Dual Stream CO2 Production System with Adsorption Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional carbon dioxide production techniques are energy-intensive and costly, especially when scaled for industrial use, and transporting CO2 from production sites to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) sites is economically significant.
Innovation Solution
A dual stream system for producing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon-containing process gas, involving a combustion subsystem to generate electrical energy and a combustion effluent, followed by a first separation subsystem using physical adsorption and a second separation subsystem using chemisorption, with a cooling subsystem to separate water and enhance carbon dioxide extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional carbon dioxide production techniques are used, then carbon dioxide can be produced, but energy consumption is high and transportation costs are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the carbon dioxide separation process into two distinct streams: a first separation subsystem using physical adsorption for bulk CO2 removal, and a second separation subsystem using chemisorption for deep purification. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling subsystem as an intermediary between the combustion subsystem and the separation subsystems. This cooling intermediary condenses water from the combustion effluent before separation, preventing water interference with the adsorption processes and reducing the energy required for CO2 separation while maintaining high production efficiency
2Ease of operation
If carbon dioxide is transported from production site to EOR site, then CO2 can be delivered, but transportation costs are quite significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-sufficient carbon dioxide production system where all necessary components (combustion subsystem, cooling subsystem, first separation subsystem, and second separation subsystem) are integrated into a single mobile platform. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external transportation infrastructure, making the system operationally independent and eliminating transportation costs entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform serves multiple functions: it generates electrical energy through the combustion subsystem, cools the combustion effluent through the cooling subsystem, separates carbon dioxide through the dual separation subsystems, and delivers the purified CO2 to EOR sites. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems and transportation operations into a single integrated unit
3Device complexity
If a single separation subsystem is used, then the system is simpler, but carbon dioxide separation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carbon dioxide separation process into two specialized subsystems: the first separation subsystem using physical adsorption materials for bulk CO2 removal, and the second separation subsystem using chemisorption materials for deep purification. This segmentation allows each subsystem to achieve optimal performance for its specific separation stage, ensuring high purification precision while keeping individual subsystems relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different separation mechanisms at different stages of the purification process: physical adsorption in the first subsystem for high-capacity bulk removal, and chemisorption in the second subsystem for high-selectivity deep purification. This local quality approach matches the separation method to the specific requirements of each stage, achieving high overall precision without requiring either subsystem to be overly complex
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 system efficiently produces carbon dioxide on-site, reducing energy consumption and transportation costs, and can be implemented on a mobile platform, enabling on-demand CO2 production for EOR processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling subsystem interposed between the combustion subsystem and the first separation subsystem, the cooling subsystem being configured to separate water from the effluent
Implementation Method 2
a first separation subsystem configured to separate, by a physical adsorption process, a first quantity of carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent
Implementation Method 3
a second separation subsystem configured to separate, by chemisorption, a second quantity of carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent
Implementation Method 4
a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon and output a combustion effluent, wherein the combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for producing carbon dioxide from a process gas that includes a hydrocarbon, the system including a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon and output a combustion effluent, wherein the combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water, a first separation subsystem configured to separate a first quantity of carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent, and a second separation subsystem configured to separate a second quantity of carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent.