Control device for carbon-containing gas recovery system, control method for carbon-containing gas recovery system, and control program for carbon-containing gas recovery system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2025/007262
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-03
Smart Images
Figure JP2025007262_03092026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Control apparatus for carbon-containing gas recovery system, control method for carbon-containing gas recovery system, and control program for carbon-containing gas recovery system
[0001] The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a carbon-containing gas recovery system, a control method for a carbon-containing gas recovery system, and a control program for a carbon-containing gas recovery system.
[0002] As one of the initiatives toward achieving carbon neutral (Carbon Neutral, CN), carbon dioxide (CO ２ ), Direct Air Capture (DAC), which is a technology for recovering carbon-containing gases, is being developed. DAC is for low-concentration CO ２ in the atmosphere using an absorbent, adsorbent, separation membrane or the like for separation and recovery (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses CO ２ -adsorbing adsorbent, and a recovery unit for recovering CO ２ from air, and CO in air before and after passing through the recovery unit ２ and a concentration sensor that detects concentration, the CO ２ reduction evaluation system is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses CO ２ between a plurality of DAC apparatuses that recover CO, and CO discharged from the DAC apparatuses ２ By providing a stirring plate for stirring recovered air and atmosphere, CO obtained by each of the plurality of DAC apparatuses ２ discloses a DAC system that prevents a decrease in recovery efficiency.
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-141964 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-088414
[0005] As an issue in expanding the introduction volume of DAC, lack of operational knowledge for operation has been pointed out. Even in Patent Documents 1 and 2, CO ２ discloses an apparatus for recovering, but does not disclose details of the operation method for operation.
[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system, a control method for a carbon-containing gas recovery system, and a control program for a carbon-containing gas recovery system that can enhance the performance of carbon-containing gas recovery and enable high performance and large-scale operation.
[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system for recovering carbon-containing gas from a carbon-containing mixed gas, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires data of the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; a first calculation unit that calculates recommended operating conditions based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit and calculations based on a given model; and a control unit that controls the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the recommended operating conditions calculated by the calculation unit.
[0008] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the carbon-containing gas is CO ２ It may contain at least one of CO, hydrocarbons, and carbon-containing gases.
[0009] In a first embodiment of the present invention, a given model may be at least one of a machine learning model, a rule-based control model, a physics-based analysis model, or a regression analysis model.
[0010] In a first embodiment of the present invention, CO ２ The mixed gas containing may be at least one of the following: exhaust gas from an industrial process, gas in a closed space, or gas in the atmosphere.
[0011] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the system may further include an output unit that outputs at least one of the following: data acquired by the acquisition unit, target values for carbon-containing gas recovery by the carbon-containing gas recovery system, and calculation results from the first calculation unit.
[0012] In a first embodiment of the present invention, based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit, CO used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system ２ A second calculation unit may be provided to calculate the deterioration state and performance change of the collection material.
[0013] In a first aspect of the present invention, the external environment data may include, as data for a mixed gas containing a carbon-containing gas, at least one of the temperature, humidity, or pressure of the mixed gas containing the carbon-containing gas.
[0014] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the system internal data may include, as measurement data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system, temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, flow velocity, or concentration of carbon (C)-derived compounds that can be processed or recovered in the carbon-containing gas recovery system; as operating conditions of the carbon-containing gas recovery system, temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, flow velocity, or concentration; physical property data of the carbon-containing gas collecting material used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system; state data of the carbon-containing gas collecting material used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system; information regarding the shape or arrangement of the gas flow path within the carbon-containing gas recovery system; control instruction values or operating status data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; image information related to the carbon-containing gas recovery system; and internal diagnostic data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system.
[0015] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may control at least one of the temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, voltage, or current of the carbon-containing gas recovery system.
[0016] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the carbon-containing gas recovery system comprises at least one of the following: an electric valve or flow path switching means, a fan or blowing means, a pressure adjustment means, a temperature adjustment means, a voltage application means, an energizing means, or a humidity control means, and the control unit may control at least one of the following: an electric valve or flow path switching means, a fan or blowing means, a pressure adjustment means, a temperature adjustment means, a voltage application means, an energizing means, or a humidity control means provided in the carbon-containing gas recovery system.
[0017] A second aspect of the present invention is a control method for a carbon-containing gas recovery system for recovering a carbon-containing gas from a mixed gas containing a carbon-containing gas, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring data on the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; a first calculation step of calculating recommended operating conditions based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit and calculations based on a given model; and a control step of controlling the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the recommended operating conditions calculated by the calculation unit.
[0018] A third aspect of the present invention is a control program for a carbon-containing gas recovery system for recovering carbon-containing gas from a mixed gas containing carbon-containing gas, the gist of which is to implement in a computer an acquisition function that acquires at least one of data on the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; a first calculation function that calculates recommended operating conditions based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit and calculations based on a given model; and a control function that controls the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the recommended operating conditions calculated by the calculation unit.
