Field of the invention

The invention relates to arrangements of systems for producing ammonia nitrogen, related selected systems for use therein, suitable measurement methods and computer products and related storage media for control of said arrangements.

Background of the invention

Current stripping and scrubbing systems for the production of liquid ammonium salts are energy and chemical intensive and a source of air pollution as ammonia contributes to secondary fine particle formation in the atmosphere. Ammonium salt production from an input stream with an ammonia concentration lower than 0,3 mass% costs more than the biological destruction and transformation in nitrogen gas. The main reasons are poor quality and value of the produced ammonium salt as the properties are not stable and the energy and chemical costs go up when the ammonia concentration of the input stream goes down.

Industries and farmers therefor choose to transform the excess of ammonia in their liquid waste streams into nitrogen gas even though the surrounding need for ammonia on the local fields. Downside of these biological systems part of the nitrogen is transformed into laughing gas being a dangerous greenhouse gas and these systems use a lot of energy for aeration.

Aim of the invention

The invention aims at providing arrangements of systems for producing ammonia nitrogen able to provide high quality ammonia nitrogen, but also efficient arrangements in terms of energy consumption and/or reagents. Moreover, also improvements in relation to environmental and air quality impact are provided. Summary of the invention

The invention relates to an efficient arrangement of systems for producing a final output stream from an initial input stream, more in particular said output stream, being a liquid stream, having more than 8 mass % (80.000 g/ton) ammonia nitrogen, while said input stream, being a liquid or solid stream, having more than 50 g/ton ammonia nitrogen. For sake of clarity, with solid input stream is meant a liquid stream with solids suspended therein. The total input stream thus comprises liquid and solid part within the stream. The solid of the input stream can be interpreted as the solids or solid particles being part of the input stream, comprising also liquid. The invented arrangement of systems comprises a first system, referred to as stripping system, for recovering from a first stream, being a liquid or solid input stream, having more than 50 g/ton ammonia nitrogen, via further systems, a second stream, being a liquid output stream, more in particular referred to as a first liquid output stream whereas the final output is also a liquid output stream, having more than 8 mass % (80.000 g/ton) ammonia nitrogen. The invented arrangement of systems comprises also a second system, called scrubbing system, for producing from a first gaseous flow, also called a gaseous input flow a second gaseous flow, or gaseous output flow, wherein the first gaseous flow or gaseous input flow originates from the stripping system; and the second gaseous flow or gaseous output flow being emitted from the scrubbing system is (entirely) re-entered and re-used in the stripping system. The invented arrangement may further comprise of a third system being an adsorption system for further optimizing the quality of the first liquid output stream by further reducing the amount of volatile fatty acids or other volatile compounds, more in particular by use of activated carbon.

The invented arrangement may further comprise of a fourth system for biomass growth, in particular for harvesting certain microbial proteins. The invented arrangement may further comprise of a fifth Venturi-like or Sonolator-like system for introducing and mixing the second gaseous flow or gaseous output flow from the scrubbing system with the liquid input stream for the first system or stripping system. For sake of clarity, the invention is related to a Venturi system with an extra blade placed in the flow.

The invented arrangement may further comprise a sixth system or sonication system (or a plurality of sonication systems), applied to the initial liquid input stream or mixture of the solid part of first stream or input stream with the recovered liquid stream or second stream or liquid output stream or a mixture obtained with the Venturi-like or Sonolator-like system of such liquid streams with the reused gaseous output stream of the scrubbing system or liquid part of first stream or input stream, before it enters the first system or stripping system.

