System and method using cool hydrogen flame for destruction of vocs and odorous compounds

Abstract

A system for using cool hydrogen flame for destruction of VOCs and odorous compounds comprises an existing exhaust system for an industrial process or a factory. The existing exhaust system comprises at least an exhaust duct or a chimney for exhaust gases. The exhaust gases may comprise of odorous compounds such as DMS, MDSO and other VOCs. The system further comprises at least one burner nozzle for generating a configurable hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame. The main by-product from this hydrogen flame is water and free radicals. These free radicals produced during hydrogen combustion are extremely reactive and highly oxidative in nature especially hydroxyl radicals. As such, odorous compounds such as VOCs, DMS and DMSO would easily be destroyed by these free radicals produced during hydrogen combustion.

1 . A method for using cool hydrogen flame for destruction of VOCs and odorous compounds in an exhaust stream, comprising the steps: 
 a. producing a hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame; and    b. exposing said hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame to said exhaust stream;    wherein said hydrogen surface mixed diffusion flame further produces free radicals for destroying said VOCs and odorous compounds.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame is configurable.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame is produced by burning pure hydrogen in pure oxygen without pre-mixing.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said pure oxygen is in excess of said pure hydrogen.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step: 
 c. spraying a fine mist of hydrogen peroxide towards said hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame and said exhaust stream.    
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step: 
 d. introducing steam into said exhaust stream.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step: 
 e. introducing ozone gas into said exhaust stream.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step: 
 f. utilizing a flame spreader for diffusing and spreading said hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said flame spreader is made of a catalytic metal for enhancing free radical production during hydrogen combustion.  
   
   
       10 . A system for destruction of VOCs and odorous compounds in exhaust gases of an exhaust system, said system comprising: 
 at least one burner nozzle for producing a configurable hydrogen surface mixed diffusion flame;    wherein said at least one burner nozzle is disposed within an exhaust duct of said exhaust system.    
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one burner nozzle is substantially in the path of the exhaust gases.  
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the exhaust duct comprises a chimney.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said system further comprises a venturi for limiting throat of said exhaust duct.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one burner nozzle is substantially in a constriction of said venturi.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said system further comprises at least one spray nozzle for introducing one or a combination of chemical agents.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein said chemical agents comprises hydrogen peroxide, ozone gas and steam.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a flame spreader for diffusing and spreading said configurable hydrogen surface-mixed diffusion flame.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said flame spreader is made of a catalytic metal for enhancing free radical production during hydrogen combustion.