Amine Byproduct Discharge via Algae Digestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing carbon dioxide using amine-based solvents result in the formation of contaminants, which are costly and environmentally harmful to dispose of as hazardous waste, as they degrade and form amine byproducts during the carbon dioxide absorption process.

Innovation Solution

The process involves contacting the contaminated amine-based solvent with flue gas to separate carbon dioxide, then feeding the resulting amine byproducts to an algae source for digestion, where they are utilized as nutrients, thereby avoiding hazardous waste disposal and regenerating the solvent for reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If amine-based solvent is used to absorb carbon dioxide from flue gas, then carbon dioxide capture efficiency is improved, but amine byproducts are formed as contaminants that require costly and environmentally harmful disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide capture efficiencyVSAvoidamine byproduct contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful amine byproducts into beneficial nutrients for algae growth. The amine byproducts, which would otherwise require costly hazardous waste disposal, are instead fed to algae sources where they serve as nitrogen and carbon sources, transforming an environmental liability into a resource that supports biomass production and reduces disposal costs.

Inventive Principle:

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

2Reliability

If contaminated amine-based solvent is purged and purified, then solvent reuse is enabled, but the removed contaminants must be treated as hazardous waste which is costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent reuse capabilityVSAvoidcontaminant disposal cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding amine byproducts as hazardous waste during solvent purification, the patent recovers them as valuable nutrients for algae cultivation. The amine byproducts are separated from the solvent stream and redirected to algae sources, where they are utilized as nitrogen sources and carbon substrates, converting waste disposal costs into potential revenue streams from biomass production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-affected harmful factors

If amine byproducts are disposed of as hazardous waste, then environmental compliance is achieved, but both cost and environmental impact are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental complianceVSAvoiddisposal cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the environmental compliance challenge of amine byproduct disposal into a beneficial application by feeding these byproducts to algae sources. This approach eliminates hazardous waste disposal costs and environmental liabilities while simultaneously supporting sustainable biomass production, carbon sequestration, and potential energy generation, thereby converting a compliance burden into an environmental and economic asset.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 effectively discharges amine byproducts without generating hazardous waste, reduces environmental impact, and lowers costs by utilizing algae to digest and recycle the contaminants, while maintaining a nominal cost for maintaining an algae source, especially when already used for carbon dioxide consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The amine byproducts from the carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent are fed to an algae source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological digestion: Aerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

contacting the amine-based solvent with flue gas comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, NOx, SOx, or mixtures thereof to form a carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8563296B2Processes and systems for discharging amine byproducts formed in an amine-based solvent

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 UOP LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of a process for discharging amine byproducts formed in an amine-based solvent are provided. The process comprises the steps of contacting the amine-based solvent with flue gas comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, NOx, SOx, or mixtures thereof to form a carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent that contains the amine byproducts. Carbon dioxide is separated from the carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent to form a carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent. The amine byproducts from the carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent are fed to an algae source.