Membrane-based exhaust gas scrubbing method and system
AssigneeIonada Incorporated
InventorEdoardo Panziera
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and apparatus to reduce emissions of target emission gasses such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides from combustion exhaust such as marine engine exhaust by gas membrane separation and liquid carrier chemical absorption. The membrane separation system consists of an absorption system containing semi-permeable hollow fiber membranes through which is circulated a liquid absorbent. Exhaust gases contact the exterior surface of the membranes and the target gasses selectively permeate the membrane wall and are absorbed by the liquid carrier(s) within the bore and thereby are removed from the exhaust stream.
Claims8
A method for reducing the concentration of a target emission gas (TEG) from a source of engine exhaust gas comprising the steps of:
- directing said engine exhaust gas from the source into an enclosed space containing at least one array of hollow fiber semi-permeable ceramic membranes, wherein said exhaust gas contacts an exterior surface of said membranes whereupon TEG within said exhaust gas permeates through said membrane thereby lowering the concentration of said TEG within said exhaust gas;
- circulating a carrier liquid capable of retaining TEG compounds through bores of said hollow fiber ceramic membranes thereby elevating the concentration of said TEG compounds within said carrier liquid, wherein said carrier liquid is a basic solution and said TEG compounds comprise an acid which is neutralized by said carrier liquid when contacted thereby;
- discharging said exhaust gas containing a reduced TEG concentration from the enclosed space and removing said carrier liquid containing said TEG compounds therein from said hollow fiber ceramic membrane array for discharge or recycling;
- and
- precipitating said TEG compounds from said carrier liquid in the form of a precipitate and recycling said carrier liquid through said membranes.
A method for reducing the concentration of a target emission gas (TEG) from a source of engine exhaust gas comprising the steps of:
- directing said engine exhaust gas from the source at engine pressure into an enclosed space containing at least one array of hollow fiber semi-permeable ceramic membranes, wherein said exhaust gas contacts an exterior surface of said membranes whereupon TEG within said exhaust gas permeates through said membrane thereby lowering the concentration of said TEG within said exhaust gas;
- circulating a carrier liquid capable of retaining TEG compounds through bores of said hollow fiber ceramic membranes thereby elevating the concentration of said TEG compounds within said carrier liquid, wherein the carrier liquid is a task-specific ionic liquid specific to said TEG;
- discharging said exhaust gas containing a reduced TEG concentration from the enclosed space and removing said carrier liquid containing said TEG compounds therein from said hollow fiber ceramic membrane array for discharge or recycling;
- and
- determining the concentration of TEG within untreated exhaust gas, determining an optimal rate of liquid flow required to reduce the TEG concentration in said untreated gas to a target level and selectively controlling the rate of liquid flow through said membrane array to match said optimal rate of liquid flow.
A method for reducing the concentration of a target emission gas (TEG) from an untreated source of marine diesel engine exhaust gas comprising the steps of:
- directing said untreated engine exhaust gas from the source at engine pressure into an enclosed space containing at least one array of hollow fiber semi-permeable ceramic membranes, wherein said exhaust gas contacts an exterior surface of said membranes whereupon TEG within said exhaust gas permeates through said membrane thereby lowering the concentration of said TEG within said exhaust gas;
- circulating a carrier liquid capable of retaining TEG compounds through bores of said hollow fiber ceramic membranes thereby elevating the concentration of said TEG compounds within said carrier liquid where the carrier liquid is a task-specific ionic liquid specific to said TEG;
- discharging said exhaust gas containing a reduced TEG concentration from the enclosed space;
- separating said TEG compounds from said carrier liquid and recycling said carrier liquid through said membrane array;
- wherein said carrier liquid is a basic solution and said TEG compounds comprises an acid which is neutralized by said carrier liquid when contacted thereby, and said separation comprises precipitating said TEG compounds from said carrier liquid in the form of a precipitate;
- and
- determining the concentration of TEG within untreated exhaust gas, determining an optimal rate of liquid flow required to reduce the TEG concentration in said untreated gas to a target level and selectively controlling the rate of liquid flow through said membrane array to match said optimal rate of liquid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.