Liquid Carbon Dioxide Storage Pressure Control to Reduce Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining the operating pressure of a liquid carbon dioxide receiving facility to prevent vapor generation and minimize the need for venting during normal operations, especially when heat ingress causes pressure increases.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing pressure by using subcooled liquid carbon dioxide to condense vapor phase and regulate pressure through direct contact and vaporization, adjusting the addition of subcooled liquid and vapor to balance the liquid and vapor phases in temporary storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid carbon dioxide is stored in temporary storage at or above bubble point pressure to prevent flashing, then vapor generation is minimized, but heat ingress from the surrounding environment causes pressure to increase requiring venting
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter by introducing subcooled liquid carbon dioxide (at a temperature below the saturation temperature) into the temporary storage. This parameter change allows the system to maintain pressure control without venting, as the subcooled liquid absorbs heat ingress and prevents vapor generation while maintaining the necessary pressure level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of heat ingress (which causes pressure increase and vapor generation) into a beneficial effect. By introducing subcooled liquid carbon dioxide, the heat ingress is utilized to further subcool the liquid, enhancing the pressure control mechanism and eliminating the need for venting. The harmful thermal energy is transformed into a useful cooling effect.
2Stability of the object's composition
If operating pressure is increased to prevent vapor generation, then liquid carbon dioxide stability is improved, but the risk of over-pressurization and need for pressure management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service pressure management where the subcooled liquid carbon dioxide automatically regulates the pressure in the temporary storage. As heat ingress occurs, the subcooled liquid absorbs the heat and evaporates only when necessary to maintain pressure balance, eliminating the need for complex external pressure control systems and continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a natural feedback mechanism where the temperature and pressure conditions in the temporary storage automatically regulate the evaporation rate of the subcooled liquid. When pressure increases due to heat ingress, more liquid evaporates to restore equilibrium, and when pressure decreases, evaporation is suppressed. This self-regulating feedback loop simplifies the pressure management system.
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
Effectively maintains stable operating pressure in the temporary storage of liquid carbon dioxide, preventing vapor generation and reducing the need for venting, thereby ensuring efficient and safe storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
spraying at least some of the subcooled liquid carbon dioxide as liquid droplets directly in the temporary storage to condense a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor phase and reduce the pressure of the temporary storage
Implementation Method 2
adding at least some of the subcooled liquid carbon dioxide below the liquid level of the carbon dioxide liquid phase and condensing carbon dioxide vapor phase on the surface of the vapor-liquid interface
Implementation Method 3
managing pressure in the temporary storage using at least some of the carbon dioxide liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the operating pressure of a liquid carbon dioxide receiving facility is disclosed, the method comprising unloading liquid carbon dioxide from a transport vessel to the liquid carbon dioxide receiving facility, storing the liquid carbon dioxide in a temporary storage at the liquid carbon dioxide receiving facility, pumping the liquid carbon dioxide from the temporary storage to permanent geologic storage or external use, and managing pressure in the temporary storage using at least some of the carbon dioxide liquid phase.