Synergistic Oxygen Scavenger Mixture for Steam Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen binding agents used in steam generators and boilers, such as hydrazine and sodium sulfite, pose toxicological and environmental concerns due to their toxicity and the need for hazardous catalysts, while alternatives like aminophenols and N,N-diethylhydroxylamine have slow reaction rates and require additional compounds to enhance oxygen removal.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic mixture of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine and an arylphenol derivative, such as 4-aminophenol, in a specific weight ratio, effectively enhances oxygen binding and removal without the need for toxic catalysts or additional compounds, demonstrating a significant improvement in reaction rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrazine or sodium sulfite are used as oxygen binding agents, then oxygen removal efficiency is improved, but toxicological hazards and environmental concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces long-standing but toxic oxygen binding agents (hydrazine, sodium sulfite) with a newer generation compound (N,N-diethylhydroxylamine) that achieves the same oxygen removal function with significantly reduced toxicity. The DEHA compound serves as a disposable oxygen scavenger that decomposes into harmless products (CO2, H2O, N2) after binding oxygen, eliminating the need for hazardous catalysts and reducing environmental persistence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oxygen binding agent by selecting DEHA with specific molecular structure and reactivity characteristics. By adjusting the concentration ratios of DEHA to catalysts (aminophenol and heterocyclic compounds) and optimizing operational parameters like temperature and pressure, the system achieves rapid oxygen removal without the toxic side effects of traditional agents.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aminophenols or N,N-diethylhydroxylamine are used as oxygen binding agents, then toxicological hazards are reduced, but reaction rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heterocyclic compounds containing N-substituted amino groups as intermediary catalysts that facilitate the oxygen binding reaction of DEHA. These heterocyclic compounds act as mediators between the oxygen binding agent and dissolved oxygen, lowering the activation energy and accelerating the reaction rate without introducing significant toxicity. The synergistic interaction between DEHA, aminophenol, and heterocyclic compounds creates a highly efficient oxygen removal system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite oxygen treatment system by combining multiple compounds: N,N-diethylhydroxylamine (oxygen binding agent), aminophenol (catalyst), and heterocyclic compounds containing N-substituted amino groups (co-catalyst). This composite approach leverages the complementary strengths of each component - DEHA provides low toxicity and oxygen binding capacity, while the aminophenol and heterocyclic compounds provide catalytic acceleration, achieving both safety and speed requirements.
3Speed
If catalysts such as hydroquinone, benzoquinone, metal salts, or heterocyclic compounds are added to enhance oxygen removal rate, then reaction rate is improved, but toxicity and corrosion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces persistent and toxic catalysts (hydroquinone, metal salts like copper or cobalt) with a more benign catalytic system based on aminophenol and heterocyclic compounds. These alternative catalysts achieve the necessary reaction rate acceleration while decomposing into less harmful products and causing minimal contact corrosion. The system uses catalysts that are effective but environmentally acceptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios and chemical structure parameters of the catalytic components. By selecting specific heterocyclic compounds with N-substituted amino groups and adjusting their concentrations relative to DEHA and aminophenol, the system achieves high reaction rates without the excessive toxicity and corrosion problems associated with traditional catalysts like cobalt salts or hydroquinone.
4Productivity
If existing oxygen binding agents are used in industrial steam generators, then oxygen removal is achieved, but the need for additional toxic catalysts and compounds increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional oxygen treatment system where the combination of DEHA, aminophenol, and heterocyclic compounds simultaneously performs oxygen binding, catalysis, and corrosion inhibition. This integrated approach eliminates the need for separate toxic catalyst addition systems and multiple handling procedures, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective oxygen removal in industrial steam generators and boilers.
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 combination of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine and 4-aminophenol in a specific ratio shows a synergistic effect, achieving rapid oxygen reduction and reducing corrosion, as evidenced by measurements using the Mettler-Toledo InPro 6800 sensor, outperforming individual components in terms of oxygen binding capacity and reaction rate.
Implementation Method 1
N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, in combination with an arylphenol derivative... shows a synergistic effect in removing oxygen
Implementation Method 2
an arylphenol derivative, such as 4-aminophenol... demonstrates a significant improvement in reaction rate
Implementation Method 3
By binding oxygen, the mixture also acts as a corrosion inhibitor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a synergistically active mixture consisting of two components a and b, namely and alkyl hydroxylamine component and an aryl phenol component, for use as oxygen binders in steam generators and boilers. The mixture according to the invention simultaneously acts as a corrosion inhibitor by means of the oxygen binding.