Integrated CO2 Separation Tower with Single Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide separation and recovery systems are bulky and costly due to the need for multiple discharge devices and treatment containers, which increases equipment, operation, and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide separation system that integrates regeneration, drying, and adsorption treatment chambers within a single tower-shaped treatment container, using a hindrance to maintain bedded flow of the adsorbent while allowing gas flow in a countercurrent direction, reducing the need for multiple discharge devices and containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple discharge devices are provided at the lower portions of the adsorption reactor, desorption reactor, and adsorbent dryer arranged vertically, then the adsorbent can be discharged from each container, but the height of the system increases and equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment chambers (adsorption, desorption, drying) into a single integrated reactor structure with one common discharge device at the bottom. The adsorbent flows continuously through all chambers and is discharged once at the lowest point, eliminating the need for separate discharge devices for each chamber and reducing overall system height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement requiring multiple discharge points to a single vertical column with horizontal flow sections. The adsorbent moves vertically through the chambers but is contained within a single reactor footprint, allowing one discharge device to serve all chambers by positioning at the bottommost point of the continuous flow path.
2Ease of operation
If multiple discharge devices are provided for each treatment container, then adsorbent can be controlled in each chamber, but the number of discharge devices increases leading to higher equipment, operation, and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the discharge function into a single device located at the bottom of the integrated reactor. This single discharge device controls the flow of adsorbent through all treatment chambers (adsorption, desorption, and drying) by maintaining a continuous bedded flow, eliminating the need for multiple separate discharge devices and their associated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single discharge device at the bottom of the integrated reactor serves multiple functions: it controls adsorbent discharge from all chambers, maintains the bedded flow regime throughout the system, and regulates the continuous circulation of adsorbent through the entire treatment process. This universal discharge mechanism replaces multiple specialized discharge devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple treatment containers are used for regeneration, drying, and adsorption, then each treatment can be optimized independently, but the system size and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate treatment containers (regeneration reactor, drying reactor, and adsorption reactor) into a single integrated reactor with distinct internal chambers. Each chamber maintains its specific treatment function through localized conditions (temperature, gas flow, pressure) while sharing a common structure and discharge system, thereby reducing overall system size while preserving treatment optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested chamber structure where the adsorption chamber, desorption chamber, and drying chamber are arranged concentrically or in series within a single reactor vessel. The chambers are nested within the same structural envelope, allowing independent treatment optimization while minimizing the external volume and number of separate containers required.
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 reduces equipment and operation costs, minimizes system size by decreasing the number of treatment containers and discharge devices, and maintains efficient adsorbent flow and gas separation.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption treatment chamber in which the target gas is caused to contact the adsorbent to adsorb the carbon dioxide contained in the target gas to the adsorbent
Implementation Method 2
a regeneration treatment chamber in which adsorption/desorption steam is caused to contact the adsorbent having adsorbed the carbon dioxide to desorb the carbon dioxide from the adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
a drying treatment chamber in which a drying gas is caused to contact the adsorbent having contacted the adsorption/desorption steam to dry the adsorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment tower of a carbon dioxide separation system includes a treatment container of a tower shape, having inner space which is virtually dividable into a regeneration treatment chamber, drying treatment chamber, and adsorption treatment chamber arranged in this order from the top to the bottom, by two hindrances which are upper and lower hindrances and hinder the downward movement of the adsorbent while maintaining the bedded (layered) flow of the adsorbent, a first passage member formed with ejection holes which eject a gas used in a treatment in each of the treatment chambers to a lower portion of each of the treatment chambers, and a second passage member formed with a gas discharge hole which discharges the gas having contacted the adsorbent from an upper portion of each of the treatment chambers. In the two treatment chambers on the lower side, gas discharge holes are formed below the hindrances.