Flue Gas Condenser Degassing for CO2-Safe Condensate Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for conditioning compression condensate in flue gas condensers pose a safety risk due to CO2 accumulation and uncontrolled releases, particularly in commercial-scale units, which can lead to asphyxiation and require a safer method for degassing and conditioning.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the compression and cooling of CO2-rich flue gas, followed by condensate recirculation and degassing within the gas cooling device to release CO2 vapor, allowing for CO2 recovery and reducing the risk of CO2 accumulation in water treatment systems, while also enabling separate treatment of polluted condensate to minimize equipment needs and safety hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If condensate is returned directly to the waste water treatment system, then the system is simple and adequate for small plants, but CO2 accumulates in the sewer system causing asphyxiation risk and uncontrolled release at the treatment plant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts CO2 gas from the condensate stream by introducing it to the lower end of the flue gas condenser where it contacts rising flue gas. The CO2-rich vapor phase separates and is released through a dedicated gas outlet, preventing CO2 accumulation in the waste water system while maintaining operational safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The flue gas condenser serves as an intermediary device between the compression condensate and the waste water treatment system. It provides a controlled environment for degassing the condensate using the flue gas stream, mediating the harmful CO2 release rather than allowing direct discharge into the sewer system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If condensate is degassed in a separate treatment system, then CO2 safety is improved, but plot space and investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the condensate degassing function with the existing flue gas condenser structure. The flue gas condenser is equipped with additional outlets and internal configuration to handle both flue gas condensation and condensate degassing simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate degassing equipment and reducing plot space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flue gas condenser is designed to perform multiple functions: condensing flue gas, treating condensate, and degassing CO2. This multi-functional approach allows a single piece of equipment to address both safety concerns and space constraints by integrating several processes that would traditionally require separate systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If condensate is degassed in a separate treatment system, then CO2 safety is improved, but investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the degassing function with the existing flue gas condenser, eliminating the need for separate degassing equipment. This integration reduces capital investment costs while maintaining improved CO2 safety, as the existing condenser infrastructure is utilized for the additional degassing function.
Solution Approach 2:
By designing the flue gas condenser to perform multiple functions including degassing, the patent avoids the need for separate specialized equipment. This multi-functionality reduces overall system investment costs while achieving the safety improvements associated with proper condensate degassing.
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 method effectively prevents CO2 accumulation in water treatment systems, enhances CO2 recovery by up to 0.3%, reduces piping requirements, and allows for the separate treatment of polluted condensate, thereby improving safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
cooling of the gas below the water dew point
Implementation Method 2
degassing of the condensate whereby the carbon dioxide rich vapor is released into the vapor phase
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of conditioning a condensate generated in the compression section of a gas purification unit. The invention also relates to system for this method.