Explosive Gas Mixture Conversion via Closed Riser Degasser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical processes often face issues with the controlled reaction of gas mixtures that can lead to explosions due to critical parameters, such as composition, temperature, or geometry, particularly in electrochemical processes where oxyhydrogen gas mixtures form, posing safety and economic challenges for disposal.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for the controlled conversion of ignitable and/or explosive gas mixtures involve a closed degassing pot with a carrier liquid, where the gases are separated and reacted in a controlled manner, using a closed riser design and pressure equalization to prevent explosive gas cushions, and a catalytically active zone for safe conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex ventilation or dilution with large amounts of inert gas is provided to avoid critical accumulation of oxyhydrogen mixture, then safety is improved, but installation effort and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful oxyhydrogen gas mixture from the electrochemical process system through a dedicated degassing unit, separating it from the carrier liquid and directing it to a controlled reaction zone where it is safely converted to water, thereby eliminating the need for complex ventilation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful explosive oxyhydrogen gas mixture into harmless water through controlled catalytic conversion in a reaction zone, transforming the dangerous byproduct into a safe substance and eliminating the need for inert gas dilution
2Reliability
If oxygen and hydrogen gases are removed from electrode surfaces by flushing with inert liquid, then process disruption is reduced, but explosive gas mixtures are formed in the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a degassing unit as an intermediary between the electrochemical cell and the reaction zone, where the carrier liquid containing dissolved gases is processed to separate and convert the explosive gas mixture before being returned to the electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful explosive gas mixture formed during electrode rinsing into harmless water through controlled catalytic conversion, transforming the dangerous byproduct into a safe substance that can be returned to the electrochemical process
3Reliability
If direct reaction of oxyhydrogen is avoided due to safety concerns, then explosion risk is reduced, but disposal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly converts the harmful oxyhydrogen gas mixture into harmless water through controlled catalytic reaction in a reaction zone, transforming the dangerous byproduct into a safe substance and simplifying disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a catalytic converter as an intermediary device that enables controlled reaction of the explosive gas mixture under safe conditions, converting it to water and eliminating the need for complex ventilation or dilution 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 safely and economically converts ignitable and/or explosive gas mixtures into chemically harmless compounds, preventing explosions and reducing operational costs by avoiding the formation of explosive gas cushions and enabling efficient disposal of hazardous gases.
Implementation Method 1
the gases are either taken up separately or together in a carrier liquid which is inert with respect to the gases
Implementation Method 2
the gas mixture in the degasser is separated from the carrier liquid
Implementation Method 3
a catalytically active zone (6) for conversion of the gases separated from the carrier liquid
Implementation Method 4
reacted in a reaction zone... which is characterized in that the discharge pipes (4) are designed as a closed riser
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for controlled conversion of at least two gases which form ignitable and/or explosive mixtures with one another, in which the gases are absorbed either separately or together in a carrier liquid which is inert in relation to the gases; the carrier liquid with the absorbed gases is fed to a degasser which comprises a closed degassing vessel (2) which comprises at least one feed line for the gas-laden carrier liquid (1) and at least one gas outlet (3) at its upper end, and also one or more drains for the carrier liquid below the feed line for the carrier liquid and in each case connected to a drain pipe (4), and in such a manner that the liquid flow rate in the degassing vessel (2) is less than 0.2 m/s, the gas mixture is removed from the carrier liquid in the degasser and, after leaving the degasser and optional drying, is reacted in a reaction zone; characterized in that the drain pipes (4) are designed as a closed riser line up to a height level between the exit cross section of the gas outlet from the degassing vessel (2) and the lowermost level of the reaction zone, and there is pressure equalization between gas outlet (3) and drain pipes (4) in this level region. Also described are suitable apparatus for performing the process and specific uses of the apparatus.