The arrangement is adapted for by selecting use (and related steering or control) of one or more of the systems to reduce the chemical reagents and/or the to-be supplied energy to the arrangement.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows an embodiment illustrating conceptually a combined stripping/scrubbing system with (here a ventilator supported) gas feedback flow (and optionally sonicator/adsorber/protein systems) in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment illustrating conceptually (no pumps or valves shown) liquid feedback stream in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3a shows an embodiment illustrating conceptually (no pumps shown) a heat exchange arrangement (filter and heat exchanger) in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3b shows an embodiment illustrating conceptually (no pumps shown) a heat exchange arrangement (filter and heat exchanger) with sonication system in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3c shows an embodiment illustrating conceptually (no pumps or valves shown) liquid feedback stream with sonication system and indicating the use of a mixing tank (which operates also a storage tank to support the semi-batch operation of the system) in accordance with the invention. Figure 3d shows an embodiment illustrating conceptually (no pumps or valves shown) liquid feedback stream with a heat exchange arrangement (filter and heat exchanger) in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4a shows an embodiment illustrating more details on the concept of mixed continue/batch processing of liquid feedback stream means (fluid storage, pumps), including in-line measurement (which can be used as input for a control system not shown here) with a sonication-like system in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4b shows an embodiment illustrating more details on the concept of mixed continue/batch processing of liquid feedback stream means (fluid storage, pumps), including in-line measurement (which can be used as input for a control system not shown here) with a Venturi-like system used partly on the gas stream in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4c shows an embodiment illustrating more details on the concept of mixed continue/batch processing of liquid feedback stream means (fluid storage, pumps), including in-line measurement (which can be used as input for a control system not shown here) with a Venturi-like system used entirely on the gas stream in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4d shows an embodiment illustrating more details on the concept of mixed continue/batch processing of liquid feedback stream means (fluid storage, pumps), including in-line measurement (which can be used as input for a control system not shown here) with a Venturi-like system used partly on the gas stream, in combination with a sonication-like system in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4e shows an embodiment illustrating more details on the concept of mixed continue/batch processing of liquid feedback stream means (fluid storage, pumps), including in-line measurement (which can be used as input for a control system not shown here) with a Venturi-like system used entirely on the gas stream with a sonication-like system in accordance with the invention. Figure 5 shows an embodiment illustrating a combination of the aspects illustrated in Figure 3 (heat exchange) and Figure 4 (referring to other systems, in much less detail or simplified version though) in accordance with the invention. Figure 6 shows an embodiment illustrating the aspects of ammonia recovery from a solid stream with the mechanical separation of the solid stream and reuse of the liquid stream in accordance with the invention.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment illustrating a side-view of the design where the second (or scrubbing) system is installed in the center of the first (or stripping) system in accordance with the invention.

Figure 8 schematically provides an embodiment illustrating the relationship between the arrangement (strip-scrub system) and its control system used to steer the one or more elements of the arrangement in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description

The invention provides an arrangement 10 (for example as shown in Fig 3a) of systems for producing a liquid ammonia nitrogen containing (in high amount) output stream 100 from an initial ammonia nitrogen containing (in low amount) liquid or solid input stream 110, more in particular based on a stripping - scubber system arrangement wherein said liquid output stream 100 originates from the first gaseous flow or gaseous input flow and an added acid (e.g. FIN03/FI2S04) (addition not shown) to produce an ammonium salt.

The invention is in particular adapted to be an efficient arrangement in terms of energy consumption, more in particular to obtain a transformation of ammonia to nitrogen gas with less than 40 MJ/kg N, preferably less than 10 MJ/kg N up to even 2,1 MJ/kg N.

The invention is in particular adapted for producing a final output stream, with a factor 1000 higher in ammonia nitrogen concentration than the input stream, preferably a factor 1500 higher, up to even a factor 1600, wherein typically the output stream has a concentration of more than 10.000, preferably up to 90.000 g/ton ammonia nitrogen while the input stream may have a concentration of less than 100 g/ton, though even up to 50 g/ton ammonia nitrogen.

