NOx Removal Control System Using Temperature Distribution Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NOx removal devices face inefficiencies due to uneven concentration distribution of the reducing agent, even when the spraying level is constant, leading to inferior performance.

Innovation Solution

A control system that measures temperature distribution using optical fibers to determine the flow rate and concentration distribution of the reagent, allowing for precise adjustment of the reagent introduction to achieve a desired concentration distribution, thereby enhancing NOx removal efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the spraying level of the reducing agent is kept constant, then the operation is simple, but the concentration distribution does not reach the desired distribution when nozzles are blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying level controlVSAvoidconcentration distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the actual concentration distribution of the reducing agent is measured and compared with the desired distribution. Based on this comparison, the control system automatically adjusts the spraying levels of individual nozzles to compensate for blockages or deviations, ensuring reliable concentration distribution while maintaining operational simplicity through automated correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static constant spraying levels to dynamic adjustable spraying levels. Each nozzle's spraying level can be independently modified based on real-time concentration measurements, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions such as nozzle blockages while maintaining optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the concentration distribution is not uniform, then the NOx removal efficiency decreases, but increasing the spraying level to compensate increases reagent consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx removal efficiencyVSAvoidreagent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality control by measuring and adjusting the concentration distribution at different spatial locations within the exhaust gas flow. Instead of uniformly increasing spraying levels across all nozzles, the system identifies specific regions with insufficient reducing agent concentration and targets only those areas for adjustment, thereby improving NOx removal efficiency without proportionally increasing overall reagent consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the spraying parameters (flow rates, timing) of individual nozzles based on measured concentration distributions. By precisely controlling where and how much reducing agent is injected, the system optimizes the balance between achieving uniform concentration distribution for high NOx removal efficiency and minimizing total reagent consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional flow rate control methods are used, then the control system is simple, but the concentration distribution cannot be accurately controlled when nozzles are blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol systemVSAvoidconcentration distribution measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature measurement as an intermediary parameter to infer reducing agent concentration distribution. Instead of directly measuring complex concentration fields, the system uses temperature measurements (which are easier to obtain and more accurate) as a proxy indicator. The temperature distribution correlates with the concentration distribution of the reducing agent, enabling precise indirect measurement without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures a uniform and desired concentration distribution of the reagent, improving NOx removal efficiency, preventing reagent wastage, and maintaining the reliability of the NOx removal device and boiler plant operations.

Implementation Method 1

a reducing agent is sprayed into exhaust gas in a smoke path, and nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are removed in the form of nitrogen and water by means of chemical reactions with a catalyst. The reducing agent sprayed into the exhaust gas evaporates, and the temperature of the exhaust gas is reduced at this time due to the latent heat of evaporation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

the temperature of the exhaust gas is reduced at this time due to the latent heat of evaporation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLatent heat of evaporation: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

measuring the temperature distribution of the exhaust gas into which the reducing agent is sprayed optically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2540380B1Device for controlling denitration apparatus, denitration apparatus provided with the device, boiler plant provided with the device, and method for controlling denitration apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 MITSUBISHI HITACHIPOWER SYST LTD
  • EP2540380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540380B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540380B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control system (20) of a NOx removal device is provided with reagent introducing means (15) for introducing a reagent into a fluid, a temperature measuring device (21) that measures a temperature distribution of the fluid, a reagent-concentration calculating portion (23) that calculates a concentration distribution of the reagent introduced into the fluid with the temperature distribution determined at the temperature measuring device (21), a reagent-flow-rate determining portion (24) that determines a flow rate of the reagent that the reagent introducing means (15) introduces in accordance with the concentration distribution calculated at the reagent-concentration calculating portion (23), and a reagent-introducing-means control portion (25) that controls the reagent introducing means (15) so as to introduce the reagent into the fluid at the flow rate determined at the reagent-flow-rate determining portion (24).