Compression condensate conditioning in the flue gas condenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for conditioning compression condensate in flue gas condensers pose safety risks due to CO2 accumulation and uncontrolled releases in sewer and water treatment systems, particularly in commercial-scale operations, and fail to effectively manage impurities and heavy metals.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for conditioning condensate that involves compressing CO2-rich flue gas, cooling it below the water dew point, recirculating the condensate to the inlet of the gas cooling device, and degassing CO2-rich vapor within the device, allowing for separate treatment of impurities and reducing piping needs by maintaining a single phase in the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If condensate is returned directly to the waste water treatment system, then the system is simple and adequate for small plants, but it poses safety risks of asphyxiation due to CO2 accumulation in the sewer system for commercial size units
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate treatment system is segmented into multiple functional sections: a first section for CO2 degassing where condensate is contacted with flue gas to release CO2 vapor, and a second section for impurity treatment where the degassed condensate is treated for other contaminants. This segmentation allows the system to address safety concerns by removing CO2 before discharge while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Flue gas acts as an intermediary medium to facilitate CO2 removal from the condensate. The condensate is contacted with CO2-rich flue gas in the first section, which causes CO2 to transfer from the liquid phase to the vapor phase. This intermediary approach enables safe CO2 removal without requiring complex separation equipment or creating asphyxiation hazards in the sewer system.
2Reliability
If condensate is degassed by releasing CO2 rich vapor, then CO2 accumulation and asphyxiation risks are avoided, but additional equipment and piping are required
Solution Approach 1:
The flue gas condenser is designed to combine multiple functions: it serves as both the condensation device for flue gas and the degassing reactor for condensate treatment. The condensate is introduced into the lower end of the condenser where it contacts the CO2-rich flue gas environment, enabling CO2 removal without requiring a separate degassing vessel. This merging of functions eliminates additional piping and equipment while ensuring operator safety through effective CO2 removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The flue gas condenser performs multiple functions simultaneously: condensing water from flue gas, cooling the flue gas, and serving as the reaction zone for CO2 degassing from condensate. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of equipment pieces required in the system while maintaining the safety benefit of CO2 removal from the condensate stream.
3Loss of substance
If condensate is recirculated to the inlet of the gas cooling device, then CO2 recovery is enhanced by up to 0.3%, but the system requires careful control to maintain single phase flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by recirculating a portion of the treated condensate back to the inlet of the flue gas condenser. This recirculated condensate, which has been depleted of CO2, contacts the incoming CO2-rich flue gas and absorbs additional CO2, enhancing overall recovery. The feedback loop allows the system to maximize CO2 capture efficiency while the controlled recirculation rate maintains stable single-phase flow conditions in the piping.
4Reliability
If separate treatment of impurities is implemented, then impurities and heavy metals are effectively managed, but investment costs and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is segmented into two distinct sections: a first section dedicated to CO2 degassing using flue gas contact, and a second section for impurity and heavy metal treatment. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system compactness. The separated design enables effective impurity treatment without requiring a completely independent treatment plant, thus controlling investment and space costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the flue gas itself as a reagent for CO2 removal from condensate, eliminating the need for external chemicals or energy-intensive separation processes. The CO2-rich flue gas provides the driving force for CO2 transfer from the condensate phase, making the system self-sufficient and reducing operational costs while maintaining effective treatment of condensate impurities.
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 prevents CO2 accumulation, enhances CO2 recovery by up to 0.3%, reduces piping requirements, and allows for safer operation by removing CO2-rich vapor, while enabling efficient treatment of impurities and heavy metals, thus lowering investment costs and space needs.
Implementation Method 1
cooling of the gas below the water dew point
Implementation Method 2
degassing of the condensate whereby the carbon dioxide rich vapor is released into the vapor phase
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of conditioning a condensate generated in the compression section of a gas purification unit. The invention also relates to system for this method.