Cold Off-Site CO2 Heat Exchange for Ammonia Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ammonia production processes are energy-intensive due to the need for cooling and long-term storage of carbon dioxide by-products, which requires significant energy input for heating before underground injection.
Innovation Solution
Utilize off-site produced cold carbon dioxide to cool ammonia and heat it for long-term storage, reducing energy demand by using it as a cooling medium in the ammonia production process and for heating before injection into underground storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If cold off-site produced CO2 is used for cooling ammonia, then energy consumption for ammonia production is reduced, but the complexity of the system increases due to need for importing and integrating external CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The off-site produced CO2 serves multiple functions: it acts as a cooling medium for ammonia production and simultaneously serves as the injection fluid for underground storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling systems and heating systems, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while managing system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The external CO2 source acts as an intermediary substance that transfers thermal energy from the ammonia production process to the underground storage system. By introducing this intermediary, the system achieves heat recovery and reduces direct energy consumption for cooling and heating operations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If CO2 is used for cooling ammonia and then heated for injection, then long-term storage is achieved, but energy input for heating before injection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the CO2 using off-site produced cold CO2 before the CO2 is injected into underground storage. This preliminary action reduces the subsequent heating energy requirement by pre-cooling the CO2, thereby reducing the net energy input needed for the storage process while ensuring long-term storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold off-site produced CO2, which would otherwise be wasted or require heating, is converted into a useful cooling medium for ammonia production. This converts a potentially harmful waste product into a beneficial resource that reduces energy consumption while enabling long-term CO2 storage.
3Productivity
If off-site CO2 is imported for cooling, then cooling efficiency improves, but transportation and integration requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The imported off-site CO2 serves dual purposes: it provides efficient cooling for ammonia production and simultaneously serves as the medium for underground storage injection. This multi-functionality justifies the transportation and integration complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single external CO2 source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the temperature parameter of the off-site produced CO2 (lower than ambient temperature) to achieve efficient cooling of ammonia. By changing the temperature parameter of the cooling medium, the system achieves high cooling efficiency that justifies the transportation and integration requirements.
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
Reduces energy consumption in ammonia production and facilitates efficient long-term carbon dioxide storage by leveraging cold off-site carbon dioxide for cooling and heating, thereby optimizing energy usage and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the means for cooling the NH3 comprises a heat exchanger having an inlet for the off-site produced carbon dioxide as a cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
The temperature of the cold off-site produced CO2 will thereby increase. In a preferred embodiment the increased temperature of the heated off-site produced CO2 is suitable for injection thereof into an underground storage.
Implementation Method 3
importing to the plant from a road vehicle, railway car, or vessel off-site produced CO2 having a temperature T lower than the second lower temperature T2 carried by the road vehicle, railway car, or vessel
Implementation Method 4
injecting the separated CO2 obtained in step C into an underground storage
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for producing ammonia and for long-term depositing of carbon dioxide are disclosed, wherein off-site produced cold carbon dioxide received at the plant from a road vehicle, railway car, or vessel is used for cooling locally produced ammonia from a local ammonia production plant, such as a blue ammonia production plant.