Wet carbon dioxide collector

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a wet carbon dioxide collector comprising: a reactor main body; an air inlet provided above the reactor main body; an air outlet provided above the reactor main body; and a processor which predicts a carbon dioxide collection amount on the basis of a difference between the concentration of carbon dioxide in a mixed gas in which carbon dioxide introduced into the air inlet is included and the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air which is discharged through the air outlet.

Description

Wet carbon dioxide capture device

[0001] The present invention relates to a wet carbon dioxide capture device, and more particularly, to a wet carbon dioxide capture device containing a basic alkaline mixed solution.

[0002] Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas contributing to global warming, accounting for over 76% of all greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and storage (CCS) technology is emerging as the most effective solution for directly reducing the amount of carbon dioxide continuously emitted from energy sectors such as power plants. Furthermore, with the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, coming into effect, emissions trading, which allows for the trading of greenhouse gases, is expected to become more active. Consequently, global warming caused by carbon dioxide is emerging as an economic issue, not just an environmental one.

[0003] Of the total CCS costs for carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage (CCS), capture technology accounts for approximately 80%. Carbon dioxide capture agents account for a significant portion of this cost, prompting active research worldwide to develop effective capture agents. Currently, the most commercially available capture agents are liquid chemical capture agents using amine-based solvents, such as Monoethanolamine (MEA), which exhibit high carbon dioxide absorption performance and are widely used. However, these agents have several drawbacks, including evaporation and deterioration during capture, corrosion of the reactor, and high energy requirements for regeneration. To address these issues, active research is being conducted on novel capture agents, including those that incorporate additives such as piperazine.

[0004] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a wet carbon dioxide capture device capable of improving the stability of the transportation, operation, and post-treatment processes of a basic alkaline mixed solution contained inside a reactor.

[0005] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical task, one embodiment of the present invention provides a wet carbon dioxide capture device including a reactor body, an air inlet provided at an upper portion of the reactor body, an air outlet provided at an upper portion of the reactor body, and a processor for predicting a carbon dioxide capture amount based on a difference between a carbon dioxide concentration of a mixed gas including carbon dioxide introduced through the air inlet and a carbon dioxide concentration of air introduced through the air outlet.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, a neutralization reaction can occur between a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide and a basic alkaline mixed solution inside the reactor body.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, a fixed net disposed at the upper and lower portions and a plurality of beads having a size larger than the mesh size of the fixed net are provided inside the reactor body, and an ultrasonic generator for generating ultrasonic waves may be positioned at the lower portion of the reactor body.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, inside the reactor body, a fixed net disposed at the top, first foam glass having a specific gravity of 0.9 to 1.3, and second foam glass having a specific gravity of 0.8 or less may be provided.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may calculate a difference between the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air inlet and the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air outlet, predict a carbon dioxide capture amount based on the calculated difference, and determine a time for replacing a solvent provided inside the reactor body by considering the predicted carbon dioxide capture amount.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor may calculate a carbon dioxide concentration ratio according to the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air inlet and the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air outlet at preset intervals, and when the slope of the result values ​​according to the results calculated at the preset intervals converges to 0, a replacement notification signal for replacing a solvent provided inside the reactor body may be generated.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor determines whether the reactor body is faulty based on the pressure value and air flow rate on the air inlet, and if the reactor body is determined to be faulty, it can generate an ultrasonic control signal for generating ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic generator located at the bottom of the reactor body.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the stability of the transportation, operation, and post-treatment processes of the basic alkaline mixed pressure solution contained inside the reactor can be improved.

[0014] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the composition of the invention described in the description or claims of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating the configuration of a wet carbon dioxide capture device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a drawing schematically illustrating the configuration of a wet carbon dioxide capture device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar parts have been designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0018] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, or coupled)" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected," but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with another part in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] The present invention relates to a wet carbon dioxide capture device. More specifically, the wet carbon dioxide capture device of the present invention utilizes a method of capturing carbon dioxide using a basic alkaline mixed solution.

[0022] Here, the basic alkaline mixed solution may include at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2, MgO, MnO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, and P2O3, at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Cd, and Pb, and at least one liquid composition selected from the group consisting of sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7.10H2O), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

[0023] In the following description, in the embodiment of the present invention, the basic alkaline mixed solution is exemplified as a sodium hydroxide mixed solution (solvent).

[0024] A wet carbon dioxide capture device according to one embodiment of the present invention can capture and store carbon dioxide by injecting carbon dioxide into a methanol solution containing dissolved sodium hydroxide. The reaction mechanism is as shown in the following reaction formulas (1) and (2).

