Continuous Desublimation Apparatus for Carbon Dioxide Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, such as in industrial processes, are costly, complex, and energy-intensive, especially when trying to remove carbon dioxide as a solid through desublimation, often requiring additional steps and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A continuous desublimation apparatus that uses a movable surface to facilitate the desublimation of carbon dioxide onto a granular material, allowing for efficient separation without the need for separate phases or high pressures, and can operate at modest pressures, reducing energy consumption and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separation processes (distillation, absorption) are used to separate carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, then separation can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by cooling the gas mixture to below the desublimation temperature of carbon dioxide, causing it to transition directly from gas to solid phase and deposit on cooled surfaces. This phase change mechanism enables separation without complex distillation columns or absorption chemicals, directly resolving the contradiction between separation effectiveness and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter to extremely low levels (below -78.5°C at atmospheric pressure) to induce desublimation of carbon dioxide. By controlling temperature as the key parameter, the process achieves effective separation while avoiding the mechanical and chemical complexity of conventional methods
2Reliability
If cryogenic processes are used to desublime carbon dioxide from flue gas, then carbon dioxide removal can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and additional complexity is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the desublimation function by using the same cooled surfaces for both purposes. The heat exchanger cools the gas mixture, and the cooled plates simultaneously serve as collection surfaces for carbon dioxide deposition, eliminating the need for separate cooling and separation systems, thus reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the cold plates to both cool the incoming gas and collect the desublimed carbon dioxide in one integrated step. The cold surfaces automatically capture carbon dioxide as it deposits during the cooling process, making the system self-servicing and reducing external energy inputs required for separate collection operations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water is removed from flue gas before cooling to prevent ice formation, then ice deposition can be avoided, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water vapor (potential ice formation) into a beneficial feature by allowing water to condense and freeze on the cold plates alongside carbon dioxide. The accumulated ice and carbon dioxide mixture is then removed together as a single unit, eliminating the need for separate water removal equipment and simplifying the overall process
4Reliability
If carbon dioxide is allowed to deposit on chamber surfaces during desublimation, then separation occurs, but mechanical recovery means are required adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separation function with the recovery function by using the same cold plates for both carbon dioxide deposition and subsequent collection. The plates are designed to be removable or movable, allowing the deposited carbon dioxide to be easily scraped or brushed off directly at the collection point, integrating separation and recovery into one system
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plates serve as an intermediary surface that facilitates both deposition and collection of carbon dioxide. By using these removable plates as a mediator between the gas phase and the collection container, the system avoids complex mechanical recovery mechanisms while maintaining effective separation
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
The apparatus effectively removes carbon dioxide with low residual concentrations, achieving over 98% removal efficiency with minimal energy consumption and operational costs, making it suitable for integration into existing industrial processes.
Implementation Method 1
cooling means that cools the desublimation means to a temperature below the desublimation temperature of the target compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for desubliming a target compound from a first gas mixture comprising the target compound, comprising: a desublimation means comprising a surface onto which desublimation of the target compound can occur, an inlet through which the first gas mixture can enter the apparatus such that it comes into contact with the surface of the desublimation means, a target compound recovery region, an outlet through which the target compound can leave the target compound recovery region and a cooling means that cools the desublimation means wherein the desublimation means comprises a continuous path that passes through the cooling means and the target compound recovery region and wherein the desublimation means is movable such that the surface continuously circulates between the cooling means and the target compound recovery region, along the path.