[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system, a control method for a carbon-containing gas recovery system, and a control program for a carbon-containing gas recovery system that can enhance the performance of carbon-containing gas recovery and enable high performance and large-scale operation.
[0020] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a configuration diagram of an example of a carbon-containing mixed gas introduction section of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a configuration diagram of an example of a carbon-containing gas recovery section of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a configuration diagram of an example of an atmospheric outlet section of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic diagram of an example of a carbon-containing gas recovery section of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an example of a calculation device of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic diagram of an example of data displayed on the display unit of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a flowchart for explaining the control method of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic diagram of an example of a carbon-containing gas recovery section of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the second embodiment. This is a schematic diagram explaining the arrangement of a carbon-containing gas recovery device in a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the second embodiment.
[0021] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings of the embodiments, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.
[0022] Furthermore, the embodiments are illustrative of apparatus and methods for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention does not limit the configuration, arrangement, layout, etc., of each component to those described below. The technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims.
[0023] (First Embodiment) The carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment is a system for recovering carbon-containing gas from a mixed gas containing carbon (C) (hereinafter referred to as a carbon-containing mixed gas), and optimizes the control values of the carbon-containing gas recovery device when recovering carbon-containing gas from the carbon-containing mixed gas based on external environmental data and internal system data related to the carbon-containing gas recovery process, thereby enabling efficient carbon-containing gas recovery. Furthermore, the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment allows for a wide range of adjustments to the operating conditions of the carbon-containing gas recovery device to accommodate multiple carbon-containing gas collecting materials. In addition, the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment calculates recommended operating conditions (hereinafter referred to as recommended operating conditions) according to the type and quantity of carbon-containing gas collecting material, and operates under the calculated operating conditions.
[0024] The carbon-containing gas to be recovered by the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment is CO ２ It includes at least one of CO, hydrocarbons, or other carbon-containing gases.
[0025] The carbon-containing mixed gas to be recovered by the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may be, for example, at least one of the following: exhaust gas from an industrial process, gas in a closed space, or gas in the atmosphere. Exhaust gas from an industrial process may, for example, be exhaust gas from a factory, manufacturing equipment, etc., gas in a closed space may, for example, be gas containing human exhalation indoors, and gas in the atmosphere may, for example, be gas in the atmosphere containing exhaust gas from automobiles, etc. along an outdoor road, but is not limited to these, and may also include a form in which carbon-containing gas is recovered directly from the atmosphere in a location where there are no specific carbon-containing mixed gas emission sources nearby. The carbon-containing mixed gas to be recovered by the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment is not limited to these, and may be any mixed gas that contains carbon (C).
[0026] An example of a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The carbon-containing gas recovery system 10 shown in Figure 1 consists of a carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 and a computing device 2.
[0027] The carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that directly recovers carbon-containing gas from a mixed gas containing carbon-containing gas, and is a device that uses Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. DAC is a technology for separating and recovering carbon-containing gas from the atmosphere using an absorption liquid, an adsorbent, a separation membrane, or the like. In the present embodiment, the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 recovers carbon-containing gas by DAC using an adsorbent, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be configured to recover carbon-containing gas by DAC using an absorbent, a separation membrane, or the like.
[0028] The arithmetic device 2 is a so-called computer, and is various electronic computers (computing resources) such as a personal computer (PC), a mainframe, a workstation, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and a cloud computing system. The arithmetic device 2 calculates recommended operating conditions according to the type, quantity, and the like of the carbon-containing gas trapping material based on external environmental data and system internal data related to the carbon-containing gas recovery process, and controls the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1.
[0029] The carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a carbon-containing mixed gas introduction unit 11, a carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12, and an atmosphere release unit 13. The carbon-containing mixed gas introduction unit 11 adjusts the carbon-containing mixed gas to be subjected to carbon-containing gas adsorption to be in a state where the carbon-containing mixed gas can be supplied to the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12. The carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 adsorbs the carbon-containing gas in the carbon-containing mixed gas supplied from the carbon-containing mixed gas introduction unit 11. The atmosphere release unit 13 releases the remaining mixed gas after the adsorption of the carbon-containing gas is performed by the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 into the atmosphere.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the carbon-containing mixed gas introduction unit 11 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the atmosphere release unit 13.
[0031] As an example, the carbon-containing mixed gas introduction unit 11 shown in Fig. 2 includes a first filter 22, an air blower 23, a check valve 24, a fan 25, a cooling pipe 26, a desiccant 27, a second filter 28, a first flow meter 29, and a first valve 210. The carbon-containing mixed gas to be introduced into the carbon-containing mixed gas introduction unit 11, which is the target for carbon-containing gas adsorption, is defined as the first gas 21. The first gas 21 passes through the first filter 22 that removes dust, dirt and the like contained in the first gas 21, is pressurized to a desired pressure by the air blower 23, passes through the check valve 24, is cooled in the cooling pipe 26 by the fan 25, is dehumidified by the desiccant 27, and after powder of the desiccant 27 contained in the first gas 21 leaks out in the second filter 28, is introduced as a second gas 30 into the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 through the first valve 210. The flow rate of the second gas 30 introduced into the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 is adjusted by the first valve 210.
