Cryogenic CO2-H2 Separation with PSA and Dual Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating and recovering carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) from gas mixtures are complex and require expensive installations, involving multiple adsorption modules and cryogenic steps, which are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two cryogenic partial condensation and separation stages, where the mixture is cooled and partially condensed in a cryogenic unit with phase separators, followed by pressure swing adsorption to separate hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-depleted gases, allowing for efficient recovery of CO2 as a liquid and H2 as a gas, reducing the need for extensive adsorption modules and lowering energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple adsorption modules with pressure variation are used to separate CO2 and H2, then CO2 recovery efficiency is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate cryogenic separation units into a single integrated cryogenic unit that performs both partial condensation steps. This merging reduces the number of separate equipment modules while maintaining high CO2 recovery efficiency, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single cryogenic unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it conducts the first partial condensation of the input mixture and the second partial condensation of the hydrogen-depleted residual gas. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate equipment while achieving the same separation effectiveness
2Productivity
If multiple adsorption modules with pressure variation are used to separate CO2 and H2, then CO2 recovery efficiency is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the two cryogenic separation operations into a single integrated unit, the patent reduces the total number of equipment modules required. This reduction directly lowers installation costs while maintaining the high CO2 recovery efficiency that would otherwise require multiple separate modules
3Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then CO2 can be recovered, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic unit utilizes the cold temperature streams from the separation process to cool and condense CO2 from both the input mixture and the hydrogen-depleted residual gas. The system essentially uses its own cold streams for cooling purposes, reducing the need for external energy input and achieving energy-efficient CO2 recovery
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 method achieves high CO2 recovery efficiency (>90%) while improving hydrogen production yield, reducing the size and energy consumption of the adsorption module, and avoiding CO2 rejection into the air, thus optimizing CO2 recovery and energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
the mixture is cooled and partially condensed, a first liquid is separated from the mixture in a first phase separator
Implementation Method 2
The invention provides for this purpose a method for treating a mixture in order to separate carbon dioxide and hydrogen from that mixture, in which: i) the mixture is cooled and partially condensed
Implementation Method 3
a gas from the first phase separator is treated in a pressure-varying hydrogen adsorption module to produce a hydrogen-rich gas and a hydrogen-depleted residual gas
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating a mixture (1) in order to separate carbon dioxide and hydrogen from said mixture, in which: i) the mixture (1) is cooled and partially condensed and a first liquid (4) is separated from the rest of the mixture in a first phase separator (E1); ii) a gas (3) from or derived from a gas from the first phase separator (E1) is treated in a hydrogen pressure swing adsorption module (B) in order to produce a hydrogen-rich gas (5) and a hydrogen-depleted residual gas (2); and iii) said hydrogen-depleted residual gas (2) or a gas (6) derived from said depleted gas (2) is cooled and partially condensed and a second liquid (7) is separated from the remaining gas (8) in a second phase separator (E2), separate from the first phase separator (E1), the first and/or second liquid (4, 7) or a liquid derived from the first and/or second liquid from the first phase separator (E1) and/or from the second phase separator (E2) being rich in carbon dioxide. The invention also relates to a facility for implementing such a method.