APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THERMAL EXHAUST GAS PURIFICATION

Abstract

An apparatus for thermal exhaust gas purification includes at least one thermal reactor to which a raw gas to be purified is supplied and in which the supplied raw gas is thermally purified, and an energy recovery apparatus to which a gas purified in the thermal reactor is supplied via at least one outlet line. For improving the balance of energy, it is proposed that the energy recovery apparatus includes at least one condensation heat exchanger in which the purified gas is cooled down such that condensable substances contained in the purified gas condense, and enthalpies released thereby are transmitted to a heat exchange medium and/or the raw gas upstream of the thermal reactor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for thermal exhaust gas purification, comprising: a thermal reactor to which a raw gas to be purified can be supplied and in which the supplied raw gas can be thermally purified; and an energy recovery means to which a gas purified in said thermal reactor can be supplied via at least one outlet line, wherein said energy recovery means comprises at least one condensation heat exchanger in which the purified gas can be cooled down such that condensable substances contained in the purified gas condense, and enthalpies released thereby can be transmitted to a heat exchange medium and/or the raw gas upstream of said thermal reactor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thermal reactor comprises a combustion chamber in which the supplied raw gas can be thermally purified; said energy recovery means is connected to said combustion chamber of said thermal reactor via said outlet line in order to supply a purified gas resulting from the thermal purification process in said combustion chamber to said energy recovery means; and said energy recovery means comprises: a further heat exchanger in which the purified gas can be cooled down to a first temperature level and an enthalpy released thereby can be transmitted to a heat exchange medium; and said condensation heat exchanger which is arranged downstream of said further heat exchanger and in which the purified gas can be further cooled down to a second temperature level lower than said first temperature level so that condensable substances contained in the purified gas condense and enthalpies released thereby can be transmitted to a heat exchange medium and/or the raw gas upstream of said thermal reactor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said further heat exchanger and said condensation heat exchanger are in heat exchange with a common heat exchange medium circuit, wherein said condensation heat exchanger is arranged upstream of said further heat exchanger in said common heat exchange medium circuit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said further heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a first heat exchange medium circuit, and said condensation heat exchanger is in heat exchange to a second heat exchange medium circuit being separate from said first heat exchange medium circuit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said further heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a first heat exchange medium circuit, and said condensation heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a raw gas supply line upstream of said thermal reactor.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a further condensation heat exchanger being in heat exchange with a raw gas supply line upstream of said thermal reactor is provided downstream of said further heat exchanger in said common heat exchange medium circuit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein there is provided a first heat exchange medium circuit being in heat exchange with said further heat exchanger or a common heat exchange medium circuit being in heat exchange both with said further heat exchanger and said condensation heat exchanger, and a power generating device is arranged downstream of said further heat exchanger in said common heat exchange medium circuit or said first heat exchange medium circuit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one device selected from a hot water consumer, a district heating terminal and an RC or ORC system is arranged downstream of said condensation heat exchanger in said second heat exchange medium circuit.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a condensate generated in said condensation heat exchanger can be recycled to the process via a condensate drain.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thermal reactor is a thermal oxidation reactor, preferably a regenerative thermal oxidation reactor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said raw gas is one of a mine exhaust gas, in particular a Ventilation Air Methane or a mixture of Ventilation Air Methane and Coal Mine Methane, and an exhaust gas containing combustible constituents, in particular containing VOC.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said raw gas is a raw gas containing liquid drops.

13. A method for thermal exhaust gas purification, comprising the steps of: thermally purifying a raw gas to be purified in a thermal reactor; and cooling down a purified gas produced in the thermal purification process in said thermal reactor in a condensation heat exchanger such that condensable substances contained in the purified gas condense, wherein enthalpies released thereby are transmitted to a heat exchange medium and/or the raw gas upstream of said thermal reactor.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the thermal purification of the raw gas is carried out in a combustion chamber of said thermal reactor; the purified gas produced during the thermal purification process in said combustion chamber is cooled down to a first temperature level in a further heat exchanger, wherein an enthalpy released thereby is transmitted to a heat exchange medium; and the purified gas is cooled further down to a second temperature level lower than the first temperature level in said condensation heat exchanger downstream of said further heat exchanger so that condensable substances contained in the purified gas condense and enthalpies released thereby are transmitted to a heat exchange medium and/or the raw gas upstream of said thermal reactor.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said further heat exchanger and said condensation heat exchanger are in heat exchange with a common heat exchange medium circuit, and the heat exchange medium of said common heat exchange medium circuit is preheated in said condensation heat exchanger.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said further heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a first heat exchange medium circuit, and said condensation heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a second heat exchange medium circuit being separate from said first heat exchange medium circuit.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said further heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a first heat exchange medium circuit, and said condensation heat exchanger is in heat exchange with a raw gas supply line upstream of said thermal reactor.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein a further condensation heat exchanger being in heat exchange with a raw gas supply line upstream of said thermal reactor is provided downstream of said further heat exchanger in said common heat exchange medium circuit.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the heat exchange medium heated in said further heat exchanger is used for generating electricity.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the heat exchange medium of said second heat exchange medium circuit is a process water or a heating medium.