[0032] The carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 includes a pressure relief valve 31, an adsorbent column 32, a second flow meter 39, a cooling pipe 33, a third filter 34, and a pressure gauge 35. The adsorbent column 32 is a structure that supports an adsorbent. The second gas 30 introduced from the introduction unit 11 is subjected to pressure adjustment by the pressure relief valve 31, then is introduced into the adsorbent column 32, and carbon-containing gas adsorption is performed in the adsorbent column 32. A carbon-containing gas trapping material 37 is installed inside the adsorbent column 32, and an electric heater 36 covers the periphery of the adsorbent column 32. The electric heater 36 is used to heat the carbon-containing gas trapping material 37 when desorbing the carbon-containing gas from the carbon-containing gas trapping material 37 that has adsorbed the carbon-containing gas. The mixed gas after carbon-containing gas adsorption is performed in the adsorbent column 32 is cooled in the cooling pipe 33, after powder leaks out in the third filter 34, the air pressure is measured by the pressure gauge 35, and is introduced as a third gas 38 into the atmosphere opening unit 13. The third gas 38 at this time is a gas having a relatively low carbon-containing gas concentration after carbon-containing gas adsorption. Although not shown in the figure, the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 includes a temperature sensor for measuring the heating temperature by the electric heater 36.
[0033] The atmospheric vent section 13 consists of a second valve 41, a positive pressure regulating valve 42, a third valve 43, a pressure regulating valve 45, a check valve 46, a vacuum pump 47, a three-way valve 44, and a carbon-containing gas sensor 48. When the third gas 38 is introduced from the carbon-containing gas recovery section 12, the second valve 41 is opened and the third valve 43 is closed. The third gas 38 is released to the atmosphere 413 while the adsorbent column 32 is vented.
[0034] After the third gas 38 is released to the atmosphere 413, the carbon-containing gas is desorbed from the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37. First, nitrogen, water, etc., adsorbed on the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 are released from the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 by following the procedure below. After the third gas 38 is released to the atmosphere 413, the first and second valves are closed, the third valve is opened, and the three-way valve 44 is opened towards the atmosphere 412. Without heating the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37, a vacuum is created using the vacuum pump 47 to release nitrogen, water, etc., adsorbed on the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 from the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37, and release them towards the atmosphere 412 via the three-way valve 44.
[0035] Next, the carbon-containing gas adsorbed on the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 is desorbed. After desorbing nitrogen, water, etc. from the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 and releasing it towards the atmosphere 412, the first and second valves are closed, the third valve is opened, and the three-way valve 44 is opened towards the carbon-containing gas sensor 48. The carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 is heated by the electric heater 36 while a vacuum is created by the vacuum pump 47, and the carbon-containing gas adsorbed on the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 is released from the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37. The released carbon-containing gas is sent to the carbon-containing gas sensor 48 via the three-way valve 44, the amount of carbon-containing gas discharged is measured, and then it is sent to the storage and transport process 411. The storage and transport process refers to, for example, storage and transport via an intermediate tank and compressor in cylinders or pipelines.
[0036] An example of a carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 5(a), and some of the components of the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 shown in Figure 5(a) are shown in Figure 5(b). The carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 shown in Figure 5(a) consists of an air contactor 51, a carbon-containing gas collecting material 52, and a carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53. Although the elements such as valves and compressors shown in Figures 2 to 4 are not shown in Figure 5, they are actually included in the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 shown in Figure 5.
[0037] The air contactor 51 is a device that supplies a mixed gas containing carbon-containing gas to the carbon-containing gas collecting material 52. Figure 5 shows a fan that blows the mixed gas containing carbon-containing gas towards the carbon-containing gas collecting material 52. The air contactor 51 corresponds to the blower 23 shown in Figure 2 and the adsorbent column 32 shown in Figure 3.
[0038] The carbon-containing gas collecting material 52 is an adsorbent that separates and recovers carbon-containing gases, such as an absorbent liquid, adsorbent, or separation membrane. In this embodiment, the carbon-containing gas collecting material 52 is assumed to be an adsorbent, but it is not limited to this and may be an absorbent, separation membrane, etc. The carbon-containing gas collecting material 52 corresponds to the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 shown in Figure 2.
[0039] The carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53 corresponds to each element shown in Figures 2 to 4, excluding the blower 23, the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37, and the adsorbent column 32 shown in Figure 3.
[0040] Methods for recovering carbon-containing gases using adsorbents include, for example, the Temperature Vacuum Swing Adsorption (TVSA), Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA), and Moisture Swing Adsorption (MSA).
[0041] Examples of adsorbents include amine / nanofiber-based adsorbents, MOFs-based adsorbents, and ion exchange resin membranes. An example of a method using an absorbent is KOH-CaCO3. ３ Alkali absorption is one example.
