Heat Integration Separation System Using Waste Heat Between Columns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical separation processes for multi-component mixtures require additional cooling and heating energy, leading to energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A heat integration separation system utilizing waste heat to exchange streams between two columns, adjusting operating pressures and using a compressor to facilitate heat exchange without additional fossil fuels, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional cooling and heating energy is used in the separation process, then the separation of multi-component mixture can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and carbon dioxide emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function and heating function into a single heat integration system where the condenser of one column serves as the reboiler of another column. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooling and heating systems, reducing energy consumption while maintaining separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts waste heat from the condenser into useful heating energy for the reboiler. The heat that would otherwise be discarded is now utilized to boil the liquid mixture, transforming a harmful waste product into a beneficial resource and eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from external heating.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat integration is implemented between columns, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to pressure adjustment and stream exchange requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pressure adjustment as a key parameter change to enable heat integration. By adjusting the operating pressure of columns and using compressors or expanders, the system matches temperature profiles between hot and cold streams, facilitating heat exchange while managing the increased system complexity through controlled parameter modifications.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If waste heat is utilized through stream heat exchange, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but additional equipment such as compressors is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing equipment multi-functional by having the condenser serve as both a cooling device and a heating source (reboiler). This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated equipment and minimizes additional equipment requirements while eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from external heating sources.
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 effectively separates components in a multi-component mixture using waste heat, minimizing energy use and carbon dioxide emissions by optimizing temperature differences and stream exchanges.
Implementation Method 1
the upper discharge stream of the first column is compressed by using a compressor
Implementation Method 2
the lower discharge stream of the first column is heated by utilizing waste heat of the upper discharge stream of the second column
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a heat integration separation system including a first column and a second column, wherein an upper discharge stream of the first column passes through a compressor to be compressed and then heat-exchanged with a lower discharge stream of the second column in a second heat exchanger, an upper discharge stream of the second column is heat-exchanged with a lower discharge stream of the first column in a first heat exchanger, and Equation 1 (refer to the specification) is satisfied.