Cryogenic CO and CO2 Separation with CO2-Depleted Feed Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for producing CO and CO2 in hydrogen production plants, especially when CO2 capture is integrated, are complex and inefficient, leading to increased investment costs due to the need for multiple steps and large CO cryogenic separation plants.
Innovation Solution
A simplified process that produces CO from CO2 depleted gas after cryogenic purification, using compression, cryogenic separation, and membrane recycling to optimize CO and CO2 production, reducing the size of the CO cryogenic separation plant and integrating CO and CO2 production effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO is produced from synthesis gas before high temperature shift with traditional methods, then CO production is achieved, but the process complexity increases and investment costs rise due to needing large CO cryogenic separation plants
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of producing CO before the high temperature shift as in traditional methods, this invention inverts the sequence by producing CO after the CO2 depletion step. The CO is generated from the CO2 depleted gas stream through a second high temperature shift and subsequent cryogenic separation, thereby reducing process complexity and investment costs while maintaining CO production efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 capture is integrated into hydrogen production plants, then environmental compliance is improved, but the process complexity and investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
This invention merges the CO2 capture process with CO production into a single integrated flow. The CO2 depleted gas stream from the cryogenic purification unit is directly fed to a second high temperature shift to produce CO, eliminating the need for separate CO production trains and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining effective CO2 capture
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 depleted gas stream serves multiple functions: it is first used as feed for CO production through the second high temperature shift, and the resulting CO-rich stream is then separated cryogenically. This multi-functional use of the CO2 depleted stream optimizes resource utilization and reduces the number of required process units
3Quantity of substance
If large CO cryogenic separation plants are used for CO production, then CO production capacity is sufficient, but investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary CO2 depletion through the cryogenic purification unit before the CO production step. By removing CO2 first, the subsequent high temperature shift and cryogenic separation operate on a more favorable gas composition, requiring smaller equipment sizes and reducing investment costs while maintaining adequate CO production capacity
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 process results in significant cost savings, typically a 5-10% reduction in total investment for CO2 capture and CO production, by increasing CO content at the inlet and optimizing the integration of CO and CO2 production.
Implementation Method 1
separating at least part of the carbon dioxide from the compressed feed gas by partial condensation and/or distillation
Implementation Method 2
separating at least part of the carbon dioxide from the compressed feed gas by partial condensation and/or distillation
Implementation Method 3
Cryogenic separation of the feed gas to produce carbon monoxide
Data Source
AI summary
A process to produce at least carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from a feed gas containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide; comprises separating at least part of the carbon dioxide from the compressed feed gas by partial condensation and/or distillation producing a carbon dioxide product and a carbon dioxide depleted stream, treating the carbon dioxide depleted stream in a treatment unit to produce a feed stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, less rich in carbon dioxide than the carbon dioxide depleted stream and feeding at least part of the feed stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a separation unit operating at cryogenic temperatures to produce a carbon monoxide product.