Carbon Dioxide Recovering Apparatus Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide recovering apparatuses face inefficiencies in heat exchange and energy consumption due to suboptimal divided flow rates, leading to inadequate carbon dioxide absorption and increased energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide recovering apparatus with a flow distributor that divides the rich solution into multiple streams, a reheat exchanger, and a gas-liquid separator, where a controller adjusts the flow dividing ratio based on condensate water measurements to optimize heat recovery and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the divided flow rate to the second heat exchanger is increased, then heat exchange with carbon dioxide containing steam is improved, but the temperature of the rich solution in the releasing tower is lowered, degrading carbon dioxide releasing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rich solution flow into three separate streams with different flow rates, allowing each stream to undergo different heat exchange intensities. This segmentation enables simultaneous optimization of heat recovery and carbon dioxide releasing performance by distributing the thermal load across multiple flow paths rather than concentrating it in a single stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the divided flow rates of the rich solution to the first, second, and third heat exchangers based on operating conditions. By changing the flow rate parameters, the system optimizes the balance between heat exchange efficiency and carbon dioxide releasing performance, preventing temperature drop that would degrade releasing performance while maximizing heat recovery.
2Productivity
If the divided flow rate to the second heat exchanger is decreased, then the temperature of the rich solution in the releasing tower is maintained, but heat exchange with carbon dioxide containing steam is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchange function across three heat exchangers with different flow rates, allowing the system to achieve sufficient heat exchange without over-concentrating flow in a single exchanger. This distribution maintains rich solution temperature while capturing thermal energy from carbon dioxide containing steam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous heat exchange by distributing rich solution flow to multiple heat exchangers simultaneously, maintaining thermal energy recovery throughout the process. This continuous action prevents temperature drops that would occur with insufficient flow distribution while maximizing heat exchange efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the flow distributing ratio is not optimized, then the system structure remains simple, but carbon dioxide absorption efficiency in the absorbing tower is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow distributor with adjustable flow distributing ratios that can be dynamically optimized. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying operating conditions, maximizing carbon dioxide absorption efficiency in the absorbing tower while maintaining manageable system complexity through controlled variable adjustment.
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 enhances heat recovery from carbon dioxide containing steam, stabilizes condensate water levels, and reduces carbon dioxide recovering energy consumption by determining the optimal divided flow rate, thereby improving carbon dioxide absorption efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reheat exchanger heating the second rich solution with a lean solution discharged from a releasing tower as a heat source
Implementation Method 2
a heating unit heating the third rich solution with a carbon dioxide containing steam to be released from the releasing tower as a heat source
Implementation Method 3
a gas-liquid separator separating the carbon dioxide containing steam used to heat the third rich solution into carbon dioxide and condensate water
Implementation Method 4
an absorbing tower causing carbon dioxide contained in the flue gas to be absorbed in an absorbing solution
Implementation Method 5
a releasing tower heating the rich solution discharged from the absorbing tower to release and separate carbon dioxide as well as steam
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a carbon dioxide recovering apparatus includes introducing flue gas into an absorbing tower, bringing the flue gas into contact with an absorbing solution, and discharging a first rich solution, which is then divided into second and third rich solutions. The second rich solution is heated using a lean solution from a releasing tower. The third rich solution is heated using steam from the releasing tower. The lean solution and the steam are generated in the releasing tower from the second and third rich solutions. The steam used to heat the third rich solution is separated, in a gas-liquid separator, into carbon dioxide and condensate water. The amount of condensate water formed in the gas-liquid separator is measured, and a flow dividing ratio between the second rich solution and the third rich solution is controlled based on a change in the amount of the condensate water.