[0042] Amine / nanofiber-based adsorbents are fiber filters formed by impregnating nanofibers with amines. In the DAC process using amine / nanofiber-based adsorbents, CO ２ In the adsorption cycle, CO2 was present at room temperature and 1 atm. ２ Adsorption of CO is possible, ２ During the desorption cycle, CO is heated under reduced pressure using a vacuum pump or the like. ２ Deposition is performed. The amine / nanofiber adsorbent is CO ２ Its adsorption capacity is lower compared to MOF-based adsorbents, and it has high air permeability resistance in the adsorbent, resulting in high energy costs, but the adsorbent itself is inexpensive.
[0043] MOFs-based adsorbents are hybrid materials synthesized by self-assembly of metals and organic ligands, and are self-assembled porous crystalline three-dimensional microporous materials. MOFs are large CO2 adsorbents. ２ It has the ability to adsorb water, N ２ CO ２ It has properties such as reduced adsorption capacity and affecting adsorption-desorption cycles, and the adsorbent itself is expensive. In DAC processes using MOFs, CO ２ During the desorption cycle, CO is heated under reduced pressure using a vacuum pump or the like. ２ Remove and reattach it.
[0044] When an ion exchange resin membrane is used as an adsorbent, the DAC process is carried out using a humidity swing method. In the MSA method, moisture is added in the desorption step to remove CO ２ This is a method for desorption. In the DAC process using an ion exchange resin membrane as an adsorbent, CO ２ In the adsorption cycle, CO2 was observed in a dry state at room temperature and 1 atm. ２ Adsorption of CO is possible, ２ During the desorption cycle, CO in a wet state ２ To attach and detach, CO ２ Since heating is not required during the detachment cycle, DAC costs can be reduced.
[0045] Even in the example of adsorbents described above, each adsorbent has its own unique characteristics. In the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment, in a DAC process using various adsorbents, such as the adsorbent described above, the control values of the actuators of the carbon-containing gas recovery system are optimized based on data obtained from the sensors of the carbon-containing gas recovery system so as to maximize the performance of the various adsorbents. Here, the sensors of the carbon-containing gas recovery system are flow sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, carbon-containing gas sensors, etc., and in the carbon-containing mixed gas introduction section 11, carbon-containing gas recovery section 12, and atmospheric outlet section 13 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, they correspond to the flow meter 29, pressure meter 35, and carbon-containing gas sensor 48. The actuators of the carbon-containing gas recovery system include electric valves or flow path switching means, heaters, compressors, three-way valves, vacuum pumps, etc. In the carbon-containing mixed gas introduction section 11, carbon-containing gas recovery section 12, and atmospheric release section 13 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the blower 23, first valve 210, second valve 41, positive pressure regulating valve 42, third valve 43, three-way valve 44, and pressure regulating valve 45 correspond to the actuators.
[0046] The carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53 is a device for desorbing carbon-containing gas from the carbon-containing gas collecting material 52 by vacuum heating or the like. As shown in Figure 5(a), the carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53 has an air contactor 51 and a carbon-containing gas collecting material 52 arranged inside, and the temperature, pressure, voltage, humidity, etc. inside the carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, as an example, the temperature range inside the carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53 is set to room temperature to 125°C, the pressure range to 3 kPa to 2 MPa, the voltage range to 0 to 12 V, and the humidity range to 0 to 100 RH%. The adjustment ranges for the temperature, pressure, voltage, humidity, etc. inside the carbon-containing gas desorption mechanism 53 are set to accommodate multiple types of carbon-containing gas collecting material 52.
[0047] In the example of the carbon-containing gas recovery unit 12 shown in Figure 3, carbon-containing gas adsorption is performed by flowing a carbon-containing mixed gas through an adsorbent column in which a carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 is installed, and collecting the carbon-containing gas in the mixed gas with the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37. Carbon-containing gas desorption is performed by adjusting the temperature inside the adsorbent column with an electric heater and adjusting the air pressure inside the adsorbent column with a blower, vacuum pump, and pressure regulating valve to desorb the carbon-containing gas collected by the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37.
[0048] As mentioned earlier, the carbon-containing gas collection material 37 can be, for example, an amine / nanofiber-based adsorbent, a MOFs-based adsorbent, or an ion-exchange resin membrane. Each type of adsorbent has its own unique properties. When the carbon-containing gas collection material 37 is placed in the adsorbent column, the carbon-containing gas adsorption and desorption performance changes depending on the environment inside the adsorbent column. Furthermore, the change in carbon-containing gas adsorption and desorption performance depending on the environment inside the adsorbent column differs depending on the adsorbent. The calculation device 2 calculates recommended operating conditions according to the type and quantity of the carbon-containing gas collection material 37, and controls the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1.
[0049] The carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 may be individually housed in modules. Modules that individually house the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 may be installed in a manner that allows them to be replaced in the carbon-containing gas recovery device, and may be replaced as appropriate depending on the carbon-containing mixed gas to be adsorbed, the deterioration state of the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 itself, etc.
