Pulsed Electron Beam NOx Removal Without Catalysts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing NOx from combustion-based energy sources using high voltage electron beams are costly due to the need for continuous electron beam sources and the addition of ammonia, which complicates the process and by-product handling.
Innovation Solution
The use of high voltage pulsed electron beams repetitively generated and transported through a thin foil into exhaust gases, producing reactive radicals that recombine to form benign by-products nitrogen and oxygen without the need for a catalyst or ammonia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous electron beam sources are used to remove NOx, then NOx removal effectiveness is improved, but process cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed electron beam irradiation instead of continuous irradiation. The electron beam is activated in periodic pulses, creating reactive radicals during each pulse that then persist to react with NOx in the exhaust gas. This periodic action reduces the complexity and cost of the electron beam system while maintaining effective NOx removal, as the radicals generated during pulses continue to act on NOx without requiring continuous beam operation.
2Productivity
If ammonia is added to flue gas for catalytic NOx removal, then NOx conversion is improved, but by-product handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for ammonia addition from the process. Instead of using ammonia as a catalyst to convert NOx to ammonium nitrate, the invention uses pulsed electron beam irradiation to directly generate reactive radicals that convert NOx into benign nitrogen and oxygen. This extraction of the ammonia component removes the associated by-product handling complexity while maintaining effective NOx removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful NOx directly into benign nitrogen and oxygen through pulsed electron beam irradiation, rather than using ammonia to convert it to ammonium nitrate. This direct conversion approach eliminates the need for subsequent by-product handling infrastructure, as the reaction products are harmless gases that can be directly vented.
3Productivity
If continuous electron beam irradiation is used, then NOx removal is achieved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed electron beam irradiation that consumes less energy than continuous irradiation. The electron beam is activated only during pulse intervals, and the reactive radicals generated during each pulse persist to continue reacting with NOx in the exhaust gas. This periodic action significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective NOx removal rates.
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
This approach is more efficient and cost-effective, removing up to five times more NOx than continuous electron beam methods and simplifying the process by eliminating the need for catalysts and their by-products, with less powerful systems capable of achieving high NOx removal rates.
Implementation Method 1
an array of high voltage pulsed electron beams are repetitively generated and transported through a thin foil into an exhaust gas containing NOx
Implementation Method 2
The electron beam deposits its energy into the gas and produces reactive radicals N2+, N+, e, N2 from the NOx in the gas
Implementation Method 3
These radicals recombine through chemical reactions to produce benign by-products nitrogen N2 and oxygen O2 which are output into the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A process and apparatus for removing NOx from exhaust gases produced by combustion-based energy sources. An array of high voltage pulsed electron beams are repetitively generated and transported through a thin foil into the exhaust gas containing NOx. The electron beam deposits its energy into the gas and produces reactive radicals N2+, N+, e, N2 from the NOx in the gas. These radicals recombine through chemical reactions to produce benign by-products nitrogen N2 and oxygen O2 which are output into the atmosphere.