CO2 Purification Using Separate Compression and Common Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 purification processes from non-cryogenic capture units, such as amine scrubbing, result in CO2 with average purity that is not compatible with stringent specifications, and mixing with cryogenic CO2 leads to energy inefficiencies and CO2 losses.
Innovation Solution
A process involving separate compression, cooling, and partial condensation of CO2 from non-cryogenic and cryogenic sources, followed by injection into a common distillation column, to achieve high purity without additional equipment, minimizing energy consumption and losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 from non-cryogenic units is mixed with CO2 from cryogenic units for joint compression and export, then the average purity increases, but the purification quality becomes insufficient to meet stringent specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CO2 purification process into two independent parallel paths: one for non-cryogenic CO2 undergoing compression, drying, cooling, and partial condensation, and another for cryogenic CO2 undergoing direct distillation. This segmentation allows each stream to be treated according to its specific characteristics, with the non-cryogenic stream being purified to high purity before injection into the distillation column, thereby meeting stringent specifications while maintaining efficient processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If CO2 from non-cryogenic units is separately dried and compressed, then the purification quality improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions (cooling and partial condensation of non-cryogenic CO2, and distillation of cryogenic CO2) as the core purification mechanism. By leveraging these thermodynamic phase changes, the process achieves high purification quality through physical separation rather than energy-intensive chemical methods, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while meeting stringent purity specifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional purification equipment is added to treat non-cryogenic CO2 separately, then the purification quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the treatment of non-cryogenic and cryogenic CO2 streams in a unified distillation column. The purified non-cryogenic CO2 (after compression, drying, cooling, and partial condensation) is injected into the distillation column alongside cryogenic CO2, where final purification occurs. This merging approach achieves high purification quality without requiring completely separate independent purification systems, thereby limiting device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
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
Enhances CO2 recovery yield and reduces energy consumption by avoiding dilution with cryogenic gas, achieving high purity CO2 without additional equipment, thus meeting stringent quality specifications.
Implementation Method 1
cooling it down to temperatures enabling distillation... the cooled CO2 may be partially condensed, the liquid phase being injected into the column
Implementation Method 2
injecting this dried and cooled CO2 into the column for distilling the lights from a cryogenic CO2 capture unit
Implementation Method 3
The heat exchanger for the cryogenic separation may be common with the exchanger for cooling the CO2 originating from a non-cryogenic capture unit
Data Source
AI summary
Two streams containing CO2 with different purities are separated in a common distillation column, without having been compressed or purified of water together.