[0025] CO2(g) + NaOH(aq) → NaHCO3(aq) (1)

[0026] CO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2HCO3(aq) + H2O(l) (2)

[0027] As shown above, carbon dioxide can react with sodium hydroxide to form sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) through a chemical reaction. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a Lewis acid and forms sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) through an acid-base reaction with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and carbon dioxide can be captured in this way.

[0028] Meanwhile, sodium hydroxide is a strongly alkaline liquid, posing a safety risk during the process of handling captured sodium hydroxide and during the storage and transport of high-purity sodium hydroxide. To overcome these issues, the wet carbon dioxide capture device of the present invention, described below, can be used to overcome the instability of the transportation, operation, and post-processing of sodium hydroxide, which were previously problematic.

[0029] The wet carbon dioxide capture device of the present invention can be implemented as a cartridge-type reactor.

[0030] Figure 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating the configuration of a wet carbon dioxide capture device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a wet carbon dioxide capture device according to the first embodiment may include an air inlet (100), a reactor body (200), an air outlet (300), a state measurement assembly (400), an ultrasonic generator (500), a processor (600), a communication unit (700), and a control unit (800).

[0032] An air inlet (100) may be provided at the upper part of the reactor body (200). Air containing carbon dioxide may be introduced into the air inlet (100).

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an air compressor or blower may be installed on the air flow path inside the air inlet (100) so that the introduced air is well delivered to the inside of the reactor body (200) located at the bottom.

[0034] The air outlet (300) may be provided at the upper part of the reactor body (200). The air outlet (300) may be arranged parallel to one side of the air inlet (100).

[0035] A clamp or flange may be installed near the air inlet (100) and the air outlet (300). The air inlet (100) and the air outlet (300) may be implemented as a pipe, and the clamp or flange may be installed on the pipe.

[0036] The reactor body (200) can form a space in which carbon dioxide is captured and stored. In the internal space of the reactor body (200), chemical reactions between air and other substances can occur.

[0037] Specifically, a neutralization reaction between air and a mixed solution of sodium hydroxide can occur inside the reactor body (200). Here, the air can include a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide.

[0038] That is, a sodium hydroxide mixed solution is contained inside the reactor body (200), and as air (carbon dioxide mixed gas) introduced through the air inlet (100) undergoes a neutralization reaction with the sodium hydroxide mixed solution, carbon dioxide can be captured and stored inside the reactor body (200).

[0039] Referring to Figure 1, a space in the reactor body (200) may be provided with a fixed net (211, 213) and beads (231, 233).

[0040] The fixed net may include a first fixed net (211) located in an upper region in the internal space of the reactor body (200), and a second fixed net (213) located in a lower region in the internal space of the reactor body (200).

[0041] The first fixed net (211) can minimize fouling that may occur on the air outlet (300) side due to bubble collapse. That is, the first fixed net (211) plays a role in preventing bubble collapse, thereby reducing fouling.

[0042] The second fixed net (213) can serve to fix and support the beads (231, 233) located at the lower part of the reactor body (200) so that the beads can be placed in a fixed position.

[0043] The first fixed net (211) and the second fixed net (213) may have the same net size. In addition, the first fixed net (211) and the second fixed net (213) may be installed inside the reactor body (200) using flanges formed on the air inlet (100) and the air outlet (300), respectively.

[0044] The beads provided in the internal space of the reactor body (200) may be composed of beads of different sizes, and according to one embodiment, may include a first bead (231) of a first size and a second bead (233) of a second size larger than the first bead (231).

[0045] The beads (231, 233) according to the present embodiment can be formed to have a size larger than the mesh size of the fixed mesh (211, 213).

[0046] The beads (231, 233) can form 2 to 3 layers in the height (length) direction of the reactor body (200) as multiple beads are stacked, and among the beads forming multiple layers, it is preferable that a relatively larger second bead (233) is positioned at the bottom, and relatively smaller first beads (231) are positioned above the second beads (233).

[0047] The beads (231, 233) can be distributed in the diametric direction of the reactor body (200), and the air inside the reactor body (200) can be spread in all directions by the beads (231, 233).

[0048] The beads provided inside the reactor body (200) can facilitate the air distribution phenomenon inside the reactor body (200) and increase the reaction surface area between air (mixed gas containing carbon dioxide) and the sodium hydroxide solution.

[0049] The state measurement assembly (400) may be positioned between the air inlet (100) and the air outlet (300) and the reactor body (200), as illustrated in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the state measurement assembly (400) may be positioned between the air inlet (100) and the reactor body (200), or between the air outlet (300) and the reactor body (200).

[0050] The condition measurement assembly (400) may include a water filter, a flow control valve, a thermometer, a pressure gauge, a flow meter, and a carbon dioxide concentration meter.

