Thiosulfate Removal via Group 16 Impregnated Substrate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thiosulfate accumulation in process streams reduces the regeneration rate of sulfur recovery processes, leading to costly purging and potential system shutdowns, as it acts as a reducing agent causing corrosion and is difficult to recycle effectively.
Innovation Solution
A thiosulfate removal system using an open-structured substrate impregnated with a Group 16 element (sulfur, selenium, or tellurium) is integrated into the process stream, adjusting the solution's pH to less than 4 and temperature to convert thiosulfate to sulfite, which can then be further treated to remove additional toxins, allowing for continuous operation and recycling of the process solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thiosulfate is removed from process streams using conventional methods (purging and chemical destruction), then thiosulfate accumulation is controlled, but operational costs increase and system continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts thiosulfate from the process stream by passing it through a treatment column containing treatment material (such as activated carbon impregnated with metals or metal oxides). The thiosulfate is selectively removed and retained by the treatment material, allowing the rest of the process solution to be recycled continuously without shutdowns or purging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment material acts as an intermediary between the thiosulfate-containing process stream and the recycling system. It selectively binds thiosulfate while allowing other components to pass through, enabling continuous operation and preventing the need for chemical destruction or system shutdowns that would otherwise be required.
2Productivity
If thiosulfate accumulates in the process solution, then regeneration rate decreases and system shutdown is required, but implementing removal systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment material utilizes porous structures (such as activated carbon with high surface area and porosity) to provide numerous binding sites for thiosulfate removal. The porous structure allows efficient contact between the process solution and treatment material while maintaining a compact column design, thus improving regeneration rate without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment material is a composite consisting of a substrate (such as activated carbon) impregnated with metals or metal oxides. This composite structure combines the high surface area and porosity of the substrate with the selective binding capability of the metal components, enabling effective thiosulfate removal while maintaining a relatively simple column-based system design.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional sulfur recovery processes are used, then sulfur is recovered, but thiosulfate and sulfate accumulate irreversibly reducing regeneration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment column is positioned in the process stream to remove thiosulfate before it can accumulate and interfere with the sulfur recovery and regeneration processes. By performing this removal action preliminarily and continuously, the system maintains high regeneration efficiency without requiring shutdowns for chemical destruction of accumulated thiosulfate.
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 system effectively reduces thiosulfate concentration, enabling the reuse of process solutions and reducing operational costs by allowing continuous operation and recycling, while also removing other toxins like mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, thus improving process efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the thiosulfate has been partially or fully converted to products including sulfite
Implementation Method 2
treatment material consisting essentially of open structured substrate impregnated with a Group 16 element, wherein the solution passes through the treatment material and thiosulfate is removed from the solution
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a cost effective method and system for removal of thiosulfate from a solution in-line with a process system. The method and system include passing the solution in contact with an open-structured substrate impregnated with a Group 16 element, which results in removal of thiosulfate from the solution and conversion of the thiosulfate to at least sulfite.