CO2 Adsorbent Regeneration Using Multi-Reservoir Counterflow Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods and plants for capturing carbon dioxide are inefficient and require high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sequential feeding of adsorbent batches into multiple reservoirs in a regeneration device, where each reservoir has a different concentration of carbon dioxide, using a counterflow principle with flushing fluids to regenerate the adsorbent, allowing for simultaneous regeneration and efficient carbon dioxide capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single reservoir is used for regenerating adsorbent, then the device structure is simple, but the carbon dioxide capture efficiency is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration device is divided into multiple reservoirs (at least two) that operate in sequence. Each reservoir receives adsorbent batches with different carbon dioxide concentrations and performs regeneration at different stages, allowing continuous operation and improved capture efficiency while distributing the regeneration load across multiple units
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sequential feeding of adsorbent batches into different reservoirs. Each reservoir undergoes cyclic regeneration processes with flushing fluids, where the timing and sequence of operations are periodically repeated to maintain continuous high-efficiency carbon dioxide capture across the multi-reservoir system
2Use of energy by stationary object
If adsorbent batches with similar carbon dioxide concentrations are processed together, then the regeneration process is simplified, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each reservoir is assigned a specific function based on the carbon dioxide concentration of adsorbent batches it processes. The first reservoir handles batches with lower carbon dioxide concentrations while the second reservoir handles batches with higher concentrations, allowing optimized energy usage in each local unit rather than treating all batches uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration parameter of flushing fluids as they progress through different reservoirs. Flushing fluids are sequentially reused across reservoirs, with their carbon dioxide concentration increasing as they pass through each stage, thereby optimizing the energy required for regeneration at each concentration level
3Productivity
If continuous regeneration is implemented, then carbon dioxide capture efficiency improves, but the energy demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adsorbent batches are pre-sorted by carbon dioxide concentration before being fed into different reservoirs. This preliminary classification allows the system to prepare appropriate flushing fluids in advance for each concentration level, enabling continuous regeneration operations without requiring excessive energy for last-minute adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by reusing flushing fluids across multiple reservoirs in sequence. The flushing fluid from one reservoir is automatically transferred to the next reservoir, where it continues to serve as a regenerating medium, thereby reducing the total volume of fresh flushing fluid required and lowering overall energy demand for continuous operation
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 carbon dioxide capture efficiency with reduced energy demand by utilizing a counterflow principle in a regeneration device with multiple reservoirs, enabling continuous operation and efficient adsorbent recycling.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorbent made of solid adsorbent particles for binding the carbon dioxide to the adsorbent
Implementation Method 2
adding an amount of carbon dioxide to the initial flushing fluid in the reservoir during regeneration
Implementation Method 3
flushing each other reservoir containing the adsorbent loaded with more than the least concentration of carbon dioxide with flushing fluid which is a pre-used flushing fluid comprising the initial flushing fluid and the added carbon dioxide
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for capturing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide laden gas stream (S), comprising at least: a1) introducing the gas stream (S) into an adsorption device (3) containing an adsorbent (A); a2) holding the adsorbent (A) in the adsorption device (3), thereby adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas stream (S) on the adsorbent (A); b) feeding the adsorbent (A) into a regeneration device (2); c) separating the carbon dioxide from the adsorbent (A) in the regeneration device (2); d) removing the separated carbon dioxide; e) recirculating the regenerated adsorbent (A) into the adsorption device (3); wherein b1) batches of the adsorbent (A) loaded with carbon dioxide are sequentially fed into at least two reservoirs (R) of the regeneration device (2); b2) for each reservoir (R), regeneration of the adsorbent (A) starts in the reservoir (R) that was last filled with adsorbent (A) before feeding a batch of adsorbent (A) into the next reservoir (R) of the sequence; c1) the reservoir (R) currently containing adsorbent (A) loaded with the least concentration of carbon dioxide is flushed with initial flushing fluid (FI) essentially free of carbon dioxide; c2) each other reservoir (R) is flushed with pre-used flushing fluid (FP) comprising carbon dioxide, which pre-used flushing fluid (FP) is passed on from the reservoir (R) containing the adsorbent (A) loaded with the next lower concentration of carbon dioxide.