Gas Capture System Using LNG Vaporization Cold Heat for Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide capture technologies face high costs due to the need for separate electric power to drive coolers, and the waste of cold heat generated during the vaporization of liquefied natural gas in chemical processes.
Innovation Solution
A gas capture system that utilizes cold heat from vaporizing fuel to cool and liquefy gases, incorporating heat exchangers, dehumidifiers, compressors, and separation devices to enhance efficiency without external power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cooler is used to improve membrane separation efficiency, then gas capture efficiency is improved, but additional electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the waste cold heat from LNG vaporization, which was previously discarded, into a useful cooling resource for the membrane separation process. The cold heat from the LNG vaporization process is transferred through heat exchangers to cool the feed gas and maintain the membrane separation unit at optimal low temperatures, thereby improving gas capture efficiency without requiring additional electric power for cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own internal waste cold heat from the LNG vaporization process to serve the cooling needs of the membrane separation unit. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cooling systems and their associated energy consumption, as the cold heat generated within the system is recycled and utilized for the separation process.
2Loss of energy
If cold heat from fuel vaporization is utilized for cooling, then energy costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the LNG vaporization process with the gas capture process by integrating heat exchangers that transfer cold heat between these two processes. The vaporization unit and membrane separation unit are coupled through heat exchange networks, allowing the cold heat from vaporization to directly cool the feed gas and membrane separation unit, thereby reducing energy costs while adding only necessary heat exchange components.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers in the system serve multiple functions: they transfer cold heat from the LNG vaporization process to cool the feed gas, they pre-cool the gas before it enters the membrane separation unit, and they maintain the overall thermal balance of the system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling systems and minimizes overall system complexity.
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
Reduces energy costs by utilizing waste cold heat for cooling and liquefaction, improving gas capture efficiency and purity by multiple stages of heat exchange and separation.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between cold heat of a fuel that is vaporizing and a first gas mixture to cool the first gas mixture
Implementation Method 2
cold heat of a fuel that is vaporizing
Implementation Method 3
a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies the first gas mixture cooled through the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a first compressor that presses the first gas mixture passing through the first dehumidifier
Implementation Method 5
a first separation device that separates a second gas mixture including a reference gas from the pressed first gas mixture
Implementation Method 6
a liquefier that liquefies the reference gas to generate a reference liquid
Implementation Method 7
a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the cold heat of the fuel passing through the first heat exchanger and the first gas mixture discharged from the first compressor to cool the first gas mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A gas capture system includes a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between cold heat of a fuel that is vaporizing and a first gas mixture to cool the first gas mixture, a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies the first gas mixture cooled through the first heat exchanger, a first compressor that presses the first gas mixture passing through the first dehumidifier, a first separation device that separates a second gas mixture including a reference gas from the pressed first gas mixture, and a liquefier that liquefies the reference gas to generate a reference liquid.