Gradient Gas Separation Beds With Recycle Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adsorption-based gas separation systems face inefficiencies in separation efficiency and recovery at larger scales, particularly in the renewable energy sector, due to inadequate consideration of adsorption kinetics and vessel configurations.
Innovation Solution
The system modulates concentration gradients in adsorbent beds to create distinct zones for enhanced component recovery and purity by employing vertically oriented beds and controlling the location of the 'recycle zone' through gas recycling and pressure management, utilizing concentration profiles and selective adsorption to isolate product, recycle, and by-product zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard vessel sizes with small inlet and outlet orifices are used, then system plumbing is simplified, but separation efficiency becomes relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the vessel by using non-standard aspect ratios (length-to-diameter ratios) and optimizing orifice sizes relative to vessel dimensions. This allows the system to achieve both simplified plumbing and improved separation efficiency by scaling the system appropriately rather than being constrained to standard vessel sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of flow rates and pressure differentials during the adsorption and desorption cycles. By dynamically adjusting operational parameters rather than using fixed configurations, the system optimizes separation efficiency while maintaining plumbing simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional adsorption vessel configurations are used, then deployment is straightforward, but recovery and purity at higher scales become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adsorption bed into multiple zones with different functional characteristics (enrichment zone, transition zone, product zone, recycle zone). This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high recovery and purity at scale while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized zone configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the adsorption bed are given different local properties through the zone segmentation. The enrichment zone has high adsorbate concentration, the transition zone has gradient properties, the product zone has high purity, and the recycle zone handles low-concentration streams. This local differentiation enables high-performance separation at scale.
3Device complexity
If adsorption kinetics are not considered in system design, then system configuration is simpler, but separation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis and design of the adsorption zones based on expected kinetics behavior before actual operation. The enrichment zone, transition zone, and product zone are pre-configured with specific dimensions and positions that account for adsorption kinetics, allowing the system to achieve high separation performance without adding operational complexity.
4Device complexity
If fewer operational stages are used, then system cost is reduced, but recovery and purity requirements become harder to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous recycling of the low-concentration stream from the recycle zone back to the enrichment zone. This continuous action allows the system to approach theoretical maximum recovery and purity in a single pass through the adsorption bed, eliminating the need for multiple sequential stages while meeting product specifications.
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 approach significantly increases the recovery and purity of the primary component in the product gas stream, achieving high purity and efficient gas separation with reduced operational stages and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first bed of adsorbent and nonuniformly adsorbed in the direction of flow
Implementation Method 2
concentration gradients arising from nonuniform adsorption of a gas component in a quantity of adsorbent can be modulated and isolated into zones
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method and a system of determining transition characteristics during a transition in a relative concentrations of the at least two components of a gas stream. The transition characteristics, including one or more of a relative concentration transition crosspoint, a relative concentration transition leading edge, and a relative concentration transition trailing edge, may be determined based on one or more of a) a change in the one or more of a pressure and a flow rate of the gas stream, and b) a rate of change of the one or more of the pressure and the flow rate.