CO2 Recovery Apparatus with Segmented Absorption and Regeneration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon dioxide recovery methods are inefficient in reducing energy requirements for regenerating the absorbing liquid, leading to high operating costs and environmental impact, as they fail to effectively utilize thermal energy and latent heat recovery.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide recovery apparatus and method that divides the absorption and regeneration processes into multiple stages, utilizing a circulation system with branching paths to optimize heat exchange and energy reuse, allowing the absorbing liquid to be circulated through multiple sections for enhanced thermal energy recovery without compromising carbon dioxide recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the absorbing liquid is heated in a single-stage regeneration process, then carbon dioxide can be discharged from the absorbing liquid, but the energy required for heating is high and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration process is divided into multiple stages with different heating temperatures. The absorption column is divided into a first absorption section and a second absorption section, and the regeneration column is divided into a first regeneration section and a second regeneration section. This allows selective regeneration of absorbing liquid at different energy levels, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining recovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter across different regeneration stages. The first regeneration section uses higher temperature heating to discharge carbon dioxide, while the second regeneration section uses lower temperature heating for partial regeneration. This parameter variation optimizes energy usage by matching heating intensity to the specific regeneration needs at each stage.
2Loss of energy
If thermal energy is recovered through heat exchange between lean and rich solutions, then energy efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it cools the rich absorbing liquid before it enters the absorption column, preheats the lean absorbing liquid before regeneration, and recovers thermal energy from the temperature difference between lean and rich solutions. This multi-functionality maximizes energy recovery while avoiding the need for separate cooling and heating systems.
3Loss of energy
If the absorbing liquid is circulated through multiple sections with branching paths, then energy efficiency increases, but the circulation system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is segmented into multiple paths including a first circulation path and a second circulation path with branching points. The absorbing liquid can be selectively circulated through different sections based on operational requirements, allowing flexible energy optimization without requiring a completely complex system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system incorporates dynamic flow control through branching paths and valves that can adjust the distribution of absorbing liquid between different circulation paths. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize energy efficiency based on varying operational conditions while maintaining manageable system complexity.
4Loss of energy
If multiple regeneration sections with different heating temperatures are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the regeneration system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration column is divided into a first regeneration section and a second regeneration section, each with different heating capabilities. The first regeneration section handles high-temperature regeneration while the second handles lower-temperature regeneration, allowing energy optimization through selective use of heating sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second regeneration sections are combined within a single regeneration column structure, sharing common components such as the circulating mechanism and heat exchanger. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate regeneration columns for each temperature stage.
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 approach reduces the energy required for regenerating the absorbing liquid, lowers operating costs, and improves the overall energy efficiency of the carbon dioxide recovery process while maintaining high recovery ratios, making it economically favorable and environmentally sustainable.
Implementation Method 1
a basic compound that typically belongs to alkanolamines is mainly used as an absorbent, and the absorbing liquid is circulated in the treatment process thereof, generally, with use of an aqueous solution containing the absorbent as the absorbing liquid, by alternately repeating an absorption step of causing the absorbing liquid to absorb carbon dioxide contained in the gas
Implementation Method 2
Heating for the release of carbon dioxide is needed in the regeneration step
Implementation Method 3
a regenerating step of regenerating the absorbing liquid by causing the absorbing liquid to release the absorbed carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
a high-temperature absorbing liquid from which carbon dioxide has been discharged (lean solution) in the regenerating step is subjected to heat exchange with an absorbing liquid in which carbon dioxide has been absorbed (rich solution) in the absorbing step. In this way, thermal energy is possibly recovered to reuse in the regenerating step.
Implementation Method 5
residual heat of steam-condensed water generated from a regenerating heater for pulling out the absorbing liquid in the regenerating step and then subjecting the absorbing liquid to heat exchange with high-temperature steam
Implementation Method 6
subjecting the absorbing liquid to heat exchange with high-temperature steam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The carbon dioxide recovery method and apparatus are capable of reducing energy for regenerating the absorbing liquid and operating cost. An absorption column has first and second absorbing sections that a gas is supplied through the first absorbing section to the second absorbing section and the absorbing liquid absorbs carbon dioxide. A regeneration column regenerating the absorbing liquid has first and second regenerating sections. The first regenerating section has an external heating implement and the second regenerating section is heated by the gas discharged from the first regeneration section. Circulation mechanism has a circulation system circulating the absorbing liquid between the second absorbing section and the first regenerating section, and a branch path branched from the circulation system. A part of the absorbing liquid circulating the circulation system flows from the second absorbing section through the first absorbing section and the second regenerating section successively to the first regenerating section.