High-Pressure CO2 Liquefaction for Low-Energy Carbon Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from high-pressure gas streams are energy-intensive and costly due to the need to recompress CO2 from atmospheric pressure to supercritical pressure for sequestration, with existing physical solvent processes inefficiently regenerating solvents and releasing CO2 at low pressures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cooling and partial condensation of high-pressure gas streams to separate CO2-rich and CO2-lean fractions, followed by adsorption, absorption, or freezing to recover CO2, maintaining high pressures and reducing energy consumption by minimizing recompression needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If CO2 is captured using conventional physical solvent processes, then CO2 can be separated from the gas stream, but the CO2 must be recompressed from atmospheric pressure to supercritical pressure, resulting in high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing CO2 separation at high pressure (300-1000 psig) before compression is needed. The physical solvent absorption occurs while the gas stream is still at elevated pressure, so the CO2-rich solvent can be depressurized to release CO2 at or near the required supercritical pressure, eliminating the need for additional compression energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter throughout the process to optimize energy efficiency. The absorption step occurs at high pressure (300-1000 psig), the solvent is then depressurized to release CO2, and the released CO2 is directly available at supercritical pressure for sequestration. This parameter change strategy avoids the energy-intensive compression step required by conventional atmospheric pressure processes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 is captured and stored for sequestration, then atmospheric CO2 emissions are reduced, but the process requires significant capital expenditure and operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes operating pressure parameters to reduce both capital and operating costs. By conducting absorption at elevated pressures (300-1000 psig) and releasing CO2 through controlled depressurization, the process eliminates expensive compression equipment and reduces energy consumption, making CO2 sequestration more economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The high-pressure gas stream from industrial processes serves dual purposes: it is both the source of CO2 to be captured and the medium that provides the necessary pressure for the absorption process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external compression energy input, reducing operating costs
3Quantity of substance
If physical solvents are used to absorb CO2, then CO2 can be recovered from the gas stream, but the solvents must be regenerated by releasing CO2 at low pressures, requiring additional compression energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs CO2 absorption at high pressure before the solvent needs regeneration. By maintaining high pressure throughout the absorption and separation process, the CO2 is released from the solvent through simple depressurization rather than requiring energy-intensive compression, thus recovering CO2 efficiently without additional compression energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by releasing CO2 through depressurization rather than through pressurization. Instead of absorbing CO2 at atmospheric pressure and then compressing it for release, the process absorbs at high pressure and releases through controlled depressurization, eliminating the need for compression energy during solvent regeneration
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 allows for efficient recovery of purified CO2 at high pressures, reducing energy usage and costs by maintaining pressure throughout the process, achieving high CO2 recovery rates with lower energy expenditure compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
cooling and partial condensation of high-pressure gas streams to separate CO2-rich and CO2-lean fractions
Implementation Method 2
followed by adsorption, absorption, or freezing to recover CO2
Implementation Method 3
followed by adsorption, absorption, or freezing to recover CO2
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-efficient method of recovering carbon dioxide (CO2) in a liquid state from a high-pressure gas stream is provided. The method includes cooling, condensing, and/or separating CO2 from a high-pressure gas stream and further purifying the resulting liquid CO2 in a purification zone to thereby provide a purified CO2 product. The purified liquid CO2 product may then be pumped to a higher pressure for further utilization and/or sequestration for industrial or environmental purposes.