Encapsulated Phase Change Material for Amine Gas Treating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current amine gas treating processes for removing acid gases from sour gas streams face challenges in controlling temperature increases, leading to inefficiencies and equipment damage due to exothermic reactions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an encapsulated phase change material with a polymeric or inorganic shell that changes phase from solid to liquid upon heating, which absorbs energy from the exothermic reaction, maintaining thermal stability and controlling temperature within the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If amine gas treating is used to remove acid gases from sour gas streams, then acid gas removal efficiency is improved, but temperature control deteriorates due to exothermic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that transitions from solid to liquid phase to absorb the heat generated during acid gas absorption. The PCM is contacted with the amine solution in the absorber, and its phase transition at a specific temperature range (e.g., 40-60°C) provides automatic thermal regulation, maintaining optimal absorption temperature without external cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material acts as an intermediary between the exothermic absorption reaction and the environment. It absorbs excess heat from the amine solution during acid gas absorption and releases it during phase transition, serving as a thermal buffer that mediates the temperature control problem without interfering with the chemical absorption process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If temperature control measures are implemented in amine gas treating, then thermal stability is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides self-regulating temperature control through its inherent phase transition properties. When the amine solution temperature rises due to exothermic reaction, the PCM automatically absorbs heat and transitions from solid to liquid phase. When temperature drops, it releases heat and transitions back to solid phase, creating a self-balancing thermal control system without external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful exothermic heat generation into a beneficial thermal regulation mechanism. The heat that would normally cause temperature runaway and equipment damage is instead captured by the PCM's phase transition, transforming the problem of heat generation into a self-regulating thermal control system.
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 encapsulated phase change material effectively regulates temperature, enhancing process efficiency, reducing the risk of equipment damage, and improving acid gas removal capabilities by maintaining the amine solution at a stable temperature.
Implementation Method 1
the encapsulated phase change material is a phase change material which changes phase from solid to liquid upon heating
Implementation Method 2
the encapsulated phase change material absorbs at least a portion of the energy freed by the heat of reaction
Implementation Method 3
the lean amine based sorbent liquid absorbs the acid gas from the sour gas stream to form a rich amine based sorbent liquid
Implementation Method 4
the energy freed by the heat of reaction from the conversion from the lean amine based sorbent liquid to the rich amine based sorbent liquid
Implementation Method 5
passing the encapsulated phase change material slurry separated from the rich amine based sorbent liquid and the lean amine based sorbent liquid from the amine regenerator through a cooler to reduce the temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of methods and associate system for removing acid gas from a sour gas stream are provided. The method includes (1) passing the sour gas stream in a counter-flow arrangement with an encapsulated phase change material and a lean amine based sorbent liquid configured to absorb the acid gas from the sour gas stream in an absorber; (2) separating the rich amine based sorbent liquid and the encapsulated phase change material; (3) passing the rich amine based sorbent liquid to an amine regenerator wherein the rich amine based sorbent liquid is heated to release the absorbed sour gas and regenerate the lean amine based sorbent liquid; and (4) passing the encapsulated phase change material and the regenerated lean amine based sorbent liquid through a cooler to reduce the temperature of the encapsulated phase change material such that the phase change material in the encapsulated phase change material solidifies.