Membrane Purifier for Trace Component Removal in Chilled Ammonia CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chilled ammonia processes for CO2 removal from gas streams face issues with accumulation of water and trace components, leading to reduced absorption capacity and increased costs due to the need for bleed streams and high-energy-consuming appendix strippers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a membrane separation step using a semipermeable membrane purifier to separate trace components from the ammoniated solution, which is permeable to water and ammonia but impermeable to metal ions, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate, reducing the accumulation of trace components and energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bleed stream is used to remove water and trace components from the circulating ammoniated solution, then the absorption capacity is maintained, but the operational costs increase and environmental issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a semipermeable membrane with selective porosity to separate trace components and water from the ammoniated solution. The membrane's pore structure allows water and small molecules to pass through while retaining ammonia and larger trace components, enabling continuous purification without bulk solution loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the harmful components (water and trace components) from the circulating ammoniated solution using membrane separation, rather than removing the entire solution as in the bleed stream approach. This selective extraction maintains solution inventory while eliminating contaminants.
2Reliability
If an appendix stripper is used to evaporate water and trace components, then the accumulation of trace components is reduced, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (evaporation process) with a membrane separation process. Instead of using heat to evaporate water and trace components, the invention uses a membrane's selective permeability to separate components at lower temperatures, dramatically reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the separation mechanism from thermal-based (evaporation requiring high temperature) to membrane-based (operating at ambient or lower temperatures). This parameter change from temperature-driven separation to pressure/concentration-driven membrane separation reduces the energy input required for trace component removal.
3Reliability
If high grade stainless steel or resistant materials are used in the appendix stripper, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from high (required for evaporation in appendix stripper) to low or ambient (membrane operation conditions). This parameter change eliminates the need for high-grade corrosion-resistant materials, allowing the use of standard construction materials and reducing investment costs.
4Productivity
If the ammoniated solution is circulated continuously, then the CO2 removal efficiency is maintained, but water and trace components accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous membrane separation alongside the continuous circulation of ammoniated solution. The membrane purifier operates continuously to remove accumulating water and trace components, maintaining solution composition stability while preserving the continuous CO2 removal capability of the circulating 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
The membrane purifier effectively reduces trace component and water content with low energy consumption, minimizing equipment needs, reducing investment costs, and lowering operational temperatures to prevent corrosion, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the CO2 removal process.
Implementation Method 1
separating trace components from a circulating solution stream by means of a semipermeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
a membrane purifier having a first and a second compartment, wherein said first and second compartment are separated by a semipermeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A system (1) for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream by bringing the gas stream into contact with a circulating ammoniated solution stream such that CO2 is absorbed in said ammoniated solution, characterized in that the system comprises a membrane purifier (17), said membrane purifier having a first compartment (18) and a second compartment (19), wherein said first and second compartment are separated by a semipermeable membrane (20), a method for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream by bringing the gas stream into contact with a circulating ammoniated solution stream such that CO2 is absorbed in said ammoniated solution, said method comprising the step of separating trace components from a circulating solution using a semipermeable membrane, and the use of a membrane purifier having a first and a second compartment, wherein said first and a second compartments are separated by a semipermeable membrane, for reducing the trace component and/or water content of a circulating solution stream in a method or system for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) using a circulating ammoniated solution.