[0051] The flow control valve and the flow meter are for checking and controlling the flow rate of air, and can be respectively located between the air inlet (100), the air outlet (300), and the reactor body (200). The flow meter can measure the inflow rate of incoming air and the flow rate of outgoing air, and transmit the measured inflow rate and outgoing flow rate measurement information to the processor (600). The processor (600) generates a flow rate control signal for controlling the opening range of the flow control valve by considering the received inflow rate and outgoing flow rate, and applies the generated flow rate control signal to the control unit (800), so that the flow control valve can control the opening range by the control unit (800).

[0052] The thermometer and pressure gauge are components provided to check the physical properties of air. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the thermometer and pressure gauge are preferably installed on the pipe of the air inlet (100). The thermometer and pressure gauge can measure the temperature and pressure of the incoming air and transmit the measured results to the processor (600).

[0053] The carbon dioxide concentration meter can be installed on the pipe between the air inlet (100) and the reactor body (200), and on the pipe between the air outlet (300) and the reactor body (200).

[0054] The carbon dioxide concentration meter can measure the first carbon dioxide concentration of the incoming air (carbon dioxide mixture gas) and the second carbon dioxide concentration of the outgoing air, and transmit the measured results to the processor (600).

[0055] The processor (600) receives the results for the first carbon dioxide concentration and the second carbon dioxide concentration from the carbon dioxide concentration meter, calculates the difference between the first carbon dioxide concentration and the second carbon dioxide concentration, and predicts the carbon dioxide capture amount based on the calculated difference. In addition, the processor (600) can determine the replacement time of the sodium hydroxide solvent provided inside the reactor body (200) by considering the predicted carbon dioxide capture amount.

[0056] To explain in more detail, the processor (600) can calculate a carbon dioxide concentration ratio according to a first carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air inlet (100) and a second carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air outlet (300) at preset cycles. When the slope of the result values ​​according to the results calculated at preset cycles converges to 0 or 1, the processor (600) can generate a replacement notification signal for replacing the sodium hydroxide solvent contained inside the reactor body (200). Here, the preset cycle may mean real time.

[0057] The processor (600) according to one embodiment of the present invention can determine that it is time to replace the sodium hydroxide solvent when the ratio of the first carbon dioxide concentration and the second carbon dioxide concentration converges to 1.

[0058] In addition, the processor (600) according to another embodiment of the present invention may calculate the ratio of the first carbon dioxide concentration and the second carbon dioxide concentration at preset intervals, and when the slope of the result values ​​(slope of the time series) according to the calculated results converges to 0, it may be determined that it is time to replace the sodium hydroxide solvent. Here, the preset cycle may mean real time.

[0059] When the ratio of carbon dioxide concentrations converges to 1, or when the slope of the calculated differences at each preset cycle converges to 0, it means that the concentrations of carbon dioxide at the air inlet and air outlet become the same, which can be interpreted as loss of the carbon dioxide capture function.

[0060] Accordingly, when the processor (600) determines that it is time to replace the sodium hydroxide solvent, it can stop operation and transmit a replacement notification signal to the user terminal or administrator terminal through the communication unit (700).

[0061] As the sodium hydroxide solvent is replaced, a new aqueous solution can be injected through the air inlet (100).

[0062] The ultrasonic generator (500) is located at the lower part of the reactor body (200) and can generate ultrasonic waves toward the reactor body (200) located at the upper part.

[0063] The processor (600) can determine whether the reactor body (200) is faulty based on the pressure value on the pipe of the air inlet (100) measured from the pressure gauge and the inflow and outflow rates of the incoming air measured from the flow meter.

[0064] If the processor (600) determines that the reactor body (200) is broken, it can generate an ultrasonic control signal for generating ultrasonic waves and apply the generated ultrasonic control signal to the ultrasonic generator (500).

[0065] Specifically, if the pressure value on the pipe of the air inlet (100) is higher than a preset threshold pressure value, the processor (600) can determine that the flow path on the air inlet (100) side or the air outlet (300) side is narrowed or blocked by a solid product (e.g., calcium carbonate, etc.). Here, the threshold pressure value may be a pressure range during normal operation. If the pressure value measured from the pressure gauge is higher than the threshold pressure, the processor (600) can generate an ultrasonic control signal.

[0066] The processor (600) considers information about the inflow rate of air and the outflow rate of air, and also information related to the blockage phenomenon of the air inlet (100) or the air outlet (300), compares each of the inflow rate of air and the outflow rate of air with a preset critical flow rate, and determines whether the reactor body (200) is broken based on the comparison result.

[0067] When an ultrasonic control signal is applied, the ultrasonic generator (500) can generate ultrasonic waves toward the reactor body (200). When ultrasonic waves are generated by the ultrasonic generator (500), agglomeration of solid products inside the reactor body (200) can be eliminated or minimized.

