Gas Diffusion Electrodes for Diluted NOx to Ammonium Nitrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting nitrogen oxides into high-value compounds are economically inefficient and energy-intensive, particularly when using selective catalytic reduction processes, and they require high-concentration nitrogen oxides, while diluted nitrogen oxides in waste gases are not effectively converted due to low mass transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An ammonium nitrate manufacturing apparatus utilizing a cathode, anode, and electrolyte with metal organic frameworks and metal catalysts on a porous substrate, enabling electrochemical conversion of diluted nitrogen oxides into ammonium nitrate at room temperature without the need for reducing agents, improving mass transfer efficiency and conversion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If selective catalytic reduction process is used to convert nitrogen oxides, then nitrogen oxides can be converted into harmless N2, but it requires large amount of expensive reducing agents and high temperature operation consuming lots of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal-based selective catalytic reduction process with an electrochemical system using gas diffusion electrodes. The electrochemical conversion occurs at ambient temperature, substituting high-temperature thermal processes with electrical energy-driven reactions, thereby eliminating the need for expensive reducing agents and high energy consumption while maintaining nitrogen oxide removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature (200-400°C) to ambient temperature, and from chemical reducing agent-based conversion to electrochemical conversion. This parameter change fundamentally alters the reaction mechanism, allowing nitrogen oxide conversion without the need for large amounts of reducing agents and with dramatically reduced energy consumption
2Ease of manufacture
If diluted nitrogen oxides from waste gas are directly used as reactant, then the process can be simplified, but mass transfer efficiency is low and desired nitrogen compounds cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gas diffusion electrodes with porous structures that enable efficient mass transfer of diluted nitrogen oxides from the gas phase to the electrolyte interface. The porous substrate provides large surface area and facilitates diffusion, allowing direct use of diluted waste gas without purification while achieving high conversion rates to desired nitrogen compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrolyte as an intermediary medium between the diluted nitrogen oxide gas and the reaction interface. The electrolyte facilitates mass transfer and enables electrochemical reactions, acting as a mediator that allows direct processing of diluted waste gas without requiring high-concentration nitrogen oxide or complex purification steps
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
The apparatus achieves high conversion rates of diluted nitrogen oxides into ammonium nitrate efficiently and economically, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for separate purification processes, thus addressing environmental pollution effectively.
Implementation Method 1
enabling electrochemical conversion of diluted nitrogen oxides into ammonium nitrate at room temperature
Implementation Method 2
metal organic frameworks (MOFs) dispersed in the porous substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an ammonium nitrate manufacturing apparatus, which is an apparatus for manufacturing ammonium nitrate from a diluted nitrogen oxide, including: a cathode; an anode which is arranged to be opposite to and spaced apart from the cathode; and an electrolyte placed between the anode and cathode, wherein the cathode and the anode are independently of each other gas diffusion electrodes including: a porous substrate; metal organic frameworks (MOFs) dispersed in the porous substrate; and a metal catalyst placed on one surface of the porous substrate, and a method for manufacturing ammonium nitrate using the same.