Processes and systems for discharging amine byproducts formed in an amine-based solvent

Abstract

Embodiments of a process for discharging amine byproducts formed in an amine-based solvent are provided. The process comprises the steps of contacting the amine-based solvent with flue gas comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, NOx, SOx, or mixtures thereof to form a carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent that contains the amine byproducts. Carbon dioxide is separated from the carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent to form a carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent. The amine byproducts from the carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent are fed to an algae source.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Division of copending application Ser. No. 12 / 953,865 which was filed on Nov. 24, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to processes and systems for discharging contaminants formed in a solvent, and more particularly relates to processes and systems for discharging amine byproducts formed in an amine-based solvent.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Carbon dioxide is a well known greenhouse gas that is believed to affect global warming. Attempts to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide have focused attention on sequestering significant quantities of carbon dioxide in flue gas released from coal fired power plants, for example, as a primary means of offsetting global warming. Current methods for capturing and mitigating the entrance of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere typically use an amine-based solvent to absor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes processes and systems for removing amine byproducts from an amine-based solvent. These byproducts are formed when the solvent comes into contact with flue gas containing carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, NOx, SOx, or mixtures thereof. The system includes a carbon dioxide absorber that removes the carbon dioxide from the solvent, leaving behind a depleted solvent with the amine byproducts. These byproducts are then fed to an algae source for further processing. The "technical effects" of this patent are an improved process for removing amine byproducts from an amine-based solvent, which leads to a more efficient and effective utilization of the solvent for industrial applications.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, several of the gases in flue gas can react with or degrade the amine-based solvent to form contaminants, such as, for example, various amine byproducts which are problematic for many carbon dioxide absorption processes and systems.

As a result, when an amine-based solvent becomes contaminated with amine byproducts, the solvent is typically purged from the system and purified for further use or treated further and disposed of as hazardous waste.

Disposing the contaminated amine-based solvent as hazardous waste is both costly and environmentally objectionable.

However, the contaminants removed from the solvent may need to be treated further or disposed of as hazardous waste which can be costly.

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