CO2 Capture Control Device Optimizes Energy via Dynamic Flow Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carbon dioxide capture systems face inefficiencies due to fluctuations in exhaust gas flow rates and CO2 concentrations, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced effectiveness in global warming mitigation.

Innovation Solution

A control device is implemented to manage the flow rates of carbon dioxide gas, heating medium, and circulating liquid between absorption and regeneration towers, optimizing energy usage by determining the least energy-intensive flow rates based on measured concentrations and target capture amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of carbon dioxide gas captured is maintained at a predetermined target amount, then the effectiveness in measures against global warming is improved, but the energy required to capture the carbon dioxide gas increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness in global warming mitigationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the flow rates of exhaust gas, absorbing liquid, and steam based on real-time measurements of CO2 concentration and flow rate. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain target capture amounts while optimizing energy consumption according to varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates measurement units that continuously monitor CO2 concentration and flow rate, feeding this information back to the control device. The control device uses this feedback to adjust operating parameters, ensuring target capture is met while minimizing energy requirements through data-driven optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flow rate of exhaust gas or concentration of carbon dioxide gas fluctuates, then the adaptability of the system to varying conditions is improved, but the rate of capturing carbon dioxide fluctuates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to flow rate and concentration variationsVSAvoidcapture rate stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously adapts to changing exhaust gas conditions by adjusting the flow rates of exhaust gas, absorbing liquid, and steam in real-time. This dynamic response maintains stable capture rates despite fluctuations in inlet gas composition and flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Measurement units monitor CO2 concentration and flow rate fluctuations, providing feedback to the control device which adjusts operating parameters to maintain consistent capture performance under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a partial capture method is used to maintain predetermined capture amount, then the capture target is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredetermined capture amountVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes energy consumption by dynamically adjusting operating parameters (exhaust gas flow rate, absorbing liquid flow rate, steam flow rate) based on measured CO2 concentration and flow rate. This parameter optimization achieves target capture amounts more efficiently than conventional partial capture methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses real-time feedback from measurement units to optimize parameter settings, achieving predetermined capture amounts with reduced energy consumption compared to traditional approaches that operate at fixed parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 maintains target CO2 capture levels while minimizing energy consumption, enhancing the system's efficiency and effectiveness in reducing global warming impacts.

Implementation Method 1

an absorption tower configured to cause absorbing liquid to absorb a carbon dioxide gas contained in exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a regeneration tower configured to cause rich liquid supplied from the absorption tower to release the carbon dioxide gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

a reboiler configured to heat absorbing liquid supplied from the regeneration tower by use of a supplied heating medium and supply generated steam to the regeneration tower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2998011B1Carbon dioxide separation and capture apparatus and method of controlling operation of carbon dioxide separation and capture apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2998011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2998011B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2998011B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a carbon dioxide separation and capture apparatus according to an embodiment, a control device calculates a flow rate range of a carbon dioxide gas based on the concentration of the carbon dioxide gas and an output range of a blower. The control device determines a flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas in which the sum of energy is the least based on relationships, corresponding to a preset target amount of carbon dioxide gas to be captured, between a flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas, and sum of energy obtained by summing the amount of heat to be supplied by a heating medium from the external, power of the blower and power of a pump. The control device controls output of the blower, an opening degree of the first flow rate control valve, and an opening degree of the second flow rate control valve.