Microwave Heating Module for Exhaust Smoke Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pollutant abatement systems for exhaust smokes are inefficient, costly, and unsuitable for all types of pollutant substances, often requiring high maintenance and producing secondary pollutants, with limitations in temperature range and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A device utilizing thermal dissociation with microwave energy to break down complex pollutant molecules into elementary substances at high temperatures, typically above 1600°C, within a heating module, allowing for the discharge of largely purified smokes into the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal dissociation with microwave energy is used to break down pollutant molecules, then abatement effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabatement effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a microwave-transparent housing with microwave-reflecting internal surfaces as an intermediary structure. This housing confines and recycles microwave energy within the treatment chamber, preventing energy loss and ensuring that the microwave energy is repeatedly utilized to dissociate pollutant molecules, thereby improving abatement effectiveness without proportionally increasing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the specific parameter of microwave frequency and the material properties of microwave-transparent versus microwave-reflecting materials to create an optimized energy confinement system. By changing the physical parameters of the housing materials and the microwave field characteristics, the system achieves efficient energy utilization for pollutant breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high temperature treatment is applied to dissociate pollutant molecules, then pollutant removal efficiency is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant removal efficiencyVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal heating systems with microwave-based thermal dissociation. Microwaves directly energize water molecules and polar compounds in the exhaust stream, generating heat internally within the pollutants themselves rather than heating the entire gas volume. This substitution achieves high-temperature dissociation effects with lower overall energy input and reduced operational costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits phase transitions and dielectric heating properties of different gas components at microwave frequencies. Water vapor and other polar molecules absorb microwave energy more efficiently, undergoing rapid heating and dissociation at lower overall system temperatures, thereby reducing the energy required to achieve effective pollutant breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Ease of operation

If conventional abatement systems are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different pollutant types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different pollutant types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal treatment chamber that handles multiple pollutant types (particulates, gases, vapors) through a single microwave irradiation process. The microwave energy selectively interacts with different molecular types based on their dielectric properties, automatically adapting the treatment mechanism to the specific pollutant composition without requiring system reconfiguration or multiple specialized components.

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

The system achieves significant energetic savings and effective abatement of a high percentage of pollutant substances across the complete spectrum, ensuring reduced environmental impact by dissociating pollutant molecules into non-pollutant components before discharge.

Implementation Method 1

A device utilizing thermal dissociation with microwave energy to break down complex pollutant molecules into elementary substances at high temperatures, typically above 1600°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

thermal dissociation with microwave energy to break down complex pollutant molecules into elementary substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal dissociation: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3542036B1Device for abatement of liquid, gaseous and/or solid pollutant substances of various kind, contained into the exhaust smokes, and process for treatment and abatement of such pollutant substances
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 EPROTECH SRL
  • EP3542036B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3542036B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3542036B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Device for abatement of liquid, gaseous and/o solid pollutant substances of various kind, produced by various sources, which are contained into the exhaust smokes deriving from the combustion processes of pollutant substances of various kind, and in particular but not exclusively in the case of use of civil or industrial thermic plants, and the traffic of vehicles powered by explosion engines. Device comprising at least an heating module (5), for the circulation and the abatement in large extent of the pollutant substances; and at least a flue (6) communicating with the heating module (5) and the combustion chamber (19) of the pollutant substances, and adapted to discharge outside the substances purified into the heating module (5). The abatement of the pollutant substances, circulating through some lengthened tubes (32) inserted in to the heating module (5), is made by means of the use of microwaves, produced at least by a magnetron (39) and directed toward the tubes (32), in a manner that the circulating warm smokes are further heated and are also reduced of the energy peaks of the microwaves (named hotspots) that may reach very high temperatures, also in the order of size comprise preferably by not necessary between about 1200° C and about 2600° C.