Ship Exhaust Scrubber with Electrolytic Oxidation for NOx Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exhaust gas treatment systems for ships are inefficient in removing sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, leading to air pollution, and require high installation and maintenance costs, with existing methods not fully meeting stringent emission control area regulations.
Innovation Solution
A contaminant reducing device that includes an exhaust gas tube, a cleaning water supply system, an oxidation unit, and a purification unit which electrolyzes seawater to generate hydrogen and oxidizing agents, allowing for the oxidation of nitrogen oxides and neutralization of acidified cleaning water, while also using a fuel cell module to generate electricity and a pretreatment unit to remove fine dust before oxidation, thereby improving oxidation efficiency and reducing system costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional exhaust gas treatment systems are installed, then contaminant removal is achieved, but high installation and maintenance costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system. The wet scrubber simultaneously performs sulfur oxide removal, nitrogen oxide absorption (after oxidation), and exhaust gas cleaning. The oxidation unit is integrated with the scrubber system, eliminating the need for separate treatment plants and reducing overall installation and maintenance costs while achieving comprehensive contaminant removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The wet scrubber system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of removing both sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides through the combined oxidation-absorption process. This universal approach replaces the need for multiple specialized treatment systems, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while achieving broad contaminant removal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing treatment methods are applied, then some contaminant removal is achieved, but stringent emission control area regulations are not fully met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by oxidizing nitrogen oxides before they enter the wet scrubber. This pre-treatment step ensures that nitrogen oxides are converted into highly soluble forms (nitrate ions) that can be completely absorbed, guaranteeing compliance with stringent emission standards. The oxidation occurs in advance, preparing the exhaust gas for effective final treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs strong oxidation methods including electrochemical oxidation, chemical oxidants (such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide), or photocatalytic oxidation to rapidly and completely convert nitrogen oxides into nitrate ions. This accelerated oxidation ensures thorough conversion and complete removal, meeting the strictest emission control area regulations.
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 device effectively reduces sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas, meeting stringent emission standards, while reducing system installation and maintenance costs and increasing space utilization on ships by using hydrogen-generated electricity and double purification through a wet scrubber.
Implementation Method 1
a purification unit which is connected to the exhaust gas tube or the scrubber and electrolyzes seawater to generate hydrogen and an oxidizing agent for oxidizing nitrogen-based oxides
Implementation Method 2
an oxidation unit which is connected to the exhaust gas tube and oxidizes the exhaust gas by discharging electricity, irradiating ultraviolet rays or injecting an oxidizing agent
Implementation Method 3
an oxidation unit which is connected to the exhaust gas tube and oxidizes the exhaust gas by discharging electricity, irradiating ultraviolet rays or injecting an oxidizing agent
Implementation Method 4
a fuel cell module which receives the hydrogen from the purification unit and generates electricity
Implementation Method 5
a scrubber which sprays the cleaning water supplied through the cleaning water supply tube to the exhaust gas supplied through the exhaust gas tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A contaminant reducing device is provided. The contaminant reducing device comprises: an exhaust gas tube for supplying exhaust gas from a combustion engine; a cleaning water supply tube for supplying cleaning water; a scrubber for spraying cleaning water, which is supplied through the cleaning water supply tube, to exhaust gas supplied through the exhaust gas tube; an oxidation unit connected to the exhaust gas tube so as to oxidize the exhaust gas by discharging electricity, emitting ultraviolent rays, or spraying an oxidizer; and a cleaning water discharge tube for discharging cleaning water from inside the scrubber.