21. The method according to claim 13, wherein a condensate generated in said condensation heat exchanger is recycled to the process via a condensate drain.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein said raw gas is one of a mine exhaust gas, in particular a Ventilation Air Methane or a mixture of Ventilation Air Methane and Coal Mine Methane, and an exhaust gas containing combustible constituents, in particular containing VOC.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein said raw gas is a raw gas containing liquid drops.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purifying apparatus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purifying apparatus according to a sixth exemplary embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus according to a seventh exemplary embodiment; and

[0049] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus according to an eighth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a system for purifying a methane-containing mine ventilation gas (VAM) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The system illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises, in addition to the components described below and shown in the drawing, in particular also numerous (regulating) valves and sensors (in particular temperature sensors) which are omitted for the sake of simplicity, but which are known, for example, from WO 2008/011965 A1.

[0052] The thermal exhaust gas purification apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a thermal reactor 10 for regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) of combustible substances in an exhaust or exhaust gas stream. The thermal reactor 10 comprises a combustion chamber 12 and two regenerators 14 arranged below the combustion chamber 12 and each comprising a channel and a heat storage mass chamber arranged above the channel. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the thermal reactor 10 comprises two regenerators 14, but in other embodiments three, four or more regenerators 14 can also be provided below the combustion chamber 12.

[0053] A burner 16 projects into the combustion chamber 12 of the thermal reactor 10, to which fuel gas and combustion air are supplied via a gas supply 18. The burner 16 serves to burn the pollutants (e.g. methane) contained in the raw gas to be purified. The temperature in the combustion chamber 12 in operation can be up to about 1000° C.—depending on the energy content of the combustible substances contained in the raw gas.

[0054] The channel of each regenerator 14 of the thermal reactor 10 is connected to a raw gas supply line 22 via a raw gas branch line 20. An exhaust gas source 24, for example in the form of an exhaust manifold and exhaust gas mixing device feeds the raw gas supply line 22 with the exhaust gas (raw gas) to be purified.

[0055] The exhaust gas to be purified, which is supplied to the regenerators 14 of the thermal reactor 10 via the raw gas branch lines 20, usually contains liquid drops. These liquid drops originate, for example, from the upstream process 24. This condition can also occur, for example, if the temperature difference between the upstream process 24 and the raw gas inlet into the exhaust gas purification system at the transfer point from the raw gas supply line 22 into the raw gas branch lines 20 results in a condensation of the moisture contained in the raw gas, which are transported as liquid drops in the resulting gas stream at the outlet of the raw gas branch lines 20 into the thermal reactor 10.

[0056] Furthermore, the channel of each regenerator 14 of the thermal reactor 10 is connected to a clean gas line (first outlet line of the invention) 28 via a respective clean gas branch line 26. The gas (purified gas) purified in the thermal reactor 10 and cooled in the regenerator 14 is fed through the clean gas line 28 to a vent stack 30, via which the clean gas is released to the environment.

[0057] The functioning of such a thermal reactor is described in more detail, for example, in WO 2008/011965 A1. In this regard, reference is made to this document in its entirety.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, the combustion chamber 12 of the thermal reactor 10 is connected to a hot gas line (second outlet line of the invention) 34 via hot gas branch lines 32. With this hot gas line 34, hot exhaust gas (hot gas) purified by thermal oxidation is by-passed around the regenerator 14 or removed from the exhaust gas purification apparatus before passing through a regenerator 14. In preferred configurations, the hot gas is supplied to an energy recovery means via the hot gas line 34.

[0059] This energy recovery means comprises a first heat exchanger 36 (further heat exchanger of the invention) and a second heat exchanger 38 (condensation heat exchanger of the invention) downstream of the first heat exchanger 36. Both heat exchangers 36, 38 are in heat exchange with a common heat exchange medium circuit 40a.

