Acid Gas Capture System with Absorbent Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current acid gas capture systems, particularly post-combustion technologies using amine-based absorbents, face high energy consumption in the regeneration process due to the need for heating and cooling, which is not efficiently managed by existing methods like using steam-generated heat for absorbent regeneration.
Innovation Solution
The system employs condensation and recirculation of the absorbent discharged from the absorption tower, utilizing a network of heat exchangers and condensers to reduce the energy requirements by recondensing and reusing the absorbent, thereby reducing the circulation amount and heat duty of the reboiler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If steam-generated heat is used for absorbent regeneration, then the regeneration process can be performed, but the energy consumption remains high due to insufficient heat management efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function and heat recovery function into a single integrated system. The absorbent cooler and reboiler are connected through heat exchangers, allowing the cooling water from the absorbent cooler to serve as feedwater for the reboiler, thereby combining waste heat recovery with the thermal requirements of the regeneration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling water as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy from the hot absorbent stream to the reboiler. The cooling water absorbs excess heat from the absorbent cooler and delivers it to the reboiler as feedwater, acting as a thermal mediator that improves overall energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If absorbent is circulated through the system, then acid gas absorption can be performed, but energy is lost through vaporization during regeneration and insufficient heat recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the cooling water that has absorbed heat from the absorbent stream is fed back to the reboiler. This creates a closed-loop thermal system where heat that would otherwise be wasted is captured and reused, reducing the overall energy input required for the regeneration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition (condensation) of absorbent vapor in the heat exchangers. The vaporized absorbent during regeneration is condensed by transferring its latent heat to the cooling water, thereby recovering significant thermal energy that would otherwise be lost and reducing the heat duty of the reboiler.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the total energy requirement of the acid gas capture system by optimizing the absorbent circulation and regeneration process, improving energy efficiency and lowering operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical absorption process using an amine-based absorbent that includes both amine and hydroxyl groups bound to an alkyl group may be performed using a system equipped with an absorption tower for selectively absorbing carbon dioxide from inflow gas
Implementation Method 2
an acid gas-absorbed absorbent discharged from an absorption tower may be supplied to a heat exchanger, and then may be condensed
Implementation Method 3
the acid gas-absorbed absorbent discharged from the absorption tower is supplied to a separation valve via a second heat exchanger and then a second condenser
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and a method therefor capable of reducing the amount of heat which must be supplied to a regeneration tower for regenerating an absorbent in an acid gas capture process for such acid gas as carbon dioxide and provides a low energy-type acid gas capture system and method using recirculation of an absorbent capable of reducing energy consumption by recirculating the absorbent, from which acid gas has been pre-separated, to an absorption tower before supplying the absorbent to the regeneration tower in an acid gas capture system.