Gas Capture System Using Indirect Sorbent Regeneration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems, particularly post-combustion carbon dioxide capture systems, face inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to the use of fluid sorbents, which have low energy efficiency and high costs, and require expensive oxygen production for regeneration, while solid sorbents face challenges with capital costs and gas dilution in fixed bed reactors.
Innovation Solution
A gas capture system utilizing a high-temperature solid sorbent that recirculates between a carbonator and a regenerator, employing indirect heating with a combustor to regenerate the sorbent, allowing for continuous operation and reducing the need for pure oxygen, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fluid sorbents are used for carbon dioxide capture, then the system can operate at low temperature, but energy efficiency is low and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from low-temperature fluid sorbent operation to high-temperature solid sorbent operation (above 400°C). This parameter change enables the use of solid sorbents like calcium oxide while maintaining continuous operation capability, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing costs associated with fluid sorbent systems
2Quantity of substance
If pure oxygen is used for sorbent regeneration, then carbon dioxide purity is maintained, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an indirect heating mechanism as an intermediary between the combustion process and the sorbent regeneration process. A heat transfer medium transfers heat from the combustion chamber to the sorbent bed, physically separating the two processes. This allows air to be used for combustion while maintaining carbon dioxide purity in the regenerated gas stream, thereby reducing production costs without sacrificing purity
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed bed reactors are used for gas capture, then capital cost is reduced, but the system cannot handle large volumes of gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fixed bed reactor to a dynamic circulating bed system. The solid sorbent continuously circulates between the carbonation reactor and the regeneration reactor, allowing the system to handle large volumes of gas while maintaining relatively simple reactor designs. This dynamic approach enables high productivity without requiring complex high-capacity fixed bed reactors
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 system achieves high-volume gas capture with continuous operation, outputs substantially pure captured gas, and reduces the need for expensive oxygen, enhancing energy efficiency and operational costs compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a sorbent is used to adsorb carbon dioxide from flue gas
Implementation Method 2
generating heat by combusting a fuel with an oxidising agent
Implementation Method 3
the sorbent releases the captured carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method of regenerating a sorbent of gas in a capture process of said gas, wherein the capture process comprises recirculating the sorbent between a gas capturing system and regenerating reactor system, the method comprising the regenerating reactor system performing the steps of: receiving a solid sorbent to be regenerated, wherein the sorbent is a sorbent of carbon dioxide gas; generating heat by combusting a fuel with an oxidising agent in the presence of a catalyst; regenerating the sorbent by using the generated heat to indirectly heat the sorbent so that the sorbent releases carbon dioxide gas; outputting the regenerated sorbent; and outputting the released carbon dioxide gas. Advantages of the gas capture system include a higher efficiency than known techniques.