[0060] The first heat exchanger 36 serves as a steam generator or steam heater. In the first heat exchanger, the hot gas is cooled down from, for example, about 1000° C. to, for example, about 400° C. (first temperature level). Depending on the design and/or efficiency of the first heat exchanger 36 and/or the inlet temperature of the hot gas at the first heat exchanger 36, the first temperature level may also be below 400° C., for example at about 300° C., 200° C. or even approx. 150° C. The enthalpy released during this cooling is utilized in the first heat exchanger 36 for heating the heat exchange medium (here: water) of the circuit 40a up to vaporization and overheating of the steam.

[0061] The steam overheated by the first heat exchanger 36 is supplied to a steam turbine 42 in the circuit 40a. This steam turbine 42 is coupled to a generator 44 for power generation in order to generate electrical energy in a known manner. Downstream of the steam turbine 42, preferably a cooling tower 43 is provided for further cooling down of the water.

[0062] In the second heat exchanger 38, the hot gas emerging from the first heat exchanger 36 is cooled further down, for example to about 60° C. (second temperature level). During this cooling process, the moist components of the hot gas condense.

[0063] If the first temperature level is below about 230° C., in particular between 200° C. and 100° C., preferably at about 150° C., the second heat exchanger 38 can be produced cost-effectively from carbon or plastic material. Such heat exchangers are known, for example, from WO 2009/007065 A1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0064] In this process, the hot gas releases the inherent enthalpy between the inlet and outlet temperatures into resp. out of the second heat exchanger 38, the evaporation enthalpy of the moisture contained in the hot gas by condensation, and the enthalpy inherent in the condensate between the inlet and outlet temperatures into resp. out of the second heat exchanger 38. The sum of these released enthalpies is transmitted to the heat exchange medium of the circuit 40a to preheat the heat exchange medium.

[0065] The exhaust gas purification apparatus described above enables an efficient energy recovery, in particular also in the case that the raw gas supplied via the raw gas branch lines 20 is oversaturated and contains moisture in the form of liquid drops. During the heating process in the thermal reactor, these liquid drops are evaporated. If the evaporation product does not emit any reaction energy in the thermal reactor, as it is the case, for example, for water, which can pass through the thermal reactor as a vapor, the evaporation enthalpy used for the evaporation of the liquid is recovered in the condensation heat exchanger 38 by condensation and, in this embodiment, transmitted to a heating medium for further use.

[0066] The hot gas emerging from the second heat exchanger 38 is finally supplied to the clean gas line 28 via a connecting line 46, in order to be finally delivered to the environment via the vent stack 30. The exhaust stream in the vent stack 30 is also relatively dry because of the condensation heat exchanger 38 used in the energy recovery means.

[0067] As indicated in FIG. 1, the condensate produced during the cooling of the hot gas in the second heat exchanger 38 can optionally be returned to the process via a condensate drain 48. For example, the condensate can be supplied to the circuit 40a as a heat exchange medium.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a system for purifying a methane-containing mine ventilation gas according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Identical or analogous components are identified by the same reference numerals, and a repetition of the corresponding description is omitted.

[0069] The exhaust gas purification apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 differs from that of the first exemplary embodiment in the energy recovery means.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, the first heat exchanger 36 (further heat exchanger of the invention) of the energy recovery means is in heat exchange with a first heat exchange medium circuit 40b. This first heat exchange medium circuit 40b, like the common heat exchange medium circuit 40a of the first exemplary embodiment, includes a power generation means comprising a steam turbine 42 and a generator 44 as well as a cooling tower 43.

[0071] The second heat exchanger 38 (condensation heat exchanger of the invention) of the energy recovery means is in heat exchange with a second heat exchange medium circuit 40c which is designed as an open circuit and is separate from the first heat exchange medium circuit 40b. The heat exchange medium of the second heat exchange medium circuit 40c is, for example, a process water which is supplied to a hot water consumer, or a heating medium which is supplied to a district heating terminal. However, it can also be provided that the heat exchange medium of the second heat exchange medium circuit 40c is a thermal oil of an intermediate circuit for coupling an RC, in particular an ORC system, or is directly a working medium of an RC, in particular of an ORC system. In the second case, the second heat exchanger 38 serves as a direct evaporator for a working medium, in particular an organic working medium, for the operation of a Rankine cycle plant, the Rankine turbine preferably driving a generator. In this way, an efficiency of the power generation of the entire system including the steam turbine 42 and the Rankine turbine can be increased.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a system for purifying a methane-containing mine ventilation gas according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Identical or analogous components are identified by the same reference numerals, and a repetition of the corresponding description is omitted.

