Carbon dioxide recovery system

Abstract

A carbon dioxide recovery system (10) is provided with: a supply line (11) configured so as to supply air compressed by a compressor (12) to a pneumatic device (13); and a carbon dioxide recovery device (15) configured so as to separate and recover carbon dioxide from the air compressed by the compressor (12). A carbon dioxide recovery device (15) is provided in the supply line (11) between the compressor (12) and the pneumatic device (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to carbon dioxide recovery systems. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the advancement of carbon neutrality, consideration has been given to separating and recovering carbon dioxide contained in the air, and utilizing the recovered carbon dioxide in various fields. As a technology for separating and recovering carbon dioxide contained in the air (Direct Air Capture), a carbon dioxide recovery device is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-45570 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, a separate, large-scale, dedicated device is used solely for separating and recovering carbon dioxide from the air. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid having to set up a separate, large-scale device solely for recovering carbon dioxide, and to recover carbon dioxide as efficiently as possible while minimizing equipment costs. Solution for solving the problem

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a carbon dioxide recovery system comprising a supply line configured to supply air compressed by a compressor to a pneumatic device; and a carbon dioxide recovery device configured to separate and recover carbon dioxide from the air compressed by the compressor. The carbon dioxide recovery device is disposed between the compressor and the pneumatic device in the supply line. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a loop diagram used to illustrate the carbon dioxide recovery system in the implementation method. Detailed Implementation

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the carbon dioxide recovery system 10 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The carbon dioxide recovery system 10 of this embodiment is used in a factory. <Overview of Carbon Dioxide Recovery Systems> like Figure 1 As shown, the carbon dioxide recovery system 10 includes a supply line 11. The supply line 11 supplies air compressed by the compressor 12 to the pneumatic device 13. The supply line 11 in this embodiment is a conventional device for supplying air compressed by the compressor 12 to the pneumatic device 13 used in the factory.

[0008] Supply line 11 includes a conditioning device 14. The conditioning device 14 removes moisture and impurities from the air compressed by compressor 12. A carbon dioxide recovery device 15 is installed between compressor 12 and pneumatic device 13 in supply line 11. The carbon dioxide recovery device 15 separates and recovers carbon dioxide from the air compressed by compressor 12.

[0009] The compressor 12 has an inlet 12a and an outlet 12b. The conditioning equipment 14 has a supply inlet 14a and a discharge outlet 14b. The carbon dioxide recovery device 15 has a housing 16. The housing 16 has an inlet 16a and an outlet 16b.

[0010] The carbon dioxide recovery system 10 includes a first supply pipe 17, a second supply pipe 18, and a third supply pipe 19. The first end of the first supply pipe 17 is connected to the outlet 12b of the compressor 12. The second end of the first supply pipe 17 is connected to the supply port 14a of the conditioning device 14. The first supply pipe 17 connects the outlet 12b of the compressor 12 and the supply port 14a of the conditioning device 14. The first end of the second supply pipe 18 is connected to the outlet 14b of the conditioning device 14. The second end of the second supply pipe 18 is connected to the inlet 16a of the housing 16. The second supply pipe 18 connects the outlet 14b of the conditioning device 14 and the inlet 16a of the housing 16. The first end of the third supply pipe 19 is connected to the outlet 16b of the housing 16. The second end of the third supply pipe 19 is connected to the pneumatic device 13. The third supply piping 19 connects the outlet 16b of the housing 16 to the pneumatic device 13.

[0011] The inlet 16a of the housing 16 is configured to be detachable from the second end of the second supply pipe 18. The outlet 16b of the housing 16 is configured to be detachable from the first end of the third supply pipe 19. Therefore, the housing 16 is configured to be detachable from both the second supply pipe 18 and the third supply pipe 19.

[0012] The carbon dioxide recovery unit 15 has a main pipe 20. The main pipe 20 is disposed inside the housing 16. A first end of the main pipe 20 is connected to the inlet 16a of the housing 16. A second end of the main pipe 20 is connected to the outlet 16b of the housing 16. The main pipe 20 connects the inlet 16a and the outlet 16b of the housing 16 to each other. A first supply pipe 17, a second supply pipe 18, the main pipe 20, and a third supply pipe 19 constitute the supply line 11.

