Water Wash Section for CO2 Capture Solvent Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvent-based CO2 capture processes experience solvent losses and water accumulation issues in absorption columns, leading to reduced solvent neutrality and increased emissions, which affect the efficiency and environmental impact of carbon dioxide removal from flue gases.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a divided water wash section in the absorption column, comprising an emission control section and a flue gas cooling section, where a fresh water stream counter-currently contacts decarbonated flue gas to recover solvent and maintain water neutrality, with a controller adjusting parameters to minimize solvent emissions and ensure water balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a water wash section is added to recover solvent from decarbonated flue gas, then solvent emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water wash section is divided into two distinct sections: an emission control section with a first water stream for solvent recovery, and a flue gas cooling section with a second water stream for cooling. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system manageability despite the added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling system where the second water stream cools the flue gas before it exits. This intermediary cooling section acts as a mediator between the emission control process and the final flue gas discharge, enabling better control over solvent emissions and water accumulation separately.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fresh water stream is used to recover solvent, then solvent emissions are reduced, but water accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water usage is segmented into two separate streams: the first water stream in the emission control section recovers solvent, and the second water stream in the cooling section manages temperature and water balance. This segmentation enables independent control of solvent recovery and water accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by introducing a cooling section that cools the flue gas. This temperature change affects the water vapor content and condensation, thereby influencing water accumulation dynamics while maintaining solvent recovery effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If water wash section operates without cooling, then device complexity is reduced, but solvent emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water wash function into emission control and cooling sections. The cooling section, while adding some complexity, is designed to work with the emission control section to achieve better overall solvent emission reduction through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling section changes the temperature parameter of the flue gas, which affects solvent volatility and emission rates. By controlling the temperature, the system optimizes solvent recovery efficiency while managing the added complexity of the cooling function.
4Temperature
If cooling section is added to cool flue gas, then flue gas temperature is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second water stream in the cooling section serves multiple functions: it cools the flue gas, condenses water vapor to manage water accumulation, and prepares the flue gas for final discharge. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by achieving several objectives with a single section.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling section introduces temperature control as a new parameter in the system. By adjusting the temperature of the flue gas, the system can optimize both cooling effectiveness and water management, making the added complexity worthwhile for achieving better overall performance.
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 effectively reduces solvent emissions and maintains water neutrality, enhancing the efficiency and environmental sustainability of CO2 capture processes by minimizing solvent losses and water accumulation, thereby improving the mass transfer characteristics and reducing the need for fresh water input.
Implementation Method 1
providing a fresh water stream to the emission control section of the absorption column for counter-current contact with the decarbonated flue gas to recover the solvent from the decarbonated flue gas
Implementation Method 2
bringing a cooled wash water into counter-current contact with the reduced solvent containing flue gas in the flue gas cooling section of the absorption column to cool the reduced solvent containing flue gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for recovering a solvent from a decarbonated flue gas in an absorption column (100), the decarbonated flue gas (120) having had carbon dioxide absorbed and removed by vapor- liquid contact with a carbon dioxide absorbing solution (119) containing the solvent. The system includes an emission control section (114) configured to bring a water stream (122) substantially free of the solvent into contact with the decarbonated flue gas (120) to recover the solvent from the decarbonated flue gas (120) and to form a solvent containing wash water (160) and a reduced solvent containing flue gas (124) and a flue gas cooling section (116) configured to bring cooled wash water (132) into contact with the reduced solvent containing flue gas (124) to cool the reduced solvent containing flue gas (124) and condense water from the decarbonated flue gas thereby forming a cooled flue gas (125) and used wash water.