CO2 Capture Regenerator Bypass Cooling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale carbon dioxide capturing systems require a long time to reach a safe state during normal stopping or emergency situations due to their large size and significant absorption liquid and instrumentation, necessitating a method to quickly cool the high-temperature portions.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide capturing system with a bypass line and controller that regulates absorption liquid valves based on temperature measurements to introduce low-temperature absorption liquid directly into the regenerator, bypassing the heat exchanger, allowing for rapid cooling of the high-temperature regenerator portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the carbon dioxide capturing system uses large-scale absorption liquid and instrumentation, then the system capacity and processing ability are improved, but the time required to bring the system into a safe state during stopping or emergency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption liquid volumeVSAvoidtime to reach safe state
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the absorption liquid flow path into two segments: the normal path through the heat exchanger and the emergency bypass path. This segmentation allows the system to maintain full absorption liquid volume for normal operation while enabling rapid cooling by bypassing the heat exchanger during emergencies, thus resolving the contradiction between large absorption liquid volume and quick response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass line acts as an intermediary pathway that enables rapid cooling by allowing absorption liquid to bypass the heat exchanger during emergencies. This intermediary path provides a direct route for cooling the regenerator quickly, overcoming the time delay that would otherwise result from using the full absorption liquid volume through normal cooling paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the system cools the high-temperature regenerator quickly using bypass lines, then the time to reach safe state is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional valves and control instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to reach safe stateVSAvoidnumber of valves and control instruments
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing absorption liquid circulation infrastructure to provide self-cooling capability during emergencies. By utilizing the already-present absorption liquid pumps and flow control mechanisms, the system achieves rapid cooling without requiring entirely separate cooling systems, thereby limiting the increase in complexity while still achieving quick response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between normal operation mode (using the heat exchanger) and emergency mode (using the bypass line) based on operational conditions. The absorption liquid flow distribution is dynamically adjusted through valve control, allowing the system to adapt its cooling path according to the situation, achieving quick cooling when needed while maintaining normal operation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the system maintains normal operation configuration, then the operational efficiency is preserved, but the ability to quickly respond to stopping or emergency situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidresponse capability during emergency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass line and associated valves serve multiple functions: they enable rapid cooling during emergencies, provide an alternative flow path during maintenance of the heat exchanger, and offer flexibility in controlling absorption liquid distribution. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain operational efficiency while enhancing emergency response capability, as the same infrastructure supports both normal and emergency operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables the system to be quickly brought into a safe state by efficiently cooling the high-temperature regenerator, reducing the time required to stop or transition to standby operations, thereby enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an absorber that brings a process exhaust gas and an absorption liquid into contact with each other, and to discharge the absorption liquid that has absorbed the carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a regenerator that heats the absorption liquid discharged from the absorber, and to cause carbon dioxide to be released from the absorption liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the absorption liquid discharged from the absorber and the absorption liquid discharged from the regenerator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

introduce low-temperature absorption liquid directly into the regenerator, bypassing the heat exchanger, allowing for rapid cooling of the high-temperature regenerator portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3037152B1Carbon dioxide capturing system and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 TOSHIBA PLANT SYSTEMS & SERVICES
  • EP3037152B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3037152B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3037152B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide capturing system includes an absorber to discharge an absorption liquid having absorbed carbon dioxide, a regenerator to discharge the absorption liquid having released the carbon dioxide, a first line to introduce the absorption liquid discharged from the absorber to the regenerator, a second line to introduce the absorption liquid discharged from the regenerator to the absorber, and a heat exchanger to exchange heat between absorption liquids flowing in the first and second lines. The system further includes a bypass line to branch from the first line between the absorber and the heat exchanger and introduce the absorption liquid to the regenerator without passing through the heat exchanger, a valve on the bypass line, an instrument to measure a value indicating a state of the regenerator, and a controller to control a degree of opening of the valve based on the measured value.