Sulphided Copper Absorbent for Mercury Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mercury removal absorbents face issues with agglomeration and reduced mercury capacity due to the formation of water-soluble metal sulphates, particularly zinc sulphate, which affects the physical integrity and efficiency of the absorbent in fluid streams lacking sulphur compounds.
Innovation Solution
A sulphided copper compound-based absorbent composition with a particulate support material and a combination of calcium aluminate cement and high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay binders, minimizing metal sulphide content other than copper sulphide to prevent agglomeration, and optimizing physical properties for enhanced strength and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If metal sulphides other than copper sulphide are used in the absorbent, then the absorbent can be formed more easily, but water-soluble metal sulphates form causing agglomeration and reduced mercury capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strictly controls the metal sulphide content parameter, limiting it to ≤5% by weight (preferably ≤1% by weight) of metal sulphides other than copper sulphide. This parameter control prevents the formation of excessive water-soluble metal sulphates that cause agglomeration, while still allowing sufficient metal sulphide content for practical absorbent formation and handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the absorbent is exposed to water in the fluid stream, then it can handle wet gas streams, but metal sulphates dissolve and re-deposit causing agglomeration and pressure drop increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the metal sulphide content parameter (≤5% by weight, preferably ≤1% by weight) to minimize the formation of water-soluble metal sulphates. This parameter optimization allows the absorbent to tolerate water exposure in wet gas streams without excessive agglomeration, while still maintaining effective mercury removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite binder system comprising both a calcium aluminate cement binder and a high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay binder. This composite binder structure provides mechanical strength and structural stability that resists agglomeration even when some metal sulphate dissolution occurs in wet conditions, allowing the absorbent to maintain its physical integrity and low pressure drop characteristics.
3Quantity of substance
If copper sulphide content is increased to improve mercury capacity, then more mercury can be absorbed, but the absorbent becomes more susceptible to oxidation and sulphate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite binder system with calcium aluminate cement and high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay that creates a protective matrix around the copper sulphide particles. This composite structure reduces the copper sulphide's exposure to oxidizing environments while maintaining high mercury absorption capacity through optimized copper sulphide content (5-50% by weight) and protective binding.
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 absorbent effectively removes mercury and arsenic from fluid streams with improved crush strength, attrition resistance, and water tolerance, maintaining high mercury absorption rates and preventing agglomeration, even in wet conditions, thus ensuring efficient and reliable operation in offshore hydrocarbon extraction and gas stream purification processes.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent composition suitable for removing mercury, arsenic or antimony from a fluid stream
Implementation Method 2
one or more binders comprising a first binder and a second binder, wherein the first binder is a calcium aluminate cement binder and the second binder is a high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay binder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An absorbent composition suitable for removing mercury, arsenic or antimony from fluid streams is described, comprising 5-50% by weight of a particulate sulphidedcopper compound, 30-90% by weight of a particulate support material, and the remainder one or more binders, wherein the metal sulphide content of the absorbent, other than copper sulphide, is below 5% by weight.