Selective Nitrate Removal from Brine via NOx Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nitrate removal technologies from brines, such as ion-exchange systems, produce environmentally harmful and economically burdensome brine waste that is difficult to dispose of, and existing methods to reuse brine focus on converting nitrate to atmospheric nitrogen, ignoring its agricultural value.
Innovation Solution
A process that converts nitrate in brines to nitrogen oxide gases (NOx) under controlled conditions, minimizing ammonia production, allowing for the recovery of nitrate as valuable products like nitric acid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ion-exchange systems are used for nitrate removal, then nitrate can be effectively removed from brine, but harmful brine waste is produced that is difficult to dispose of and economically burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful nitrate in brine waste into valuable nitrogen oxide gases (NO, NO2) through catalytic reduction, which can then be utilized for industrial purposes. This transforms the harmful byproduct into a beneficial resource, eliminating the need for harmful disposal methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers nitrogen from nitrate through selective removal and conversion to nitrogen oxide gases, which are then captured and utilized. This recovery process prevents the nitrogen in brine waste from being discarded harmfully, instead making it a valuable product.
2Reliability
If existing methods convert nitrate to atmospheric nitrogen, then nitrate removal is achieved, but the agricultural value of nitrate is ignored and valuable products are not produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of nitrate from dissolved nitrate ions to gaseous nitrogen oxide products through controlled catalytic reduction. This parameter change enables the nitrogen to be captured and utilized for industrial purposes, preserving its agricultural and economic value.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of simply converting nitrate to atmospheric nitrogen and losing its value, the patent converts it to nitrogen oxide gases that can be captured and used as chemical feedstocks, fertilizers, or industrial chemicals, thereby preserving and even enhancing the substance's value.
3Adaptability or versatility
If selective nitrate removal is performed to enable brine reuse, then brine can be regenerated, but existing methods produce ammonia which is hazardous and requires further treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reduction pathway to produce nitrogen oxide gases instead of ammonia by controlling reaction conditions (temperature, catalyst type, oxygen availability). This parameter change eliminates the formation of hazardous ammonia while enabling brine reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful ammonia production pathway into a beneficial nitrogen oxide gas production pathway, which can be captured and utilized. This eliminates the need for hazardous ammonia treatment while maintaining brine reuse capability.
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
Enables efficient and selective nitrate removal from brines, facilitating brine reuse and producing valuable products, while avoiding the formation of hazardous ammonia.
Implementation Method 1
contacting, in a reactor, said nitrate-containing brine with an active medium, under conditions permitting conversion of said nitrate into nitrogen oxide gaseous products
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns processes for removal of nitrate from nitrate-rich brines, typically selective removal that permits reclaiming the nitrate after such removal.