[0050] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the arithmetic unit 2. The arithmetic unit 2 includes a CPU 601 for executing various calculations, a ROM 602 for storing processing programs, a RAM 603 for storing data, a storage unit 604 for storing various data and calculation results, and also an I / O (input / output interface) 605, a display unit 606, an input unit 607, etc. The I / O 605 is a communication (transmit / receive) interface, buffer, etc. The I / O 605 is used for transmitting control signals to the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 and works in cooperation with the CPU 601. The display unit 606 is, for example, a display.
[0051] The arithmetic unit 2 according to this embodiment may also have a keyboard, mouse, or other input devices connected to it.
[0052] Furthermore, the block diagram in Figure 6 shows the functional units within the CPU 601. When each functional unit of the CPU 601 is implemented by software, the CPU 601 implements these functions by executing instructions from the program, which is the software that implements each function. Specifically, it includes an acquisition unit 608, a first arithmetic unit 609, a second arithmetic unit 610, an output unit 611, a control unit 612, and the like.
[0053] The acquisition unit 608 acquires various data for executing calculation processing by the first calculation unit 609 and the second calculation unit 610, and control by the control unit 612. Specifically, the acquisition unit 608 may acquire at least one of the data of the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or the internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system. The acquisition unit 608 acquires data from the sensor group installed in the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment, physical property information of the carbon-containing gas collection material 37, and operating time, and CO2 installed in the adsorbent column. ２ At least one of the following may be acquired: state data of the collection material 37, shape information of the gas flow path, state data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system, image information, and internal diagnostic data. The acquisition unit 608 may store the acquired data in the storage unit 604. The acquisition unit 608 may transmit the acquired data to the first calculation unit 609 and the second calculation unit 610.
[0054] The data from the sensor group installed in the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may include at least one of the following: gas data, process measurement data, process control data, etc. Gas data refers to data of the mixed gas from which carbon-containing gas is to be recovered, and may include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. Process measurement data refers to data relating to carbon-containing gas, gas other than carbon-containing gas, or compounds derived from carbon-containing gas, and may include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, flow velocity, concentration, mass, volume, etc. Process control data refers to the operating conditions within the carbon-containing gas recovery system, and may include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, pressure, fluid flow rate, fluid flow velocity, fluid concentration, fluid mass, fluid volume, etc. In the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment, although only gas is handled in the system in the example described above, the system is not limited to this, and liquids may also be handled in the system. In this case, the fluid flow rate, fluid flow velocity, fluid concentration, fluid mass, and fluid volume that may be included in the process control data may be liquid flow rate, liquid flow velocity, liquid concentration, liquid mass, and liquid volume.
[0055] The physical properties information and operating time of the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 may include at least one of the following: physical properties information of the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37, operating time data in the carbon-containing gas recovery system, etc. The physical properties information of the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 may include at least one of the following: particle size, shape, porosity, density, adsorption isotherm, crystal structure, chemical formula, surface area, initial adsorption performance, etc. Initial adsorption performance may include at least one of the following: adsorption amount per unit volume, adsorption rate, etc.
[0056] The state data of the carbon-containing gas collecting material 37 installed in the adsorbent column refers to data indicating the current performance of the carbon-containing gas collecting material in the carbon-containing gas recovery system, and may include at least one of the following: the amount of adsorption of the carbon-containing gas collecting material, the usage time, the number of cycles, etc.
[0057] The gas flow path shape information may include at least one of the following: gas flow path design information, gas flow path labeling data, and shape and arrangement data of gas flow paths within a carbon-containing gas recovery system.
[0058] The status data for a carbon-containing gas recovery system includes system control instructions, operating status, etc., and may include at least one of the following: the open / closed status of pumps and valves, energy consumption, etc.
[0059] The image information may be images related to the carbon-containing gas recovery system, acquired using a visible light camera, infrared thermography, X-ray CT, etc., and may be image data relating to the state of the carbon-containing gas collection material 37.
[0060] Internal diagnostic data may include at least one of the following: anomaly detection, normal status determination, or error information based on the system's internal self-diagnosis.
[0061] Data for carbon-containing gas mixtures, such as temperature, humidity, or pressure, are considered external environmental data. Data excluding external environmental data is considered internal data.
[0062] The first calculation unit 609 calculates recommended operating conditions by performing calculations based on a given model, using data acquired by the acquisition unit 608 or data stored in the storage unit 604. Here, the given model may be a machine learning model such as a neural network, a rule-based control model, an analysis model based on physical laws, a regression analysis model, etc. Here, machine learning is, for example, a neural network or deep learning; regression analysis is, for example, a classical statistical analysis method such as multiple regression; an analysis model based on physical laws is, for example, a method for constructing an analytical DAC model and calculating the optimal value; and a rule-based model is, for example, an analysis method based on conditional branching. The objective function that serves as an indicator of the recommended operating conditions may include at least one of the following: the power consumption and cost required to recover a predetermined amount of carbon-containing gas, the carbon-containing gas recovery rate, and the carbon-containing gas concentration in the recovered gas. The value calculated by the first calculation unit 609 as the recommended operating condition is the optimal value of a control value for controlling at least one of the following: a fan or blower, a means for applying or reducing pressure to the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, a means for adjusting the temperature to the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, a means for applying voltage to the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, a means for energizing the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, and a means for controlling humidity to the carbon-containing gas recovery unit.
