Dual Rotating Packed Bed for CO2 Absorption Energy Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for removing CO2 from power plant exhaust gases are not cost-effective and efficient, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming, and existing methods focus excessively on high CO2 capture percentages without considering the energy consumption for regenerating absorbents, which can lead to additional CO2 production.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual rotating packed bed (RPB) system with a first and second RPB unit, where the liquid absorbent passes through both units to efficiently capture CO2 from gas streams, followed by regeneration, utilizing a method like the '6-tank in series model' and commercial software to optimize CO2 capture and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional CO2 removal technologies are used to achieve high CO2 capture percentages, then CO2 removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption for regenerating absorbents increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption for regenerating absorbents

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the CO2 capture process into multiple stages using a multi-stage counter-current washing system. Gas streams are sequentially treated in multiple washing stages, with each stage using fresh or partially regenerated absorbent. This segmentation allows efficient CO2 capture while distributing the regeneration burden across multiple smaller streams rather than one large stream requiring high energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by using multiple gas streams in counter-current flow rather than a single stream. The most CO2-rich gas stream contacts the least regenerated absorbent, while cleaner gas streams contact more regenerated absorbent. This inversion optimizes both capture efficiency and energy utilization by matching absorbent quality with gas stream composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If high CO2 capture percentages are pursued, then CO2 removal effectiveness is improved, but additional CO2 production occurs due to high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture percentageVSAvoidadditional CO2 production from energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operational parameters by using multiple gas streams with different CO2 concentrations rather than treating one stream to very high capture levels. By distributing the capture across multiple streams in counter-current fashion, the system achieves overall high removal effectiveness while operating each stage at moderate energy input, preventing the exponential energy increase that would generate additional CO2.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional absorption systems are used, then CO2 capture is achieved, but device complexity and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity for multiple units

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes each washing stage multi-functional by having it perform both CO2 capture and partial regeneration functions. The counter-current arrangement allows each stage to contribute to both objectives simultaneously, reducing the need for separate dedicated regeneration units and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high capture capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves higher CO2 capture efficiency while minimizing regeneration energy consumption, resulting in a more environmentally friendly and economically viable method for CO2 removal from power plant exhausts, balancing capture percentage with energy efficiency and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid absorbent passes through both units to efficiently capture CO2 from gas streams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10413862B2Apparatus and method for absorbing a component from a gas mixture using rotating packed bed unit

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 CHANG CHUN PLASTICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided herein is a method for absorbing CO2 from a gas mixture. The method includes using an apparatus comprised of a first RPB unit and a second RPB unit. The first RPB unit and the second RPB unit are arranged to absorb CO2 in a first gas stream and a second gas stream, respectively. A liquid CO2-absorbent is supplied sequentially passing through the first RPB unit and the second RPB unit to absorb CO2 in the first gas stream and the second gas stream. The liquid CO2-absorbent is regenerated to produce a regenerated CO2-absorbent. The regenerated CO2-absorbent is transported to the first RPB unit.