Process for nitrogen oxides reduction with minimization of the production of other pollutants

Claim 2

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the condition of the effluent which exists at a location for introduction of a treatment agent; b. effecting a treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon into the effluent to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent under said determined effluent conditions while minimizing the production of other pollutants; c. monitoring the condition of the effluent until a significant alteration in the condition of the effluent is observed; d. adjusting said treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) composition of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of the components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent, to effect an adjusted treatment regimen, wherein said adjusted treatment regimen operates under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent under said altered effluent conditions while minimizing the production of other pollutants.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein said other pollutant comprises ammonia.

Claim 4

The process of claim 2 wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of oxygenated hydrocarbons and nitrogenated hydrocarbons.

Claim 5

The process of claim 3 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight ketones, aldehydes, mono, di or polyhydric alcohols of aliphatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Claim 6

The process of claim 4 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, methanol, furfural, sugar and glycerol and mixtures thereof.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 wherein said nitrogenated hydrocarbon comprises ammonium salts of organic acids and mixtures thereof.

Claim 8

The process of claim 6 wherein said ammonium salts of inorganic acids are selected from the group consisting of ammonium acetate, ammonium benzoate, ammonium binoxalate, ammonium caprylate, ammonium citrate, ammonium oleate and ammonium propionate and mixtures thereof.

Claim 9

The process of claim 3 wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of NH 4 -lignosulfonate, calcium lignosulfonate, 2-furoic acid, 1,3-dioxalane, 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, furfurylamine, furfurylalcohol, gluconic acid, formic acid, n-butyl acetate, 1,3-butylene glycol, methylal, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, furan, fish oil (menhaden oil), coumalic acid, furfuryl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, 2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid, tetrahydrofurylamine, furylacrylic acid, tetrahydropyran, 2,5-furandimethanol, mannitol, hexamethylenediamine, barbituric acid, acetic anhydride, mucic acid and d-galactose and mixtures thereof.

Claim 10

The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon is present in solution.

Claim 11

The process of claim 1 wherein the monitored condition of the effluent is selected from the group consisting of boiler operating load, effluent temperature at the location where said hydrocarbon treatment agent is introduced, nitrogen oxides level, ammonia level, carbon monoxide level, excess oxygen level and combinations thereof.

Claim 12

The process of claim 10 wherein said monitored effluent condition is effluent temperature at the location where said hydrocarbon treatment agent is introduced.

Claim 13

The process of claim 11 wherein said effluent temperature is below about 1300° F.

Claim 14

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for each of a plurality of treatment regimens which comprise introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon; b. ascertaining which treatment regimen which, when effected to treat an effluent at the effluent temperature existing at the location for injection, acts within its curve plateau at the point furthest to the right; and c. effecting said ascertained treatment regimen to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent while substantially avoiding the production of other pollutants.

Claim 15

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for each of a plurality of treatment regimens which comprise introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon; b. ascertaining which treatment regimen which, when effected to treat an effluent at the effluent temperature existing at the location for injection, acts within its curve plateau at the point furthest to the right; and c. effecting said ascertained treatment regimen to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent while substantially avoiding the production of other pollutants.

Claim 16

The process of claim 13 wherein said other pollutant comprises ammonia.

Claim 17

The process of claim 14 wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of oxygenated hydrocarbons and nitrogenated hydrocarbons.

Claim 18

The process of claim 15 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight ketones, aldehydes, mono, di or polyhydric alcohols of aliphatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Claim 19

The process of claim 16 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, methanol, furfural, sugar and glycerol and mixtures thereof.

Claim 20

The process of claim 15 wherein said nitrogenated hydrocarbon comprises ammonium salts of organic acids and mixtures thereof.

Claim 21

The process of claim 13 wherein said hydrocarbon is present in solution.

Claim 22

A process for the reduction of the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve which has a recognizable plateau into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent and adjusting the introduction location to thereby cause said hydrocarbon treatment agent introduction to be performed at a different effluent temperature below about 1450° F. to drive said reaction or series of reactions towards the right side of the plateau of said nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 23

A process for the reduction of the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve which has a recognizable plateau into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent and adjusting the introduction location to thereby cause said hydrocarbon treatment agent introduction to be performed at a different effluent temperature below about 1450° F. to drive said reaction or series of reactions towards the right side of the plateau of said nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 24

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the condition of the effluent which exists at a location for treatment agent introduction; b. introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into the effluent, which hydrocarbon treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent; c. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to operate on the right side of the plateau of said shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 25

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. determining the condition of the effluent which exists at a location for treatment agent introduction; b. introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve having a recognizable plateau into the effluent, which hydrocarbon treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent; c. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to operate on the right side of the plateau of said shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 26

The process of claim 21 wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of oxygenated hydrocarbons and nitrogenated hydrocarbons.

