Compressor Aftercooler Impurity Removal for Oxyfuel CO2 Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exhaust gas treatment systems for oxyfuel combustors are large, complex, and costly due to the need for multiple units like wet desulfurizers and denitrators to remove impurities such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and mercury, which complicates the removal process and increases equipment size and installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A compressor-based impurity removal system that uses a series of compressors and aftercoolers to stepwise compress and cool exhaust gas, with an alkaline agent supplied upstream of the aftercooler to enhance impurity removal, and a circulation line to recycle the alkaline agent, allowing for effective removal of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides using the compressors and aftercoolers necessary for carbon dioxide liquefaction, potentially downsizing or eliminating desulfurizers and denitrators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wet desulfurizers and denitrators are used to remove impurities, then impurity removal effectiveness is improved, but equipment size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of wet desulfurization and denitrification into a single integrated device. The desulfurization tower and denitrification tower are merged into one unit, sharing common components such as the compressor, aftercooler, water separator, and control system. This integration maintains effective impurity removal while reducing equipment complexity and installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it removes sulfur oxides through wet desulfurization, removes nitrogen oxides through denitrification, compresses the exhaust gas, cools the gas, and separates condensed water. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated equipment for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple separate treatment devices are installed, then impurity removal completeness is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple treatment functions into a single integrated device, the patent reduces the number of separate equipment units that need to be manufactured, transported, and installed. This consolidation directly reduces installation costs while maintaining complete impurity removal through the combined desulfurization and denitrification processes.
3Productivity
If stepwise compression and cooling is implemented, then carbon dioxide liquefaction efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated during compression into a beneficial pre-cooling effect. The compression process raises the gas temperature, but the subsequent cooling process in the aftercooler efficiently removes this heat along with the latent heat of condensation, preparing the gas for liquefaction. The system recovers condensed water which can be used for cooling purposes, thereby converting energy that would be wasted into a useful resource.
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 system effectively removes impurities like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides using simple equipment, reducing the need for large and costly desulfurizers and denitrators, thereby lowering installation costs and enhancing the efficiency of impurity removal.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of compressors for compressing exhaust gas from the oxyfuel combustor stepwisely to a target pressure
Implementation Method 2
aftercoolers for cooling the exhaust gas from the respective compressors, water condensed by the cooling being discharged as drain
Implementation Method 3
water condensed by the cooling being discharged as drain
Implementation Method 4
an alkaline agent supply unit for supplying an alkaline agent to an upstream side of the aftercooler in a last one of the impurity separators
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are impurity separators which have compressors for supplying exhaust gas comprising carbon dioxide from oxyfuel combustor to target pressure stepwisely before supply to carbon dioxide liquefier and have aftercoolers for cooling exhaust gas compressed by the compressors stepwisely to target pressure, water condensed by cooling being discharged as drain; alkaline agent supply unit which supplies alkaline agent to upstream side of aftercooler in last impurity separator to discharge drain containing alkaline agent having removed impurities in exhaust gas from aftercooler in last impurity separator; and circulation line for supplying of drain from aftercooler in last impurity separator to upstream side of aftercooler in first impurity separator.