Mobile Slurry Acidification System for Ammonia Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing ammonia and hydrogen sulphide emissions from slurry, such as acidification, face challenges including the need for large amounts of hazardous acids, increased workload on slurry tankers, and potential safety hazards during acid handling and mixing, especially when biogas production is involved.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system mounted on a tractor or truck with a front acid tank and pH sensors, allowing for controlled acid injection directly into the slurry during application, reducing the need for extensive modifications to existing machinery and enhancing safety by minimizing acid handling risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If acidification is applied to reduce ammonia emissions from slurry, then emission reduction is achieved, but the need for large amounts of hazardous acids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acidification of slurry in the tank before application to the field. By lowering the pH in advance, the ammonia is converted to ammonium which does not evaporate during subsequent application, thereby reducing emissions without requiring large amounts of acid to be applied at the field site
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary acid injection system that allows controlled addition of acid to the slurry during transport. This intermediary mechanism enables precise acidification without requiring direct handling of large quantities of hazardous acid at the application site, reducing safety risks while achieving emission reduction
2Object-generated harmful factors
If acid is added to slurry to reduce emissions, then ammonia emission is reduced, but safety hazards during acid handling and mixing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary acid injection mechanism that delivers acid to the slurry through a controlled injection system rather than direct mixing. This intermediary approach minimizes the need for manual acid handling and reduces the formation of hazardous gases during mixing, thereby improving safety while maintaining emission reduction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical acid mixing with an automated injection system that controls the acid addition process. This substitution reduces human exposure to hazardous conditions and minimizes the mechanical mixing that generates heat and gas, thereby improving safety without compromising the acidification effect
3Use of energy by moving object
If biogas production is involved with slurry, then energy recovery is achieved, but emission increases due to pH increase from 7 to 8
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acidification of the slurry before biogas production begins. By lowering the pH in advance, the subsequent biogas production process cannot cause harmful emissions even though the pH will increase during fermentation. This preliminary action neutralizes the potential emission problem before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary acidification as a counter-action to prevent the harmful effect of pH increase during biogas production. By pre-lowering the pH, the system creates a buffer that prevents excessive ammonia volatilization even when the natural pH rise from fermentation occurs, thereby eliminating the emission hazard while allowing biogas production to proceed
4Ease of operation
If slurry is delivered on top of the soil, then application is simplified, but fertilizing effect is reduced due to volatilisation of ammonia
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acidification of the slurry before application to the field. By lowering the pH in advance, the ammonia is converted to ammonium which remains in the slurry and does not volatilize during subsequent application, thereby maintaining the fertilizing effect while keeping the application process simple
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 reduces ammonia emissions, optimizes acid usage, and ensures safe handling and distribution, improving operational efficiency and compliance with emission regulations while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The acid tank (11) is connected via a pipe system (12) to an acid pump (13) in combination with a slurry pump (15). The amount of acid added to the slurry is calculated by a computer unit (29) on the basis of, and preferably continuously adjusted by one or more measurements of pH obtained by one or more pH sensors (23, 25).
Implementation Method 2
one or more measurements of pH obtained by one or more pH sensors (23, 25)
Implementation Method 3
The acid tank (11) is connected via a pipe system (12) to an acid pump (13) in combination with a slurry pump (15).
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This invention describes a mobile system for reducing emission of a slurry, such as a liquid manure, where said mobile system is mounted on a mobile unit (3) and comprises a slurry tanker (5) in liquid communication with means for adding/injecting an acid into said slurry, where said slurry tanker (5) and/or means for adding/injecting an acid into said slurry is in communication with distributing means (7) for allowing a reduced emission slurry to be placed on the application site (9), where said means for adding/injecting an acid into said slurry comprises an acid tank (11), where said acid tank is arranged as a front tank on said mobile unit (3).