Particle Bed CO2 Desublimation for Continuous Flue Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing CO2 from flue gases, such as scrubbing with amine solutions and oxy-combustion, are inefficient and decrease the overall efficiency of power plants, necessitating a more effective separation technique.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a fluidized or fixed bed with an in-bed heat exchanger to cool and condense CO2 vapors onto a bed of particles, separating them from other gases, allowing for continuous operation and efficient CO2 capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CO2 is captured by scrubbing with amine solutions, then CO2 separation is achieved, but the total efficiency of the power plant decreases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transition of CO2 from gas to solid (desublimation) directly, bypassing the liquid absorption stage. CO2 in the gas stream is cooled below its sublimation point and deposits as solid CO2 on cold surfaces, achieving separation without amine solutions and maintaining power plant efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts CO2 directly from the gas stream through desublimation on cold surfaces, removing the need for the entire amine scrubbing system. This extraction approach separates CO2 efficiently while avoiding the efficiency penalties associated with chemical absorption systems.
2Measurement precision
If desublimation occurs on heat exchanger surfaces, then CO2 separation is achieved, but condensed solids buildup reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a fluidized bed of particles that dynamically interacts with the heat exchanger surfaces. The fluidized particles continuously move and impinge on the cold surfaces, preventing condensed solids from adhering and building up. This dynamic approach maintains heat exchanger efficiency while enabling continuous CO2 desublimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of condensed solids buildup into a beneficial process. The condensed CO2 that would normally foul the heat exchanger surfaces is instead captured by the fluidized bed particles, which then transport the solids to a collection point. The fluidized bed transforms the problem of solid deposition into an efficient collection mechanism.
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 method enhances the efficiency of CO2 separation by minimizing desublimation on heat exchanger surfaces, enabling continuous operation and effective removal of CO2 for sequestration, while maintaining system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature and pressure within the bed may be sufficient to desublimate at least a portion of the condensable vapors from the process stream onto the bed of particles and/or onto an exterior of the conduit of the in-bed heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The in-bed heat exchanger cools the bed and/or the process stream flowing through the bed
Implementation Method 3
In this embodiment, the fluidized particles can impinge the exterior surface of the conduit of the heat exchanger to reduce a buildup of condensed solids
Data Source
AI summary
Condensable vapors such as carbon dioxide are separated from light gases in a process stream. The systems and methods employ a particle bed cooled by an in-bed heat exchanger to desublimate the condensable vapors from the process stream. The condensable vapors are condensed on the bed particles while the light gases from the process stream, which are not condensed, form a separated light-gas stream. The separated light-gas stream can be used in a recuperative heat exchanger to cool the process stream.