CO2 Capture System Using Reactor Steam for Adsorbent Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon dioxide collection and utilization systems lack energy efficiency in regenerating carbon dioxide adsorbents and converting CO2 into valuable products like synthetic fuel, methane, and methanol.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a regeneration unit for desorbing CO2 from solid materials using steam, which is then used to produce steam and hydrogenate CO2 into synthetic fuel, methane, or methanol, with a membrane reactor and steam separation membrane for efficient energy reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam is used to regenerate carbon dioxide adsorbent, then carbon dioxide can be desorbed and the adsorbent regenerated, but energy consumption increases due to steam production and drying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam generation step with the CO2 hydrogenation reaction step. The steam produced in the hydrogenation reactor is directly used for adsorbent regeneration, merging two separate processes into an integrated system where waste steam becomes a valuable resource for regeneration, eliminating the need for separate steam generation and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the steam generated from the exothermic hydrogenation reaction to serve the regeneration process itself. The heat and steam produced during CO2 conversion are redirected to desorb CO2 from the adsorbent, allowing the system to use its own by-products for its own operational needs, reducing external energy input requirements
2Ease of operation
If superheated steam is used for regeneration, then drying step can be eliminated, but the saturation temperature must be controlled precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temperature characteristics of superheated steam by controlling the saturation temperature to be equal to or lower than the adsorbent temperature. This parameter control allows the steam to condense on the adsorbent surface, providing both heating for desorption and automatic drying through the phase change process, eliminating the need for separate drying equipment while maintaining operational simplicity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is collected from exhaust gases, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but collection cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CO2 collection process with utilization processes (hydrogenation to synthetic fuel, methane, or methanol). The collected CO2 is not merely separated but immediately converted into valuable products, integrating separation and utilization into a single systematic approach that reduces overall energy consumption and creates economic value from the captured carbon dioxide
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful CO2 emissions into beneficial products such as synthetic fuel, methane, and methanol through hydrogenation reactions. By transforming the waste greenhouse gas into valuable chemical products, the system turns an environmental problem into an economic opportunity while reducing net emissions
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 enhances energy efficiency by utilizing heat-stored steam for regeneration and optimizing hydrogen reuse, reducing energy needs and equipment costs while improving CO2 conversion rates.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon dioxide adsorbent in the form of particles into contact with a gas to be processed which contains carbon dioxide, to allow the carbon dioxide adsorbent to absorb the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
a solid material in or on which carbon dioxide is absorbed or adsorbed
Implementation Method 3
bringing the carbon dioxide adsorbent which has adsorbed carbon dioxide into contact with superheated steam, to allow the carbon dioxide to be desorbed from the carbon dioxide adsorbent, thereby to regenerate the carbon dioxide adsorbent
Implementation Method 4
to allow the carbon dioxide to be desorbed from the carbon dioxide adsorbent
Implementation Method 5
a reactor into which the gas containing the carbon dioxide produced in the regeneration unit and hydrogen are introduced and which produces steam and at least one selected from the group consisting of synthetic fuel, methane, and methanol
Implementation Method 6
Patent Literature 2 teaches a methanol production method including steps of: supplying a raw material gas containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen, into a first space on the pre-permeation side of a separation membrane reactor which includes the first space, a steam separation membrane, a second space on the post-permeation side, and a catalyst placed in the first space, to allow a conversion reaction of the raw material gas into methanol to proceed by the action of the catalyst
Implementation Method 7
a steam separation membrane, a second space on the post-permeation side
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide collection and utilization system including: a regeneration unit that produces, from a solid material in or on which carbon dioxide is absorbed or adsorbed, a gas containing the carbon dioxide, and regenerates the solid material; a reactor into which the gas containing the carbon dioxide produced in the regeneration unit and hydrogen are introduced and which produces steam and at least one selected from the group consisting of synthetic fuel, methane, and methanol; and a steam introduction line that introduces at least part of the steam produced in the reactor, into the regeneration unit.