[0063] The second calculation unit 610 predicts the deterioration state and performance change of the carbon-containing gas collecting material by calculating the deterioration state and performance change of the carbon-containing gas collecting material in advance using data acquired by the acquisition unit 608 or data stored in the storage unit 604. The second calculation unit 610 may further calculate the optimal timing for replacing or regenerating the carbon-containing gas collecting material based on the predicted deterioration state and performance change of the carbon-containing gas collecting material.
[0064] The input unit 607 receives input from an input keyboard, mouse, etc. connected to the arithmetic unit 2, such as a target value including the carbon-containing gas concentration, an initial value of a control value for controlling at least one of the following: a fan or air blowing means, an expansion / contraction means for the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, a temperature adjustment means for the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, a voltage application means for the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, an energizing means for the carbon-containing gas recovery unit, and a humidity control means for the carbon-containing gas recovery unit.
[0065] The output unit 611 outputs various data acquired by the acquisition unit 608 for executing calculation processing by the first calculation unit 609 and the second calculation unit 610, and control by the control unit 612, as well as target values such as carbon-containing gas concentration, and calculation results from the first calculation unit 609 and the second calculation unit 610, to the display unit 606, a printer connected to the calculation device 2, etc.
[0066] The control unit 612 transmits signals to the carbon-containing gas recovery system via the I / O 605, including target values such as the carbon-containing gas concentration input from the input unit 607, initial values of the control values input from the input unit 607, optimal values of the control values calculated by the first calculation unit 609, and signals for starting and ending the carbon-containing gas adsorption / desorption process. As a result, the control unit controls at least one of the following in the carbon-containing gas recovery system: temperature, humidity, pressure, voltage, or current.
[0067] Figure 7 shows an example of a display unit 606 to which various data for executing calculation processing by the first calculation unit 609 and control by the control unit 612 are output by the output unit 611. The display unit 606 shows system KPIs (target values) 71 such as carbon-containing gas concentration, a checklist of display items 72, a schematic diagram of the carbon-containing gas recovery system 76, a time-series trend graph 73 of various data, control instruction values for valves etc. and current values of the system status 75, and a control value setting screen 74. The items shown on the display unit 606 in Figure 7 are examples and are not limited to these.
[0068] The control method for the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8.
[0069] In step S801, data on the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system, or at least internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system, is acquired (acquisition step).
[0070] In step S802, based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit, recommended operating conditions are calculated by a machine learning model (first calculation step).
[0071] In step S803, the carbon-containing gas recovery system is controlled based on the recommended operating conditions calculated by the calculation unit (control step).
[0072] (Second Embodiment) The carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment consisted of a single carbon-containing gas recovery device 1 and a computing device 2, as shown in Figure 1. The carbon-containing gas recovery system 90 according to this embodiment consists of a plurality of carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f and a computing device 92, as shown in Figure 9.
[0073] Of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f shown in Figure 9, carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91c are connected in series with each other. Similarly, carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91d to 91f are connected in series with each other. When multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices are connected in series with each other, the carbon-containing mixed gas to be adsorbed is introduced into the first carbon-containing gas recovery device, and after the carbon-containing gas is adsorbed in the first carbon-containing gas recovery device, the carbon-containing mixed gas discharged from the first carbon-containing gas recovery device is introduced into the second carbon-containing gas recovery device, and the carbon-containing gas is adsorbed in the second carbon-containing gas recovery device. This process is repeated in all of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices connected in series with each other.
[0074] In carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91c, a carbon-containing mixed gas is introduced into carbon-containing gas recovery device 91a, and after the carbon-containing gas is adsorbed in carbon-containing gas recovery device 91a, the carbon-containing mixed gas discharged from carbon-containing gas recovery device 91a is introduced into carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b, and after the carbon-containing gas is adsorbed in carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b, the carbon-containing mixed gas discharged from carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b is introduced into carbon-containing gas recovery device 91c, and after the carbon-containing gas is adsorbed in carbon-containing gas recovery device 91c, the carbon-containing mixed gas is discharged from carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b. The same applies to carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91d to 91f.
[0075] The carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91c, which are connected in series, and the carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91d to 91f, which are connected in series, are connected in parallel to each other. When multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices are connected in parallel to each other, a carbon-containing mixed gas is distributed and introduced to the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices, and after the carbon-containing gas is adsorbed in each carbon-containing gas recovery device, the carbon-containing mixed gas that was distributed to each carbon-containing gas recovery device is discharged from each carbon-containing gas recovery device and rejoins.
[0076] In the example shown in Figure 9, among the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f, carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91c are connected in series with each other, and similarly, carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91d to 91f are connected in series with each other. The series-connected carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91c and the series-connected carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91d to 91f are connected in parallel with each other. However, this is just one example, and the configuration of connections between multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices is not limited to this. For example, multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91b connected in parallel with each other and multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91c to 91d connected in parallel with each other may be connected in series with each other.
