Method and apparatus for producing a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing a gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen result in an oxogas at temperatures close to the general cooling water circuit temperature, leading to inefficient compression and increased capital and electricity costs, as well as instability in the intake flow rate of the compressor.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the compression and cooling of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases, where at least one gas is cooled or reheated to an intermediate temperature within the cryogenic distillation unit, allowing for precise regulation of the oxogas temperature below the typical cooling water circuit temperature, often around 20°C, thereby optimizing compressor efficiency and reducing capital costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If oxogas is produced at cooling water circuit temperature (approximately 33°C), then the production process is simple, but compressor intake flow rate increases and compression stages increase leading to higher capital costs and electricity consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The oxogas is cooled below cooling water circuit temperature (e.g., to 20°C or lower) before entering the compressor, in advance of the compression process. This preliminary cooling action reduces the intake flow rate and number of compression stages required, thereby improving compressor efficiency while maintaining production simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the oxogas is changed from the conventional cooling water circuit temperature (33°C) to a lower temperature (e.g., 20°C or below). This parameter change directly reduces the volume flow rate at compressor intake and decreases the compression work required, resolving the contradiction between production simplicity and compressor efficiency
2Productivity
If oxogas temperature is reduced below cooling water circuit temperature, then compressor efficiency improves and capital costs decrease, but additional cooling infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic distillation unit that already exists for producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is made to serve an additional function: cooling the oxogas below cooling water circuit temperature. The cold streams from the distillation unit are used to cool the oxogas, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the need for separate cooling infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic distillation unit is designed to perform multiple functions: separating hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and simultaneously cooling the oxogas to below cooling water circuit temperature. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated cooling equipment and reduces overall device complexity
3Use of energy by stationary object
If oxogas is produced at higher temperature (close to cooling water circuit temperature), then less cooling is required, but the intake flow rate of compressor increases leading to higher electricity consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The cold streams from the cryogenic distillation unit, which would otherwise be wasted or require additional heating, are utilized to cool the oxogas. This converts a potentially harmful cold stream into a beneficial cooling resource, reducing both cooling energy requirements and compressor electricity consumption simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes the phase transitions and temperature differentials inherent in the cryogenic distillation process to cool the oxogas. By leveraging the cold temperatures already present in the distillation unit, the system reduces the energy required for both cooling and compression without requiring additional energy input
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 allows for the production of oxogas at a significantly colder temperature, enhancing compressor efficiency by reducing the intake flow rate and number of compression stages, thereby lowering capital costs and electricity consumption while maintaining stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor for compressing a first gas comprising at least 50% of carbon monoxide in order to form a first compressed gas
Implementation Method 2
cooled in a heat exchanger with cooling water coming from the main cooling water circuit of the separation process
Implementation Method 3
cooled in a heat exchanger with cooling water coming from the main cooling water circuit
Implementation Method 4
a unit for separation by cryogenic distillation in which a feed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is cooled in a first heat exchanger and is separated in at least one distillation column
Implementation Method 5
separated in at least one distillation column, wherein a part of the first compressed gas is sent to the separation unit to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for producing a gaseous mixture of CO and H2, a first gas comprising at least 50% CO is compressed in a first compressor to form a first compressed gas cooled to a first temperature and mixes with a second gas comprising at least 50% hydrogen in order to form the gaseous mixture, at least one of the first and second gases originating from a cryogenic distillation separation unit in which a feed gas containing H2 and CO cools in a first heat exchanger and is separated in at least one distillation column and at least one part of the second gas heats in the separation unit to a third temperature lower than the first temperature and is then sent to mix with the first gas.