Two-Stage Scrubber Oxidation Air Packing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel exhaust fume purification systems using seawater scrubbers are heavy, require additional alkalinity, and pose safety risks due to high oxygen demand and potential temperature exposure, necessitating significant weight and energy costs.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage packing scrubber system with oxidation air introduced under the lower packing bed, eliminating the need for a bubbling tank and allowing the use of non-metallic materials, reducing weight and energy consumption while ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bubbling tank is used for oxidation of effluents, then oxidation efficiency is improved, but the weight and height of the installation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oxidation function with the existing scrubber structure by introducing oxidation air through the packing bed. The oxidation process is merged into the gas-liquid contact zone where effluents already flow, eliminating the need for a separate bubbling tank. This integration achieves oxidation efficiency while avoiding the significant weight penalty of a dedicated oxidation tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing bed in the scrubber is given multiple functions: it serves both as the contact medium for sulfur dioxide absorption and as the oxidation medium for effluent treatment. By introducing oxidation air through the packing bed, the same structure performs dual functions, reducing overall installation weight while maintaining oxidation efficiency.
2Temperature
If quenching device fails, then temperature control is lost, but safety risks increase requiring redundant systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of hot fumes into a beneficial oxidation process. By introducing oxidation air through the packing bed, the thermal energy in the fumes is utilized to drive the oxidation of effluents. This converts what would be a safety hazard into a useful function, reducing the need for complex temperature control redundancy while maintaining safety.
3Strength
If metal materials are used in scrubber, then structural strength is improved, but corrosion resistance to reducing effluents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction combining metal structural elements with corrosion-resistant linings or coatings. The metal framework provides mechanical strength while protective layers resist corrosion from reducing effluents. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between needing structural strength and resisting corrosion from aggressive chemical environments.
4Productivity
If additional alkalinity is added using basic reagent, then desulphurization efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural alkalinity of seawater as the primary desulphurization medium, allowing the seawater to serve itself without requiring additional basic reagents. The oxidation air introduction enhances the process by converting effluents, but the core desulphurization relies on the self-sufficient alkaline properties of seawater, minimizing energy consumption and chemical costs.
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 solution significantly reduces the overall weight and height of the purification system, enables the use of safer non-metallic materials, and lowers energy costs by using a fan for air supply, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The packing 1020 brings the ascending gas flow 103 into contact with the descending washing liquid 104 so that the sulfur dioxide originating from the fumes 102 is removed from the gas flow 103 by being captured by the washing liquid 104
Implementation Method 2
The air flow 107 crosses the packing bed 1030 in an upward manner and joins the intermediate region 1000C where it mixes with the fumes 102 to form the gas flow 103. The packing bed 1030 brings the ascending air of the stream 107 into contact with the descending liquids 106 so that, in this packing bed 1030, this air oxidizes the liquids 106, thus converting their sulphites, their hydrogen sulphites and/or their sulfurous acid to sulphates.
Implementation Method 3
The fumes 101, which may have undergone prior denitrification, are introduced into a desulfurization scrubber 1000 after passing through a quenching device 1010. The quenching device 1010, which is known per se, is designed to cool the fumes 101.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
This installation includes a quenching device (1010) and a packed desulfurization washer (1000). In order to reduce the total operating weight of this installation, while strengthening its safety, the washer has an upper stage (1000A) and a lower stage (1000B) between which the fumes (102) from the quenching device are introduced into the washer: in the upper stage of the washer, at least one packing bed (1020) is provided, above which a washing liquid (104) is introduced into the washer and in which the sulfur dioxide from the fumes is captured by this washing liquid, while, in the lower stage of the washer, at least one packing liquid (1030) is provided, below which an air stream (107) is introduced under pressure into the washer and in which the liquids (106) flowing from the upper stage are oxidized by the air from this stream.