Lead Sulphate Desulphurization Using Urea for High-Yield Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing desulphurization processes for lead sulphate-containing materials from recycled lead acid batteries face challenges such as reagent procurement difficulties, by-product management issues, and low desulphurization yields, particularly when using sodium carbonate or ammonium-based compounds, which are environmentally and safety-hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A novel process utilizing urea or other amino compounds as the sole desulphurizing agent, operating at controlled temperatures and pressures, significantly increasing reaction yields and simplifying the supply chain while minimizing environmental and safety risks, through single-stage or multi-stage reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sodium carbonate or ammonium carbonate is used for desulphurization, then the desulphurization reaction can proceed, but the desulphurization yield is low and by-product management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by substituting traditional carbonate reagents with amino compounds (urea, guanidine, guanine, arginine). This parameter change transforms the reaction pathway to produce ammonium sulphate as a soluble by-product that can be easily managed and utilized agriculturally, while achieving desulphurization yields exceeding 99%.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs amino compounds, particularly urea, which is a low-cost, readily available reagent. The process uses these reagents in a single-stage reaction that achieves complete desulphurization without requiring complex multi-step procedures or expensive specialized chemicals, thereby simplifying by-product management.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional desulphurizing agents are used, then the process can be implemented, but reagent procurement becomes difficult and supply chain complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs amino compounds, particularly urea, which serve multiple functions: they act as the desulphurizing agent, provide a readily available supply chain solution, and produce ammonium sulphate that has agricultural value. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall process while improving reagent availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes amino compounds that are already widely produced and distributed in the market (such as urea, a common fertilizer). This allows the desulphurization process to leverage existing supply chains rather than requiring specialized reagent procurement, thereby reducing supply chain complexity.
3Reliability
If conventional desulphurization processes are used, then treatment can occur, but environmental and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the traditionally problematic by-products of desulphurization into beneficial substances. Instead of producing difficult-to-manage residues, the amino compound-based process produces ammonium sulphate, a valuable agricultural fertilizer. This transforms a harmful factor (by-product waste) into a benefit (agricultural resource), thereby improving environmental safety.
4Quantity of substance
If multi-stage complex processes are employed to achieve high desulphurization yield, then yield improves, but process time and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple desulphurization stages into a single reaction step by using amino compounds. The single-stage process achieves complete desulphurization (yields >99%) in one operation, eliminating the need for sequential treatment steps and reducing overall process time while maintaining high efficiency.
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 process achieves desulphurization yields higher than 99% with improved environmental and safety profiles, allowing for efficient production and handling of lead carbonate and ammonium sulphate products, suitable for further agricultural use.
Implementation Method 1
desulphurization treatment via carbonatation with ammonium carbonate
Implementation Method 2
treating the paste in an aqueous suspension with an alkaline carbonate which converts the lead sulphate into a carbonate
Implementation Method 3
The process is carried out by heating the mixture of material containing lead sulphate and amino compound in a closed reactor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention claims a process for the desulphurization of materials and/or residues containing lead sulphate, carried out in one or more stages. The main characteristic of this process is that the only desulphurising agent is an amino compound selected among urea, guanidine, guanine, arginine or another similar amino compound.