[0068] A drain line (900) may be formed at the bottom of the reactor body (200). The drain line (900) may be a line for discharging the internal saturated aqueous solution (basic alkaline mixed solution / sodium hydroxide mixed solution) of the reactor body (200). For example, the drain line (900) may be provided on one side of the ultrasonic generator (500).

[0069] Figure 2 is a drawing schematically illustrating the configuration of a wet carbon dioxide capture device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2, a wet carbon dioxide capture device according to the second embodiment may include an air inlet (100), a reactor body (200), an air outlet (300), a state measurement assembly (400), an ultrasonic generator (500), a processor (600), a communication unit (700), and a control unit (800).

[0071] The description of the air inlet (100), air outlet (300), state measurement assembly (400), ultrasonic generator (500), processor (600), and communication unit (700) of the wet carbon dioxide collector according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the wet carbon dioxide collector according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0072] The reactor body (200) can form a space in which carbon dioxide is captured and stored. In the internal space of the reactor body (200), chemical reactions between air and other substances can occur.

[0073] Specifically, a neutralization reaction between air and a mixed solution of sodium hydroxide can occur inside the reactor body (200). Here, the air can include a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide.

[0074] That is, a sodium hydroxide mixed solution is contained inside the reactor body (200), and as air (carbon dioxide mixed gas) introduced through the air inlet (100) undergoes a neutralization reaction with the sodium hydroxide mixed solution, carbon dioxide can be captured and stored inside the reactor body (200).

[0075] Referring to Figure 2, the internal space of the reactor body (200) may be provided with a fixed net (210), a first foam glass (251), and a second foam glass (253).

[0076] The fixed net (210) may be positioned in the upper region of the internal space of the reactor body (200). The fixed net (210) can minimize fouling that may occur on the air outlet (300) side due to bubble collapse. In other words, the fixed net (210) serves to prevent bubble collapse, thereby reducing the fouling phenomenon.

[0077] Since the first foam glass (251) and the second foam glass (253) have relatively low densities, they can float on the surface of the sodium hydroxide mixed solution or be suspended in the solution by air bubbles.

[0078] The first foam glass (251) has a specific gravity of 0.9 to 1.3 and can be provided in a floating form in a sodium hydroxide mixed solution. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first foam glass (251) preferably has a specific gravity of 1.1.

[0079] In addition, the second foam glass (253) has a specific gravity of 0.8 or less and can be provided in a form that floats on or just below the surface of the sodium hydroxide mixed solution. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second foam glass (253) preferably has a specific gravity of 0.6 or less.

[0080] The wet carbon dioxide collector according to the present embodiment has the first and second foam glasses (51, 253) as described above, so that when air bubbles burst, the phenomenon of liquid splashing (bubble collapse) can be prevented, thereby reducing the fouling phenomenon.

[0081] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0082] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims set forth below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a wet carbon dioxide collector, The reactor body, An air inlet provided at the top of the reactor body, An air outlet provided at the top of the reactor body, A wet carbon dioxide capture device including a processor that predicts the amount of carbon dioxide captured based on the difference between the carbon dioxide concentration of a mixed gas including carbon dioxide flowing into the air inlet and the carbon dioxide concentration of air flowing out through the air outlet.

2. In paragraph 1, Inside the above reactor body, A wet carbon dioxide capture device characterized by a neutralization reaction between a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide and a basic alkaline mixed solution.

3. In paragraph 1, Inside the above reactor body, Fixed nets placed at the top and bottom, A plurality of beads having a size larger than the mesh size of the above fixed net are provided, At the bottom of the above reactor body, A wet carbon dioxide capture device characterized in that an ultrasonic generator for generating ultrasonic waves is positioned therein.

4. In paragraph 1, Inside the above reactor body, A fixed net placed on top, First foam glass having a specific gravity of 0.9 to 1.3, A wet carbon dioxide capture device characterized in that a second foam glass having a specific gravity of 0.8 or less is provided.

5. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A wet carbon dioxide capture device characterized in that the difference between the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air inlet and the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air outlet is calculated, the carbon dioxide capture amount is predicted based on the calculated difference, and the timing for replacing the solvent provided inside the reactor body is determined in consideration of the predicted carbon dioxide capture amount.

6. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A wet carbon dioxide capture device characterized in that the carbon dioxide concentration ratio according to the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air inlet and the carbon dioxide concentration measured at the air outlet is calculated at preset intervals, and when the slope of the results calculated at the preset intervals converges to 0, a replacement notification signal for replacing the solvent provided inside the reactor body is generated.

7. In paragraph 1, The above processor, Based on the pressure value and air flow rate on the air inlet, determine whether the reactor body is faulty. A wet carbon dioxide capture device characterized in that, when the reactor body is determined to be broken, an ultrasonic control signal is generated to generate ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic generator located at the bottom of the reactor body.

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