Assessment and development of an advanced heat pump for recovery of volatile organic compounds

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5074142· OSTI ID:5074142

This report documents Phase 1 of a project conducted by Mechanical Technology Incorporated (MTI) for the assessment and development of an advanced heat pump for recovery of VOC solvents from process gas streams. In Phase 1, MTI has evaluated solvent recovery applications within New York State (NYS), identified host sites willing to implement their application, and conducted a preliminary design of the equipment required. The design and applications were evaluated for technical and economic feasibility. The solvent recovery heat pump system concept resulting from the Phase 1 work is one of a mobile unit that would service multiple stationary adsorbers. A large percentage of solvent recovery applications within the state can be serviced by on-site carbon bed adsorbers that are desorbed at frequencies ranging from once per to once per month. In this way, many users can effectively share'' the substantial capital investment associated with the system's reverse Brayton hardware, providing it can be packaged as a mobile unit. In a typical operating scenario, a carbon adsorption module will be located permanently at the industrial site. The SLA will be ducted through the adsorber and the solvents removed, thus eliminating an air emission problem. Prior to VOC breakthrough, by schedule or by request, the mobile unit would arrive at the site to recover the concentrated solvent. An engine driven, natural gas fueled system, the mobile unit utilizes conditioned engine exhaust gases as the inert gas for desorption. Hot inert gas is directed through the carbon bed, heating it and volatilizing the adsorbed solvent. Using a revere Brayton-cycle refrigeration system to create low temperatures, the solvent vapors are condensed and collected from the inert gas stream. The solvent can then be recycled to the production process or sold for other uses and the adsorber returned to service.

• Research Organization: Mechanical Technology, Inc., Latham, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-88ID12788
• OSTI ID: 5074142
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12788-T1; MTI-90TR7; ON: DE92015923
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HEAT PUMPS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
SOLVENTS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
ABSORPTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BRAYTON CYCLE
DESORPTION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
NEW YORK
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
PROGRESS REPORT
RECYCLING
VOLATILE MATTER
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EQUIPMENT
MANAGEMENT
MATTER
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION CONTROL
PROCESSING
SORPTION
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
320302* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Materials
320303 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)