Molten Alkali Borate Sorbents for High-Temperature Acid Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require multiple separate low-temperature processes to treat each acid gas individually, which is inefficient and costly, and there is a need for a method to capture and separate multiple acid gases at high temperatures without compromising system performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of molten alkali metal borates as sorbents to remove non-CO2 acid gases at elevated temperatures, allowing for continuous capture and separation of multiple acid gases in a single high-temperature system, with the ability to regenerate the sorbent through pressure or temperature swing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate low-temperature processes are used to treat each acid gas individually, then each acid gas can be treated with specialized methods, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple acid gas treatment functions into a single integrated system using a solid solution sorbent that can simultaneously capture and separate multiple acid gases (CO2, H2S, SO2, NOx) in one process unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The solid solution sorbent material is designed with universal applicability to treat various types of acid gases through a single material system, allowing one sorbent to perform multiple separation functions that previously required different specialized processes
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional low-temperature processes are used for acid gas removal, then the treatment can be performed with existing technology, but the energy input and process duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from conventional low-temperature processes to high-temperature operation (above the melting point of the sorbent), which fundamentally alters the sorption mechanism and enables faster kinetics and reduced energy input for regeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material undergoes a phase transition from solid to liquid state above its melting point, creating a molten salt solid solution that provides enhanced mass transfer and sorption capabilities at high temperatures, enabling more efficient acid gas removal
3Productivity
If high-temperature treatment is applied to remove acid gases, then the process duration and energy input are reduced, but the system must maintain stable sorbent performance at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite solid solution sorbent composed of multiple metal halides (e.g., CsCl, RbCl, KI, NaI) forming a stable molten salt system that maintains compositional stability and structural integrity at high temperatures, enabling sustained sorption performance
Solution Approach 2:
By operating above the melting point of the sorbent system, the patent transforms the physical state to liquid/molten phase, which enhances ion mobility and sorption kinetics while the solid solution composition provides thermal stability and prevents decomposition
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
Enables efficient and continuous removal of non-CO2 acid gases at high temperatures, reducing energy input and process duration, while facilitating the separation of different acid gases and potentially separating CO2 from non-CO2 gases.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a sorbent, the sorbent comprising a salt in molten form, to an environment containing a non-CO2 acid gas such that at least a portion of the non-CO2 acid gas interacts with the sorbent and at least a portion of the non-CO2 acid gas is removed from the environment
Data Source
AI summary
The removal of acid gases (e.g., non-carbon dioxide acid gases) using sorbents that include salts in molten form, and related systems and methods, are generally described.