Integrated Heater-Catalyst System for PFC and Nitrous Oxide Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catalyst systems face challenges in efficiently removing perfluorinated compounds and nitrous oxide while minimizing heat loss and maintaining smooth airflow, leading to increased power consumption and limited processing capacity due to vertical catalyst stacking.

Innovation Solution

A catalyst system with a heat exchange unit that raises the temperature of exhaust gas in two stages, a heater unit that further heats the gas with a flame, and a catalyst unit integrated with the heater unit, all within a housing with insulation, ensuring efficient decomposition of perfluorinated compounds and nitrous oxide without separate piping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If catalysts are stacked vertically in a cumulative manner, then the decomposition rate of waste gas is improved, but the airflow of waste gas is not smooth, causing limitations on processing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecomposition rateVSAvoidairflow smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst bed is segmented into multiple layers with different catalyst types arranged in sequence. Each layer handles specific contaminants, allowing optimized catalyst placement that maintains smooth airflow while maximizing decomposition efficiency through staged treatment rather than uniform stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the catalyst system are assigned different catalyst compositions tailored to local requirements. The catalyst structure varies by position to match the specific decomposition needs at each stage, improving overall efficiency while maintaining consistent airflow characteristics through strategic design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the size of the catalyst system is increased to improve airflow smoothness, then processing capacity is improved, but it becomes difficult to apply due to limited space in manufacturing lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow smoothnessVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a single-stage horizontal arrangement to a multi-stage vertical configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension for stacking catalyst layers, the system achieves improved airflow characteristics and processing capacity within a compact footprint, making it suitable for limited space in manufacturing lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a system is used to simultaneously remove perfluorinated compounds and nitrous oxide, then treatment comprehensive is improved, but heat loss increases while gas moves through pipe to catalyst unit, increasing power and heater load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment comprehensiveVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function and catalyst unit are merged into an integrated assembly. The heater elements are positioned directly within the catalyst bed, eliminating the need for separate piping and reducing heat loss during gas transport. This combined structure ensures efficient heat transfer to the catalyst while maintaining comprehensive treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary heating of the gas stream directly at the catalyst inlet using integrated heater elements. This pre-heating action occurs within the catalyst unit itself, minimizing heat loss that would occur during transport through external piping, and reducing the overall power and heater load requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 raises the temperature of exhaust gas in two stages, enhances heat exchange efficiency, and maintains smooth airflow, improving the decomposition rate of perfluorinated compounds and nitrous oxide while reducing heat loss and maintaining system compactness.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchange unit configured to raise a temperature of the first exhaust gas in two stages through a heat exchange action with the first processing gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a heater unit into which the second exhaust gas is introduced and in which a temperature of the second exhaust gas is raised by a flame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame heating: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a catalyst unit integrally formed with the heater unit and configured to remove the perfluorinated compounds and the nitrous oxide in the third exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalytic decomposition: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

an insulating material filled between the outer housing and the inner housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4640301A1Catalyst system for removing perfluorinated compounds and nitrous oxide
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ENNOPIA
  • EP4640301A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4640301A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4640301A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided is a catalyst system capable of removing perfluorinated compounds and nitrous oxide. An exhaust gas is heated in two stages through a heat exchange unit and applied to a heater unit. The heater unit generates a flame to heat the exhaust gas to a high temperature. A catalyst unit is directly connected to a heating space of the heater unit so the heated exhaust gas comes into contact with a catalyst, and the perfluorinated compounds and the nitrous oxide are decomposed in the catalyst unit.