Two-Stage CO2 Recovery with Pressurized Desorption Gas

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) systems face challenges in simultaneously achieving high-concentration carbon dioxide recovery and high recovery rate due to the need for precise control of cleaning gas amount and pressure, with existing systems either decreasing recovery rate or concentration when adjusting these parameters.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide recovery apparatus with a first and second separation device, utilizing a first pressurization device, vacuum pump, and adjustment mechanisms to control the flow and pressure of desorption gases, allowing for high-concentration carbon dioxide recovery through a second pressurized gas with increased pressure in a concentration unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the amount of cleaning gas introduced into the adsorption column is increased, then the concentration of recovered carbon dioxide increases, but the amount of recovered gas decreases (recovery rate decreases)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of recovered carbon dioxideVSAvoidrecovery rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the carbon dioxide recovery process into two separate stages: a first separation device for initial separation and a second separation device for concentration. This segmentation allows each device to optimize for its specific function, with the second device concentrating CO2 from the desorption gas without requiring excessive cleaning gas that would reduce overall recovery rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a desorption gas storage tank as an intermediary component between the first and second separation devices. This intermediary allows the system to buffer and regulate the flow of desorption gas, enabling optimal control of cleaning gas introduction in the first device while maintaining high recovery rate, and providing sufficient feed gas to the second concentration device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the amount of cleaning gas is reduced, then the recovery rate increases, but the concentration of carbon dioxide decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery rateVSAvoidconcentration of recovered carbon dioxide
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the recovery process into two devices with distinct functions, the system can maintain low cleaning gas introduction in the first device (preserving recovery rate) while the second device performs the concentration function that would otherwise require high cleaning gas amounts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter by introducing a second pressurization device that pressurizes the desorption gas before it enters the second separation device. This pressure change enables the concentration process to proceed efficiently without requiring excessive cleaning gas in the first stage, thus maintaining high recovery rate while achieving high concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If a blower is connected to the upstream and downstream separation devices, then the pressure of the downstream adsorption column becomes approximately the same as or lower than the upstream adsorption column, but the simultaneous achievement of high-concentration recovery and high recovery rate is not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure of adsorption columnVSAvoidrecovery rate and concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter by introducing a second pressurization device that actively increases the pressure of desorption gas before it enters the second separation device. This creates a pressure gradient that drives the concentration process efficiently, enabling high recovery rate and high concentration to be achieved simultaneously, unlike the blower system where downstream pressure equals or is lower than upstream pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus enhances the recovery rate of high-concentration carbon dioxide by optimizing the flow and pressure of desorption gases, reducing the size and electricity intensity of the system, and ensuring consistent carbon dioxide concentration.

Implementation Method 1

a first separation device for separating carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-containing gas by pressure swing adsorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure swing adsorption: Pressure Swing Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum pump for sucking a desorption gas containing carbon dioxide desorbed from an adsorbent within the adsorption column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP4703022A1Device for recovering carbon dioxide
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 NITERRA CO LTD
  • EP4703022A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703022A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703022A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a recovery apparatus (10) which can increase the recovery rate of high-concentration carbon dioxide. The recovery apparatus includes a first separation device (11) for separating carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-containing gas by pressure swing adsorption, and a second separation device (12) disposed downstream of the first separation device and connected thereto. The first separation device includes an adsorption column (14), a first pressurization device (17) for supplying to the adsorption column a first pressurized gas obtained by pressurizing the gas, a vacuum pump (18) for sucking a desorption gas containing carbon dioxide desorbed from an adsorbent within the adsorption column, and an introduction pipe (23) for introducing part of the desorption gas into the adsorption column as a cleaning gas. The second separation device includes a concentration unit (36) and a second pressurization device (39) for supplying to the concentration unit a second pressurized gas obtained by pressurizing the desorption gas. The concentration unit concentrates carbon dioxide contained in the second pressurized gas, and the pressure of the second pressurized gas is higher than the pressure of the first pressurized gas.