Evaporative Concentration Apparatus with Hot Lime Softener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporative concentration technologies for water containing hardness-causing substances require a separate heat source for hot lime softening, increasing operation costs and limiting the effectiveness of scale inhibition in ZLD systems, particularly in applications like SAGD where silica and other minerals cause scaling issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that uses sequential passage of water through a first evaporator, a hot lime softener, and a second evaporator, where the hot lime softener operates without a separate heat source, utilizing hot steam for concentration and precipitation of hardness-causing substances, thereby preventing scale formation and reducing operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate heat source is used for hot lime softening, then the operating temperature of the hot lime softener can be satisfied, but the operation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function with the evaporation function by using the evaporator's heating system to simultaneously heat water for both evaporation and hot lime softening. The heating system serves dual purposes: generating steam for evaporation and providing hot water for lime softening, thereby eliminating the need for a separate heat source and reducing operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator's heating system is designed to perform multiple functions: it heats water for evaporation concentration, heats water for hot lime softening, and the generated steam is used for both evaporation and heating in the hot lime softener. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate equipment and lowers operational costs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hot lime softening is implemented, then scale formation is prevented, but equipment cost increases due to separate heat source requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hot lime softening process with the existing evaporation system by using the same heating system and steam source. The hot lime softener utilizes steam from the evaporator's steam generator, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment and reducing overall system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own generated steam to provide the heating required for hot lime softening. The evaporator's steam generator produces steam that is then used both for evaporation and for heating water in the hot lime softener, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external heat source requirements
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
Effectively removes hardness-causing substances through hot lime softening without requiring a separate heat source, reducing equipment costs and preventing scale formation in evaporative concentration processes, enhancing the efficiency of water treatment in ZLD systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first evaporator configured such that water to be treated is introduced therein and evaporatively concentrated by exchange with hot steam to form first concentrated water
Implementation Method 2
a hot lime softener configured such that all or part of the first concentrated water is introduced therein and a hardness-causing substance contained in the first concentrated water is precipitated and separated by reaction with lime
Implementation Method 3
a second evaporator configured such that all or part of the first concentrated water that passed through the hot lime softener is introduced therein and further evaporatively concentrated by exchange with hot steam to form second concentrated water
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for evaporative concentration of water, containing hardness-causing substances, to be treated using hot lime softening, includes: a first evaporator configured to form first concentrated water from the water to be treated by evaporatively concentrating the water by first heat exchange with hot steam; a hot lime softener configured to precipitate and to separate hardness-causing substances contained in the first concentrated water from at least a portion of the first concentrated water from the first evaporator by reaction with lime and configured to remove the hardness-causing substances from the first concentrated water; and a second evaporator configured to form second concentrated water by further evaporatively concentrating at least a portion of the first concentrated water that passed through the hot lime softener by second heat exchange with hot steam.