The invention relates hence typically to an efficient (integrated) arrangement of systems for producing a final output stream from an initial input stream, more in particular said final output stream, being a liquid stream, having more than 8 mass % (80.000 g/ton) ammonia nitrogen, while said input stream, being a liquid or solid stream, having more than 50 g/ton ammonia nitrogen. The arrangement is being arranged for minimizing the amount of to be used (chemical) reagents and/or the to-be supplied energy (such as heat and/or electricity for pumps, ventilators used therein as further illustrated). As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the invented arrangement of systems comprises a first or stripping system 210, for recovering from a first stream or, liquid or solid input stream, having more than 50 g/ton ammonia nitrogen (by use of a stripping process) a second stream, or first liquid output stream or liquid output of said first system, having more than 8 mass% (80.000 g/ton) ammonia nitrogen.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the invented arrangement of systems comprises a second or scrubbing system 200, for producing from a first gaseous flow or gaseous input flow 300 (by use of a scrubbing process) a second gaseous flow or gaseous output flow 310, whereby said first gaseous flow or gaseous input flow originates from said first system; and said second gaseous flow or gaseous output flow is re-used and re-entered (entirely) in said first system. In terms of gaseous flow, said first and second systems hence define a closed system. This arrangement additionally to be being efficient, avoids environmental pollution e.g. in terms of odor (entirely).

In an embodiment of the invention, the second system comprises a demister.

In an embodiment of the invention, the gaseous flow is driven by a ventilator 800 or a Venturi-like system 700 or a Sonolator-like Venturi system.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the invented arrangement may further comprise of a third system for further optimizing the quality of the first (liquid) output stream by further reducing the amount of volatile fatty acids (entirely), said third system being based on adsorption, more in particular by use of activated carbon. The third system uses either a particular selected mixture of activated carbon, based on coal or coconut in a respective percentage range of 100/0 - 0/100, more optimal 30/100 - 45/100 and/or an appropriate amount of (repetitively) pumping said stream through said activated carbon.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the invented arrangement may further comprise of a fourth system related to protein harvesting where the first liquid output stream is used as a nitrogen source for microbial protein production. The output gasses of a CHP (combined heat and power) system, or other combustion motor, containing CO can be used as a carbon source. The electrolysis of water can be used for O and H respectively for the oxygen and hydrogen incorporation in the microbial proteins. The nitrogen source has to be in a ratio of 10-20 %, best 16% of the total mass N, C, O and H.

As shown in Figures 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, the invented arrangement may further comprise of a fifth system, applied to the initial liquid input stream before it enters the first or stripping system. Such fifth system may be used additionally to reduce the chemical reagents and/or the to-be supplied energy to the first system. The fifth system uses a Venturi or venture-like system with an air to liquid ratio between 3/1 and 20/1, more preferably 6/1 and 8/1. The gaseous output flow of the second or scrubbing system is introduced in the liquid (input) stream before it enters the first system. In an exemplary embodiment the pressure is between 3 and 6 bar, preferably between 4 and 5 bar and a flow of liquid of 10 cube m per hour of the liquid stream and 35 cube m per hour of gaseous flow. In a particular embodiment after the introduction of the gaseous stream in the liquid (input) stream entering the first system, with the Venturi or venture-like system a blade is provided (similar as in Sonolator or Sonolater-like systems) in the middle of the flow where cavitation processes enhance the mixing between air and liquid phase.

As shown in Figure 1, 2, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4d, 4e, 5 and 6 the invented arrangement may further comprise of a sixth system, applied to the initial liquid input stream before it enters the first system. Such sixth system may be used additionally to reduce the chemical reagents and/or the to-be supplied energy to the first system. The sixth system uses an alternating or static electrical field on the input stream being used (and recirculated as described further) in the first system. Using different (eigen)frequencies of the ammonia molecule brings the ammonia molecule in an excited state and enhances the transfer from liquid to gas phase. Flence, before the ammonia can give his energy to the surrounding medium, it is passed through a sonicator 600 or sonication system and a spraying nipple. Time between exciting the ammonia and spraying of the input stream is preferably less than 5 seconds, more preferably between 0,1 and 0,3 seconds. Typical sonicator frequency is between 500 and 1500 GFIz, more preferably between 570 and 580 GFIz and more preferably between 1150 and 1100 GFIz, is used to make ammonia vibrate and enhances the mass transfer of ammonia to the gas phase. An additional sonication system with a frequency in the ultrasonic field may further be placed in the stripping column to destroy foaming, especially when treating organic liquid streams as the entire liquid phase can then be transformed in foam, making the circulation of the liquid stream and the transfer of ammonia to second system impossible as the gaseous phase is captured in the foam. This additional sonication system can be placed above the liquid phase in the stripping column or in the liquid phase of the stripping column or before the spaying nipple where the liquid phase enters the stripper (or first system). The problem of stabilized gas bubbles can be reduced by means of degassing the liquid phase with the sonicator. The surface tension of the foam can be further reduced by addition of glycerine in a dosage of 0,5 to 2 I per ton to improve the foam destruction and formation.

