Solid Alkali Reagent Pre-wetting and Eductor Mixing for Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient method to prepare a slurry or solution from a solid alkali reagent for removing contaminants such as SOx, organics, non-metals, and metals from aqueous liquids or gases, particularly from marine engine exhaust gases, without requiring fresh water and to address the challenges of handling concentrated alkali solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the pre-wetting of a solid alkali reagent in a chamber with liquid sidestreams, followed by mixing with a stream in an eductor to form a slurry or solution, which is then directed to a treatment unit for contaminant removal. This method allows for the direct addition of solid alkali reagents to a circulation loop without using fresh water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concentrated alkali solutions are used for contaminant removal, then the efficiency of contaminant removal is improved, but the safety risk and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the alkali reagent from liquid (concentrated solution) to solid form. This parameter change maintains the chemical effectiveness for contaminant removal while significantly reducing the safety risks associated with handling concentrated alkali solutions, including corrosion, splashing hazards, and storage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses solid alkali reagents that can be easily replenished and replaced compared to maintaining and handling large volumes of concentrated alkali solutions. The solid reagents are simpler to store, handle, and replace, reducing the operational complexity and safety risks associated with concentrated solution management
2Ease of operation
If fresh water is used to prepare alkali solutions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the storage weight and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the fresh water component from the alkali reagent preparation system. By using solid alkali reagents directly, the system removes the need to store, transport, and manage fresh water supplies, thereby reducing storage weight and operational complexity while maintaining ease of operation through simple solid reagent addition
Solution Approach 2:
The solid alkali reagents are designed to be self-sufficient and directly usable without requiring mixing with fresh water. The reagents can be directly added to the treatment system where they dissolve and function, making the system self-service regarding water supply and eliminating the need for separate water storage and preparation infrastructure
3Reliability
If solid alkali reagents are used instead of concentrated solutions, then the safety and storage weight are improved, but the complexity of preparing usable form increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-forming the solid alkali reagents in an optimized granular or pelletized form that facilitates easy handling, dosing, and dissolution. This preliminary preparation of the reagent form eliminates the need for complex on-site slurry preparation equipment and procedures, reducing system complexity while maintaining safety advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary dissolution step where solid alkali reagents are added to the existing liquid stream or water source within the treatment system itself, rather than preparing solutions externally. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by using the process water as the dissolution medium, eliminating separate preparation equipment and reducing complexity
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 method effectively removes contaminants from aqueous liquids or gases, reduces the risk associated with handling concentrated alkali solutions, and minimizes the storage weight of alkali reagents on board vessels by using solid alkali reagents, thus enhancing safety and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
supplying a liquid via two or more liquid sidestreams, each through a liquid inlet positioned on a side wall of the chamber to allow the liquid sidestreams to wash an internal wall of a frusto-conical section of the chamber and flow downward towards a fluid outlet of the chamber and to further wet the solid alkali reagent with the supplied liquid
Implementation Method 2
flowing a stream though the conduit thereby creating a suction by the eductor to draw the pre-wetted reagent out of the solid feed pre-wetting chamber toward the chamber fluid outlet and mixing the pre-wetted reagent with the stream to form a slurry or solution of the alkali reagent
Implementation Method 3
The sulphur dioxide from the exhaust gas dissolves in water to form sulphurous acid (H2SO3). This sulphurous acid decomposes in solution into bisulphite/sulphite (HSO3-
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A method for the removal of at least one contaminant from an aqueous liquor or a gas, comprising: preparing a solution or slurry of a solid alkali reagent by supplying a solid alkali reagent into a pre-wetting chamber via a feed pipe; supplying a liquid via two or more liquid sidestreams, each through a liquid inlet positioned on a side wall of the chamber to allow the liquid sidestreams to wash an internal wall of a frusto-conical section of the chamber and flow, preferably tangentially onto the internal wall in a downward spiralling manner thereby forming a vortex, towards a fluid outlet of the chamber and to further wet the solid alkali reagent with the supplied liquid thereby forming a pre-wetted reagent; and flowing a stream though a conduit, thereby creating a suction by the eductor to draw the pre- wetted reagent out of the chamber fluid outlet and mixing it with the stream to form a slurry or solution; and directing the slurry or solution exiting the eductor to an aqueous liquor or gas treatment unit, removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the aqueous liquor or gas in the treatment unit.