Flue Gas CO2 Capture Using Steam Latent Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing carbon dioxide from industrial gas streams, particularly from high-volume low-pressure flue gases of coal-fired power stations, are inefficient and require significant energy and capital investment, with existing technologies struggling to scale up for large-scale implementation.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing the sensible and latent heat of steam in industrial gas streams to facilitate the separation of carbon dioxide, where the gas stream is contacted with an absorbing medium, and the heat is used to volatilize the carbon dioxide, reducing the need for external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional separation methods (physical solvents, chemical solvents, membranes) are used to remove carbon dioxide from flue gases, then carbon dioxide can be separated from the gas stream, but the process requires massive capital investments and large amounts of energy (30-40% of total production)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat in flue gases into a beneficial resource for driving the carbon dioxide separation process. The flue gas stream, which contains waste heat at temperatures suitable for solvent regeneration, is used to provide the energy required to strip carbon dioxide from the solvent, thereby eliminating the need for external energy input and resolving the energy consumption contradiction.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional separation methods are used to handle massive volumes of flue gases, then carbon dioxide can be captured, but large capital investments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the carbon dioxide separation function with the existing flue gas cooling and condensation system. By integrating the solvent absorption column with the flue gas treatment train and using the flue gas stream itself to regenerate the solvent, the system achieves carbon dioxide capture without requiring separate, capital-intensive energy input systems or complex external utilities.
3Loss of substance
If steam is condensed from the gas stream using conventional methods, then moisture can be removed, but the latent heat of condensation is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the waste latent heat from steam condensation into a useful energy source for carbon dioxide separation. The flue gas stream, which contains steam that must be condensed, is directed through the solvent absorption column where the condensing steam provides the heat required to strip carbon dioxide from the solvent, thereby converting energy waste into process utility.
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 minimizes energy requirements for carbon dioxide separation, reduces capital costs, and allows for the efficient capture of carbon dioxide from large-scale industrial sources, such as coal-fired power stations, by leveraging the inherent heat in the gas streams.
Implementation Method 1
extracting carbon dioxide from the gas stream by contacting the gas stream with an absorbing medium
Implementation Method 2
condensing steam and using the latent heat of condensation as a heat source for heating the absorbing medium
Implementation Method 3
condensing steam
Implementation Method 4
volatilizing carbon dioxide from the absorbing medium so as to produce a product stream rich in carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is based on the realization that the carbon dioxide component of industrial gas streams also containing steam can be processed so to utilize either as latent and/or sensible heat the heat available from the steam component to assist in separating carbon dioxide from the remainder of the gas stream. For example, flue gases produced by power stations burning brown coal, black coal or natural gas inherently contain a useful amount of energy that can be harnessed according to the present invention. According to particular preferred forms of the invention, nitrogen and sulphur constituent such as SOx and NOx, H2S and other nitrogen containing compounds may also be removed from the gas stream through direct contact with the absorbing medium and used to produce by-products such as fertilizer material.