Xenon-Krypton Separation via Hydrate Formation Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating xenon gas from krypton gas, such as low-temperature distillation and solid adsorption, are energy-intensive, costly, and not suitable for large-scale commercial production due to high energy consumption and expensive preparation costs, while the hydrate formation process offers a theoretical basis for separation with a significant phase equilibrium difference.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reaction tower, heat exchangers, and a gas-water separating unit, utilizing a gas-liquid separating membrane and porous trays made of foamy copper to generate and decompose xenon hydrates with controlled pressure and temperature, allowing continuous separation of xenon gas from xenon-krypton mixed gas with low energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If low-temperature distillation is used to separate xenon gas from krypton gas, then separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water to form gas hydrates under specific pressure and temperature conditions. By controlling the phase equilibrium, xenon gas is selectively converted into solid hydrate particles while krypton remains in the gas phase, achieving separation without the need for complex low-temperature distillation equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous trays made of foamy copper as the main reactive structure. The porous material provides a large surface area for hydrate formation and facilitates the conversion of gas-phase xenon into solid hydrate particles, enhancing separation efficiency while using simple equipment
2Measurement precision
If solid adsorption separation is used to separate xenon gas from krypton gas, then separation efficiency is improved, but preparation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from chemical adsorption to physical hydrate formation by adjusting pressure and temperature parameters. This approach uses readily available materials like water and foamy copper instead of expensive specialized adsorbents, reducing preparation costs while maintaining separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive foamy copper as the reactive structure that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The porous trays serve as disposable or easily renewable components that provide the necessary surface area for hydrate formation without requiring expensive specialized materials
3Use of energy by moving object
If hydrate formation process is used to separate xenon gas from mixed gas, then energy consumption is reduced, but hydrate slurry may block the air inlet of the tower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric inclined gas-liquid separating membrane at the bottom of the reaction tower. The membrane is positioned at an angle rather than vertically, which prevents hydrate slurry from blocking the air inlet while still allowing efficient separation of gas and liquid phases. The asymmetric positioning directs slurry flow away from the gas inlet
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separating membrane acts as an intermediary structure between the gas inlet and the hydrate slurry accumulation zone. The membrane allows gas to pass through while blocking liquid hydrate particles, preventing blockage of the air inlet while maintaining operational reliability
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 separates xenon gas from mixed gas at low pressure and temperature, increasing hydrate generation rates and reducing energy consumption, making it suitable for large-scale applications with low equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A principle thereof is to preferentially combine components which are easy to form hydrate in the mixed gas with water to generate the hydrate by using different phase equilibrium conditions and difficulty levels of different gases to form the hydrate
Implementation Method 2
main devices of the heat exchanging unit are a heat exchanger A and a heat exchanger B
Implementation Method 3
an interfacial area of the gas-liquid separating membrane is larger than a cross-sectional area of the reaction tower, and the gas-liquid separating membrane is built between the porous tray and the bottom of the tower in an inclined manner to prevent a hydrate slurry from blocking an air inlet of the bottom of the tower
Implementation Method 4
a gas-liquid separating membrane is placed at a bottom of a porous tray where the mixed gas contacts first
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method and system for separating xenon-krypton mixed gas by hydrate formation process. The system is mainly composed of a gas hydrate generating unit, a heat exchanging unit and a gas-water separating unit: pre-cooled xenon-krypton mixed gas is injected from a bottom of a reaction tower, xenon gas in the mixed gas and water attached to a porous tray generate a xenon gas hydrate; and water is injected from a top of the tower to wet the porous tray, a generated hydrate particle is washed and collected to the bottom of the tower simultaneously to form a hydrate slurry, after passing through the heat exchanging unit, the xenon gas hydrate in the slurry is decomposed to form a gas phase flow and a water phase flow, and then enters the gas-water separating unit, and the xenon gas is separated from decomposed water.