Modified Trass Adsorbent for High-Temperature Exhaust Gas Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing contaminants in exhaust gases from combustion plants, such as activated carbon, face challenges including high temperature limitations, flammability, and negative impacts on flue ash quality, necessitating a cost-effective and efficient alternative with enhanced adsorptive capacity.

Innovation Solution

A modified Trass mineral with an enlarged active surface area, achieved through treatment with agents like water and surfactants or acids, which increases its adsorptive capacity and temperature resistance, allowing it to effectively remove contaminants without compromising structural integrity or flue ash quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If activated carbon is used for adsorbing contaminants, then adsorptive capacity is improved, but temperature resistance deteriorates (activated carbon is inherently combustible and cannot be used at high temperatures)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorptive capacityVSAvoidtemperature resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameters from organic activated carbon to inorganic Trass mineral, fundamentally altering the chemical composition and thermal stability characteristics while maintaining adsorptive functionality through surface area enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a functional copy of activated carbon's adsorptive properties using Trass mineral, achieving similar contaminant removal capabilities through chemical modification and surface area enlargement without copying the combustible organic structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Quantity of substance

If activated carbon is used for adsorbing contaminants, then adsorptive capacity is improved, but safety deteriorates (activated carbon is flammable)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorptive capacityVSAvoidflammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition from organic carbon-based material to inorganic mineral material, fundamentally altering the safety characteristics while preserving adsorptive functionality through surface modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the inherent combustibility issue of activated carbon into an advantage by using inorganic Trass mineral that is naturally non-flammable, turning a safety constraint into a safety feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If activated carbon is used for adsorbing contaminants, then adsorptive capacity is improved, but flue ash quality deteriorates (activated carbon adsorbs additives needed for concrete production)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorptive capacityVSAvoidflue ash quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a functional alternative to activated carbon using Trass mineral that provides adsorptive capacity without the unwanted side effect of adsorbing concrete additives, achieving contaminant removal while preserving flue ash utility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of manufacture

If native Trass is used for purifying exhaust gases, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but adsorptive capacity deteriorates (native Trass has insufficient surface area)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidadsorptive capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface area parameter of Trass mineral through chemical modification and mechanical processing, transforming native low-surface-area Trass into a high-surface-area adsorbent while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary chemical treatment and surface modification on native Trass to enlarge its surface area before deployment, preparing the material in advance to achieve high adsorptive capacity without requiring expensive raw materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 modified Trass exhibits a significantly higher adsorptive capacity for contaminants like mercury, is non-flammable, and maintains flue ash quality, enabling efficient and cost-effective purification of exhaust gases across various temperatures, including those exceeding 800°C, and can be reused without damaging its structure.

Implementation Method 1

Adsorption is also an efficient and cost-effective process for removing substances from a medium. In this process exhaust gases are conducted over and/or through a particular material, capable to hold back substances present in the exhaust gases on its surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2864022B1Means for purifying fluids, method of its preparation and its use

Publication Date: 2017.02.15 FTU FORSCHUNG & TECHN ENTWICKLUNG IM UMWELTSCHUTZ

AI summary

The present invention relates to a modified Trass material, having an enlarged active surface as compared to native Trass. The invention further pertains to a method of its preparation and the use of the modified Trass for removing substances from fluids, in particular from exhaust gases of combustion plants.