Dual Pressure Swing Adsorption for Hydrogen Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing blue hydrogen face challenges in efficiently managing carbon dioxide emissions and optimizing system efficiency, particularly in balancing heating gas requirements and minimizing circular flow impacts.
Innovation Solution
A procedure involving multiple process gas flows subjected to pressure change adsorption steps, allowing for the enrichment and separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, thereby optimizing hydrogen production and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single pressure swing adsorption unit is used for hydrogen separation, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot precisely balance heating gas requirements and optimize hydrogen extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The single pressure swing adsorption unit is segmented into two separate units: a first pressure swing adsorption unit for initial hydrogen separation and a second pressure swing adsorption unit for precise hydrogen extraction. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each unit's function, enabling precise balancing of heating gas requirements while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
2Ease of operation
If recycle streams are used to meet heating gas demands, then heating requirements can be satisfied, but the system size increases by 5-20% and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second pressure swing adsorption unit extracts and removes the precise amount of hydrogen needed for heating gas requirements from the process stream. By taking out only the necessary hydrogen quantity rather than using recycle streams, the system avoids the associated increase in system size and power consumption while still satisfying heating demands
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the hydrogen extracted by the second pressure swing adsorption unit to directly satisfy heating gas requirements, making the system self-sufficient. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external recycle streams and reduces both system size and power consumption compared to conventional recycle-based approaches
3Ease of manufacture
If carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but carbon emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the previously harmful carbon dioxide emissions into a useful resource by capturing and utilizing the hydrogen extracted during the pressure swing adsorption process. The extracted hydrogen is used to satisfy heating gas requirements, transforming what would be waste products into valuable energy sources, thereby reducing carbon emissions while maintaining ease of manufacture
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 enables the precise balancing of heating gas requirements, reduces system size by 5-20%, minimizes electricity consumption, and effectively avoids the technical risks associated with circular flows, thereby optimizing the overall gas usage and carbon management.
Implementation Method 1
the first process gas stream or a portion thereof is subjected to a first pressure swing adsorption to obtain a second process gas stream which is enriched in hydrogen compared to the first process gas stream and depleted in carbon dioxide and in the one or more further carbon compounds
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A process (100, 200) for the production of a hydrogen product (15) is proposed, wherein a first pressure swing adsorption (108) is carried out for hydrogen separation, followed by carbon dioxide removal (110), and any remaining tail gas (19) is processed by a further pressure swing adsorption (120). Hydrogen separated in the further pressure swing adsorption (120) is used as required. A corresponding plant is also proposed.