Integrated Absorber Vessel Layout for Mobile Carbon Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorption and stripping processes for carbon dioxide removal are less feasible in mobile or space-constrained environments due to their size and operational requirements, necessitating a more compact and efficient design for carbon dioxide capture.
Innovation Solution
A compact absorber vessel integrating countercurrent and cocurrent flow sections within a single vessel, utilizing structured and bulk packings to enhance gas-liquid contact and absorption efficiency, with semi-lean and lean aqueous amine solvents to progressively remove carbon dioxide from exhaust streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional absorption and stripping processes are used for carbon dioxide removal, then carbon dioxide capture can be achieved, but the system size and operational requirements make it less feasible for mobile or space-constrained environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines countercurrent and cocurrent flow sections into a single integrated absorber vessel. The countercurrent section provides efficient mass transfer for carbon dioxide capture, while the cocurrent section handles liquid redistribution and prevents channeling. This merging of two flow patterns in one vessel achieves high capture efficiency without requiring separate large-scale equipment, thus reducing overall system volume for mobile applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorber vessel is segmented into distinct functional zones: a countercurrent flow section for primary carbon dioxide absorption and a cocurrent flow section for liquid redistribution and flow stabilization. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, maintaining high capture efficiency while compacting the overall system design for space-constrained mobile environments.
2Productivity
If structured and bulk packings are used to enhance gas-liquid contact, then absorption efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different packing types are used in different sections of the absorber vessel: structured packing in the countercurrent section where high mass transfer efficiency is needed, and bulk packing in the cocurrent section where liquid redistribution is the primary function. This local differentiation of packing quality optimizes absorption efficiency in critical zones while managing overall device complexity through functional specialization.
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 design achieves significant reduction in system size and cost, while achieving up to 90% carbon dioxide capture efficiency, suitable for mobile sources like vehicles and ships, by optimizing mass-transfer and minimizing pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
the exhaust or flue gas contacts an aqueous amine solvent injected at the top of the countercurrent absorber and is transferred by an exothermal chemical reaction to the liquid phase upon contact at the liquid-gas interface
Implementation Method 2
transferred by an exothermal chemical reaction to the liquid phase
Implementation Method 3
utilizing structured and bulk packings to enhance gas-liquid contact and absorption efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An absorber vessel having a first flow section including a gas inlet, a gas distributor, a liquid sump, a level control valve, a packing section, a solvent inlet, a solvent distributor, and a solvent outlet; a second flow section including a second solvent inlet, a second solvent distributor, a second packing section, a gas outlet, a second liquid sump, a second level control valve, a second solvent outlet, and a solvent pump; a divider that divides the first flow section and the second flow section; and a vapor space configured for fluidly connecting the first flow section and the second flow section.