[0077] The methods for recovering carbon-containing gas in each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may be different from each other, and any combination may be used. That is, for example, one of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f may use a method of recovering carbon-containing gas using an adsorbent, while the other may use a method of recovering carbon-containing gas using an absorbent, separation membrane, etc. Furthermore, for the device among the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f that uses a method of recovering carbon-containing gas using an adsorbent, any method such as a temperature vacuum swing method, a vacuum swing method, or a humidity swing method may be used, and any adsorbent may be used.
[0078] The calculation device 92 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the calculation device 2 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment. The calculation device 92 calculates recommended operating conditions according to the type and quantity of carbon-containing gas collection material based on external environmental data and internal system data related to the carbon-containing gas recovery process. However, while the calculation device 2 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment calculates and controls the recommended operating conditions for the carbon-containing gas recovery device 1, the calculation device 92 calculates the recommended operating conditions for each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices and controls each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices. Furthermore, while the calculation device 2 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment calculates the deterioration state and performance change of the carbon-containing gas collecting material in advance to predict the deterioration state and performance change of the carbon-containing gas collecting material, and further calculates the optimal time for replacing or regenerating the carbon-containing gas collecting material, the calculation device 92 calculates the deterioration state and performance change of each of the multiple carbon-containing gas collecting materials in advance to predict the deterioration state and performance change of each carbon-containing gas collecting material, and calculates the optimal time for replacing or regenerating each carbon-containing gas collecting material.
[0079] As an example, the calculation device 92 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may calculate the recommended operating conditions for each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f so that the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f can efficiently recover carbon-containing gas as a group, and may control each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f. For example, if carbon-containing gas recovery device 91a recovers an excessive amount of carbon-containing gas among the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f, the carbon-containing gas concentration of the carbon-containing gas mixed gas introduced into carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b, which is located downstream of carbon-containing gas recovery device 91a, will become excessively low. In that case, it becomes necessary to increase the carbon-containing gas recovery efficiency by adjusting the temperature, pressure, etc., of carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b in order to recover a predetermined amount of carbon-containing gas. In such cases, it is more efficient for the group as a whole to reduce the amount of carbon-containing gas recovered by the carbon-containing gas recovery system of carbon-containing gas recovery device 91a and increase the amount of carbon-containing gas recovered by carbon-containing gas recovery device 91b. Thus, the computing device 92 may control each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f so that the group as a whole can efficiently recover carbon-containing gas.
[0080] As another example, the calculation device 92 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may determine which carbon-containing gas collecting material to use in which of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f, according to at least one of the performance, deterioration state, and performance change amount of each of the multiple carbon-containing gas collecting materials. That is, multiple single-type carbon-containing gas collecting materials may be housed and used in each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f, or multiple types of carbon-containing gas collecting materials may be individually housed and used in the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f. It is possible to arbitrarily determine which carbon-containing gas collecting material to house and use in which of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f, and to arbitrarily determine the timing of housing the carbon-containing gas collecting material in each carbon-containing gas recovery device and the timing of replacing the carbon-containing gas collecting material.
[0081] For example, in the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment, if multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices are connected in series, the arrangement of the carbon-containing gas collecting materials may be determined according to the performance of each carbon-containing gas collecting material in each carbon-containing gas recovery device connected in series. Specifically, one example is to place a carbon-containing gas collecting material that deteriorates due to moisture contained in the carbon-containing gas mixture in a carbon-containing gas recovery device downstream of a carbon-containing gas recovery device that has a carbon-containing gas collecting material with high moisture absorption performance.
[0082] Furthermore, advancements in the development of carbon-containing gas capturing materials are expected in the future. The carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment allows for the appropriate replacement of the capturing material in a desired carbon-containing gas recovery device from among the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f when a capturing material with higher performance or one that is suitable for the operating environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery device, such as high humidity, becomes available.
[0083] As yet another example, the calculation device 92 of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may control each of the multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f according to at least one of the performance, deterioration state, and performance change amount of each of the multiple carbon-containing gas collecting materials.
[0084] For example, in the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment, if multiple carbon-containing gas recovery devices are connected in parallel, the flow rate of the carbon-containing mixed gas supplied to each of the parallel-connected carbon-containing gas recovery devices may be adjusted according to the deterioration state or performance change of the carbon-containing gas collecting material of each of the parallel-connected carbon-containing gas recovery devices.
[0085] Figure 10 shows an example of a display unit 606 on which data is output by the output unit of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment. In addition to the data output by the output unit of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to the first embodiment, the display unit 606 displays a plurality of carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f. For example, the output unit of the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to this embodiment may output the data of each of the plurality of carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f to the display unit 606, or it may output the data of a carbon-containing gas recovery device selected by the user from among the plurality of carbon-containing gas recovery devices 91a to 91f to the display unit 606.
