Methane Purification with Microwave Catalyst Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methane purification methods face issues with water adhering to catalysts, blocking reaction sites and hindering the decomposition of methane and ozone, leading to reduced reactivity.
Innovation Solution
A methane purification apparatus that includes a flow path, an ozone supply unit, a catalyst, and a microwave output unit to vaporize adhering water by raising its temperature, allowing methane and ozone to react effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If methane is decomposed by reacting with ozone on a catalyst, then methane purification is achieved, but water adheres to the catalyst and blocks reaction sites, reducing reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternately switching between ozone supply mode and microwave irradiation mode. During ozone supply, methane decomposition occurs; during microwave irradiation, adhering water is removed. This periodic operation maintains catalyst reactivity while achieving continuous purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water adhesion into a beneficial process by using microwave irradiation to vaporize and remove the adhering water. The water that previously blocked reaction sites is now removed through controlled heating, restoring catalyst activity.
2Productivity
If continuous ozone supply is used to maintain purification, then methane decomposition continues, but water adhesion increases and blocks catalyst sites
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between continuous ozone supply for purification and periodic microwave irradiation to remove water. This timing separation allows continuous productivity while periodically eliminating the harmful water adhesion effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that either ozone supply or microwave irradiation is always occurring, with no idle time. The transition between modes is seamless, maintaining continuous purification capability while addressing water adhesion.
3Reliability
If microwave irradiation is applied to remove water, then catalyst reactivity is restored, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies microwave irradiation periodically rather than continuously, only when water adhesion becomes significant. This intermittent application reduces overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation, while still maintaining catalyst reactivity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the thermal energy from the microwave irradiation to directly address the water adhesion problem, and the catalyst itself continues to facilitate the main purification reaction without requiring additional energy input during normal operation.
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 apparatus efficiently decomposes methane by removing adhering water, thereby enhancing the reactivity of methane and ozone on the catalyst, reducing power consumption, and maintaining high purification rates.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave output unit that outputs microwaves around the catalyst in the flow path
Implementation Method 2
a catalyst that decomposes the methane contained in a second gas containing the first gas flowing through the flow path and the ozone supplied by the ozone supply unit
Implementation Method 3
remove methane contained in a gas containing methane and ozone and having a temperature within a predetermined range by bringing the gas into contact with a catalyst and oxidizing the methane with ozone
Data Source
AI summary
A methane purification apparatus includes: a flow path through which a first gas containing methane flows; an ozone supply unit that supplies ozone to the first gas; a catalyst that decomposes methane contained in a second gas containing the first gas flowing through the flow path and ozone supplied by the ozone supply unit; and a microwave output unit that outputs microwaves around the catalyst in the flow path.