Polyethylene Glycol Desulfurization Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desulfurization technologies for flue gas and industrial raw material gases face challenges such as high operational costs, energy consumption, equipment corrosion, and inefficient removal of sulfur oxides (SOx), particularly SO2 and SO3, with existing methods either ineffective or unsuitable for gases with varying sulfur content.
Innovation Solution
A polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution is used to absorb SOx, which is then regenerated through heating, vacuumizing, ultrasonic processing, or microwave irradiation, producing high-purity sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, and the PEG solution is maintained with minimal water content to enhance desulfurization efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water scrubbing is used to remove SOx from gas, then the process is simple to operate, but a large amount of water is consumed and severe secondary pollution is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the absorbing medium from water to polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution. This parameter change eliminates water consumption issues while maintaining absorption effectiveness. The PEG solution can be regenerated and reused, transforming a single-use water system into a recyclable system, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a regeneration system where the PEG solution after absorbing SOx is heated to release the absorbed sulfur oxides, allowing the PEG solution to be recovered and reused. This recovering mechanism eliminates continuous water consumption and waste discharge, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and substance loss.
2Manufacturing precision
If limestone and lime water process is used to remove SOx, then better desulfurization effect is achieved compared to water scrubbing, but large quantity of solid waste is generated and equipment blockages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from calcium-based reagents (limestone, lime) to polyethylene glycol-based absorbing solution. This parameter change eliminates the formation of solid waste products (calcium sulfate, calcium sulfite) that cause equipment blockages, while maintaining high desulfurization efficiency through the PEG solution's ability to absorb and release SOx reversibly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful solid waste generation mechanism from the desulfurization process by using PEG solution instead of calcium-based reagents. The absorption product remains in solution form and can be easily released through heating, eliminating the extraction of solid waste that causes blockages and environmental pollution.
3Manufacturing precision
If alkali metal solution process or alkaline solution process is used, then high desulfurization efficiency is achieved, but considerable energy is consumed and equipment corrosion is severe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the absorbing medium parameter from strong alkalis (NaOH, KOH) to polyethylene glycol solution. This parameter change reduces energy consumption because PEG solution absorption is primarily physical with minimal heat of absorption compared to strong chemical reactions with alkalis. Additionally, PEG is less corrosive than strong alkalis, reducing equipment corrosion while maintaining high desulfurization efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional desulfurization processes are used, then sulfur removal is achieved, but the amount of sulfur species remaining in discharged gases is still relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the absorption mechanism parameter from chemical reaction-based (conventional processes) to physical absorption-based (PEG solution). Physical absorption allows for more complete sulfur oxide uptake and easier regeneration, achieving lower residual sulfur levels in discharged gases. The PEG solution's high absorption capacity and reversible nature enable more thorough removal while maintaining gas purity.
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 PEG desulfurization method effectively reduces sulfur content in gases to 5mg/m³ or less, offering low operational costs, reduced equipment corrosion, and applicability to both low- and high-sulfur content gases, with high-purity sulfur byproducts, making it a superior alternative to conventional wet and dry processes.
Implementation Method 1
a PEG solution is used to absorb SOx (x = 2 and/or 3) from a gas
Implementation Method 2
the PEG solution having absorbed SOx therein is regenerated for recycle by one or more of heating, vacuumizing, ultrasonic processing, microwave processing and irradiation
Implementation Method 3
the PEG solution having absorbed SOx therein is regenerated for recycle by one or more of heating, vacuumizing, ultrasonic processing, microwave processing and irradiation
Implementation Method 4
the PEG solution having absorbed SOx therein is regenerated for recycle by one or more of heating, vacuumizing, ultrasonic processing, microwave processing and irradiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for removing SOx (x=2 and/or 3) from gas using a solution having polyethylene glycol as the main ingredient. First, SOx in the gas is absorbed by the solution of polyethylene glycol. Second, the solution of polyethylene glycol which has absorbed SOx is regenerated by one or more of the heating, vacuum, ultrasonic, microwave or radiation methods, thereby releasing the by-products of sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. The regenerated solution of polyethylene glycol is recycled. When the water content of the regenerated solution of polyethylene glycol is high enough to affect the desulfurization, it needs to be removed. Removal methods include heating and rectification, absorption using a water absorbent, or a combination of these methods. The polyethylene glycol solution is recycled after dehydration.