Pressurized Hydrogen Denitrification Reactor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for biological denitrification of nitrate-contaminated water, such as heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification, face challenges including microbial contamination, reactor clogging, high energy consumption, and low denitrification rates due to limited surface area and solubility issues with hydrogen gas.

Innovation Solution

A reactor system with a container for denitrifying bacterial biofilm growth, a gas inlet for hydrogen delivery, and a sealed headspace to maintain pressure and prevent gas escape, optimizing surface area and gas utilization for enhanced denitrification rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrogen gas is used as electron donor for autotrophic denitrification, then microbial contamination and biomass waste are reduced, but denitrification rate is limited due to low hydrogen solubility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffluent qualityVSAvoiddenitrification rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of hydrogen by operating under elevated pressure (0.5-5.0 bar) to increase hydrogen solubility in the liquid phase, thereby enhancing the denitrification rate while maintaining the benefits of autotrophic denitrification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a pressurized reactor system with gas-liquid contact mechanisms to improve hydrogen transfer from the gas phase to the liquid phase, utilizing pressure differential and fluid dynamics to enhance mass transfer rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If gas sparging is used for hydrogen delivery, then hydrogen can be delivered to the reactor, but safety concerns and poor hydrogen utilization occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen deliveryVSAvoidsafety and efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a liquid phase as an intermediary carrier for hydrogen transport, where hydrogen first dissolves in the liquid phase from the gas phase and then is delivered to the biofilm, eliminating direct gas sparging and associated safety risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gas sparging system with a pressure-controlled dissolved gas delivery system, substituting direct gas injection with pressure-driven dissolution and transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If membrane biofilm reactors are used for hydrogen delivery, then efficient and safe hydrogen delivery is achieved, but denitrification rate is limited due to limited surface area and high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen delivery safetyVSAvoiddenitrification rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the membrane component from the reactor system entirely, extracting the hydrogen delivery function to a pressurized gas-liquid contactor, thereby eliminating membrane fouling, replacement costs, and energy consumption associated with membrane operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If heterotrophic denitrification is used, then high denitrification rates are achieved, but microbial contamination and reactor clogging occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedenitrification rateVSAvoideffluent quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional heterotrophic approach by using autotrophic denitrification with hydrogen as electron donor, reversing the electron donor role from organic carbon to inorganic hydrogen, thereby eliminating biomass proliferation while maintaining denitrification function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 achieves high denitrification rates with reduced microbial contamination and energy consumption, maintaining efficient hydrogen utilization and minimizing waste biomass, effectively lowering nitrate concentrations in water.

Implementation Method 1

Autotrophic denitrification using hydrogen gas, also named hydrogenotrophic denitrification, is characterized by clean nature and low biomass yield, wherein hydrogen does not persist in the treated water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenotrophic denitrification: Redox Reactions