Ion-Exchange CO2 Separation with Low-Corrosion Absorbent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon dioxide separation technologies using amine-based absorbents are costly, energy-intensive for regeneration, and cause corrosion, limiting the efficiency of carbon dioxide separation and regeneration.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method incorporating an absorption column, regeneration column, and ion-exchange column with a permeable membrane to ion-exchange cations and anions, reducing carbon dioxide concentration and increasing ammonia concentration in the absorbent solution, thereby enhancing carbon dioxide stripping efficiency and reducing regeneration energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If amine-based absorbents are used to absorb and separate carbon dioxide from off-gas streams, then carbon dioxide separation efficiency is improved, but the cost of designing and operating the apparatus increases and corrosion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive amine-based absorbents with a cheaper absorbent composition containing less than 10 wt% amine-based compound. The absorbent is designed to be less corrosive and can be regenerated multiple times, effectively substituting costly materials with more economical alternatives while maintaining separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the absorbent by reducing amine-based compound content to less than 10 wt% and adding specific additives. This parameter change reduces corrosion while maintaining carbon dioxide absorption capability, directly addressing the harmful effects of traditional amine-based systems.
2Productivity
If amine-based compounds are used to absorb carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide stripping is achieved, but the energy consumption for regeneration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the absorbent's chemical composition by reducing amine content and adding specific additives that lower the energy required for regeneration. The new composition enables carbon dioxide stripping while consuming less energy during the regeneration process compared to traditional amine-based absorbents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the high-energy thermal regeneration process of traditional amine systems with a more energy-efficient regeneration mechanism enabled by the new absorbent composition. The chemical modifications allow for lower temperature and energy input during regeneration while maintaining stripping efficiency.
3Productivity
If traditional absorption processes are used, then carbon dioxide separation is achieved, but the cost of absorbent and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cost-effective absorbent formulation with less than 10 wt% amine-based compound combined with cheaper additives. This composition reduces both material costs and operational expenses while maintaining effective carbon dioxide separation, making the apparatus more economically viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the absorbent composition parameters to achieve lower costs by reducing expensive amine content and incorporating more economical components. This parameter optimization maintains separation performance while significantly reducing apparatus design and operation costs.
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 solution increases the efficiency of carbon dioxide separation and regeneration while reducing energy consumption and material costs, improving the overall efficiency of the carbon dioxide separation process.
Implementation Method 1
an ion-exchange column comprising a chamber having a cathode chamber space that receives the absorbent solution from the absorption column and an anode chamber space that receives the absorbent solution from the regeneration column
Implementation Method 2
the ion-exchange column comprising a permeable membrane that divides the chamber into the cathode chamber space and the anode chamber space
Implementation Method 3
the cathode plate and the anode plate may be provided such that the following cathodic reactions and anodic reactions occur on the cathode and anode plates, respectively
Implementation Method 4
H2O→1⁄2H2↑+OH−; and NH4+→NH3↑+H+; H2O→1⁄2O2↑+2H+; CO32−+H+→HCO3−; and HCO3−+H+→H2CO32−→H2O+CO2↑
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for separating carbon dioxide is provided. The apparatus includes: an absorption column in which carbon dioxide in off-gas is allowed to react with an absorbent solution so as to strip the carbon dioxide from the off-gas; a regeneration column in which the carbon dioxide is removed from the absorbent solution to regenerate the absorbent solution; and an ion-exchange column including a chamber having a cathode chamber space that receives the absorbent solution from the absorption column and an anode chamber space that receives the absorbent solution from the regeneration column, the ion-exchange column further including a permeable membrane that divides the chamber into the cathode chamber space and the anode chamber space.