Mist Reduction in Flue Gas for CO2 Absorber Liquid Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

In air pollution control systems, the entrainment of CO2 absorption liquid by mist generation materials in the CO2 absorber leads to significant loss and increased running costs due to the need for unnecessary replenishment of the absorption liquid.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of mist generation material reduction equipment before the CO2 recovery equipment decreases the amount of mist generation material in the flue gas introduced to the CO2 absorber, thereby reducing the entrainment of CO2 absorption liquid and scattering outside the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If flue gas containing mist generation material is introduced to the CO2 absorber, then CO2 absorption process can proceed, but CO2 absorption liquid is entrained by mist and scatters to the outside of the system

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 absorption efficiencyVSAvoidCO2 absorption liquid loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a mist generation material reduction process before the CO2 absorption process. Specifically, flue gas is treated to reduce mist generation materials (such as sulfur trioxide) before entering the CO2 absorber, preventing the formation of mist that would cause liquid entrainment. This upstream prevention approach eliminates the root cause of absorption liquid loss while maintaining CO2 absorption efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If mist generation material is present in flue gas, then CO2 absorption can occur, but unnecessary replenishment of CO2 absorption liquid is required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 recovery rateVSAvoidenergy for replenishment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents the need for replenishment by taking preliminary action to reduce mist generation materials before CO2 absorption. By removing sulfur trioxide and other mist-forming substances upstream, the system prevents liquid entrainment that would otherwise require replenishment, thereby saving the energy associated with pumping, heating, and regenerating replacement absorption liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If CO2 absorption liquid is entrained by mist, then scattering to outside of system occurs, but system efficiency decreases due to regeneration and replenishment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption liquid retentionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent improves reliability by preventing liquid entrainment through preliminary mist generation material reduction. Instead of adding complex downstream recovery systems to capture scattered liquid, the invention simplifies the overall system by addressing the root cause upstream, thereby improving absorption liquid retention without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly decreases the loss of CO2 absorption liquid, suppresses the generation of white smoke, and enhances system efficiency by reducing the need for unnecessary regeneration and replenishment of the absorption liquid.

Implementation Method 1

CO2 in the flue gas is absorbed by the CO2 absorption liquid in a chemical reaction (exothermic reaction)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction (exothermic reaction): Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

The rich solution is pressurized by a pump, is heated in a heat exchanger by a high-temperature CO2 absorption liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2578295B1Exhaust gas treatment system and method
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND ENG LTD
  • EP2578295B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578295B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2578295B1 patent drawingFigure 3-1~3-2

AI summary

SOx removal equipment 15 which reduces sulfur oxides from flue gas 12 from a boiler 11, a cooler 16 which is provided on a downstream side of the SOx removal equipment 15 so as to reduce the sulfur oxides that remain in the flue gas 12 and decrease a gas temperature, CO2 recovery equipment 17 which includes a CO2 absorber for bringing CO2 in the flue gas 12 into contact with a CO2 absorption liquid so as to be reduced, and an absorption liquid regenerator for causing the CO2 absorption liquid to emit CO2 so as to recover CO2 degenerate the CO2 absorption liquid, and mist generation material reduction equipment 20 which reduces a mist generation material which is a generation source of mist that is generated in the CO2 absorber of the recovery equipment 17 before introducing the flue gas 12 to the CO2 recovery equipment 17 are included.