Selective Methane Degassing via Electromagnetic Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for degassing methane from scrubbing liquids in pressurized water scrubbers, which contain both methane and carbon dioxide, result in excessive methane in exhaust gases, posing environmental and emission challenges, and lack effective selective reduction techniques.

Innovation Solution

Application of electromagnetic waves or an alternating electromagnetic field within specific frequency ranges (0.5 to 10 MHz) to loosen methane molecules from water clusters while minimizing the stimulation of carbon dioxide, allowing for selective degassing of methane from the scrubbing liquid, followed by potential catalytic treatment with nickel and pressure reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional pressure change methods are used for degassing, then carbon dioxide is removed from the scrubbing liquid, but excessive methane is also released into the exhaust gas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide removalVSAvoidmethane in exhaust gas
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a locally differentiated treatment to different gas components in the scrubbing liquid. Electromagnetic waves with specific frequencies (0.5-10 MHz) are used to selectively affect methane molecules while leaving carbon dioxide largely unaffected. This frequency-selective approach creates local quality differences in the interaction between the electromagnetic field and different gas components, enabling selective methane degassing without co-releasing excessive carbon dioxide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of electromagnetic frequency to achieve selective degassing. By using electromagnetic waves in the 0.5-10 MHz range, the patent exploits resonance or specific interaction frequencies that preferentially affect methane molecules bound in water clusters. This parameter change allows differentiation between methane and carbon dioxide treatment, resolving the contradiction between removing carbon dioxide and minimizing methane release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional degassing methods are used, then gas is removed from the scrubbing liquid, but costly and energy-intensive after-treatment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas removalVSAvoidenergy for after-treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary selective separation of methane from the scrubbing liquid before the usual carbon dioxide desorption step. By applying electromagnetic waves to the pressurized scrubbing liquid exiting the absorber, methane is selectively loosened and removed in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the scrubbing liquid later undergoes pressure reduction and carbon dioxide desorption, the methane content is already minimized, eliminating the need for costly and energy-intensive exhaust gas treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If electromagnetic waves are applied to loosen methane from water clusters, then selective methane degassing is achieved, but specific frequency control is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective methane separationVSAvoidfrequency control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a broad frequency range (0.5-10 MHz) for electromagnetic wave application, making the system universally effective for methane degassing without requiring precise frequency tuning. This multi-frequency approach provides universality, where any frequency within this range can achieve the selective loosening of methane from water clusters, simplifying the control system while maintaining high separation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method reduces the methane content in exhaust gases, eliminating the need for costly and energy-intensive after-treatment, enabling the reuse of degassed methane in an energy- and cost-saving manner for heating or biogas processing.

Implementation Method 1

the action of electromagnetic waves or an alternating electromagnetic field on the washing liquid with at least one frequency within a frequency range of 0.5 to 10 Megahertz, wherein at the at least one frequency the binding of the methane in the washing liquid can be reduced by the action and/or the methane in the washing liquid can be excited to move

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3393624B1Method and device for selectively degassing methane from scrubbing liquid
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 KLEIN HARALD
  • EP3393624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393624B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3393624B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, a device, and the use thereof for degassing methane from a scrubbing liquid containing carbon dioxide and consisting largely of water, such as for a pressurized water scrubbing in particular. Electromagnetic waves or an electromagnetic alternating field acts (100) on the scrubbing liquid within a frequency range in which the bond of the methane in the scrubbing liquid can be reduced and/or the methane can be excited into motion in the scrubbing liquid by means of the influence of the electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic alternating field. In this manner, methane contained in the scrubbing liquid is selectively degassed.