Membrane Condenser for Heat Integrated CO2 Desorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 separation processes using chemical absorption are energy-inefficient due to high energy requirements for heating and steam production, leading to energy losses and increased operational costs, particularly in large-scale industrial operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a vapour permeable membrane to recover latent heat through condensation and evaporation, reducing thermal energy requirements by recycling vapour and eliminating the need for compressors, while maintaining efficient gas desorption and regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If steam is produced in a reboiler to provide stripping gas and thermal energy for desorption, then the desorption process can be maintained, but energy is lost through condensation in cooling water or air cooling devices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where condensable vapors from the product stream are condensed and the resulting condensate is fed back into the desorption column as stripping gas. This closed-loop system recovers energy that would otherwise be lost, while maintaining the desorption process stability through continuous vapor generation and recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers energy by condensing vapors that would otherwise be discarded in cooling water or air cooling devices. The condensed liquid is then reused as stripping gas, transforming a waste stream into a valuable resource that maintains process functionality while reducing energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If flash vessels and compressors are added to recompress and reinject vapors, then energy recovery is improved, but device complexity and capital expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of vapor compression and reinjection by using a simplified condensation and direct feed-back system. Instead of complex compression equipment, the system extracts vapors through condensation and directly reinjects the condensate, eliminating the need for flash vessels and compressors while achieving the same energy recovery goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex compression equipment with simpler, more economical condensation and feed-back systems. The approach uses readily available condensation technology rather than costly compression machinery, reducing both capital expenses and operational complexity.
3Reliability
If steam is produced at high rates to ensure sufficient CO2 partial pressure, then desorption driving force is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the system to serve itself by using condensate from the product stream as the stripping gas. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external steam production, as the system recycles its own vapors to maintain the desorption driving force, significantly reducing thermal energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers vapors that would otherwise be wasted and reuse them as stripping gas. This recovery mechanism maintains the necessary CO2 partial pressure difference for desorption without requiring additional steam production, thereby reducing energy consumption while preserving process reliability.
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
Significantly reduces thermal energy consumption by up to 50% in amine-based post-combustion capture processes, enhancing energy efficiency without requiring alternative absorbents or complex process modifications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the first product stream with a vapour permeable membrane condenser to remove at least a portion of the vapour from the first product stream through the permeable membrane interface
Implementation Method 2
recover latent heat through condensation and evaporation
Implementation Method 3
exchanging heat with at least a portion of the gas rich liquid entering the desorption unit to heat the gas-rich liquid stream
Implementation Method 4
contacting the second product stream with a vapour permeable membrane evaporator to remove at least a portion of the vapour from the second product stream through a membrane interface
Implementation Method 5
heating a gas-rich liquid in a desorption unit to desorb the gas from the gas-rich liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A process and apparatus for stripping a gas from a gas-rich liquid. The apparatus includes a desorption unit (10) to desorb a gas from the gas-rich liquid to form a first product stream (13) including the gas and a vapor, and a second product stream (14) including a gas-lean liquid. The desorption unit (10) includes a gas-rich liquid inlet (25), a first product stream outlet, and a second product stream outlet. The apparatus further includes at least one of a membrane condenser (22) and/or a membrane (evaporator 17). The membrane condenser (22) includes a membrane interface (26) permeable to the vapor through which vapor transfers from the first product stream to the gas-rich liquid stream and the membrane evaporator (17) includes a membrane interface (18) permeable to the vapor through which vapor transfers to separate a vapor portion from the second product stream (14), and an outlet for a vapor reduced second product stream.