AGR Solvent Cooling Using Expanded Non-Permeate

Solution Overview

Problem

The use of refrigeration systems in gas treatment units for removing acid gases from syngas decreases the efficiency and increases capital expenditures in IGCC power plants.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes an acid gas removal (AGR) system, a hydrogen separation system, and an expander to generate a cooled non-permeate, which is used for cooling the solvent in the AGR system, thereby reducing the need for refrigeration and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a refrigeration system is used to cool the solvent in the gas treatment unit, then the solvent cooling function is achieved, but the efficiency of the power plant decreases and capital expenditures increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent temperatureVSAvoidpower plant efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the solvent cooling function with the hydrogen separation process by using the cold non-permeate stream from the hydrogen separation system to cool the solvent in the AGR system. This merging eliminates the need for a separate refrigeration system and utilizes waste cold stream energy, thereby improving power plant efficiency while achieving solvent cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the cold non-permeate stream, which would otherwise be a waste stream requiring energy input to handle, into a useful cooling resource for the solvent. By utilizing this cold stream that exits the hydrogen separation system, the invention transforms a potential energy loss into a beneficial cooling effect, eliminating the need for additional refrigeration equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Temperature

If a refrigeration system is used to cool the solvent, then the solvent cooling function is achieved, but capital expenditures increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent temperatureVSAvoidcapital expenditures

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the solvent cooling function with the hydrogen separation process by using the cold non-permeate stream from the hydrogen separation system to cool the solvent in the AGR system. This merging eliminates the need for a separate refrigeration system and utilizes waste cold stream energy, thereby improving power plant efficiency while achieving solvent cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogen separation system provides its own cold non-permeate stream that serves the cooling needs of the AGR system. This self-service approach allows the system to cool the solvent using internally generated cold resources rather than requiring external refrigeration equipment, thereby reducing capital expenditures and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the solvent is cooled using the cooled non-permeate, then refrigeration systems are eliminated or reduced, but the system requires integration between AGR and hydrogen separation systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigeration system requirementVSAvoidsystem integration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the solvent cooling function with the hydrogen separation process by using the cold non-permeate stream from the hydrogen separation system to cool the solvent in the AGR system. This merging eliminates the need for a separate refrigeration system and utilizes waste cold stream energy, thereby improving power plant efficiency while achieving solvent cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cold non-permeate stream from the hydrogen separation system serves multiple functions: it cools the solvent in the AGR system and can potentially be used for other cooling needs in the gas treatment process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated refrigeration equipment and improves overall system efficiency by maximizing the utility of the cold stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 increases the efficiency of the AGR system and decreases capital expenditures by utilizing the cooled non-permeate for solvent cooling, eliminating or reducing the need for refrigeration systems.

Implementation Method 1

an expander configured to expand the non-permeate to generate a cooled non-permeate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic expansion: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 2

a solvent chiller configured to cool a solvent via heat exchange with the cooled non-permeate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS8828122B2System and method for gas treatment

Publication Date: 2014.09.09 AIR PROD & CHEM INC

AI summary

A system includes an acid gas removal (AGR) system configured to remove an acid gas from an untreated syngas to generate a treated syngas, a hydrogen separation system configured to receive the treated syngas to generate a non-permeate and a permeate, and an expander configured to expand the non-permeate to generate a cooled non-permeate. The AGR system includes a solvent chiller configured to cool a solvent via heat exchange with the cooled non-permeate.