Systems and methods for separating a mixture of compressed-gas solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently separating components of a mixture of compressed gases with different boiling points, as they often require significant refrigeration resources and lack the ability to effectively separate gases with close boiling points.
Innovation Solution
A separation system comprising multiple recovery stages with heat exchangers and jacketed columns, where each stage is configured to chill and condense gases at temperatures just below their boiling points, allowing for efficient recovery and separation of gases with distinct boiling points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional refrigeration methods are used to separate compressed gases, then separation can be achieved, but significant refrigeration resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into multiple sequential stages, each dedicated to separating a specific gas component. Each stage operates at a temperature optimized for that particular gas, avoiding the need to chill all gases to the lowest boiling point simultaneously. This segmentation of the separation process reduces overall refrigeration requirements while maintaining effective separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts temperature parameters at each separation stage to match the specific boiling point requirements of different gases. By changing the temperature parameter sequentially through different stages rather than maintaining a constant low temperature, the system achieves effective separation while minimizing refrigeration energy consumption.
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to separate gases with close boiling points, then separation may be achieved, but the system lacks effectiveness for gases with close boiling points
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic temperature control where each stage can be independently adjusted to optimize separation for specific gas pairs. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to handle various combinations of gases with different boiling point differences, including those with close boiling points, by fine-tuning the temperature at each stage rather than using a fixed temperature profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage configuration allows preliminary separation of easier-to-separate components in earlier stages, which then enables more effective separation of gases with close boiling points in subsequent stages. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of separation tasks in later stages, improving overall effectiveness for challenging gas pairs.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple recovery stages are used to separate different gases, then separation precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the separation function into multiple specialized stages, each handling a specific gas component. This segmentation improves separation precision for each individual gas while organizing the complexity into manageable, modular units that can be independently controlled and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Each recovery stage is designed with universal functionality to handle different gas types, using the same basic equipment configuration (heat exchangers, condensors, collection vessels) adapted for specific gases. This multi-functionality reduces the variety of unique components needed, thereby limiting overall system complexity while maintaining high separation precision through specialized operation of each stage.
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 system achieves efficient separation and recovery of compressed gases with different boiling points, reducing energy consumption and costs by optimizing chilling temperatures and using heat from spent fluids to warm downstream components.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger chills the mixture of compressed gases to a temperature that causes the first gas to condense into liquid form
Implementation Method 2
The jacketed column is configured to prevent reflux by heating the condensed gas to a temperature above the boiling point of the first gas
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for separating components of a mixture of compressed gases each having different boiling points are described. One example system includes multiple recovery stages that each recover one of the gases by condensing it into liquid form. The recovery stages are chained together, such that each stage recovers a gas having a boiling point that is higher than those of the gases to be recovered in downstream stages. Each stage typically includes a warming element that is fluidly coupled to a condenser element that provides a surface cooled to a temperature low enough to condense one of the gases, but high enough such that the remaining gases remain in gaseous form. The system may include an initial evaporator stage that heats a liquid solution of phytochemical extracts and multiple solvents, thereby recovering the extracts and producing the mixture of gaseous solvents.