Vacuum Degassing of Process Water for Wet-Cleaning Installations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating process water loaded with dissolved gaseous compounds like CO2 and CO from wet-cleaning installations are inefficient, as they require significant flushing gases for degassing and can lead to corrosion and uncontrolled CO2 outgassing, affecting downstream processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sealed tank with a drop in pressure to reduce gas solubility, followed by gas collection and separation, and optional use of a carrier gas for degassing, with further treatment stages for complete separation and disposal of gases and solids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flushing gas is used to drive out dissolved pollutants from process water, then degassing effectiveness is improved, but large quantity of flushing gas accumulates requiring subsequent treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric to reduced pressure (vacuum) to achieve degassing. By operating the degassing installation under reduced pressure, dissolved gases are removed from process water without requiring large quantities of flushing gas, thus resolving the contradiction between effective degassing and gas accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical stripping method (using flushing gases) with a physical vacuum-based method. Instead of introducing external gases to strip pollutants, the system uses pressure reduction to directly remove dissolved gases, eliminating the need for subsequent flushing gas treatment
2Quantity of substance
If steam ejectors are used to generate low pressure for degassing, then degassing effectiveness is improved, but significant effort is required to generate high low pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vacuum pump as an intermediary device to create and maintain reduced pressure conditions. This allows the system to achieve effective degassing through controlled vacuum application rather than requiring complex steam ejector systems, reducing the energy effort needed while maintaining degassing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the pressure parameter by using moderate vacuum levels rather than extreme low pressure. This approach achieves sufficient degassing effectiveness while minimizing the energy required to maintain the pressure differential, avoiding the need for high-power steam ejectors
3Productivity
If process water is discharged directly without treatment, then process continuity is maintained, but corrosion and uncontrolled CO2 outgassing affect downstream processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary degassing treatment to process water before it is discharged or reused. By removing dissolved gases and controlling pH through vacuum degassing and optional chemical treatment, the system eliminates corrosion risks and uncontrolled outgassing issues that would otherwise affect downstream processes, while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of dissolved CO2 (which causes corrosion and uncontrolled outgassing) into a beneficial process. By applying vacuum degassing, the system not only removes the harmful gases but also can control pH levels, transforming a problematic waste stream into a treated water suitable for reuse or safe discharge
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 degases process water, reduces corrosion risks, and minimizes gas diversion to downstream facilities, enabling reliable treatment and reuse of process water.
Implementation Method 1
the process water is subjected to a drop in pressure Δp, thereby resulting in a degasification on account of the reduced solubility of the dissolved gases
Implementation Method 2
a carrier gas, in particular air, nitrogen or steam, is introduced into the tank in order to assist with the degasification and/or cleaning-off of dissolved or suspended solids
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating process water which is loaded with gaseous compounds and/or possibly with solids and comes from a wet-cleaning installation for cleaning process gas, e.g., from a melt-reduction subassembly or from a direct-reduction subassembly. Process water is introduced in a tank in a first process stage and degassed on the basis of reduced solubility of the dissolved compounds. The tank has, on its upper side, a gas-collecting chamber, in which the separated-off gases are collected and from which these are discharged. Likewise, the treated process water is discharged from the tank via a drainage means.