Hydrodynamic Cavitation for CO2 Solvent Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The energy-intensive regeneration process in CO2 capture systems, which requires high temperatures and leads to solvent degradation and corrosion issues, limits the long-term industrial implementation of CO2 capture processes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves performing one or more steps of hydrodynamic cavitation on the CO2-rich solvent stream and/or the reboiler stream within the stripper column or directly entering/exiting the column, enhancing CO2 desorption without excessive heat, thus minimizing solvent degradation and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high temperature is used for solvent regeneration, then CO2 desorption efficiency is improved, but solvent degradation and corrosion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 desorption efficiencyVSAvoidsolvent stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to the CO2-rich solvent in the stripper column, utilizing cavitation and mechanical energy to enhance CO2 desorption. This allows effective CO2 release without requiring excessive temperature increase, thereby preventing solvent degradation and corrosion while maintaining high desorption efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and energy input parameters by introducing ultrasonic frequency vibrations and controlling flow velocity through constriction sections. This enables CO2 desorption through mechanical energy rather than thermal energy, resolving the contradiction between desorption efficiency and solvent stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high temperature is used for solvent regeneration, then CO2 desorption rate increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 desorption rateVSAvoidregeneration energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to provide the energy needed for CO2 desorption, replacing thermal energy input. The ultrasonic waves create cavitation and enhance mass transfer, achieving high desorption rates without the excessive energy consumption associated with high-temperature heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heat) with a mechanical field (ultrasonic vibration) to drive the desorption process. This substitution allows CO2 release at lower temperatures, significantly reducing the energy consumption while maintaining high desorption rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If high temperature is used for solvent regeneration, then desorption reaction kinetics improve, but equipment corrosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesorption reaction kineticsVSAvoidequipment corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to accelerate the desorption reaction kinetics through cavitation and enhanced molecular interaction, eliminating the need for high temperatures. This approach maintains fast reaction rates while preventing thermal corrosion of equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy input parameter from thermal to mechanical (ultrasonic), fundamentally altering how the desorption reaction is driven. This parameter change enables fast kinetics without temperature-induced corrosion, resolving the contradiction between reaction speed and equipment durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficiently desorbs CO2 from the solvent, reduces energy consumption, minimizes solvent degradation, and prevents corrosion, enabling a more sustainable and long-term industrial implementation of CO2 capture processes.

Implementation Method 1

the carbon dioxide is absorbed in a solvent in the absorption zone of such a system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic cavitation: Hydrodynamic Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

The stripper zone is there for recovering the CO2 from the solvent and regenerating the solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250025828A1Regeneration of Solvents Used in Carbon Dioxide Capture Process

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH

AI summary

Method to desorb CO2 in a CO2-rich solvent in a stripper column comprising the steps of providing a first stream comprising a CO2-rich solvent; providing a stripper column; passing the first stream through the stripper column; recovering a CO2-rich effluent and a re-boiler stream from the stripper column and passing the reboiler stream through the reboiler and recovering a second stream comprising a CO2-lean solvent from the reboiler. The method further comprises one or more steps of hydrodynamic cavitation which are performed on the first stream and/or on the reboiler stream, each stream presenting an initial flow velocity and an initial static pressure, wherein hydrodynamic cavitation is performed by increasing the initial flow velocity of the stream and subsequently decreasing the initial static pressure of the stream, and wherein hydrodynamic cavitation is performed within the stripper column and/or on a stream directly entering or directly exiting the stripper column.