Halogenated Hydrocarbon Recovery via Steam Desorption and Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for recovering halogenated hydrocarbons, such as anesthetic gases, are inefficient and lack effective methods for desorption and condensation, leading to suboptimal recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a desorption vessel with a sorbate, a steam generator to produce water vapor for desorption, a cooling device for condensation, and a collecting tank, along with additional components like softening and cleaning devices to ensure pure water vapor, enabling efficient recovery of halogenated hydrocarbons by using zeolites or activated carbon as sorbents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water vapor is passed through the filter cartridge to recover anesthetic gas, then the anesthetic gas can be recovered, but the process is inefficient and lacks effective desorption and condensation methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transitions by condensing the desorbed anesthetic gas vapor into liquid form in a condensation chamber. The vapor phase anesthetic gas, after being desorbed from the sorbate by water vapor, is cooled and condensed into liquid form, enabling efficient collection and recovery. This phase change from vapor to liquid significantly improves recovery efficiency by allowing complete collection of the desorbed gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water vapor as an intermediary substance to transfer and desorb the anesthetic gas from the sorbate. The water vapor acts as a carrier that penetrates the sorbate material, displaces the adsorbed anesthetic gas molecules, and transports them to the condensation chamber where they can be recovered. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall process while maintaining high efficiency.
2Productivity
If heating elements are used to drive anesthetic gas out of zeolite, then desorption can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and process control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly heating the zeolite or sorbate material, the patent uses water vapor as an intermediary desorption agent. The water vapor is introduced into the sorbate at ambient or elevated temperatures, and through adsorption competition and displacement mechanisms, it releases the anesthetic gas without requiring high-temperature heating. This significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective desorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter approach from temperature-based desorption (heating) to concentration-based desorption (water vapor partial pressure). By controlling the concentration and flow rate of water vapor rather than temperature, the process achieves efficient desorption with lower energy input and better process control.
3Productivity
If chemical vacuum pumps are used to generate negative pressure, then gas recovery can be enhanced, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a condensation chamber where the desorbed anesthetic gas vapor is automatically condensed into liquid form due to temperature differences. The condensed liquid collects in the chamber and can be drained, creating a natural pressure differential that enhances gas flow through the system without requiring external vacuum pumps. The system essentially creates its own driving force through the phase change process.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transition from vapor to liquid in the condensation chamber creates a volume reduction and pressure differential that drives the gas flow through the system. This natural pressure gradient, generated by the condensation process itself, replaces the need for chemical vacuum pumps, simplifying the system while maintaining effective gas recovery rates.
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 device facilitates efficient recovery of halogenated hydrocarbons by effectively desorbing and condensing them, allowing for the collection and reuse of anesthetic gases like sevoflurane and desflurane, with improved water purification and steam generation, enhancing the overall recovery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (1), which is configured to generate water vapor from the steam generator supplied water
Implementation Method 2
The sorbate has a sorbent on which the halogenated hydrocarbons are adsorbed
Implementation Method 3
a cooling device which is configured to cool the water vapor mixed with halogenated hydrocarbons in such a way that a condensate is formed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Device for the recovery of halogenated hydrocarbons, comprising a desorption vessel (2) which receives a sorbate comprising the halogenated hydrocarbons, a steam generator (1) which is configured to generate steam from water supplied to the steam generator (1) and to introduce the generated steam into the desorption vessel (2) such that the halogenated hydrocarbons desorb from the sorbate and are absorbed by the steam, a cooling device (3) which is configured to cool the steam containing halogenated hydrocarbons such that a condensate is formed, and a collection vessel (4) which receives the condensate.