Multi-Chamber Absorption Tower Layout for Height-Limited Gas Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorption towers for gas capturing are excessively tall due to a stacked arrangement, making them unsuitable for installations with height limitations such as buildings and ships.

Innovation Solution

The absorption tower is redesigned with compartments including a first, second, and third reaction chamber arranged orthogonally, utilizing conveying assemblies and heat exchangers to facilitate gas and liquid reactions across multiple chambers, reducing overall height and enhancing capture efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the absorption tower is arranged in a stacked manner to ensure full gas absorption, then the absorption efficiency is improved, but the tower height becomes excessively high (exceeding 40 meters)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas absorption efficiencyVSAvoidtower height
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the traditional vertical stacked arrangement of absorption sections into a horizontal multi-chamber configuration. The reaction chambers are arranged side-by-side in the horizontal direction rather than stacked vertically, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension of the absorption process. This allows multiple absorption stages to occur simultaneously in parallel chambers, achieving high absorption efficiency without increasing tower height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption tower is divided into multiple independent reaction chambers (first, second, and third reaction chambers) that are arranged horizontally. Each chamber functions as an independent absorption unit with its own gas-liquid contact mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the equivalent of multiple absorption stages in a compact horizontal layout, resolving the contradiction between absorption efficiency and tower height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If multiple reaction chambers are arranged horizontally to reduce height, then the tower height is reduced for height-constrained applications, but the system complexity increases with multiple conveying assemblies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetower heightVSAvoidconveying assembly configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the liquid circulation and gas distribution functions into an integrated system. The conveying assemblies serve dual purposes: they convey reaction liquid between chambers while also facilitating heat exchange and mass transfer. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing system complexity despite the horizontal multi-chamber configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying assemblies are designed with multi-functionality, serving as both liquid transport mechanisms and heat exchange conduits. Each conveying assembly handles multiple tasks including liquid circulation, temperature control, and gas-liquid contact facilitation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 redesigned tower allows for efficient gas capture in scenarios with height constraints, maintaining high capture efficiency and applicability to various environments.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid and gas react in a convective contact, thereby achieving an absorption of the carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The liquid and gas react in a convective contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4659843A1Absorption tower for gas capture
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HUANENG CLEAN ENERGY RES INST
  • EP4659843A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4659843A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4659843A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The absorption tower comprises an absorption tower body, a reaction chamber, a first conveying assembly and a second conveying assembly, a cavity is formed in the absorption tower body, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are formed in the absorption tower body, the cavity comprises the reaction chamber, the liquid inlet and the gas outlet are located above the reaction chamber, and the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly are arranged in the cavity. The gas inlet and the liquid outlet are located below the reaction chambers, the reaction chambers comprise a first reaction chamber, a second reaction chamber and a third reaction chamber, the gas inlet is communicated with the first reaction chamber, the liquid inlet is communicated with the first reaction chamber, the gas outlet and the liquid outlet are communicated with the third reaction chamber, the first conveying assembly is connected with the first reaction chamber, and the second conveying assembly is connected with the second reaction chamber. The first conveying assembly is connected with the second reaction chamber, the second conveying assembly is connected with the second reaction chamber, and the second conveying assembly is connected with the third reaction chamber. The absorption tower for gas trapping disclosed by the embodiment of the invention has the advantages of wide application range and good trapping effect.