Continuous Alkaline Liquid Loop for CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solubilization processes for calcium hydroxide are limited by the concentration of reactive mixtures, achieving only 11-16% solubility with glycerol and sucrose, and lack a continuous regeneration method for solubilizers, making them inefficient and costly for gas capture applications.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a mixing tank where a concentrated sodium bicarbonate solution is combined with calcium hydroxide to produce an alkaline sodium hydroxide solution, which is then passed through power plant exhaust gases to regenerate the solubilizer in a continuous loop, forming an enhanced sodium bicarbonate solution that recirculates and is mixed with calcium hydroxide, creating an ionic solid and sodium phosphate for commercial use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If glycerol or sucrose is used as a solubilizer for calcium hydroxide, then solubility is increased to 11-16% g/l, but the reaction concentration is limited to 40-60% and further concentration shows diminished reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by using sodium bicarbonate instead of glycerol or sucrose as the solubilizer. This substitution enables the system to achieve higher solubility of calcium hydroxide while maintaining effective reaction concentrations above 60%, thereby resolving the limitation of diminished reaction at high concentrations that occurred with traditional solubilizers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite chemical system by combining sodium bicarbonate with calcium hydroxide to form a novel reactive mixture. This composite approach produces an alkaline liquid solution with enhanced properties, achieving both high solubility and sustained reaction efficiency that neither component could achieve alone in previous configurations.
2Reliability
If traditional solubilization processes are used, then solubilizer function is achieved, but continuous regeneration of the solubilizer is not possible, requiring continuous purchase and addition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a continuous regeneration loop where the alkaline liquid solution produced from sodium bicarbonate and calcium hydroxide reacts with CO2 to regenerate sodium bicarbonate. This closed-loop system maintains continuous solubilizer function without interruption and eliminates the need for continuous external addition, achieving both reliable function and substance conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regeneration by using the reaction products (alkaline liquid solution) to regenerate the solubilizer (sodium bicarbonate) through interaction with CO2. This self-service mechanism eliminates external input requirements and sustains the solubilizer population automatically, resolving the contradiction between maintaining function and preventing substance loss.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional gas capture processes are used, then carbon dioxide capture is achieved, but operational costs are high due to continuous solubilizer purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and regenerates the solubilizer (sodium bicarbonate) from the reaction products instead of discarding it. The alkaline liquid solution is processed to regenerate sodium bicarbonate, which is then reused in the mixing tank. This recovery approach eliminates continuous purchase requirements and reduces operational costs while maintaining effective CO2 capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the output of the gas capture process (alkaline liquid solution) is fed back to regenerate the input solubilizer (sodium bicarbonate). This closed-loop feedback mechanism sustains the process continuously without external input, reducing operational costs while maintaining harmful factor reduction effectiveness.
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 process enhances solubilization efficiency and achieves a continuous regeneration of the solubilizer, increasing solubility and reducing operational costs by creating a closed-loop system that effectively captures carbon dioxide and other gases from power plant emissions.
Implementation Method 1
blended solution is mixed with a solubilizer solution, in a mixing tank to create a chemical reaction that produces an ionic solid for commercial uses and an alkaline liquid solution
Implementation Method 2
As the sodium hydroxide solution passes through the flue gases the sodium hydroxide solution chemically interacts with the flue gasses to convert the sodium hydroxide solution to an enhanced sodium bicarbonate solution
Implementation Method 3
mixes the alkaline liquid solution with a phosphorus acid to produce a sodium phosphate solution
Data Source
AI summary
A process is provided using a concentrated sodium bicarbonate solution as a solubilizer mixed with a calcium hydroxide to chemically produce an insoluble calcium carbonate and produce an alkaline liquid solution, then passing the alkaline liquid solution through detrimental gases in a scrubber to produce an enhanced sodium bicarbonate which regenerates the sodium bicarbonate thus creating a continuous closed loop. The process can also produce a sodium phosphate (trisodium phosphate) by mixing the alkaline liquid solution with a phosphoric acid.