Multi-Stage Membrane Apparatus for CO2 Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating carbon dioxide from combustion gas, such as those using membrane separation, face limitations in efficiency and practical application, particularly in power plants, as they can disrupt boiler efficiency and do not effectively enhance carbon dioxide separation performance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing multiple separation membranes in a self-recycle configuration, where permeate gas from one membrane is injected back into the inlet of the same or subsequent membranes, and residue gas is recycled to increase carbon dioxide concentration and separation performance, with optional pressure and decompression units to optimize gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If membrane separation is used to capture CO2 from combustion gas, then CO2 separation is achieved, but boiler efficiency changes and practical application is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides CO2 separation into multiple stages with different membrane modules (first, second, and third modules) operating in parallel. Each module handles a portion of the combustion gas flow, allowing progressive CO2 concentration increase without overburdening a single membrane unit, thereby maintaining boiler efficiency while achieving high CO2 separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies operational parameters across different modules, including gas flow distribution ratios (e.g., 30-70% to first module, 20-50% to second module, 10-40% to third module) and pressure conditions. This parameter optimization allows each module to operate at its most efficient point, maximizing CO2 separation while minimizing impact on boiler efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If multiple stages of membrane separation are used to increase CO2 separation performance, then separation factor is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides CO2 separation into multiple stages with different membrane modules (first, second, and third modules) operating in parallel. Each module handles a portion of the combustion gas flow, allowing progressive CO2 concentration increase without overburdening a single membrane unit, thereby maintaining boiler efficiency while achieving high CO2 separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple membrane modules operating in parallel, where the permeate streams from different modules are merged and concentrated. This merging approach achieves high CO2 separation factors by combining the separation capabilities of multiple modules while sharing common infrastructure, thus managing system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If permeate stream is withdrawn to boiler with sweep gas to build up CO2 concentration, then CO2 concentration on feed side increases, but application to actual power plant process is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system varies operational parameters across different modules, including gas flow distribution ratios (e.g., 30-70% to first module, 20-50% to second module, 10-40% to third module) and pressure conditions. This parameter optimization allows each module to operate at its most efficient point, maximizing CO2 separation while minimizing impact on boiler efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a portion of its own permeate stream as sweep gas for subsequent modules, creating a self-service configuration. The permeate from the first module serves as sweep gas for the second module, and permeate from the second module serves for the third module. This eliminates the need for external sweep gas sources and makes the system more adaptable to power plant operations.
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 efficiently separates carbon dioxide with a high purity of at least 80% and improved selectivity, making it suitable for practical application in power plants without significant boiler efficiency changes.
Implementation Method 1
membrane separation using a separation membrane
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus separating carbon dioxide from combustion gas using separation membranes, which includes: a first separation membrane in which combustion gas is injected into an inlet side of the first separation membrane; a second separation membrane in which residue gas of the first separation membrane is injected into an inlet side of the second separation membrane; and a third separation membrane in which permeate gas of the first separation membrane is injected into an inlet side of the third separation membrane, wherein at least a part of permeate gas of the third separation membrane is captured, and residue gas of the third separation membrane is injected into the inlet side of the first separation membrane or the second separation membrane. The present invention can be easily applied to an actual process by efficiently separating carbon dioxide using separation membranes.