Double-Bed Hydrate Reactor for Continuous CO₂ Capture and Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture technologies by hydrate processes face challenges such as slow hydration rates, blockage issues due to lack of fluidity, and inability for continuous gas separation, limiting their industrial application.
Innovation Solution
A double-bed hydrate process device comprising two fixed-bed reactors with heat exchange coils, a compression-refrigeration system, and a solution circulation system, where refrigerant and heat medium fluids alternately flow through the reactors to facilitate continuous hydrate formation and decomposition, enabling dynamic CO2 separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single fixed-bed hydrate reactor is used, then the structure is simple, but continuous gas separation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The single reactor system is segmented into two fixed-bed hydrate reactors (first and second reactors) that operate in parallel but alternating modes. One reactor performs hydrate formation while the other performs decomposition, enabling continuous gas separation without requiring a single complex reactor to handle all operations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The two reactors operate in periodic alternating cycles: when the first reactor is forming hydrates, the second reactor is decomposing hydrates, and vice versa. This periodic switching of operational modes between the two reactors maintains continuous gas separation capability while keeping each individual reactor structure relatively simple.
2Productivity
If traditional stirring or bubbling reactors are used, then gas-liquid contact is enhanced, but hydrate blockage and slow reaction rates occur
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction process is segmented into two separate functional reactors: one dedicated to hydrate formation and another dedicated to hydrate decomposition. This segmentation prevents hydrate blockage in a single reactor by ensuring that decomposition (which clears hydrates) occurs in a separate unit, while formation occurs under controlled conditions in the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the operational state of each reactor between formation and decomposition modes. This dynamic operation prevents static hydrate accumulation and blockage by ensuring that at least one reactor is continuously performing decomposition to clear any formed hydrates, maintaining reliable operation.
3Productivity
If hydrate decomposition is performed separately, then complete CO2 separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrate formation and decomposition processes, which were traditionally performed separately, are merged into an integrated dual-reactor system where both operations occur simultaneously in different units. The heat generated during decomposition in one reactor can be utilized for formation in the other, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining complete CO2 separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The exothermic heat generated during hydrate decomposition (which was previously a waste product requiring cooling) is converted into a useful resource by utilizing it for the endothermic hydrate formation process in the other reactor. This converts the harmful thermal energy that needed to be removed into a beneficial heat source, reducing external energy consumption.
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 improves material recycling rates and separation efficiency while optimizing energy utilization by coupling hydrate formation and decomposition heat, reducing energy loss and external energy input.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator is respectively connected with the heat exchange coil of the first fixed-bed hydrate reactor and the heat exchange coil of the second fixed-bed hydrate reactor to form a refrigerant fluid circulation loop, so as to provide cool energy for reactor hydrate formation
Implementation Method 2
the condenser is respectively connected with the heat exchange coil of the first fixed-bed hydrate reactor and the heat exchange coil of the second fixed-bed hydrate reactor to form a heating loop, so as to provide heat for reactor hydrate decomposition
Implementation Method 3
The CO2 separation technology by a hydrate process realizes gas separation by using different thermodynamic conditions for different gases to form the hydrates
Implementation Method 4
provide heat for reactor hydrate decomposition
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for continuous CO2 capture by a double-bed hydrate process are provided. The device includes a first fixed-bed hydrate reactor, a second fixed-bed hydrate reactor, a solution circulation system, a gas inlet system and an exhaust system; the first fixed-bed hydrate reactor and the second fixed-bed hydrate reactor are respectively connected in series with the gas inlet system, the exhaust system and the solution circulation system, and are connected in parallel; the refrigerant fluid and the heat medium fluid output by a compression-refrigeration system alternately flow into a heat exchange coil of the first fixed-bed hydrate reactor and a heat exchange coil of the second fixed-bed hydrate reactor, and the two fixed-bed hydrate reactors are alternately subjected to hydrate formation and decomposition reactions to realize continuous CO2 capture and separation.