Building Flue Gas CO2 Capture Using Pressure Swing Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon dioxide generation in large buildings from combustion of fossil fuels contributes significantly to global warming and is challenging to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling combustion processes to maintain 3% free oxygen, separating and liquefying carbon dioxide from flue gas using pressure swing adsorption, and storing it for reuse or sequestration, while optimizing boiler efficiency and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If fossil fuels are combusted for building energy needs, then energy requirements are met, but carbon dioxide emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures carbon dioxide emissions from boiler combustion and converts this harmful byproduct into a useful resource. The captured CO2 is purified to greater than 99% purity and can be utilized for various applications such as carbonation processes, thereby transforming the harmful emission into a beneficial product while maintaining the energy supply from fossil fuel combustion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is captured and separated from flue gas, then emissions are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emission processing system is divided into distinct functional modules: a separation module that isolates CO2 from flue gas, a purification module that achieves greater than 99% purity, and a compression module that conditions the CO2 for storage or utilization. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently while making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable.
3Manufacturing precision
If flue gas is cooled and dried before processing, then carbon dioxide separation efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling and drying of the flue gas before the carbon dioxide separation process. By pre-cooling the flue gas to condense and remove water vapor, and pre-drying it to reduce moisture content, the system prepares the gas stream in advance for more efficient CO2 separation. This preliminary action prevents water interference during separation while the energy requirements are managed through heat recovery from the process stream.
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
Achieves high carbon dioxide capture and recovery efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, and improving overall building energy efficiency while minimizing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
removing at least some of the nitrogen from the flue gas to produce greater than about 95% carbon dioxide using a pressure swing adsorption assembly
Implementation Method 2
The nitrogen stream can be used to cool the carbon dioxide product
Implementation Method 3
combusting the air and fuel within the combustion burner
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and/or methods are provided for the capture of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated within a building.