Cooling tower, carbon dioxide capture device, and method for protecting cooling tower filler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resin-made gas-liquid contact plates in cooling towers used for carbon dioxide capture are prone to deformation or damage due to high-temperature exhaust gases, as they have lower heat resistance and a higher linear expansion coefficient compared to metal-made plates, and are susceptible to melting during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling tower design that includes a resin-made packing cooled by circulating condensed water through a heat exchanger and distributing it above the packing, supplemented by cooling water supplied from the upstream side to manage temperature, and optionally using a metal-made packing with higher heat resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If resin-made gas-liquid contact plate is used, then weight is reduced and structure size is minimized, but heat resistance is insufficient causing deformation or damage at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where a resin-made gas-liquid contact plate is combined with a heat-resistant coating layer. The coating layer (made of materials like ceramic, metal oxide, or heat-resistant polymer) provides the necessary thermal protection while the resin substrate maintains the lightweight advantage. This composite approach allows the packing to withstand temperatures up to 200°C or higher while keeping the overall structure lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the resin material through selective cross-linking reactions and additive incorporation. By adjusting the cross-linking density and selecting specific resin compositions (polyester, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride), the thermal stability and heat resistance of the packing are enhanced without completely sacrificing the weight advantage of resin materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If resin-made gas-liquid contact plate is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but durability under high-temperature conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure with a resin base and a heat-resistant coating layer. The resin portion maintains low manufacturing cost and ease of production, while the coating layer (applied through dip-coating, spray-coating, or CVD methods) provides the necessary thermal durability. This approach balances cost-effectiveness with reliability under high-temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heat-resistant coatings or performs cross-linking treatments on the resin packing before it is installed in the cooling tower. This preliminary protection ensures that the packing is pre-conditioned to withstand high temperatures from the start of operation, improving durability without requiring expensive high-temperature resistant base materials.
3Temperature
If cooling water is supplied to upstream side of packing, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cooling water distribution system to serve multiple functions: it cools the exhaust gas before it reaches the packing, prevents thermal deformation of the packing, and can be integrated with the existing condensation water collection system. By making the cooling water system multi-functional, the patent improves temperature control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cooling water distribution function with the existing water circulation system of the cooling tower. The cooling water is supplied through the same distribution infrastructure used for condensation water, and the systems are integrated to share pumps, pipes, and control mechanisms. This merging reduces the additional complexity that would arise from a completely separate cooling system.
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
Prevents high-temperature exhaust gases from exceeding the heat resistance temperature of resin-made packing, reducing the risk of deformation or damage and extending the lifespan of the packing.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to cool the condensed water flowing through the condensed water circulation flow passage
Implementation Method 2
a cooling water distribution section configured to supply cooling water for cooling the exhaust gas to an upstream side of the cooling tower packing in a flow direction of the exhaust gas
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling tower that cools exhaust gas includes: a resin-made cooling tower packing that cools the exhaust gas flowing from a lower part to an upper part inside the cooling tower in a vertical direction; a condensed water circulation section including a condensed water circulation flow passage through which condensed water stored in the lower part of the cooling tower is pumped up by a pump and circulated to the upper part of the cooling tower, and a heat exchanger that cools the condensed water flowing through the condensed water circulation flow passage; and a condensed water distribution section connected to the condensed water circulation flow passage at the upper part of the cooling tower and that supplies the condensed water from above the cooling tower packing to the cooling tower packing.