SO3 Analysis Device Using Wavelength-Controlled Laser Spectroscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring sulfur trioxide (SO3) in flue gas are costly, time-consuming, and difficult to perform in real-time due to the need for pretreatment and interference from coexisting gases like water vapor, making it challenging to optimize ammonia injection in combustion plants.

Innovation Solution

A device using wavelength control to emit laser light in specific ranges (4.093 to 4.132 µm) for direct measurement of SO3 concentration via infrared spectroscopy, incorporating nonlinear optical crystals for difference frequency generation, and incorporating temperature and pressure measurement to calculate SO3 concentration without pretreatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional gas sampling and optical analysis with FT-IR is used, then SO3 concentration can be measured, but pretreatment steps (dust removal, H2O dilution) and reduced pressure operation are required, increasing cost and time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSO3 concentration measurementVSAvoidpretreatment steps and reduced pressure operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement wavelength parameter from conventional long-wavelength mid-infrared (7 μm) to short-wavelength mid-infrared (3 μm). This parameter change enables direct measurement of SO3 in flue gas without pretreatment, as the 3 μm wavelength region has unique absorption characteristics for SO3 that are not overlapped by H2O and CO2 interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary measurement function by using a compact quantum cascade laser system that directly measures SO3 at 3 μm wavelength. This eliminates the need to extract and pretreat the gas sample, removing dust removal equipment, H2O dilution systems, and reduced pressure operation requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If gas sampling with pretreatment is performed, then SO3 analysis can be conducted, but real-time measurement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSO3 concentration analysisVSAvoidreal-time measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous real-time measurement by eliminating the sampling and pretreatment process. The quantum cascade laser system continuously irradiates the flue gas at 3 μm wavelength, allowing uninterrupted SO3 concentration monitoring without the intermittent nature of sampled analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If long-wavelength mid-infrared (7 μm) spectroscopy is used, then SO3 can be detected, but absorption line overlap with H2O makes measurement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSO3 detectionVSAvoidabsorption line interference from H2O
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter from 7 μm to 3 μm, where SO3 has strong absorption lines that do not overlap with H2O or CO2 absorption lines. This parameter change eliminates the harmful interference effect while maintaining SO3 detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If ammonia injection amount is increased to reduce SO3, then H2SO4 corrosion is prevented, but ammonium sulfate production increases, clogging the dust arrester

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveH2SO4 corrosionVSAvoidammonium sulfate production
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where real-time SO3 concentration measurements from the quantum cascade laser system are fed back to the ammonia injection control. This allows dynamic adjustment of ammonia injection amount to precisely neutralize SO3 without excessive injection, preventing both corrosion and ammonium sulfate clogging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 in-situ, accurate, and prompt measurement of SO3 concentration in flue gas without pretreatment, reducing the need for equipment modifications and avoiding interference from coexisting gases like CO2 and H2O.

Implementation Method 1

A device using wavelength control to emit laser light in specific ranges (4.093 to 4.132 µm) for direct measurement of SO3 concentration via infrared spectroscopy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

incorporating nonlinear optical crystals for difference frequency generation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifference frequency generation:

Data Source

PatentEP3264067B1So3 analysis method and analysis device
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP3264067B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3264067B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3264067B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

To provide an SO3 analysis device and analysis method capable of accurately and rapidly measuring the concentration of SO3 in exhaust gas without pre-processing. The present invention is provided with a light source (11) for radiating laser light (2) to exhaust gas (1) including SO3, CO2, and H2O, a photodetector (13) for receiving the laser light (2) radiated to the exhaust gas (1), a light source control unit (14a) of a control device (14) for controlling the wavelength of the laser light (2) radiated by the light source (11) so as to be 4. 060 µm to 4.192 µm, and a concentration calculation unit (14b) of the control device (14) for calculating the SO3 concentration by infrared spectroscopy on the basis of the output from the photodetector (13) and a reference signal from the light source control unit (14a).