CO2 Capture Reboiler Leak Detection via Steam Branching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing carbon dioxide capturing systems using chemical absorption methods face challenges in accurately detecting leaks of absorption liquid components due to measurement errors and disturbances, which can disrupt upstream facilities like boilers and steam turbines.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide capturing system with a branched line configuration that cools and condenses a portion of the heated steam separately, allowing for precise measurement of absorption liquid components in both upstream and downstream condensed waters using dedicated measurement instruments, and a controller to determine leaks by calculating physical quantity gaps and adjusting valve operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measurement instrument is used to measure the absorption liquid component in the condensed water discharged from the reboiler, then the leak amount of the absorption liquid component can be monitored, but the measurement value can include errors specific to the measurement instrument or errors due to disturbance, making it difficult to detect the leak with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function by introducing a second measurement instrument that measures the absorption liquid component in the condensed water supplied to the reboiler. This separates the measurement of condensed water before and after mixing with potential absorption liquid leaks, allowing for more reliable leak detection by comparing the two measurements and eliminating errors from a single instrument.
2Productivity
If the heated steam and lean liquid perform heat exchange in the reboiler, then the lean liquid can be heated to generate absorption liquid steam, but absorption liquid steam can leak from gaps in coupling portions and mix into the heated steam, disturbing upstream facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the absorption liquid component concentration in both the condensed water supplied to the reboiler and the condensed water discharged from the reboiler. The controller compares these measurements to detect leaks of absorption liquid steam into the heated steam, enabling real-time monitoring and correction to prevent disturbance to upstream facilities.
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 configuration enables accurate detection of absorption liquid component leaks with reduced measurement errors, preventing their mixture with steam and ensuring continuous operation of upstream facilities by promptly switching condensed water supplies.
Implementation Method 1
A part of the heated steam supplied to the reboiler is supplied to the upstream side cooler, is cooled and condensed, and thereby upstream side condensed water is generated
Implementation Method 2
In the reboiler, a part of the lean liquid discharged from the regeneration tower is heated with the heated steam to generate a steam (hereinafter, written as an absorption liquid steam)
Implementation Method 3
The heated steam which has heated the lean liquid in the reboiler is condensed to become a condensed water
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide capturing system according to an embodiment is provided with a reboiler which heats an absorption liquid in a regeneration tower with a heated steam, and condenses the heated steam to generate a downstream side condensed water. The heated steam is supplied to the reboiler by an upstream side line. The downstream side condensed water is discharged from the reboiler by a downstream side line. A branched line branches from the upstream side line. The heated steam supplied to the branched line is cooled and condensed by an upstream side cooler, and an upstream side condensed water is generated. A physical quantity of an absorption liquid component in the upstream side condensed water and a physical quantity of an absorption liquid component in the downstream side condensed water are measured by a physical quantity measurement device.