Halogenated Sorbent Mercury Removal Fly Ash Concrete
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility plants face challenges in recycling fly ash containing activated carbon used for mercury removal due to its affinity for air entrainment agents, which can compromise concrete integrity, and existing sorbents lack sufficient mercury adsorption capacity and porosity for effective flue gas treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving washing sorbents like zeolites with specific solutions to enhance ion exchange and applying halogen compounds to create a predetermined concentration, followed by milling and blending with activated carbon to improve mercury adsorption and reduce affinity for air entrainment agents, resulting in a stable sorbent for flue gas treatment and concrete additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If activated carbon is used for mercury removal, then mercury adsorption capacity is improved, but affinity for air entrainment agents increases, compromising concrete integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and surface properties of the sorbent material. Specifically, the sorbent is treated with halogen compounds (chlorine, bromine, iodine) and metal compounds to alter its chemical parameters, reducing its affinity for air entrainment agents while maintaining mercury adsorption capacity. This chemical modification allows the sorbent to distinguish between mercury (which it should adsorb) and air entrainment agents (which it should not adsorb).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sorbent material by combining activated carbon with other materials having different properties. The composite sorbent includes activated carbon particles combined with halogenated compounds and metal compounds, creating a material that leverages the high mercury adsorption capacity of activated carbon while the added components reduce the harmful affinity for air entrainment agents. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both mercury removal efficiency and compatibility with concrete additives.
2Ease of manufacture
If fly ash is recycled as concrete additive, then economic costs are reduced, but concrete integrity is compromised due to sorbent affinity for air entrainment agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the sorbent through halogenation and metal compound treatment, transforming it from a material that compromises concrete integrity to one that is compatible with concrete additives. These parameter changes enable the sorbent to maintain its mercury removal function while eliminating the harmful interaction with air entrainment agents, thus allowing safe recycling of fly ash as a concrete additive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the sorbent disposable by designing it for single-use in mercury removal applications, then safely disposing of or recycling it as fly ash concrete additive. The modified sorbent loses its harmful properties after serving its mercury removal function, allowing it to be economically recycled as a low-cost concrete additive without compromising safety or integrity. This approach eliminates the need for expensive recovery and regeneration processes.
3Reliability
If sorbent porosity is increased for better mercury adsorption, then mercury removal efficiency is improved, but stability and control of adsorption capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by chemically modifying the sorbent surface through halogen compound treatment and metal compound impregnation. These changes alter the surface chemistry and porosity characteristics of the sorbent, enhancing its mercury adsorption capacity while maintaining structural stability. The chemical treatments create stable complexes that control adsorption behavior, preventing excessive or uncontrolled mercury uptake while maintaining consistent performance.
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 treated sorbents demonstrate enhanced mercury removal efficiency and stability, allowing for effective recycling of fly ash as concrete additives, reducing environmental impact and economic costs while maintaining concrete integrity.
Implementation Method 1
washing a sorbent with a washing solution so as to achieve an exchange of ions between the sorbent and the washing solution
Implementation Method 2
Introducing an activated carbon into an exhaust stream is a common method for removing mercury
Data Source
AI summary
A method for modifying the properties of a sorbent comprising washing a sorbent with a washing solution so as to achieve an exchange of ions between the sorbent and the washing solution, and applying a halogen compound to the sorbent that has been washed with the washing solution to achieve a predetermined concentration of the halogen on the sorbent.