Claim 27

The process of claim 22 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight ketones, aldehydes, mono, di or polyhydric alcohols of aliphatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Claim 28

The process of claim 23 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, methanol, furfural, sugar and glycerol and mixtures thereof.

Claim 29

The process of claim 24 wherein said effluent temperature is below about 1300° F.

Claim 30

The process of claim 22 wherein said nitrogenated hydrocarbon comprises ammonium salts of organic acids and mixtures thereof.

Claim 31

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of hydrocarbon treatment agent components; and (iv) injection position, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 32

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of hydrocarbon treatment agent components; and (iv) injection position, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 33

The process of claim 27 wherein said other pollutant comprises ammonia.

Claim 34

The process of claim which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent until a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 35

The process of claim 28 which further comprises increasing the introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent until a predetermined target level of nitrogen oxides reduction is substantially attained provided that a predetermined maximum level of other pollutants is not surpassed.

Claim 36

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a first treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon into the effluent to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said first treatment regimen; b. determining the position on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said hydrocarbon treatment agent at which said first treatment regimen is being effected; c. adjusting said first treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of the components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent, to effect a second treatment regimen; and d. determining the location on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said second treatment regimen at which said second treatment regimen is being effected, wherein the location at which said second treatment regimen is being effected is further to the right on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve than the location at which said first treatment regimen is being effected on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 37

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a first treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon into the effluent to treat the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said first treatment regimen; b. determining the position on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said hydrocarbon treatment agent at which said first treatment regimen is being effected; c. adjusting said first treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of the components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent, to effect a second treatment regimen; and d. determining the location on the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve for said second treatment regimen at which said second treatment regimen is being effected, wherein the location at which said second treatment regimen is being effected is further to the right on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve than the location at which said first treatment regimen is being effected on its nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 38

The process of claim 31 which further comprises repeating steps c and d until a predetermined maximum level of the presence of other pollutants is substantially attained but not surpassed.

Claim 39

The process of claim 31 wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of oxygenated hydrocarbons and nitrogenated hydrocarbons.

Claim 40

The process of claim 31 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight ketones, aldehydes, mono, di or polyhydric alcohols of aliphatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Claim 41

The process of claim 34 wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, methanol, furfural, sugar and glycerol and mixtures thereof.

Claim 42

The process of claim 33 wherein said nitrogenated hydrocarbon comprises ammonium salts of organic acids and mixtures thereof.

Claim 43

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature of below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iv) position at which introduction of said hydrocarbon treatment agent occurs, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 44

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature of below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the effluent through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and b. varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (iii) relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iv) position at which introduction of said hydrocarbon treatment agent occurs, wherein said reaction or series of reactions are driven towards a reduction of the production of other pollutants while substantially maintaining the level of nitrogen oxides reduction.

Claim 45

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants at the boiler load currently in operation; b. monitoring the boiler load until a significant change in boiler load is observed; c. adjusting said treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent, to effect an adjusted treatment regimen, wherein said adjusted treatment regimen operates under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants.

Claim 46

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F. while minimizing the production of other pollutants, the process comprising: a. effecting a treatment regimen which comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising a hydrocarbon into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants at the boiler load currently in operation; b. monitoring the boiler load until a significant change in boiler load is observed; c. adjusting said treatment regimen by varying at least one of the following parameters (i) dilution and introduction rate of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; (ii) components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent; and (iii) relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent, to effect an adjusted treatment regimen, wherein said adjusted treatment regimen operates under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration in the effluent while minimizing the production of other pollutants.

Claim 47

The process of claim 38 wherein said treatment regimen is adjusted by reference to a load-dependent boiler characterization factor.

Claim 48

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F while minimizing the production of ammonia, the process comprising: a. determining the effluent conditions at a location for introduction of a treatment agent; b. introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve with a recognizable plateau into an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, which hydrocarbon treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent and wherein said hydrocarbon treatment agent is introduced under conditions such that the injection acts within the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve at a position on the curve to the right of the curve plateau; c. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to operate towards the curve plateau of the shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 49

A process for reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides in an effluent which is at a temperature below about 1450° F while minimizing the production of ammonia, the process comprising: a. determining the effluent conditions at a location for introduction of a treatment agent; b. introducing a treatment agent which comprises a hydrocarbon having a known nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve with a recognizable plateau into an effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, which hydrocarbon treatment agent is effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration of the effluent at the determined effluent conditions through a reaction or series of reactions facilitated by said hydrocarbon treatment agent and wherein said hydrocarbon treatment agent is introduced under conditions such that the injection acts within the nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve at a position on the curve to the right of the curve plateau; c. adjusting the components, dilution/introduction rate or relative presence of components of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to shift said curve and thereby cause the introduction of said hydrocarbon treatment agent to operate towards the curve plateau of the shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.

Claim 50

The process of claim 40 wherein step b is repeated until the injection acts on the curve plateau of the shifted nitrogen oxides reduction versus effluent temperature curve.