Partial-Vacuum Heating Chamber for Hydrocarbon Soil Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods of remediating soil contaminated with hydrocarbons using thermal desorption are energy-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-assisted thermal desorption method that uses a heating chamber under partial vacuum and electric heating, such as induction heating, to vaporize hydrocarbons and water from soil, followed by condensation in a cooling structure, reducing energy requirements and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional thermal desorption methods are used to remove hydrocarbons from soil, then the hydrocarbons can be separated from the soil matrix, but large amounts of energy are required making the process highly inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the thermal desorption process under vacuum conditions (reduced pressure) rather than atmospheric pressure. This parameter change lowers the boiling points of hydrocarbons, enabling vaporization at lower temperatures and thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective contaminant removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of hydrocarbons from liquid/solid state in soil to vapor state through controlled heating under vacuum, then condenses the vapor back to liquid in a collection system. This phase transition approach enables efficient separation and recovery of hydrocarbons with reduced energy input compared to conventional methods
2Temperature
If thermal desorption is used to vaporize hydrocarbons from soil, then contaminants can be separated, but the process requires high temperatures consuming excessive energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric to vacuum conditions, which fundamentally alters the thermal requirements for vaporization. Under vacuum, hydrocarbons vaporize at significantly lower temperatures, reducing the energy input needed for heating while achieving the same separation effect
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional thermal desorption is used, then hydrocarbons can be removed from soil, but the process generates harmful emissions and is environmentally damaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a condensation system that captures and condenses hydrocarbon vapors back into liquid form for collection and potential reuse. This phase transition approach prevents the harmful combustion and CO2 emissions associated with conventional thermal desorption, while maintaining effective contaminant removal through the same vaporization mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful hydrocarbon vapors generated during thermal desorption into a beneficial resource by condensing them for collection and possible reuse. This transforms what would be harmful emissions into recoverable material, eliminating CO2 emissions while maintaining remediation effectiveness
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 method effectively separates hydrocarbons and water from soil with reduced energy consumption and minimal carbon dioxide emissions, achieving efficient soil remediation.
Implementation Method 1
heating the bulk material in the heating chamber and in the presence of the partial vacuum to cause the at least one substance to vaporize
Implementation Method 2
thermal desorption is a method by which the soil is heated to separate the hydrocarbon contaminants from the soil matrix
Implementation Method 3
condensing the at least one vaporized substance may comprise: transferring the at least one vaporized substance from the heating chamber to a cooling structure; and condensing the at least one vaporized substance on the cooling structure
Implementation Method 4
one or more vacuum pumps for generating a partial vacuum in the airlock and the heating chamber
Implementation Method 5
the heating chamber is in a partial vacuum
Implementation Method 6
Heating the bulk material may comprise heating the bulk material using electric heating
Implementation Method 7
Heating the bulk material may comprise heating the bulk material using inductive heating
Data Source
AI summary
A bulk material comprising at least one substance to be removed from the bulk material is treated. The method includes introducing the bulk material into a heating chamber. The heating chamber is in a partial vacuum. The method further includes heating the bulk material in the heating chamber and in the presence of the partial vacuum to cause the at least one substance to vaporize. The method further includes extracting the bulk material, with the at least one vaporized substance separated therefrom, from the heating chamber.