Gas Separation With CO2 Pre-Concentration to Reduce Recovery Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas separation systems, such as those using decompression-type membrane separation units, require high recovery power for separating carbon dioxide from exhaust gases.

Innovation Solution

A gas separation system comprising a combustion device, a second gas circulation passage, and a gas separation device that includes a membrane or adsorption method to enhance carbon dioxide recovery by recycling exhaust gases through pressurization and separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a decompression-type membrane separation unit is used to separate exhaust gas, then carbon dioxide can be removed from the exhaust gas, but high recovery power is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery powerVSAvoidcarbon dioxide separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the membrane separation unit by operating at atmospheric pressure instead of requiring decompression, and by pre-concentrating CO2 through combustion of concentrated fuel. This parameter change reduces the energy required for separation while maintaining separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary concentration of carbon dioxide by combusting concentrated fuel before the gas enters the membrane separation unit. This preliminary action increases the CO2 concentration in the feed gas, making the subsequent separation process more efficient and requiring less recovery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If exhaust gas is directly separated without pre-concentration, then the separation process is simpler, but higher recovery power is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation system complexityVSAvoidenergy consumption for gas separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a preliminary combustion step where concentrated fuel is burned to produce high CO2 concentration exhaust gas before it enters the membrane separator. This preliminary action simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex pre-processing while reducing energy consumption in the separation stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the CO2 concentration enhancement step by using a dedicated combustion chamber that burns concentrated fuel to produce CO2-rich exhaust. This extracted function prepares the gas stream for more efficient separation without adding excessive complexity to the main separation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces recovery power requirements by increasing carbon dioxide concentration in exhaust gases before separation, allowing for more efficient and compact gas separation.

Implementation Method 1

the gas separation device includes a separation membrane that separates the second gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMembrane separation: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP4596087A1Gas separation system
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP4596087A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596087A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4596087A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a novel gas separation system suitable for reducing recovery power. A gas separation system 100 includes: a combustion device 10 that is supplied with a first gas G1 containing oxygen and that discharges a second gas G2 containing carbon dioxide; a second gas circulation passage 64 for feeding at least a portion of the second gas G2 to the combustion device 10; and a gas separation device 20 that separates the second gas G2 to obtain a third gas G3 having a higher content of carbon dioxide than the second gas G2.