Parallel Passage Contactor for Adsorptive Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adsorptive gas separation processes face high energy consumption and operating costs due to steam usage in desorption, and conventional adsorbent materials suffer from reduced adsorptive capacity and erosion when exposed to fluid streams, particularly in combustion gas treatment systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a parallel passage contactor structure with a barrier layer interposed between two adsorbent layers of different materials, facilitating efficient heat transfer and controlled fluid permeability to reduce energy consumption and adsorbent material degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam is used for desorption and regeneration of adsorbent material, then the adsorbent material can be regenerated, but energy consumption and operating cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into multiple parallel passages with different lengths, allowing different fluid streams to traverse different distances. This segmentation enables selective exposure of adsorbent material to different conditions, improving regeneration efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the adsorbent contactor are designed with different characteristics - some passages have longer lengths for feed stream contact, while others have shorter lengths for desorption fluid contact. This local differentiation optimizes both adsorption performance and regeneration efficiency without requiring excessive energy input.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrophilic adsorbent materials are used, then adsorptive capacity for certain components is improved, but adsorptive capacity is reduced by presence of steam and water
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is segmented into multiple parallel passages, allowing hydrophilic adsorbent material to be placed only in passages where steam and water presence is minimal or controlled. This segmentation protects the hydrophilic material from harmful exposure while maintaining its adsorptive capacity in suitable zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel passage structure acts as an intermediary that separates the hydrophilic adsorbent material from the harmful steam and water in the desorption fluid stream. By routing fluids through separate passages, the system protects the adsorbent material while still enabling effective regeneration.
3Productivity
If conventional adsorbent contactor configuration is used with fluid streams traveling through the contactor, then fluid contact is achieved, but adsorbent material erosion and wash occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is divided into multiple parallel passages with varying lengths. This segmentation allows optimization of fluid flow paths to reduce turbulent flow and mechanical stress on adsorbent material, thereby minimizing erosion and wash while maintaining effective fluid contact for adsorption and regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different passages are designed with different lengths and flow characteristics suited to specific functions. Adsorbent material is strategically placed in passages where flow conditions are most favorable for its stability, protecting it from erosion while maintaining overall contactor productivity.
4Device complexity
If parallel passage contactor with uniform fluid path length is used, then simple configuration is achieved, but residence time for regeneration fluid is too long causing unwanted adsorption
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel passages are designed with asymmetric lengths - some passages are longer than others. This asymmetry allows regeneration fluid to travel shorter distances in specific passages, reducing residence time and preventing unwanted adsorption of components from the regeneration fluid onto the adsorbent material, while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of gas separation by minimizing energy use, extending adsorbent lifespan, and allowing for the use of hydrophilic materials, thereby reducing operational costs and improving process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a barrier layer interposed between the first adsorbent layer and the second adsorbent layer... facilitating efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
controlled fluid permeability to reduce energy consumption and adsorbent material degradation
Implementation Method 3
the adsorbent material may adsorb a component of the feed stream, providing for separation of the adsorbed component from the remaining components
Implementation Method 4
a regeneration or desorption fluid stream may be admitted into the adsorptive separator and contactor to increase the temperature of the adsorbent material, causing at least a portion of the adsorbed components to release or desorb
Data Source
AI summary
An adsorptive gas separation apparatus and method is disclosed. An adsorbent structure may include a first adsorbent layer having at least a first adsorbent material, a second adsorbent layer including at least a second adsorbent material, and a barrier layer, where the barrier layer is interposed between the first adsorbent layer and the second adsorbent layer. A parallel passage contactor including a plurality of adsorbent structures each comprising a barrier layer, and arranged to form first and second fluid passages is also disclosed. An adsorption process for separating at least a first component from a multi-component fluid stream using the adsorbent structure is also provided.