Liquid Sorbent Gas Capture System With Heat Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture and storage systems are inefficient and costly, necessitating improvements in gas capture technologies to reduce emissions across various industrial applications, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, SOx, and NOx capture.
Innovation Solution
A gas capture system utilizing a liquid sorbent that is recirculated between a first reactor system for gas capture and a second reactor system for regeneration, employing pressure and temperature swings, and optionally steam injection, to optimize the balance between capture effectiveness and energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional carbon capture systems are used, then gas capture can be achieved, but the systems are inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the first reactor at elevated pressure (5-50 bar) and the second reactor at reduced pressure (0.1-5 bar), creating a pressure differential that enables continuous operation. The temperature is maintained between 25-100°C in both reactors, with optimized residence times of 1-60 seconds in the first reactor and 1-30 seconds in the second reactor, achieving efficient CO2 capture with reduced energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through a continuous circulation system where the liquid sorbent flows continuously from the first reactor to the second reactor and back. The system maintains continuous operation without interruption, with the sorbent constantly being regenerated and reused, eliminating idle time and maximizing the useful action throughout the process
2Productivity
If high temperature is used for sorbent regeneration, then captured gas can be released effectively, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by maintaining moderate temperatures (25-100°C) in both reactors rather than using high temperatures for regeneration. The pressure differential and residence time optimization enable effective gas release at these lower temperatures, significantly reducing the energy input required for sorbent regeneration while maintaining high productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex heat pump integration is implemented, then system electrification can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a heat pump system that can operate in multiple modes: heating mode for regenerating the sorbent in the second reactor, cooling mode for condensing CO2 in the first reactor, and heat recovery mode. This multi-functional approach enables system electrification and flexibility in handling different operational requirements without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
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 system achieves efficient and cost-effective gas capture by reducing sorbent regeneration temperature, allowing continuous operation and flexible adjustment of conditions to minimize energy expenditure, thereby enhancing overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid sorbent is circulated between a first reactor system and a second reactor system. In the first reactor system, the sorbent captures a gas in a gas stream in an exothermic process
Implementation Method 2
the sorbent captures a gas in a gas stream in an exothermic process
Implementation Method 3
In the second reactor system, the sorbent is regenerated and the captured gas is released in an endothermic process
Implementation Method 4
the sorbent is regenerated and the captured gas is released in an endothermic process
Implementation Method 5
A number of different configurations of heat pump integration may also be used within the gas capture system as an efficient means for electrification of the system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a gas capture system comprising: a first reactor system arranged so that, in the first reactor system, at least some gas in a gas stream that is received by the gas capture system is captured by a sorbent that is arranged to flow through the first reactor system; a second reactor system arranged to regenerate the sorbent so that the sorbent releases at least some of the gas captured in the first reactor system, wherein the sorbent is arranged to flow through the second reactor system and the second reactor system is arranged to output a gas flow that comprises the released gas; a first sorbent transfer system arranged between a sorbent outlet of the first reactor system and a sorbent inlet of the second reactor system; a second sorbent transfer system arranged between a sorbent outlet of the second reactor system and a sorbent inlet of the first reactor system; and a heat pump system comprising a heat pump arranged to circulate a flow of working fluid, wherein the heat pump system is arranged to extract heat from the first reactor system and/or the gas flow output from the second reactor system; wherein: the sorbent is a liquid; the second reactor system comprises a pump arranged to reduce the pressure in the second reactor system so that the pressure in the second reactor system when regenerating sorbent may be lower than the pressure in the first reactor system during gas capture by the sorbent; and the first reactor system, first sorbent transfer system, second reactor system and second sorbent transfer system are all arranged so that they provide a sorbent flow path that recirculates the sorbent between the first reactor system and the second reactor system.