[0013] Carbon dioxide recovery unit The carbon dioxide recovery device 15 has multiple separation devices 21. Each separation device 21 is disposed inside the housing 16. Each separation device 21 separates carbon dioxide from the air compressed by the compressor 12. In this embodiment, the carbon dioxide recovery device 15 has four separation devices 21. In the following description, the four separation devices 21 may also be referred to as "first separation device 21A", "second separation device 21B", "third separation device 21C" and "fourth separation device 21D".

[0014] Each separation device 21 includes a separation element 22 and a suction pump 23. The separation element 22 separates carbon dioxide from the air in each separation device 21. The separation element 22 separates carbon dioxide from the air using membrane separation. Therefore, the carbon dioxide recovery device 15 separates carbon dioxide from the air using membrane separation. Membrane separation is a method of filtering air through a membrane and removing carbon dioxide. The suction pump 23 draws the carbon dioxide separated from the air by the separation element 22 into each separation device 21. Specifically, the suction pump 23 draws air with a higher proportion of carbon dioxide.

[0015] The separation element 22 of the first separation device 21A is disposed in the main pipe 20. The carbon dioxide recovery device 15 has a first return pipe 31, a second return pipe 32, and a third return pipe 33. The first return pipe 31, the second return pipe 32, and the third return pipe 33 are disposed inside the housing 16. The first end of the first return pipe 31 is connected to the separation element 22 of the second separation device 21B. The second end of the first return pipe 31 is connected to the portion of the main pipe 20 between the location where the separation element 22 of the first separation device 21A is disposed and the outlet 16b. The first end of the second return pipe 32 is connected to the separation element 22 of the third separation device 21C. The second end of the second return pipe 32 is connected to the portion of the main pipe 20 between the connection point with the first return pipe 31 and the outlet 16b. The first end of the third return pipe 33 is connected to the separation element 22 of the fourth separation device 21D. The second end of the third return pipe 33 is connected to the portion of the main pipe 20 between the connection point of the second return pipe 32 and the outlet 16b.

[0016] The first separation unit 21A, the second separation unit 21B, and the third separation unit 21C each have a tank 24 and a pressure regulating valve 25. The tank 24 stores carbon dioxide drawn in by the suction pump 23 within each separation unit 21. Specifically, the tank 24 stores air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide. The pressure regulating valve 25 maintains a constant pressure within the tank 24 in each separation unit 21.

[0017] In the first separation device 21A, the separation element 22 and the suction pump 23 are interconnected via the first piping 41. In the first separation device 21A, the suction pump 23 and the tank 24 are interconnected via the second piping 42. In the first separation device 21A, the tank 24 and the pressure regulating valve 25 are interconnected via the third piping 43.

[0018] In the second separation device 21B, the separation element 22 and the suction pump 23 are interconnected via the fourth piping 44. In the second separation device 21B, the suction pump 23 and the tank 24 are interconnected via the fifth piping 45. In the second separation device 21B, the tank 24 and the pressure regulating valve 25 are interconnected via the sixth piping 46.

[0019] In the third separation device 21C, the separation element 22 and the suction pump 23 are interconnected via the seventh piping 47. In the third separation device 21C, the suction pump 23 and the tank 24 are interconnected via the eighth piping 48. In the third separation device 21C, the tank 24 and the pressure regulating valve 25 are interconnected via the ninth piping 49.

[0020] The fourth separation device 21D has a storage element 26. The storage element 26 is, for example, a tank. The storage element 26 stores carbon dioxide drawn in by the suction pump 23 in the fourth separation device 21D. Specifically, the storage element 26 stores air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide.

[0021] In the fourth separation device 21D, the separation element 22 and the suction pump 23 are interconnected via the 10th piping 50. In the fourth separation device 21D, the suction pump 23 and the storage element 26 are interconnected via the 11th piping 51. The 11th piping 51 is a connecting pipe that connects the suction pump 23 and the storage element 26. The storage element 26 is configured to be detachable relative to the 11th piping 51.

[0022] The pressure regulating valve 25 of the first separation device 21A and the separation element 22 of the second separation device 21B are interconnected via the first connecting pipe 61. The pressure regulating valve 25 of the second separation device 21B and the separation element 22 of the third separation device 21C are interconnected via the second connecting pipe 62. The pressure regulating valve 25 of the third separation device 21C and the separation element 22 of the fourth separation device 21D are interconnected via the third connecting pipe 63. Therefore, multiple separation devices 21 are connected in series. The fourth separation device 21D is the most downstream of the multiple separation devices 21. The first separation device 21A, the second separation device 21B, and the third separation device 21C are separation devices 21 that are not the most downstream of the multiple separation devices 21. The pressure regulating valve 25 outputs carbon dioxide from the tank 24 to the separation element 22 of the nearest downstream separation device 21.

