CO2 Dehydration Compressor System with Solvent Recovery Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dehydration systems for CO2 recovery suffer from CO2 loss due to its affinity with liquid dehydration solvents like TEG and DEG, resulting in moisture being discharged outside the system and reduced CO2 recovery efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dehydration-compression system with a dehydration device that separates H2O from CO2 using a contactor and recirculates the CO2 absorbed into the dehydration solvent back to the upstream side of the contactor, utilizing multiple recovery stages and pressure regulation to enhance CO2 recovery and reduce losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CO2 is dehydrated using liquid dehydration solvents like TEG or DEG, then moisture is effectively removed from CO2, but CO2 is also absorbed into the dehydration solvent causing CO2 loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedehydration effectivenessVSAvoidCO2 loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by capturing CO2 that is absorbed into the dehydration solvent and regenerating it for reuse. A recovery unit is introduced that separates CO2 from the dehydration solvent and returns it to the system, preventing CO2 loss while maintaining effective dehydration. This resolves the contradiction by recovering the valuable substance (CO2) that would otherwise be lost during the dehydration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where CO2 recovered from the dehydration solvent is fed back into the dehydration process. The recovery unit continuously monitors and returns CO2 to the inlet of the dehydration tower, ensuring that CO2 loss is minimized while maintaining consistent dehydration performance. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by continuously adjusting the system to prevent CO2 loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If dehydration solvent is used to remove moisture from CO2, then CO2 purity is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 purityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by combining the dehydration function with the CO2 recovery function into an integrated system. The recovery unit is designed to work in conjunction with the dehydration tower, and the CO2 circulation system merges multiple functions (dehydration, recovery, and redistribution) into a unified process flow. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high CO2 purity by eliminating the need for separate, standalone dehydration and recovery systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the CO2 recovery and circulation system to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The same system components that facilitate dehydration also enable CO2 recovery and redistribution, making the system universally functional rather than requiring specialized equipment for each function. This reduces device complexity while achieving both dehydration effectiveness and CO2 purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Significantly reduces CO2 loss and increases the final amount of recovered dry CO2 by recirculating the CO2 absorbed during solvent regeneration, improving the overall efficiency of the dehydration process.

Implementation Method 1

a contactor which removes the H2O from the CO2 by bringing the CO2 and a dehydration solvent into contact with each other and absorbing the H2O into the dehydration solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a first recovery part which recovers the CO2 from the dehydration solvent discharged from the contactor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP3147020B1Dehydration and compression system, and co2 recovery system
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND ENG LTD
  • EP3147020B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3147020B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3147020B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a dehydration-compression system (10) in which CO2 loss is suppressed, and a CO2 recovery system including the dehydration-compression system. The dehydration-compression system (10) of the present invention includes multiple compressors (50) and a dehydration device (60). The dehydration device (60) includes: a contactor (62) which removes H2O contained in CO2 by absorbing the H2O into an dehydration solvent; a recovery part (74) which recovers the CO2 from the dehydration solvent discharged from the contactor (62); and a first circulating passage (L31) which carries the CO2 released from the recovery part (74) to the upstream side of the contactor (62).