Substituted Piperidine Absorbent for CO2 Capture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for absorbing CO2 from gas mixtures using aqueous alkanolamines require high energy for separation and desorption, and result in incomplete CO2 recovery due to phase separation and precipitation issues with 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-based absorption media.

Innovation Solution

Employing a substituted 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine with a water-solubility-increasing functional group on the 4-amino group, specifically amines of the formula (I), which avoids phase separation and precipitation during CO2 absorption and desorption, allowing for high absorption capacity and rate without additional solvents, and enables efficient regeneration of the absorption medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine is used as absorption medium, then high CO2 absorption capacity is achieved, but phase separation and precipitation occur during absorption and desorption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 absorption capacityVSAvoidphase stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine by introducing hydrophilic substituents (such as hydroxyl, alkoxy, or carboxyl groups) at the 4-amino position. This structural parameter change increases the hydrophilicity of the amine, preventing phase separation and precipitation while maintaining high CO2 absorption capacity through carbamate formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional aqueous alkanolamines are used for CO2 absorption, then CO2 can be absorbed from gas mixtures, but large amounts of energy are required for separation and desorption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 absorptionVSAvoidenergy for separation and desorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical nature of the absorption medium from conventional alkanolamines to substituted 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidines. These substituted amines form carbamate salts with CO2 that have different thermal stability characteristics, enabling more efficient desorption with lower energy input while maintaining high absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine is used to absorb CO2, then high absorption capacity is achieved, but additional apparatus is required for separating phases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 absorption capacityVSAvoidseparation apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces hydrophilic substituents into the 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine structure, which fundamentally changes the phase behavior of the absorption medium. This parameter change ensures single-phase stability during both absorption and desorption, eliminating the need for additional phase separation apparatus and simplifying the overall process equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If solvents are added to prevent precipitation of carbamate salt, then absorption capacity increases, but the absorption medium becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidabsorption medium composition
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves the desired absorption capacity by modifying the molecular structure of the amine itself through substitution at the 4-amino group. This intrinsic structural modification eliminates the need to add external solvents or co-absorbents, maintaining a simple and clean absorption medium composition while achieving high CO2 uptake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method achieves high CO2 absorption capacity and rate with reduced energy requirements and minimal residual CO2 in the absorption medium, avoiding phase separation and precipitation, thus improving CO2 separation efficiency compared to traditional ethanolamine-based systems.

Implementation Method 1

a method for absorbing CO2 from a gas mixture by bringing the gas mixture into contact with an absorption medium which comprises water and at least one amine of the formula (I)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the carbamate salt readily precipitates when CO2 is absorbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbamate formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The loaded absorption medium is regenerated by heating, decompression to a lower pressure or stripping, with the carbon dioxide being desorbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal desorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP2852453B8Method for absorbing co2 from a gas mixture
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

In a method for absorbing CO2 from a gas mixture, precipitation of a solid during the absorption of CO2 and separation into two liquid phases during the regeneration of an absorption medium can be avoided by using an absorption medium that comprises water and at least one amine of formula (I), wherein * R1 is a group -(CH2) n-(XCH2CH2) m-Y-R3 with * R3 = hydrogen or alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, * X and Y are NR3, oxygen, SO, or SO2 independently of each other, wherein for Y = SO and for Y = SO2, R3 is not hydrogen, and wherein Y-R3 can be an N-morpholinyl group or an N-piperazyl group, * n = 2 to 4, * m = 0 to 4, and * R2 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a group R1, * wherein m is different from 0 if R2 is not a group R1, Y = NR3, and Y-R3 is not an N-morpholinyl group and is not an N-piperazyl group.