[0023] [The Role of the Implementation Method] Next, the function of this implementation method will be explained. Compressor 12 draws in air through inlet 12a and compresses it. The compressed air is then ejected from outlet 12b into first supply pipe 17. The air ejected from first supply pipe 17 is supplied to conditioning equipment 14 through supply port 14a. Conditioning equipment 14 removes moisture and impurities from the supplied air. The air, after moisture and impurities have been removed by conditioning equipment 14, flows into main pipe 20 through outlet 14b, second supply pipe 18, and inlet 16a.

[0024] The separation element 22 of the first separation device 21A separates carbon dioxide from the air flowing into the main pipe 20 via inlet 16a. The air, after being separated by the separation element 22 of the first separation device 21A, flows towards outlet 16b in the main pipe 20. Meanwhile, the air containing more carbon dioxide than carbon dioxide, separated from the air by the separation element 22, is drawn in by the suction pump 23 of the first separation device 21A via the first pipe 41 and stored in tank 24 via the second pipe 42. The pressure regulating valve 25 of the first separation device 21A outputs the air containing more carbon dioxide than carbon dioxide stored in tank 24 to the separation element 22 of the second separation device 21B via the third pipe 43 and the first connecting pipe 61.

[0025] The separation element 22 of the second separation device 21B separates carbon dioxide from the air output to the separation element 22 of the second separation device 21B via the first connecting pipe 61. The air after carbon dioxide separation by the separation element 22 of the second separation device 21B flows back to the main pipe 20 via the first return pipe 31 and flows toward the outlet 16b in the main pipe 20. On the other hand, the air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide separated from the air by the separation element 22 is drawn by the suction pump 23 of the second separation device 21B via the fourth pipe 44 and stored in the tank 24 via the fifth pipe 45. The pressure regulating valve 25 of the second separation device 21B outputs the air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide stored in the tank 24 to the separation element 22 of the third separation device 21C via the sixth pipe 46 and the second connecting pipe 62.

[0026] The separation element 22 of the third separation device 21C separates carbon dioxide from the air output to the separation element 22 of the third separation device 21C via the second connecting pipe 62. The air after carbon dioxide separation by the separation element 22 of the third separation device 21C flows back to the main pipe 20 via the second return pipe 32 and flows toward the outlet 16b in the main pipe 20. On the other hand, the air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide separated from the air by the separation element 22 is drawn by the suction pump 23 of the third separation device 21C via the seventh pipe 47 and stored in the tank 24 via the eighth pipe 48. The pressure regulating valve 25 of the third separation device 21C outputs the air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide stored in the tank 24 to the separation element 22 of the fourth separation device 21D via the ninth pipe 49 and the third connecting pipe 63.

[0027] The separation element 22 of the fourth separation device 21D separates carbon dioxide from the air output to the separation element 22 of the fourth separation device 21D via the third connecting pipe 63. The air after the carbon dioxide is separated by the separation element 22 of the fourth separation device 21D flows back to the main pipe 20 via the third return pipe 33, and flows toward the outlet 16b in the main pipe 20. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide separated from the air by the separation element 22, that is, the air with a high proportion of carbon dioxide, is drawn into the suction pump 23 of the fourth separation device 21D via the 10th pipe 50, and stored in the storage element 26 via the 11th pipe 51.

[0028] In this way, the carbon dioxide recovery system 10 separates and recovers carbon dioxide from the air. Air flowing in the main piping 20 toward the outlet 16b is supplied to the pneumatic device 13 via the outlet 16b and the third supply piping 19.

[0029] [Effects of the Implementation Method] The following effects can be obtained from the above embodiments. (1) A carbon dioxide recovery device 15 is provided between the compressor 12 and the pneumatic device 13 in the supply line 11, which is an existing device for supplying air from the compressor 12 to the pneumatic device 13. Therefore, carbon dioxide can be recovered by using the air supplied to the pneumatic device 13 via the supply line 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to set up a separate large-scale device just for recovering carbon dioxide, and the equipment cost can be minimized as much as possible while recovering carbon dioxide efficiently.