[0073] The exhaust gas purification apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from those of the first two exemplary embodiments in the energy recovery means.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the first heat exchanger 36 of the energy recovery means is in heat exchange with a first heat exchange medium circuit 40b. This first heat exchange medium circuit 40b, like the common heat exchange medium circuit 40a of the first exemplary embodiment and the first heat exchange medium circuit 40b of the second exemplary embodiment, includes a power generation means including a steam turbine 42 and a generator 44 as well as a cooling tower 43.

[0075] The second heat exchanger (condensation heat exchanger) 38 of the energy recovery means is in heat exchange with the raw gas stream, especially methane-containing mine ventilation gases (VAM), which is supplied from the exhaust gas source 24. Especially, the second heat exchanger 38 is arranged upstream of the thermal reactor 10 in the raw gas supply line 22. In the second heat exchanger 38, the hot gas emerging from the first heat exchanger 36 is cooled down, for example, from about 300° C. to about 200° C.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows a system for purifying a VOC-containing exhaust air from an exhaust gas source 24, for example a methane-containing mine ventilation gas or a solvent-containing process exhaust, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Identical or analogous components are identified by the same reference numerals, and a repetition of the corresponding description is omitted.

[0077] The exhaust gas purification apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in that the cooler clean gas (e.g. approx. 70° C.) discharged via the clean gas line 28 is mixed with the hot gas (e.g. approx. 300° C.) exiting the first heat exchanger 36 of the energy recovery means before this mixed clean gas (e.g. approx. 180° C.) enters downstream into the second heat exchanger (condensation heat exchanger) 38 as a heat source. In the second heat exchanger 38, the mixed clean gas is then cooled over the dew point of a steam component, in particular water vapor, so that the vaporization enthalpy stored in both partial flows can be transferred to the heat exchange medium circulating in the common heat exchange medium circuit 40d.

[0078] It can also be provided that the admixture or supply of the gas streams is supported by a mixing and/or swirling means. By this, an advantageous mixing, in particular homogenization of the mixture of differently tempered gas streams can be promoted.

[0079] As an alternative to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the residual and/or evaporation enthalpy of the gas mixture may also be transferred to a heat exchange medium circulating in the second heat exchange medium circuit 40c, analogously to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0080] The configuration variants thus characterized are particularly suitable if a mixture temperature below 250° C. can be established by the mixture formation between the hot gas of the first temperature level and the cooler clean gas of the outlet temperature from the thermal reactor 10, resulting in an advantageous and cheap realization of the second heat exchanger according to the nature of WO 2009/007065 A1.

[0081] FIG. 5 shows a system for purifying a VOC-containing exhaust air from an exhaust gas source 24, for example a methane-containing mine ventilation gas or a solvent-containing process exhaust, according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Identical or analogous components are identified by the same reference numerals, and a repetition of the corresponding description is omitted.

[0082] The exhaust gas purification apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5 differs from the second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 in that a third heat exchanger 50 is provided in the clean gas line 28. In the third heat exchanger 50 (condensation heat exchanger of the invention), the clean gas emerging from the thermal reactor 10 via the clean gas line 28 is further cooled down, for example to about 60° C. (corresponding to the second temperature level of the second heat exchanger 38). During this cooling process, the moist components of the clean gas condense, whereby a residual and/or evaporation enthalpy of the clean gas can be transferred to a heat exchange medium.

[0083] In the variant shown in FIG. 5 of this exemplary embodiment, the first heat exchanger 36 and the second heat exchanger 38 are in heat exchange with a common heat exchange medium circuit 40a (similar to the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1). In addition, the second heat exchanger 38 and the third heat exchanger 50 are co-operating via a common heat exchange medium circuit 40e, the heat exchange medium being preheated in the third heat exchanger 50. As a result, all three heat exchangers 36, 38, 50 are co-operating via a common heat exchange medium circuit, whereby a steam formation for driving the steam turbine 42 can advantageously be maximized.

[0084] As an alternative to the variant shown in FIG. 5, it can also be provided that the third heat exchanger 50 is co-operating with the second heat exchanger 38 via a common second heat exchange medium circuit 40f, and thus the heat energy which can be supplied to a further heat user is increased analogous to the example of FIG. 2.

