Hydroxide Vapor Generation for CO2 Removal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment systems for removing contaminants, including carbon dioxide, from hydrocarbon fuel combustion gases are inefficient and cost-ineffective due to limited liquid-gas interaction in aqueous solution processes.
Innovation Solution
Generating hydroxide-containing vapors from ammonium hydroxide solutions, which are combined with combustion gases for vapor-to-vapor contact, significantly increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of contaminant removal, including CO2, through reactions forming ammonium bicarbonate particles that can be separated and sold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional aqueous solution processes are used for contaminant removal, then the process is simple to implement, but the liquid-gas interaction is limited resulting in low removal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the treatment medium from liquid (aqueous solution) to vapor (hydroxide-containing vapor). This phase change enables direct vapor-to-vapor contact with combustion gases, dramatically improving mass transfer efficiency and contaminant removal rates while maintaining relatively simple process implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of the treatment medium from liquid to vapor state. By generating hydroxide-containing vapors from aqueous solutions through heating or evaporation, the system achieves enhanced interaction with gaseous contaminants, improving removal efficiency without requiring complex additional equipment.
2Productivity
If conventional liquid-to-vapor treatment processes are used, then the equipment is simple, but the CO2 removal rate is low (1 mole CO2 per mole ammonium hydroxide solution)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the treatment medium from liquid to vapor, enabling vapor-to-vapor contact that increases the reaction efficiency between ammonium hydroxide and CO2. This results in up to 15 times higher CO2 removal rates, significantly reducing the quantity of ammonium hydroxide solution needed compared to conventional liquid-based processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If aqueous solution-based treatment is used, then the cost is higher due to inefficiency, but the process is well-established
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies phase transition by converting aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution into hydroxide-containing vapors. This vapor-phase process maintains the simplicity and maturity of conventional aqueous processes while achieving up to 15 times higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness through enhanced vapor-to-vapor mass transfer and reaction 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 vapor-to-vapor contact process achieves up to 15 times higher CO2 removal rates per mole of ammonium hydroxide solution compared to conventional liquid-to-vapor processes, with reduced costs and increased efficiency in treating large volumes of combustion gases.
Implementation Method 1
The vapor-to-vapor contact process achieves up to 15 times higher CO2 removal rates per mole of ammonium hydroxide solution compared to conventional liquid-to-vapor processes, with reduced costs and increased efficiency in treating large volumes of combustion gases.
Implementation Method 2
Generating hydroxide-containing vapors from ammonium hydroxide solutions, which are combined with combustion gases for vapor-to-vapor contact
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment process for removing and/or remediating contaminants in a contaminated gas, includes generating vapor containing hydroxide ions, mixing the vapor containing hydroxide ions with a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2), and allowing the mixture of the vapor containing hydroxide ions and the gas to react. The step of generating vapor containing hydroxide ions involves boiling an aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide. The aqueous solution containing ammonium hydroxide can be enhanced to a higher hydroxide concentration and a higher pH by dissolving at least one other hydroxide compound in the aqueous solution.