Hydrate-Chemical Absorption CO2 Separation Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for carbon dioxide separation in IGCC synthetic gas, such as cryogenic and chemical absorption processes, face challenges like high operating costs, secondary pollution, and low throughput, with hydrate-based methods struggling with low formation rates and inefficient multi-stage separation due to increasing pressure requirements as CO2 concentration decreases.
Innovation Solution
A combined apparatus and process integrating hydrate-based and chemical absorption processes, utilizing a venturi jet unit for enhanced hydrate formation and a chemical absorption tower for efficient CO2 removal, allowing continuous separation without additional pressurization and reducing operating costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-stage hydrate-based separation is used to remove CO2, then CO2 concentration is reduced in each stage, but the required pressure for hydrate formation will rise dramatically in subsequent stages
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into two distinct segments: a first stage using hydrate-based separation for bulk CO2 removal, and a second stage using chemical absorption for residual CO2 removal. This segmentation allows each stage to operate under optimal pressure conditions, avoiding the dramatic pressure increase required in multi-stage hydrate separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the separation mechanism parameter from pure hydrate-based separation to a combined approach. By introducing chemical absorption in the second stage, the process can achieve high CO2 removal efficiency without requiring progressively higher pressures that would be necessary for continued hydrate separation.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional chemical absorption process is used for CO2 separation, then CO2 removal efficiency is improved, but operating cost increases and secondary pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The process segments CO2 removal into two stages: bulk removal by hydrate formation (low cost, no pollution) and residual removal by chemical absorption (high efficiency). This reduces the overall burden on the chemical absorption system, allowing use of simpler, more economical absorbents and reducing secondary pollution from large volumes of spent absorbent.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges hydrate-based separation and chemical absorption into a hybrid process that combines the advantages of both: the low cost and environmental friendliness of hydrate formation for bulk removal, and the high efficiency of chemical absorption for residual removal, achieving both cost-effectiveness and high performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If hydrate-based process is used for CO2 separation, then operating cost is reduced and pollution is minimized, but hydrate formation rate is low and continuous production is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi jet unit performs preliminary action by generating intense mixing and nucleation conditions that dramatically accelerate hydrate formation kinetics. This preliminary intensification of the formation process enables the hydrate stage to achieve high removal rates, making continuous operation feasible and justifying the transition to the second absorption stage.
4Manufacturing precision
If cryogenic separation process is used for CO2 separation, then CO2 separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transition of CO2 into hydrate form at moderate pressures and temperatures, avoiding the extreme cryogenic temperatures required by traditional cryogenic separation. This phase transition approach achieves high separation efficiency while consuming significantly less energy, as the hydrate formation occurs near ambient conditions rather than requiring cooling to -100°C or lower.
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 integrated approach enables efficient and continuous CO2 separation with reduced energy consumption and secondary pollution, achieving high-purity hydrogen production and alleviating issues of low throughput and high energy costs in existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a venturi jet unit provided with two liquid inhaling inlets
Implementation Method 2
tubular hydrate reaction unit
Implementation Method 3
hydrate formation rate
Implementation Method 4
gas-liquid-solid three-phase separation unit
Implementation Method 5
chemical absorption process
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a combined process for carbon dioxide gas separation, combining the hydrate-based process with the chemical absorption process, which reduces secondary pollution and allows the efficient continuous separation of carbon dioxide gas without increasing the pressure and thereby the operating cost is reduced significantly. The apparatus and combined process can be applied in the separation of carbon dioxide in IGCC synthetic gas, natural gas and biogas, and address the issues of the existing processes such as high energy consumption, low throughput, and secondary pollution.