Nitrogen Compound Recovery via Organic Acid Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a process to recover nitrogen-based compounds from gas and liquid streams with organic origins to produce a saleable nitrogen-based product, particularly a fertilizer that can be certified for use in organic agriculture, as existing methods do not effectively utilize organic acids to convert these compounds into organic fertilizers.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the absorption of nitrogen-based compounds from gas streams into a liquid stream, followed by reaction with organic acids such as acetic acid or citric acid to produce organic ammonium-based fertilizers like ammonium acetate or ammonium citrate, which can be certified as organic, and the use of cavitation bubbles or degassing membranes to strip and react nitrogen compounds from liquid streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional methods (spray scrubbing, packed bed wet scrubbing, incineration) are used to treat gas streams containing nitrogen compounds, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the nitrogen-based compounds are lost and cannot be recovered as saleable products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful nitrogen-based compounds (ammonia, organic nitrogen) from gas streams into beneficial saleable nitrogen-based products through absorption and chemical reaction. The harmful odorous compounds are transformed into valuable fertilizers or chemical intermediates, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and creating economic value from waste streams
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding nitrogen-based compounds through incineration or simple scrubbing, the patent recovers them by absorbing into liquid streams and converting into saleable products. The nitrogen compounds that would otherwise be lost are captured and transformed into economically valuable fertilizers containing organic and inorganic nitrogen
2Loss of substance
If condensation is used to remove chemical compounds from vapor streams, then certain compounds are recovered, but multiple condensate streams are produced requiring complex mixing and wastewater treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple condensate streams and gas stream treatments into a unified absorption and conversion process. Instead of separately treating multiple condensate streams through complex mixing and wastewater treatment, the invention directs all nitrogen-containing streams through a common absorption pathway using acidified liquid streams, simplifying the overall process architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal treatment pathway that handles diverse nitrogen-containing streams (gas streams, condensates, liquid wastes) through a single absorption and conversion mechanism. The acidified liquid stream serves multiple functions: absorbing ammonia, converting organic nitrogen, and producing saleable products from various source materials
3Productivity
If synthetic fertilizers are produced from nitrogen compounds, then high productivity is achieved, but organic agriculture certification cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of fertilizer production by using organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid) instead of conventional synthetic acids. This parameter change transforms the product from synthetic to organic-certifiable fertilizer while maintaining high productivity through efficient absorption and conversion processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent produces composite fertilizer materials containing both organic and inorganic nitrogen components. The reaction of ammonia with organic acids creates ammonium salts (ammonium acetate, ammonium citrate) that combine synthetic ammonia with organic acid structures, creating hybrid materials that meet organic certification requirements while delivering high nitrogen content
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 process effectively converts nitrogen-based compounds from organic sources into certified organic fertilizers, enhancing the recovery and utilization of these compounds while ensuring compliance with organic agriculture standards.
Implementation Method 1
by absorbing at least a portion of the nitrogen-based compound into a liquid stream
Implementation Method 2
by producing cavitation bubbles into which a liquid phase nitrogen-based compound is stripped
Implementation Method 3
subject the liquid stream to a degassing membrane that removes the nitrogen-based compound from the liquid stream
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a process for removing gas phase nitrogen-based compounds by absorption into a liquid stream. The absorbed nitrogen-based compound is reacted with an acid to produce a nitrogen-based product. The nitrogen-based compound, the acid, and the resulting nitrogen-based product may be organic compounds, i.e. compounds derived from animal matter or plant matter. The nitrogen-based product may be a fertilizer, such as ammonium acetate or ammonium citrate that may be certified as organic. Processes are also described for removing nitrogen-based compounds from a liquid stream to produce a nitrogen-based product, including organic fertilizers. One process includes producing cavitation bubbles into which a liquid phase nitrogen-based compound is stripped, followed by absorption to produce a nitrogen-based product. Another process includes the use of a degassing membrane to remove a liquid phase nitrogen-based compound that is degassed to produce a nitrogen-based product, including organic fertilizers.