Carbon Dioxide Capture With Co-Current Adsorbent Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide capturing technologies, particularly those using solid phase separation, require significant energy for desorption, increasing capture costs due to high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide capturing apparatus and method utilizing a reaction tower, desorption tower, and heat exchange unit that enables co-current flow heat exchange between adsorbent or absorbent to reduce energy requirements, employing direct or indirect heat exchange to recover sensible heat and minimize energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If temperature swing adsorption (TSA) process is used to capture carbon dioxide from large-scale exhaust gas, then carbon dioxide capture capacity is improved, but energy consumption for desorption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers sensible heat from the adsorbent after it has been cooled during the adsorption process and uses this recovered heat to assist in the desorption process. This heat recovery mechanism reduces the external energy input required for desorption while maintaining the high capture capacity enabled by TSA
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high energy consumption for desorption into a beneficial cycle by using the cooled adsorbent's residual heat to pre-heat the incoming adsorbent or to assist in the desorption process. This transforms the energy loss into a useful resource, reducing overall energy requirements while maintaining high productivity
2Ease of operation
If pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process is used for carbon dioxide capture, then operational simplicity is improved, but it is limited to small-scale applications only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adsorbent bed into multiple sections or uses multiple adsorbent columns that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to handle large-scale exhaust gas flows while maintaining the operational simplicity of PSA by enabling parallel processing and flexible configuration of adsorption and desorption zones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control mechanisms that allow different regions of the adsorbent bed to operate at different times and conditions. This dynamic operation enables the system to scale up capacity while maintaining PSA's simplicity through automated switching and control of adsorption/desorption cycles in different zones
3Productivity
If conventional desorption process is used to remove absorbed carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide release efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases capture cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous heat exchange between the adsorbent streams, where the cooled adsorbent continuously transfers heat to the incoming adsorbent or to the desorption medium. This continuous heat recovery reduces the total energy input required for desorption while maintaining high carbon dioxide release efficiency throughout the cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in temperature and pressure parameters during the heat exchange process to optimize desorption efficiency. By carefully controlling and changing these parameters through heat recovery, the system achieves efficient carbon dioxide release while reducing the overall energy consumption that would otherwise increase capture costs
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
Reduces energy consumption for carbon dioxide capture by leveraging sensible heat exchange between adsorbent or absorbent, thereby lowering operational costs and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange between the adsorbent on which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and the heated adsorbent
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange unit which desorbs carbon dioxide from the adsorbent on which carbon dioxide is adsorbed or the absorbent in which carbon dioxide is absorbed, through heat exchange between the adsorbent on which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and the heated adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
a reaction tower including a carbon dioxide adsorption unit or a carbon dioxide absorption unit which adsorbs or absorbs carbon dioxide from exhaust gas
Implementation Method 4
desorption tower connected to the reaction tower and including an adsorbent heating unit for heating an adsorbent circulating inside
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a carbon dioxide capturing apparatus comprising: a reaction tower including a carbon dioxide adsorption unit or a carbon dioxide absorption unit which adsorbs or absorbs carbon dioxide from exhaust gas; desorption tower connected to the reaction tower and including an adsorbent heating unit for heating an adsorbent circulating inside or an absorbent heating unit for heating an absorbent circulating inside; an adsorbent or absorbent which circulates in the reaction tower and the desorption tower and alternately adsorbs and desorbs carbon dioxide or alternately absorbs and desorbs carbon dioxide; and a heat exchange unit which desorbs carbon dioxide from the adsorbent on which carbon dioxide is adsorbed or the absorbent in which carbon dioxide is absorbed, through heat exchange between the adsorbent on which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and the heated adsorbent, or between the absorbent in which carbon dioxide is absorbed and the heated absorbent, wherein the adsorbent on which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and the heated adsorbent, or the absorbent in which carbon dioxide is absorbed and the heated absorbent are transferred in a co-current flow manner.