Dinitrogen Monoxide Production via Interrupted Denitrification
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing dinitrogen oxide are energy-intensive and complex, involving catalytic oxidation of ammonia or thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate, whereas dinitrogen oxide is naturally formed during the processing of nitrate and nitrite-containing substances in sewage treatment, which is reduced to nitrogen, limiting its utilization.
Innovation Solution
Interrupting the reduction of dinitrogen monoxide to nitrogen in the stepwise reduction process of nitrates and nitrites using microorganisms like Paracoccus denitrificans and Thiobacillus denitrificans, and employing metalloenzymes to catalyze the formation of dinitrogen monoxide, followed by selective separation and purification methods such as gas membranes, condensation, and ion exchange to capture and concentrate dinitrogen monoxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dinitrogen monoxide is produced by catalytic oxidation of ammonia or thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate, then dinitrogen monoxide can be obtained, but the manufacturing process is complex and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts dinitrogen monoxide from the denitrification process by interrupting the reduction reaction at the dinitrogen monoxide stage, preventing its further reduction to nitrogen. This allows the intermediate product to be captured and utilized, transforming a waste product into a valuable chemical while simplifying the overall process compared to traditional ammonia oxidation methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses metal ions (such as copper, zinc, or iron ions) as intermediaries to control and regulate the denitrification process. These metal ions act as catalysts that can be selectively added to stop the reduction reaction at the dinitrogen monoxide stage, enabling controlled production without requiring complex industrial chemical processes
2Quantity of substance
If dinitrogen monoxide is produced by catalytic oxidation of ammonia or thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate, then dinitrogen monoxide can be obtained, but the process is energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service by utilizing the natural denitrification process that occurs in sewage treatment plants. The microorganisms already present in the waste water perform the reduction of nitrates to dinitrogen monoxide without requiring external energy input, transforming a passive waste treatment process into an active dinitrogen monoxide production process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of nitrate pollution in waste water into a beneficial product. By interrupting the denitrification process at the dinitrogen monoxide stage, the previously wasted intermediate product becomes a valuable chemical substance, while the waste water treatment process simultaneously achieves both pollution control and chemical production
3Productivity
If the reduction reaction is interrupted after dinitrogen monoxide formation, then dinitrogen monoxide can be captured and utilized, but the process requires selective separation and purification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using metal ions with specific catalytic properties to selectively control the denitrification process at different stages. By adding small amounts of specific metal ions (copper, zinc, or iron), the reaction can be locally regulated to stop at the dinitrogen monoxide stage, enabling selective production without requiring complex separation 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 method enables the efficient production and utilization of dinitrogen monoxide from waste waters, enhancing energy recovery from nitrogen-containing components, improving combustion efficiency, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by utilizing dinitrogen monoxide as an oxidant in combustion processes.
Implementation Method 1
The individual steps of the reduction of the nitrate and/or nitrite to dinitrogen monoxide are catalyzed by suitable metalloenzymes. The metalloenzymes used are nitrate reductase for converting nitrate to nitrite, nitrite reductase for converting the nitrite into nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen monoxide reductase for converting the nitrogen monoxide into dinitrogen monoxide.
Implementation Method 2
The individual steps of the reduction of the nitrate and/or nitrite to dinitrogen monoxide are catalyzed by suitable metalloenzymes.
Implementation Method 3
The dinitrogen monoxide may be separated from the waste gas by a gas membrane which is selective for dinitrogen monoxide.
Implementation Method 4
Alternatively, it also possible to use a gas membrane which is impermeable to dinitrogen monoxide and allows the other components of the gas containing the dinitrogen monoxide to pass through, so that the dinitrogen monoxide is concentrated in the retentate stream.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for obtaining dinitrogen monoxide by stepwise reduction of nitrates and/or nitrites from substances containing nitrate and/or nitrite, the reduction reaction being interrupted or limited after the step in which the dinitrogen monoxide is formed and the dinitrogen monoxide produced in the reduction reaction being separated, captured and/or collected.