[0085] Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 as a sixth exemplary embodiment. Identical or analogous components are identified by the same reference numerals, and a repetition of the corresponding description is omitted. In this embodiment, the second heat exchange medium circuit 40f is configured as a working medium circuit of a Rankine cycle. The working medium, and thus the second heat exchange medium is preferably an organic working medium which, in particular at lower temperature levels, has more favorable evaporation properties than the medium water of the steam turbine 42. The second heat exchanger 38 thereby serves as an evaporator for the working medium, which is subsequently expanded via a Rankine turbine 54. The Rankine turbine 54 drives a further generator 56. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the Rankine turbine 54 is operatively correlated with the shaft of the generator 44 via a coupling or transmission system, whereby a second generator could be omitted. Further, the working medium expanded in the Rankine turbine 54 is cooled down by means of a condenser 58 such that it condenses out again. Subsequently, it is supplied in a predominantly liquid form to the third heat exchanger 50. The third heat exchanger 50 transfers the residual and/or evaporation enthalpy of the clean gas of the thermal reactor 10 to the liquid working medium, as a result of which the latter is preheated and possibly even partially evaporated.

[0086] It may also be advantageous, in particular in case of integrating an RC/ORC system, if the second and/or third heat exchanger 38, 50 is designed in the manner of a flow apparatus or a system of flow apparatuses according to DE 10 2014 201 908 A1. The disclosure of DE 10 2014 201 908 A1 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, in particular with regard to the structure of the flow apparatus, the flow guidance in the flow apparatus, a system of flow apparatuses and the operating method for fluid management in the flow apparatus.

[0087] In known regenerative thermal reactors 10 without a hot gas utilization via the second outlet line 34 and an energy recovery means in the sense of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 6 and WO 2008/011965 A1, it can also be reasonable and advantageous to provide a condensation heat exchanger 60 (for example in the manner of the third heat exchanger 50 according to the example of FIG. 5) in the first outlet line 28, as illustrated in FIG. 7 as a seventh exemplary embodiment.

[0088] In this case, the clean gas flowing out in the clean gas line 28 cools down in the condensation heat exchanger 60 below a dew point of a steam component. As a result, the residual and/or evaporation enthalpy which has not been recovered in the regenerators 14 of the regenerative thermal reactor 10 can be transmitted to a heat exchange medium of a corresponding heat exchange medium circuit 40g. Thus, for example, the incoming raw gas can be preheated analogously to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3. Alternatively, another heat user, for example a warm or hot water supply or an ORC system, can also be supplied with heat energy.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows, as an eighth exemplary embodiment of an exhaust gas purification apparatus according to the invention, a further modification of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. Identical or analogous components are identified by the same reference numerals, and a repetition of the corresponding description is omitted.

[0090] The exhaust gas purification apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 differs from that of the first exemplary embodiment in the energy recovery means.

[0091] The first heat exchanger 36 and the second heat exchanger 38 are in heat exchange with a common heat exchange medium circuit 40h. Downstream of the steam turbine 42, the heat exchange medium is supplied to a further condensation heat exchanger 64 which is arranged upstream of the thermal reactor 10 in the raw gas supply line 22. The heat exchange medium cooled down in this further condensation heat exchanger 64 to, for example, about 60° C. is then supplied back to the condensation heat exchanger 38 upstream of the first heat exchanger 36.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0092] 10 thermal reactor [0093] 12 combustion chamber [0094] 14 regenerators [0095] 16 burner [0096] 18 gas supply [0097] 20 raw gas branch line [0098] 22 raw gas supply line [0099] 24 exhaust gas source [0100] 26 clean gas branch line [0101] 28 first outlet line, clean gas line [0102] 30 vent stack [0103] 32 hot gas branch line [0104] 34 second outlet line, hot gas line [0105] 36 first heat exchanger, further heat exchanger [0106] 38 second heat exchanger, condensation heat exchanger [0107] 40a-h heat exchange medium circuits [0108] 42 steam turbine [0109] 43 cooling tower [0110] 44 generator [0111] 46 connecting line [0112] 48 condensate drain [0113] 50 third heat exchanger, condensation heat exchanger [0114] 52 condensate drain [0115] 54 Rankine turbine [0116] 56 generator [0117] 58 condenser [0118] 60 fourth heat exchanger, further condensation heat exchanger [0119] 62 condensate drain [0120] 64 fifth heat exchanger, condensation heat exchanger