Deoxygenation Unit for CO2 Capture Solvent Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Post-combustion CO2 capture processes using solvent absorption face challenges due to solvent breakdown from oxygen, leading to increased operating costs and environmental concerns, particularly in industries like cement and metallurgy, where high oxygen levels in flue gases accelerate solvent degradation and require significant energy for steam production.
Innovation Solution
A process that deoxygenates flue gases by burning fuel with oxygen-rich flue gases as an oxidizer, reducing oxygen levels and producing steam for solvent regeneration, thereby extending solvent lifespan and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solvent absorption is used for CO2 capture from flue gases, then CO2 can be effectively captured, but the solvent breaks down due to oxygen present in the flue gases, increasing operating costs and requiring frequent solvent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing oxygen from flue gases before the CO2 absorption process. The deoxygenation unit is positioned upstream of the absorption column, preventing oxygen from reaching the solvent and causing degradation. This preemptive removal of the harmful substance (oxygen) protects the solvent's stability while maintaining CO2 capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of oxygen into a beneficial one by using it as an oxidizer in a combustion process that generates steam. The deoxygenation unit burns oxygen with fuel to produce high-temperature flue gases, which are then used to generate steam for driving the absorption and regeneration processes, thereby utilizing the previously harmful oxygen as an energy source.
2Productivity
If oxygen-rich flue gases are treated with solvent absorption, then CO2 capture can proceed, but significant energy is required for steam production in solvent regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful oxygen into a beneficial energy source by using it as fuel in the deoxygenation unit. The combustion of oxygen with fuel generates high-temperature gases that produce steam, which is then used to drive the solvent regeneration process. This eliminates the need for external energy input for steam generation, making the process energetically self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the deoxygenation function with the steam generation function in a single integrated unit. The deoxygenation unit simultaneously removes oxygen from the flue gases and produces the steam required for solvent regeneration, combining two previously separate functions into one process step, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
3Device complexity
If conventional solvent absorption is used without deoxygenation, then the process is simpler, but solvent breakdown products accumulate and cause environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing oxygen before the absorption process, which prevents the formation of harmful breakdown products. By deoxygenating the flue gases upstream, the system prevents amine degradation and ammonia formation, eliminating the pollution problem before it occurs rather than treating it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful oxygen that causes solvent degradation into a useful energy source. By burning oxygen to generate steam, the system eliminates the root cause of ammonia emissions while simultaneously producing useful energy, thereby converting a harmful factor into a beneficial 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 approach reduces solvent breakdown, lowers operating costs, and enhances the efficiency of CO2 capture by minimizing the need for frequent solvent replacement and reducing energy requirements for steam production, while also addressing environmental concerns by minimizing ammonia emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent solution allows the acidic compounds present in the gaseous effluent (H2S, mercaptans, CO2, COS, SO2, CS2) to be absorbed
Implementation Method 2
burning fuel with oxygen-rich flue gases as an oxidizer
Implementation Method 3
cooling the hot gaseous effluent in an exchanger
Implementation Method 4
regenerating the absorbent solution rich in acidic compounds so as to obtain an absorbent solution low in acidic compounds and an effluent rich in acidic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns the field of capturing the CO2 from a gaseous effluent. The incoming gaseous effluent is burned with a fuel, so as to obtain a hot gaseous effluent rich in acidic compounds, and the hot gaseous effluent rich in acidic compounds is cooled to give a cold effluent rich in acidic compounds, which is subsequently used in the step of contacting with an absorbent solution rich in acidic compounds.