Self-Regenerating CO2 Adsorber Carousel for Nitrogen Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nitrogen analyzers face issues with toxic residue disposal, pressure drops due to large adsorbers, incomplete combustion, and erroneous measurements from water and carbon dioxide traps, as well as rapid heterogeneous combustion leading to partial oxidation of carbon.
Innovation Solution
The analyzer features a self-regenerating CO2 adsorber with a distributor valve and carousel of adsorbent elements, a three-stage catalytic combustion reactor, and a two-stage reduction reactor with metallic copper and copper oxide beds, along with a moisture exchanger and microfilter to minimize pressure drops and ensure complete combustion and accurate nitrogen measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If large CO2 traps are used to extend saturation periods, then the frequency of replacement is reduced, but pressure drops in the gas flow increase leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The CO2 trap is divided into multiple smaller adsorber elements (typically 3-5 elements) arranged in parallel or series configurations. This segmentation allows the gas flow to be distributed across multiple smaller paths, reducing the pressure drop in each individual element while maintaining adequate CO2 removal capacity. The segmented structure enables better flow distribution and reduces the overall pressure resistance compared to a single large trap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a regenerative system where CO2-saturated adsorber elements are periodically replaced with fresh elements, and the saturated elements are sent for regeneration (typically by heating to desorb CO2). This allows the adsorbent material to be recovered and reused, maintaining long-term operational capability without permanently discarding the adsorber elements, thus extending the effective service life of the CO2 removal system.
2Measurement precision
If water traps with inorganic compounds are used to selectively absorb water, then water removal efficiency is improved, but the traps become easily saturated requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The water trap system is designed with regenerative capability where saturated adsorber elements are periodically replaced and sent for regeneration through heating or other desorption methods. This allows the inorganic compound adsorbents to be recovered and reused multiple times, extending their service life significantly compared to disposable traps, while maintaining high water removal efficiency during each operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic detection and replacement mechanisms for water traps, where the analyser monitors the saturation state of water adsorbers and automatically initiates replacement or regeneration procedures. This self-monitoring and self-service approach ensures optimal water removal performance is maintained without manual intervention, and the regeneration process allows continuous operation with extended effective service life.
3Productivity
If heterogeneous phase combustion with solid catalyst is used to accelerate combustion, then combustion speed is improved, but carbon oxidation is incomplete resulting in CO formation and erroneous nitrogen measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion process is divided into multiple stages or zones within the combustion chamber. The first stage uses a solid catalyst for rapid initial combustion and oxidation, while subsequent stages provide additional oxidation zones where CO and other partially oxidized carbon products can be further converted to CO2. This segmented approach allows the system to benefit from fast catalytic combustion while ensuring complete carbon oxidation in later stages, eliminating interference with nitrogen measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary oxidation stage or additional oxidizing environment after the primary catalytic combustion. This intermediary zone acts as a buffer that allows CO and other intermediate combustion products to be further oxidized to CO2 before the gas reaches the detection system. This intermediary step ensures complete carbon oxidation without compromising the speed benefits of the initial catalytic combustion phase.
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 configuration reduces the need for frequent adsorber replacement, minimizes pressure drops, and ensures accurate nitrogen measurement by allowing complete combustion and efficient removal of carbon dioxide and water, thereby improving the reliability and precision of nitrogen analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Heterogeneous phase combustion in the presence of a solid phase catalyst has the advantage of being able to accelerate combustion using a smaller amount of combustion support
Implementation Method 2
Heterogeneous phase combustion in the presence of a solid phase catalyst
Implementation Method 3
the various nitrogen oxides are reduced to nitrogen
Implementation Method 4
the gaseous mixture containing carbon dioxide, water and NXOY is conveyed to the reduction reactor
Implementation Method 5
Another source of pressure drop in the system is caused by the presence of water traps generally consisting of inorganic compounds able to selectively absorb it
Data Source
AI summary
An automated analyzer is described for determining, by way of combustion, nitrogen contained in organic compounds, in particular proteins present in foods, animal feeds, polymers, fuels etc., characterized in that the carbon dioxide absorption device upstream of the nitrogen detector is self-regenerating and comprises:a distributor valve able to switch different gas circuits without contaminations and losses from one gas sample to another,a carousel consisting of a plurality of absorber elements inside which is placed an adsorbent material,a furnace suitable for said adsorbers,in such a manner that each of said adsorbers presents itself in turn for each analysis and that on completion of said analysis the same adsorber is conveyed to the furnace for degassing of the absorbent material and thus for its relative regeneration.