[0030] (2) Preferably, the air supplied to the pneumatic device 13 via the supply line 11 does not contain moisture or foreign matter. Therefore, the existing supply line 11 has a conditioning device 14. Accordingly, carbon dioxide can be separated and recovered from the air after moisture and foreign matter have been removed by the conditioning device 14, which is a conventional structure. Therefore, carbon dioxide free of moisture and foreign matter can be recovered efficiently.

[0031] (3) Carbon dioxide can be repeatedly separated from the air through multiple separation devices 21. Therefore, high concentrations of carbon dioxide can be recovered. High concentrations of carbon dioxide can be stored in the storage element 26 of the downstream separation device 21.

[0032] (4) The storage element 26 is configured to be detachable from the 11th pipe 51, which serves as the connecting pipe for interconnecting the suction pump 23 and the storage element 26. Accordingly, by disassembling the storage element 26 from the 11th pipe 51, the storage element 26 containing a high concentration of carbon dioxide can be moved. Therefore, the high concentration of carbon dioxide stored in the storage element 26 can be utilized in various fields.

[0033] (5) The carbon dioxide recovery device 15 separates carbon dioxide from the air by membrane separation. Accordingly, compared with methods such as chemical absorption or physical absorption, which involve applying heat to the adsorbent after adsorbing carbon dioxide, thereby stripping the carbon dioxide from the adsorbent, carbon dioxide can be separated from the air in an energy-efficient manner.

[0034] [Variation Example] It should be noted that the above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0035] In this embodiment, the number of separation devices 21 is not particularly limited. In one embodiment, the storage element 26 may also be configured to be non-removable from the 11th piping 51.

[0036] In this embodiment, the separation element 22 can separate carbon dioxide from air using either zeolite separation or electrostatic separation. In short, the carbon dioxide recovery device 15 can separate carbon dioxide from air using any one of membrane separation, zeolite separation, or electrostatic separation. Therefore, compared to methods such as chemical absorption or physical absorption, which involve applying heat to the adsorbent material after adsorbing carbon dioxide, thus stripping the carbon dioxide from the adsorbent material, carbon dioxide can be separated from the air in an energy-efficient manner.

[0037] In an embodiment, the separation element 22 may also separate carbon dioxide from the air by means of methods such as chemical absorption or physical absorption, which involve applying heat energy to the adsorbent material after adsorbing carbon dioxide, thereby stripping carbon dioxide from the adsorbent material.

[0038] In this embodiment, the storage element 26 may be, for example, an adsorbent material. In short, the storage element 26 is any structure that can store the carbon dioxide drawn by the suction pump 23 in the fourth separation device 21D.

[0039] In an embodiment, the conditioning device 14 may also be configured to remove at least one of moisture and foreign matter. In some embodiments, the supply line 11 may also not have a conditioning device 14.

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide recovery system, comprising: The supply pipeline is configured to supply air compressed by the compressor to pneumatic equipment; and A carbon dioxide recovery device is configured to separate and recover carbon dioxide from the air compressed by the compressor. The carbon dioxide recovery device is located between the compressor and the pneumatic equipment in the supply pipeline.

2. The carbon dioxide recovery system according to claim 1, wherein, The supply line includes a conditioning device configured to remove at least one of moisture and foreign matter contained in the air compressed by the compressor. The carbon dioxide recovery device is located between the conditioning equipment and the pneumatic equipment in the supply pipeline.

3. The carbon dioxide recovery system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The carbon dioxide recovery device has multiple separation units configured to separate carbon dioxide from the air. The multiple separation devices are connected in series. Each of the aforementioned separation devices has: Separation element, configured to separate carbon dioxide from the air; and A suction pump configured to draw in carbon dioxide separated from the air by the separation element. The separation device that is not located at the most downstream of the plurality of separation devices has: The tank is configured to store carbon dioxide drawn by the suction pump; and The pressure regulating valve is configured to maintain a constant pressure inside the tank and to output the carbon dioxide inside the tank to the separation element of the nearest downstream separation device. The downstream of the plurality of separation devices has a storage element configured to store carbon dioxide drawn by the suction pump.

4. The carbon dioxide recovery system according to claim 3, wherein, The storage element is configured to be detachable relative to the connecting piping that connects the suction pump and the storage element.

5. The carbon dioxide recovery system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The carbon dioxide recovery device is configured to separate carbon dioxide from the air by any one of membrane separation, zeolite separation or electro-separation.

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