Temperature-Change Adsorption Plant Heat Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional temperature-change adsorption plants face challenges in reducing energy consumption and minimizing energy losses, particularly when dealing with gas mixtures containing higher-concentration components, as they require significant regeneration gas and inefficient heat management.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a temperature-change adsorption plant with multiple adsorption units operating in distinct modes, utilizing indirect heat transfer and buffer containers to optimize heat integration, where heat transfer fluids are circulated between warm and cold circuits to minimize energy demand and product losses, allowing for parallel operation and regeneration of adsorption units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional temperature-change adsorption plants use direct regeneration gas contact with adsorbent, then regeneration is achieved, but energy consumption increases and product losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance that indirectly transfers thermal energy to the adsorbent through heat exchange surfaces. This mediator approach allows regeneration without direct contact between regeneration gas and adsorbent, reducing energy consumption and product losses while maintaining effective regeneration through thermal coupling.
2Productivity
If multiple adsorption units are operated in parallel with heat integration, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adsorption units into an integrated system where heat transfer fluids circulate between units, sharing thermal energy. This merging approach enables continuous separation operations as one unit undergoes regeneration while others perform adsorption, improving productivity through coordinated parallel operation with shared thermal management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous operation by maintaining multiple adsorption units in different operational phases simultaneously. While one unit is being regenerated, others continue adsorption, ensuring uninterrupted separation processes. The heat integration system continuously transfers thermal energy between units, maintaining continuous useful action across the entire system.
3Temperature
If heat transfer fluid is excessively heated and cooled, then adsorbent regeneration and cooling are achieved, but energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted during cooling phases into a useful resource by transferring it to adsorbent units requiring heating for regeneration. This approach transforms potential energy losses into beneficial thermal energy transfers, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control of the adsorbent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the temperature parameters of the heat transfer fluid based on the specific needs of different adsorption units at different operational stages. By optimizing temperature levels and transfer timing, the system achieves effective adsorbent regeneration and cooling while minimizing energy losses through targeted thermal management rather than excessive heating and cooling cycles.
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 reduces energy consumption by optimizing heat transfer and minimizing product losses, increasing the working capacity of the adsorbent and enabling efficient separation of gas mixtures with higher concentrations, while avoiding excessive heating and cooling of the heat transfer fluid.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorbent which is accommodated in a suitable adsorber container (referred to herein as an 'adsorption unit') is flowed through in an operating cycle at a lower temperature level with the gas mixture flow to be separated and is thereby loaded with the respective component or components to be separated from the gas mixture flow
Implementation Method 2
the adsorbent can then be largely freed of this or these components by heating, i.e., introducing thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
a heated fluid flow can likewise be used, which is, however, guided through the adsorbent or an adsorber bed—for example, by means of heating lines. A corresponding fluid is also referred to herein as 'heat transfer fluid.'
Data Source
AI summary
A method for separating a gas mixture flow, n which uses a temperature-change adsorption plant having a number of adsorption units which are operated in a first and a second operating mode. The first operating mode comprises guiding a gas mixture flow at least in part through an adsorption chamber of an adsorption unit and subjecting this flow to an adsorptive exchange with at least one adsorbent. The second operating mode comprises guiding a first heat transfer fluid flow at a first temperature through a heat-exchange arrangement of an adsorption unit. The first operating mode also comprises guiding a second heat transfer fluid flow at a second temperature through the heat-exchange arrangement of the respective adsorption unit. The adsorption units are operated in a third operating mode which comprises guiding a third heat transfer fluid flow at a third temperature through the heat-exchange arrangement of the respective adsorption unit.