As shown in Figure 6 in a first particular embodiment of the invention, the arrangement is adapted to enable that said first liquid input stream (140) is (entirely) fed back to be used to mix said first solid (for example an organic stream with a dry matter of 30%) input stream and the resulting mixture is fed back into the arrangement. Where the ammonia in the solid input stream is extracted in the liquid stream while it is mixed in the mixing tank and further squeezed out in the liquid stream during a mechanical separation. The solid stream after the mechanical separator e.g. a centrifuge can be recycled in the mixing tank. This can continue several times on the same solid input stream such that the ratio between liquid input stream and solid input stream can be altered and ammonia is extracted from the solid input stream in a concentration lower than 100 g per ton. The excess of liquid stream (130) can be released.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, given the more or less continuous flow of the overall flow, the arrangement comprises a storage means (tank) for (temporarily) storing the first (liquid) output stream, hence facilitating semi-batch processing. From said storage means, controlled pumps will pump fluid either further in the arrangement or as feedback stream.

As shown in Figure 4, in an additional embodiment of the invention, in order to produce the required high quality final (liquid) output stream from an initial input stream, in-line spectroscopic or refractometric measurement of the concentration of the first system output stream is used (despite the high concentration aimed at), said in-line measurement 900 being used to control the feedback stream, more in particular the pumps and residence time. In essence the in-line measurement determines whether the obtained liquid can flow to the next steps such as adsorber or not. In relation to Figures 4a to 4e, it is worth emphasizing that a primary role of the in-line measurement, in that the (pumped) liquid of the scrubbing system is measured and either released toward other systems like the adsorber or feedback to the scrubber for further enriching. The in line measurement however may also serve as important input signal (20) for the control system to guide the control of the entire arrangement such as activating other pumps, and/or opening valves and/or (de-)activating the ventilator and/or controlling the frequency of the pumps and ventilators.

As shown in various figures in a second particular embodiment of the invention, the arrangement is adapted to enable that part of the heat of said first (liquid) output stream (140) (generated by the exogenous scrubbing reaction) is recovered in that said heat is used to increase the temperature of the first (or initial) liquid stream before use in said first system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises of a heat recovery system, more in particular a plate heat recovery system 400, with selected dimensions (to achieve both the required heat recovery performance). In view of the characteristics of the input stream in terms of density and/or viscosity for use of said special dimensioned plate heat recovery system, additional means (filters) are used on said input stream before it can flow through the heat recovery system of this kind.

The first and second particular embodiment of the invention can be and most preferably is combined.

In a particular embodiment, the second system is installed in the center of the first system (see Figure 7), such that the heat in said gaseous flow (generated by the exogenous scrubbing reaction) is recovered in the entire arrangement, in particular when the first system is provided with sufficient isolation means in its outer wall.

In essence the invention relates to a combined (with a beneficial geometric positioning) stripping/scrubbing arrangement with (ventilator supported) gas feedback, with particular selected scrubbing systems. This combined arrangement may further provide a (pump supported) fluid feedback stream and/or suitable heat exchange arrangements (e.g. by use of a selected (plate) heat exchanger and related filters). Further the invention may provide in-line/real-time measurements used for control of said arrangement, e.g. the pumps and/or ventilators.