Self-Recycling Loop for High-Purity CO2 Membrane Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide separation technologies, particularly membrane separation methods, face limitations in achieving high-purity carbon dioxide due to the recycling of residue gases with low carbon dioxide concentrations, which restricts the enhancement of carbon dioxide separation performance.
Innovation Solution
A self-recycling loop system is implemented in a device with multiple separation membranes, where permeate gases are recycled back into the same membrane and residue gases are fed into subsequent membranes, increasing the carbon dioxide concentration in the feed gas and improving separation efficiency without increasing operating costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If residue gas with low carbon dioxide concentration is recycled to the feed side of the first stage membrane, then the capturing amount (recovery rate) of the first stage membrane is increased, but the carbon dioxide separation performance of the system is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple membrane stages (first stage, second stage, and optional third stage) with distinct functions. The first stage membrane performs initial separation, the second stage membrane further purifies the permeate gas, and the third stage membrane processes residue gas. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, achieving both high recovery rate and high separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of recycling residue gas in a single-stage system (one-dimensional approach), the invention introduces a multi-stage configuration where permeate gas from the first stage is fed to a second stage membrane, and residue gas can be processed by a third stage membrane. This adds dimensional complexity to the separation process, enabling simultaneous optimization of recovery rate and purity.
2Productivity
If a multi-stage separation membrane process is used with residue gas recycling, then the capturing amount of the first stage membrane is increased, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the recycling streams into a unified multi-stage membrane system. The permeate gas from the first stage is combined with feed to the second stage, and residue gas from the first stage is combined with feed to the third stage (if present). This merging approach integrates multiple functions into a cohesive system that achieves high capturing amount without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-sufficient by internally recycling both permeate gas and residue gas through appropriate stages. The permeate gas from stage one serves as feed for stage two, and residue gas from stage one serves as feed for stage three, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex control systems to manage recycling streams.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the membrane separation method is used for carbon dioxide capturing, then the process is environmentally friendly, but it is difficult to obtain high-purity carbon dioxide
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous multi-stage separation where permeate gas from the first stage membrane continuously feeds into the second stage membrane for further purification. This continuous action across multiple stages progressively removes impurities, maintaining high environmental friendliness while achieving high carbon dioxide purity that would be difficult to obtain in a single stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration parameter of carbon dioxide progressively through each membrane stage. The first stage membrane increases carbon dioxide concentration in the permeate stream, the second stage membrane further concentrates it, and the third stage membrane (when used) provides final purification. This parameter change approach enables high purity output while maintaining the environmentally friendly membrane separation process.
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
The self-recycling loop significantly enhances the purity and recovery rate of carbon dioxide, achieving high-purity separation with maintained operating costs, as demonstrated by experimental results showing a 20% or more improvement in carbon dioxide purity.
Implementation Method 1
membrane separation method using a separation membrane
Implementation Method 2
separation membrane into which a combustion gas is fed
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a device for separating carbon dioxide that includes a self-recycling loop, and to a method of separating carbon dioxide, which serve to effectively separate carbon dioxide from a combustion gas using a separation membrane provided with the self-recycling loop. This invention adopts a self-recycling loop in which the residue gas passing through a specific separation membrane is introduced into another separation membrane and in which a permeate gas passing through the specific separation membrane is introduced back into the specific separation membrane. Accordingly, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the feed gas of the specific separation membrane is increased, which increases the concentration of the permeate gas to thus improve the separation performance of the separation membrane, thereby separating high-purity carbon dioxide.