Scrubbing Solution Oxidizer Composition for Biofouling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial gas streams from processes like rendering and chemical production contain odorous and noxious compounds that saturate scrubbing solutions, leading to reduced absorption efficiency and biological fouling, which increases costs and reduces treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A chemical composition comprising an oxidizer, such as hydrogen peroxide, a decomposition additive that catalyzes the formation of hydroxyl radicals, and a biocide is used to oxidize odorous and noxious components, preventing biological fouling and enhancing scrubbing solution efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a scrubbing solution is used to remove odorous and noxious gases, then gas absorption efficiency is improved, but the scrubbing solution quickly saturates and loses absorbing potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH of the scrubbing solution through chemical additives (such as calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide) to maintain optimal absorption conditions. This prevents pH degradation that would otherwise reduce the solution's absorbing potential and extends its service life while maintaining high gas absorption efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses strong oxidants like hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or sodium hypochlorite to oxidize odorous and noxious compounds in the gas stream. This accelerated oxidation approach rapidly converts harmful gases into less odorous or non-odorous compounds, enhancing the scrubbing solution's ability to treat gases effectively over extended periods
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the scrubbing solution is recirculated to maintain continuous operation, then operational continuity is improved, but biological growth increases causing biofouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs strong oxidants (hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or sodium hypochlorite) not only to oxidize odorous gases but also to control biological growth in the recirculating scrubbing solution. These oxidants create an environment hostile to bacteria, fungus, and yeast, preventing biofouling while maintaining continuous operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of recirculation (which promotes biological growth) into a benefit by using the recirculating oxidizing environment to actively suppress biofouling. The same oxidizing conditions that treat odorous gases also serve as a biocidal mechanism, transforming a operational necessity into a dual-function system
3Reliability
If biological growth occurs in the scrubber, then the system continues to operate, but packing becomes plugged reducing gas and liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses strong oxidants to create a biocidal environment that prevents bacterial, fungal, and yeast growth on the packing surfaces. This oxidation-based approach maintains packing permeability and ensures sustained gas and liquid flow characteristics, preserving both system reliability and productivity over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning or manual intervention (which would be needed to clear biofouled packing) with a chemical oxidation system. The oxidizing atmosphere continuously suppresses biological growth, eliminating the need for mechanical maintenance and ensuring consistent gas/liquid contact efficiency without interruption
4Productivity
If oxidizers are used to remove odorous components, then odor removal efficiency is improved, but biological activity reduces oxidizer concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous replenishment of oxidizers in the scrubbing solution through controlled addition systems. This ensures that oxidizer concentration is maintained at levels sufficient for effective odor removal while compensating for consumption by both gas-phase oxidation and biological activity, sustaining high productivity continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control mechanisms to monitor oxidizer concentration and odor removal performance, automatically adjusting oxidizer addition rates to maintain optimal levels. This feedback system balances oxidizer consumption from biological activity with the need to maintain high odor removal efficiency, preventing both oxidizer depletion and excessive chemical usage
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 solution effectively reduces odorous and noxious compounds to environmentally acceptable byproducts, prevents biological fouling, and improves the absorption capacity of scrubbing solutions, thereby enhancing treatment efficiency and reducing wastewater treatment costs.
Implementation Method 1
the oxidizer or aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition oxidizes the odor and/or noxious components to produce an atmospheric effluent having reduced amounts of the odor component and/or noxious component
Implementation Method 2
an additive that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 3
the additive that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 4
contacted by a liquid stream or scrubbing solution that is recirculated in the scrubber to absorb the odiferous and noxious gas compounds
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are described for contacting an oxidizing solution such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition of hydrogen peroxide, at least one additive that catalyzes the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals, and a biocide with an atmospheric effluent containing odorous and/or noxious components. These components are absorbed by the aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition to produce an atmospheric effluent having reduced amounts of the odorous and/or noxious components. Various methods are described for adding the hydrogen peroxide, the decomposition additive, and the biocide.