Steam Vent Odor Scrubbing for Humid Brewery Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems are ineffective in controlling odors from beer brewing processes due to the humid or superheated exhaust streams from beer kettles, which cannot be treated by odor scrubbers like activated carbon filters.
Innovation Solution
An odor control system that dilutes and cools the exhaust stream with fresh air to bring it below its dew point, allowing it to be treated by a media scrubber, using components like an air admittance tee, damper, demister, and blower to manage humidity and contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhaust stream is directly treated by odor scrubbing media, then odor treatment is attempted, but the high humidity and saturation prevent effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling and dehumidification of the exhaust stream before it reaches the odor scrubbing media. A cooling section reduces the temperature of the hot, saturated exhaust gases, causing water vapor to condense and be removed, thereby preparing the stream for effective odor treatment downstream
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fresh air as an intermediary substance that mixes with the exhaust stream. This dilution with fresh air reduces the humidity and temperature of the exhaust gases, creating conditions suitable for odor scrubbing media to function effectively
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fresh air is added to cool and dilute the exhaust stream, then the exhaust becomes treatable by media scrubber, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fresh air intake serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the exhaust stream, dilutes the humidity to below saturation levels, and provides oxygen for potential oxidation processes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling and dehumidification equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic mixing of exhaust gases with fresh air through properly designed ductwork and mixing sections. The natural pressure differential and flow dynamics facilitate the mixing process without requiring complex mechanical mixing devices
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
Effectively reduces odor-causing gases like H2S and DMS to below detectable levels by using a system that condenses water and treats the exhaust stream with activated carbon or oxidizer media.
Implementation Method 1
dilute the exhaust with fresh air to lower the temperature of the combined air flow below its dew point
Implementation Method 2
water is drained from the system as it condenses in the system
Implementation Method 3
a media scrubber having an adsorbent material
Implementation Method 4
treated by a media scrubber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention disclosed herein relates to an odor control system including features to allow a media scrubber to function to treat a humid, or saturated, or superheated exhaust stream. In some embodiments, the system disclosed herein can capture a humid, or saturated, or superheated exhaust stream, such as from a kettle vent, and dilute the exhaust with fresh air to lower the temperature of the combined air flow below its dew point. Water is drained from the system as it condenses in the system. The combined air flow can be further diluted and/or treated according to embodiments disclosed herein such that the exhaust stream, after having excess water removed, will have a relative humidity (RH) value enabling it to be run through a media scrubber.