-up time, increases plant income, conserves energy, and minimizes environmental impact by providing accurate corrosive potential assessments while avoiding hazardous conditions and costs.
Implementation Method 1
produce degassed sample water by removing a portion of the CO2 gas from the sample water held in the desorption chamber when the decarbonated ambient air passes through the sample water
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for detecting cation conductivity of sample water is provided. The apparatus includes a decarbonation device which receives ambient air and removes CO2 components from the ambient air to produce decarbonated ambient air. The apparatus also includes a desorption device which receives the decarbonated ambient air and sample water that includes CO2 gas. The apparatus also includes one or more control processors which cause the decarbonated ambient air to be provided to the sample water in the desorption chamber where a portion of the CO2 gas is removed from the sample water when the decarbonated air passes through the sample water. The desorption chamber utilizes gravity to implement counterflow of the sample water and the decarbonated air to efficiently produce degassed sample water. The degassed water is provided to a conductivity sensor for evaluating the corroding anionic impurities of the water.