Appendix Stripper Recovery of Amine Solvent in CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon capture systems face challenges in efficiently separating and removing degraded amines from amine solvents, which can dilute CO2 product streams and alter solvent properties, leading to inefficiencies and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating an appendix stripper to separate degraded amines from amine solvents based on differences in physical properties, using a controller to optimize the process and enhance the purity of the reclaimed amine stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If amine solvent is used to absorb CO2 from flue gas, then CO2 removal efficiency is improved, but degraded amines accumulate in the solvent leading to reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing differences in volatility (vapor pressure) between degraded amines and fresh amine solvent. The appendix stripper operates at controlled temperature and pressure conditions to selectively vaporize degraded amines while maintaining the liquid amine solvent in the reboiler, thereby restoring solvent performance without compromising CO2 removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions by heating the amine solvent in the appendix stripper to vaporize degraded amines. The vapor phase contains concentrated degraded amines that are vented or treated, while the liquid phase retains the regenerated amine solvent. This phase separation enables effective removal of degradation products and solvent recovery
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wash system is used to scrub amines from treated flue gas, then amine emissions are reduced, but degraded amines are returned to the solvent stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing the appendix stripper in the solvent circulation loop before the wash system returns solvent to the absorber. This proactive removal of degraded amines prevents their accumulation in the solvent stream, maintaining absorption efficiency while allowing the wash system to continue controlling emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The appendix stripper acts as an intermediary between the wash system and the absorber. It provides a intermediate treatment step that removes degraded amines from the solvent before it re-enters the CO2 absorption process, breaking the cycle of degradation product accumulation
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional stripping is used to remove degraded amines, then energy consumption is high, but separation efficiency may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized high-temperature zone in the appendix stripper specifically for vaporizing degraded amines, while the rest of the solvent system operates at lower temperatures. This targeted heating approach improves separation efficiency for degraded amine removal while minimizing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the appendix stripper with asymmetric heating and vapor removal characteristics. The system creates a vapor-liquid equilibrium that favors selective vaporization of degraded amines over fresh amine solvent, achieving efficient separation with reduced energy input compared to conventional symmetric stripping approaches
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 system effectively recovers high-purity amine solvents by removing degraded components, improving the efficiency and reducing energy costs in carbon capture processes.
Implementation Method 1
The absorber may include packings to facilitate contact between the flue gas and the amine solvent, thereby absorbing the CO2 into the solvent in an exothermic reaction
Implementation Method 2
a regenerator configured to strip the carbon oxides from the solvent flow to produce a captured carbon oxides flow
Implementation Method 3
an appendix stripper configured to separate a liquid stream into a vapor stream and a liquid stream, wherein the vapor stream comprises degraded amines and the liquid stream comprises a reclaimed amine stream
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a system including a solvent-based carbon capture system, wherein the solvent-based carbon capture system includes an absorber configured to absorb carbon oxides (COx) from a gas flow into a solvent of a solvent flow to produce a treated gas flow. The system includes a regenerator configured to strip the carbon oxides from the solvent flow to produce a captured carbon oxides flow. The system further includes a wash system configured to wash the treated gas flow using water. The system also includes an appendix stripper system configured to separate a outflow stream into a reclaimed amine stream and a waste stream, wherein the outflow stream comprises the solvent and degraded components of the solvent, and the waste stream has a greater concentration of the degraded components than in the reclaimed amine stream.