[0086] As stated above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments and the like that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is determined solely by the inventive features relating to the claims that are reasonable based on the above description.
[0087] 10, 90 Carbon-containing gas recovery system 1 Carbon-containing gas recovery device 2 Calculation unit 11 Carbon-containing mixed gas introduction section 12 Carbon-containing gas recovery section 13 Atmospheric outlet section 21 First gas 22 First filter 23 Blower 24, 46 Check valve 25 Cooling fan 26 Cooling pipe 27 Desiccant 28 Second filter 29 First flow meter 210 First valve 30 Second gas 31 Pressure relief valve 32 Adsorbent column 33 Cooling pipe 34 Third filter 35 Pressure gauge 36 Electric heater 37, 52 Carbon-containing gas collecting material 38 Third gas 39 Second flow meter 41 Second valve 42 Positive pressure regulating valve 43 Third valve 44 Three-way valve 45 Pressure regulating valve 47 Vacuum pump 48 Carbon-containing gas sensor 49 Fifth gas 410 Sixth Gas 411 Storage and Transport Process 412 Atmosphere 414 Fourth Gas 51 Air Contactor 53 Carbon-Containing Gas Desorption Mechanism 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 604 Memory Unit 605 I / O (Input / Output Interface) 606 Display Unit 607 Input Unit 608 Acquisition Unit 609 First Calculation Unit 610 Second Calculation Unit 611 Output Unit 612 Control Unit 71 System KPI (Target Value) 72 Checklist 73 Trend Graph 74 Settings Screen 75 Current Values of Control Instructions and System Status 76 Schematic Diagram of Carbon-Containing Gas Recovery System 91a-91f Carbon-Containing Gas Recovery Device 92 Calculation Unit
Claims
1. A control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system for recovering carbon-containing gas from a carbon-containing mixed gas, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires data of the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; a first calculation unit that calculates recommended operating conditions based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit by calculations based on a given model; and a control unit that controls the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the recommended operating conditions calculated by the first calculation unit.
2. The carbon-containing gas is CO ２ A control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one of CO, hydrocarbons, and a carbon-containing gas.
3. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the given model uses at least one of a machine learning model, a rule-based control model, a physical law-based analysis model, and a regression analysis model.
4. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixed gas containing the carbon-containing gas is at least one of exhaust gas from an industrial process, gas in a closed space, or gas in the atmosphere.
5. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs at least one of the data acquired by the acquisition unit, the target value for carbon-containing gas recovery by the carbon-containing gas recovery system, and the calculation result by the first calculation unit.
6. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, further comprising a second calculation unit that calculates the deterioration state and performance change amount of the carbon-containing gas collecting material used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit.
7. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data of the external environment includes, as data of the mixed gas containing the carbon-containing gas, at least one of the temperature, humidity, or pressure of the mixed gas containing the carbon-containing gas.
8. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal data includes at least one of the following: measurement data for the carbon-containing gas recovery system, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, flow velocity, or concentration of compounds derived from carbon-containing gases that can be processed or recovered in the carbon-containing gas recovery system; operating conditions for the carbon-containing gas recovery system, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, flow velocity, or concentration; physical property data of the carbon-containing gas collecting material used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system; state data of the carbon-containing gas collecting material used in the carbon-containing gas recovery system; information regarding the shape or arrangement of gas flow paths within the carbon-containing gas recovery system; control instruction values or operating status data for the carbon-containing gas recovery system; image information related to the carbon-containing gas recovery system; and internal diagnostic data for the inside of the carbon-containing gas recovery system.
9. The control device for a carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls at least one of the temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, voltage, or current of the carbon-containing gas recovery system.
10. The control device for the carbon-containing gas recovery system according to claim 1, wherein the carbon-containing gas recovery system comprises at least one of the following: an electric valve or flow path switching means, a fan or blowing means, a pressure adjustment means, a temperature adjustment means, a voltage application means, an energizing means, or a humidity control means, and the control unit controls at least one of the electric valve or flow path switching means, a fan or blowing means, a pressure adjustment means, a temperature adjustment means, a voltage application means, an energizing means, or a humidity control means provided in the carbon-containing gas recovery system.
11. A method for controlling a carbon-containing gas recovery system for recovering a carbon-containing gas from a mixed gas containing a carbon-containing gas, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring data on the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or at least one of the internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; a first calculation step of calculating recommended operating conditions based on the data acquired in the acquisition step by calculation based on a given model; and a control step of controlling the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the recommended operating conditions calculated in the first calculation step.
12. A control program for a carbon-containing gas recovery system for recovering carbon-containing gas from a mixed gas containing carbon-containing gas, characterized in that a computer implements: an acquisition function for acquiring at least one of data on the external environment of the carbon-containing gas recovery system or internal data of the carbon-containing gas recovery system; a first calculation function for calculating recommended operating conditions based on the data acquired by the acquisition function and calculations based on a given model; and a control function for controlling the carbon-containing gas recovery system based on the recommended operating conditions calculated by the calculation function.