CO2 Capture Wash Column Amine Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solvent-based post-combustion CO2 capture processes face challenges in reducing amine emissions and solvent loss, with conventional water wash and acid wash methods leading to inefficiencies and increased waste treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a CO2 stream into the water wash column to acidify the wash water, forming carbonic acid and enhancing the scrubbing efficiency, thereby reducing amine emissions and eliminating the need for an acid wash unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional water wash and acid wash methods are used to reduce amine emissions, then amine emissions are reduced, but waste treatment costs increase and solvent loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter (pH) of the wash water by adding CO2 to form carbonic acid, transforming the wash water from neutral to acidic. This parameter change enables the wash water to effectively capture amine emissions without requiring conventional acid wash methods, thereby reducing both amine emissions and solvent loss while lowering waste treatment costs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If acid wash is used to reduce amine emissions, then amine emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water wash function with the acid wash function by adding CO2 to the wash water. This combination eliminates the need for a separate acid wash unit, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective amine emission reduction. The wash water column performs both water washing and acid washing functions simultaneously
3Loss of substance
If conventional water wash is used to reduce solvent emissions, then solvent emissions are reduced, but washing effectiveness is insufficient requiring additional acid wash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the wash water by introducing CO2 to form carbonic acid. This chemical parameter change enhances the washing effectiveness, enabling the wash water to more effectively capture amine emissions and reduce solvent losses without requiring additional acid wash equipment
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 significantly reduces amine fugitive emissions, minimizes solvent loss, and lowers waste treatment costs by enhancing the effectiveness of the water wash process and allowing for solvent recycling.
Implementation Method 1
washing the reduced CO2 content gas in a wash column with a wash solution comprising carbonic acid formed by addition of gaseous CO2 into the wash solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method with corresponding systems for reducing emission of amines to the atmosphere. The method includes a a) introducing a gas containing CO2 into an absorber; b) flowing the flue gas through an absorber having an absorbent with a water-lean solution having less than 50% water and one or more amines, with the absorbent capturing the CO2 and forming a reduced CO2 content gas having a baseline CO2 content; and c) washing the reduced CO2 content gas in a wash column with a wash solution comprising carbonic acid formed by addition of gaseous CO2 into the wash solution. In this method, the washing removes the amines from the reduced CO2 content gas and produces a reduced amine content gas exiting from the wash column.