Adaptive Biogas Membrane System for CO2 Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current membrane technologies for biogas purification struggle to efficiently separate carbon dioxide from methane while minimizing methane losses and optimizing membrane surface usage, as the existing systems lack the ability to adapt the membrane surface area according to varying biogas flow rates, leading to suboptimal separation performance and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A membrane permeation treatment plant with adjustable membrane units, featuring measurement and pressure comparison means to dynamically add or remove membranes based on pressure targets, allowing for optimized membrane surface utilization and selective permeability to achieve high methane purity with minimal methane loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the membrane surface area is increased to improve CO2 separation efficiency, then methane loss increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane system employs dynamic adaptability where the membrane surface area can be adjusted based on operating conditions. The system transitions from a static membrane configuration to a dynamic one where membrane modules can be added or removed from the active separation process, allowing optimization of the balance between CO2 removal efficiency and methane retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by varying the active membrane surface area in response to changing biogas composition and flow rates. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal separation performance while minimizing methane loss under different operating conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the membrane surface area is increased to achieve higher methane purity, then energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the membrane surface area to match the actual purification requirements. When high methane purity is needed, additional membrane modules are activated; when lower purity suffices, fewer membranes are used, thereby reducing the energy consumption associated with gas compression and pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational parameter of membrane surface area is varied to optimize the trade-off between methane purity and energy consumption, allowing the system to adapt to different product quality requirements and market conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed membrane surface area is used, then the system cannot adapt to varying biogas flow rates, leading to suboptimal separation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms from a static membrane configuration to a dynamic one where the membrane surface area can be adjusted in real-time according to biogas flow rate variations, ensuring consistent separation performance across different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane system is designed to perform multiple functions by activating different numbers of membrane modules based on requirements, allowing the same system to handle both low and high flow rates effectively while maintaining reliable separation performance.
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
The solution enables efficient separation of methane and carbon dioxide, achieving methane purity greater than 97.5% while minimizing methane losses and optimizing energy consumption by adapting membrane surface area to biogas flow rates, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of biogas purification.
Implementation Method 1
The membranes are more permeable to carbon dioxide than to methane
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
Installation for the treatment by membrane permeation of a feed gas stream comprising at least methane and carbon dioxide, said installation comprising: - a means for measuring (M) the pressure P of the feed gas stream, - a means for comparing the pressure P with a target value, - at least two membrane separation units (4), (7) and - a means (T) for adding and removing at least one membrane in at least one membrane separation unit as a function of comparing the pressure P with the target value.