Mist-Based CO2 Absorber Size Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional post-combustion carbon capture systems, particularly those using packed bed reactors, are large and costly due to the need for extensive absorption towers, limiting the practicality and efficiency of CO2 removal from combustion exhaust streams.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage mist-based absorption system where a liquid mist with droplets smaller than 70 micrometers is used to increase the interfacial area with the gas stream, combined with an electrostatic separation zone to capture and recycle the mist, reducing the size and cost of the absorption system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packed bed reactors are used to capture >90% of CO2 from power plants, then CO2 capture efficiency is improved, but the size and capital cost of absorption towers increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of the absorbent from bulk liquid in packed beds to fine droplets (1-100 micrometers) in aerosol form. This parameter change increases the surface area to volume ratio by several orders of magnitude, enabling high CO2 capture efficiency in a much smaller reactor volume. The droplet-based approach transforms the absorption process from a volume-intensive operation to a surface-area-intensive operation, resolving the contradiction between capture efficiency and tower size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses gas-dynamic principles to suspend and circulate liquid droplets within the gas stream. By introducing the absorbent as an aerosol that flows with the gas phase, the system eliminates the need for large packed beds and gravity-driven liquid flow. The pneumatic transport of droplets through the reactor enables efficient contact between absorbent and flue gas in a compact configuration, directly addressing the size reduction requirement while maintaining high capture efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If absorption towers are reduced in size to lower capital costs, then economic viability is improved, but CO2 capture efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of the absorbent from bulk liquid in packed beds to fine droplets (1-100 micrometers) in aerosol form. This parameter change increases the surface area to volume ratio by several orders of magnitude, enabling high CO2 capture efficiency in a much smaller reactor volume. The droplet-based approach transforms the absorption process from a volume-intensive operation to a surface-area-intensive operation, resolving the contradiction between capture efficiency and tower size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses gas-dynamic principles to suspend and circulate liquid droplets within the gas stream. By introducing the absorbent as an aerosol that flows with the gas phase, the system eliminates the need for large packed beds and gravity-driven liquid flow. The pneumatic transport of droplets through the reactor enables efficient contact between absorbent and flue gas in a compact configuration, directly addressing the size reduction requirement while maintaining high capture efficiency.
3Reliability
If liquid absorbent is used in conventional packed bed reactors, then CO2 absorption is effective, but the system requires large towers over 20 meters in height
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of the absorbent from bulk liquid in packed beds to fine droplets (1-100 micrometers) in aerosol form. This parameter change increases the surface area to volume ratio by several orders of magnitude, enabling high CO2 capture efficiency in a much smaller reactor volume. The droplet-based approach transforms the absorption process from a volume-intensive operation to a surface-area-intensive operation, resolving the contradiction between capture efficiency and tower size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses gas-dynamic principles to suspend and circulate liquid droplets within the gas stream. By introducing the absorbent as an aerosol that flows with the gas phase, the system eliminates the need for large packed beds and gravity-driven liquid flow. The pneumatic transport of droplets through the reactor enables efficient contact between absorbent and flue gas in a compact configuration, directly addressing the size reduction requirement while maintaining high capture efficiency.
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
This approach achieves CO2 capture efficiencies of up to 95% while significantly reducing the size and capital expenditure of CO2 absorber units, making post-combustion carbon capture more practical and economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
expose the liquid mist to the gas stream under conditions that facilitate transfer of at least some of the gaseous species from the gas stream to the liquid mist
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic separation zone along the gas flow pathway, fluidly connected to the gaseous species absorption zone and configured to electrostatically separate at least some of the liquid mist from the gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments address removal of one or more species from a gas stream by exposing the gas stream to divided portions of a fluid, such as droplets of water or mist, where the fluid, and/or content of the fluid, can absorb or modify the species and thereby remove it at least partially from the gas stream. Removal of CO2 from a combustion exhaust stream is one embodiment.