Nitrogen Oxide Adsorbent Conversion to Fertilizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing nitrogen oxides in the ambient air either produce waste filter material or release pollutants during regeneration, failing to effectively utilize removed nitrogen oxides for productive purposes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving the adsorption of nitrogen oxides on an adsorbent material, followed by desorption and conversion into liquid or solid compounds, such as fertilizers, allowing for the reuse of the adsorbent material and reducing atmospheric nitrogen oxide concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If nitrogen oxides are removed from ambient air using conventional filter systems, then the concentration of nitrogen oxides in ambient air is reduced, but the removed nitrogen oxides are either released again or converted producing other gaseous pollutants during regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful nitrogen oxides removed from ambient air into beneficial liquid or solid nitrogenous compounds such as fertilizers. The conversion process transforms NOx into industrially usable products, eliminating the need to release or convert them back into gaseous pollutants during regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the removed nitrogen oxides or regenerating the adsorbent material in place, the patent extracts the adsorbent material from the filter module, desorbs the nitrogen oxides under controlled conditions, converts them into useful products, and then regenerates the adsorbent material for reuse.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adsorbent material is used to adsorb nitrogen oxides in a filter module, then nitrogen oxides are removed from ambient air, but the adsorbent material becomes loaded and requires replacement or regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a process where the loaded adsorbent material is extracted from the filter module, the adsorbed nitrogen oxides are desorbed and converted into useful products, and the regenerated adsorbent material is returned for reuse. This closes the material loop and prevents loss of the adsorbent material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters (temperature, pressure, gas composition) to optimize both the adsorption of nitrogen oxides during normal operation and the desorption during regeneration, maximizing the utilization of the adsorbent material capacity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If filter material is continuously regenerated in place, then the filter remains operational, but energy is consumed and other gaseous pollutants are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adsorbent material from the filter module for external regeneration rather than performing in-place regeneration. This allows for more efficient and controlled desorption and conversion processes, reducing energy consumption and avoiding the production of gaseous pollutants during regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process that transforms the desorbed nitrogen oxides into liquid or solid products before the adsorbent material is regenerated. This intermediary step eliminates the need to release gaseous pollutants and reduces the energy required for regeneration.
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
Significantly reduces environmental pollution by converting nitrogen oxides into industrially usable compounds, saving energy by substituting NO2 in production processes and enabling large-scale processing of recovered nitrogen oxides.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the ambient air in a stationary adsorbent unit... nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in the air flow are adsorbed
Implementation Method 2
nitrogen oxides (NOx) which were removed from the ambient air by the adsorption on an adsorbent material of a NOx reservoir and have accumulated in the NOx reservoir, are desorbed from the NOx reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
Utilization of nitrogen oxides contained in the ambient air including a system and a method with which the nitrogen oxides can be utilized for the production of liquid or solid chemicals.