Hydrocarbon Emission Management Combustion and Catalysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vent control systems are limited in handling continuous hydrocarbon emissions and larger quantities due to limitations in volumetric and heat throughput, often requiring multiple installations, which increases costs and complexity, and frequently replace catalysts unnecessarily, leading to high operating costs and frequent shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocarbon emission management system that includes a combustion device and a catalytic converter, with adjustable flow meters and choke valves to achieve a pre-determined air-to-fuel ratio for complete combustion, and a catalytic converter to oxidize un-combusted hydrocarbons, along with a control system to monitor catalyst performance and optimize operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional vent control systems are used to handle continuous hydrocarbon emissions and larger quantities, then the system requires multiple installations, but this increases costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a combustion device and a catalytic converter into a single integrated emission management system. The combustion device handles high-volume continuous emissions while the catalytic converter treats residual uncombusted hydrocarbons, eliminating the need for multiple separate installations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity
2Reliability
If conventional vent control systems frequently replace catalysts, then emission treatment is maintained, but operating costs increase and shutdowns occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary combustion in the combustion device to pre-treat the hydrocarbon emissions before they reach the catalytic converter. This preliminary action reduces the load on the catalyst, extending its operational life and reducing the frequency of replacements, thereby maintaining reliability while improving operational continuity and ease of operation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional vent control systems are used for complete combustion, then emission reduction is achieved, but system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous combustion in the combustion device to ensure complete oxidation of hydrocarbons, while the catalytic converter provides continuous treatment of residual emissions. This continuous dual-action approach achieves comprehensive emission reduction at optimized cost by preventing catalyst overload and extending maintenance intervals
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 system effectively reduces and eliminates hydrocarbon emissions by achieving complete combustion and extending catalyst life, reducing operational costs and infrastructure complexity, while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The combustion device is configured to receive the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon supply conduit and the air from the air supply conduit. The combustion device is configured to ignite and combust the hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 2
The catalytic converter includes a catalyst configured to oxidize the un-combusted hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 3
The catalytic converter includes a catalyst configured to oxidize the un-combusted hydrocarbons.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reducing the release of hydrocarbons emitted from a hydrocarbon source into the atmosphere includes a hydrocarbon supply conduit configured to receive the emitted hydrocarbons. In addition, the system includes an air supply conduit coupled to an air source. Further, the system includes a combustion device coupled to an outlet end of the hydrocarbon supply conduit and an outlet end of the air supply conduit. The combustion device is configured to receive the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon supply conduit and the air from the air supply conduit, and combust the hydrocarbons. Still further, the system includes a catalytic converter spaced apart from the combustion device and a transfer conduit extending from an outlet of the combustion device to an inlet of a catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is configured to receive the combustion products and any un-combusted hydrocarbons from the transfer conduit, and oxidize the un-combusted hydrocarbons.