Gas separation method using deep cooling process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation methods using deep cooling processes face mechanical failures and contamination issues due to the use of mechanical mechanisms for separating solid carbon dioxide, which leads to difficulties in storing high-purity carbon dioxide without exposure to the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation method involving a deep cooling process that repeatedly freezes and thaws heat exchangers to separate target gases like carbon dioxide, eliminating the need for mechanical mechanisms by using the process gas as a sweep gas to thaw and reintroduce the target gas, thereby preventing mechanical failures and atmospheric contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mechanical mechanism (scraper or screw) is used to separate solid carbon dioxide from the heat exchanger, then the frozen carbon dioxide can be removed, but mechanical failures occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scraping or screw mechanism with a thermal field-based solution. By controlling the temperature of the heat exchanger to cycle between freezing and thawing states, the solid carbon dioxide is automatically removed when the heat exchanger is thawed, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of carbon dioxide between solid and gas states. During freezing operation, CO2 deposits as solid on the heat exchanger; during thawing operation, the heat exchanger temperature is raised to sublime or melt the solid CO2, causing it to detach and be removed by the gas flow without mechanical intervention.
2Productivity
If solid carbon dioxide is discharged through the general gas separation method, then the separation process is complete, but the solid carbon dioxide absorbs moisture from the atmosphere immediately upon discharge, causing carbon dioxide concentration to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous containment of the carbon dioxide within the closed heat exchanger system throughout the separation process. The CO2 remains enclosed during both freezing and thawing operations, and is only discharged when the system is ready, preventing any atmospheric exposure and maintaining high purity throughout the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary containment vessel that holds the solid carbon dioxide during the separation process. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between the CO2 and the atmosphere, allowing the gas to be transferred from the inlet to the outlet through the heat exchanger without exposure to external moisture and impurities.
3Manufacturing precision
If solid carbon dioxide needs to be stored in a container separated from the atmosphere immediately upon discharge, then high purity is maintained, but it is difficult to place solid carbon dioxide in the separate container without being in contact with the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for manual handling and transfer operations by using the thermal field to automatically move the carbon dioxide through the system. The CO2 is transported from the inlet to the outlet through phase changes and gas flow within the closed heat exchanger, replacing the need for mechanical transfer to separate containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the carbon dioxide separation function from the mechanical transfer process. By using the heat exchanger as both the separation and containment device, the system eliminates the need for a separate transfer step to another container, thereby preventing atmospheric exposure during handling.
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 separates high-purity carbon dioxide without mechanical failures and atmospheric contamination, allowing for efficient gas separation by repeatedly freezing and thawing heat exchangers during the deep cooling process, enhancing the purity and handling of the target gas.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger for cooling an inlet gas... a second heat exchanger for cooling the inlet gas
Implementation Method 2
a first transfer operation of sublimating or evaporating the frozen target gas in the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a first circulation pipe for reintroducing a gas discharged from the first heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger and including a first compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a gas separation method including: a first process operation including a first freezing operation of blocking a second gas inlet unit, a first transfer operation of sublimating or evaporating the frozen target gas in a second heat exchanger and a first thawing operation of reintroducing the target gas transferred to the second compressor to the second heat exchanger and thawing the second heat exchanger; and a second process operation including a second freezing operation of blocking the first gas inlet unit, a second transfer operation of sublimating or evaporating the frozen target gas in the first heat exchanger and a second thawing operation of reintroducing the target gas transferred to the first compressor to the first heat exchanger and thawing the first heat exchanger, wherein the first process operation is performed for a specified time and then the second process operation is performed for a specified time.