Potassium Carbonate Absorption for Low-Energy CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies face challenges in reducing costs and improving life cycle benefits, particularly in post-combustion modes, due to high energy penalties and logistical burdens from waste products, and there is a need for processes that produce additional useable products to enhance overall cost attractiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving the conversion of potassium chloride from the fertilizer industry to potassium hydroxide, chlorine, and hydrogen, which is then used in a carbonate absorption/stripping process to remove carbon dioxide from industrial emissions, with the by-products potassium sulfate and nitrate being recycled back into the fertilizer supply chain, utilizing energy from the power industry to reduce overall costs and produce valuable by-products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional carbon capture processes are used to remove carbon dioxide from industrial sources, then carbon dioxide emission reduction is achieved, but the process cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the absorption solvent by using potassium carbonate instead of conventional amine-based solvents. This parameter change reduces the energy penalty for solvent regeneration and allows for lower operating costs while maintaining effective carbon dioxide capture. The potassium carbonate system operates at lower temperatures and requires less energy for the stripping process, directly addressing the cost issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers and recycles the potassium carbonate solvent after carbon dioxide removal. Instead of discarding the solvent or requiring continuous makeup, the system regenerates the potassium carbonate in a stripping column and recycles it back to the absorber. This recovery approach reduces operational costs and improves the overall economics of the carbon capture process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is captured and stored using conventional CCS technologies, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but energy consumption increases due to high energy penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal and chemical parameters of the capture process by employing potassium carbonate absorption. This system requires lower regeneration temperatures compared to amine-based systems, reducing the energy penalty. The potassium carbonate solution can be regenerated at temperatures closer to ambient conditions, significantly lowering the energy consumption for carbon dioxide separation and compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical compression and high-energy separation processes with a chemical absorption system using potassium carbonate. The chemical reaction between potassium carbonate and carbon dioxide occurs at lower energies, and the subsequent regeneration process requires less mechanical work, effectively substituting high-energy mechanical processes with lower-energy chemical processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional carbon capture processes are implemented, then carbon dioxide removal is achieved, but additional waste products require logistical management
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the waste stream containing potassium salts into a valuable by-product. The potassium carbonate absorption process produces a waste stream rich in potassium, which is then processed to generate potassium chloride fertilizer. This converts what would be a disposal burden into a revenue-generating product, eliminating the waste management issue while adding economic value to the carbon capture process.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon capture processes are used to reduce emissions, then environmental benefits are achieved, but the cost of downstream goods and services increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters to reduce energy consumption during carbon dioxide capture and compression. By using potassium carbonate absorption operating at lower temperatures and pressures, the overall energy demand of the process is reduced, which directly lowers the cost impact on downstream electricity generation and other industrial processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention generates valuable potassium chloride fertilizer as a by-product of the carbon capture process. This additional revenue stream offsets the costs associated with carbon dioxide removal, thereby reducing the net cost impact on downstream goods and services. The waste-to-value conversion improves the overall economics of the integrated system.
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 reduces the energy penalty for carbon dioxide removal, allows for the simultaneous capture of impurities, and generates additional revenue streams, thereby improving the cost effectiveness and commercial attractiveness of carbon capture, enabling large-scale CCS with reduced life cycle costs and enhanced supply chain efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
feeding potassium chloride from a potassium supply chain to an electrolyser process to produce chlorine, hydrogen and potassium hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
an absorber for scrubbing flue gas emitted by the power plant using a recirculating lean carbonate stream
Implementation Method 3
which has an absorber for scrubbing flue gas emitted by the power plant using a recirculating lean carbonate stream, wherein the flue gas contains nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which are absorbed in the absorber
Implementation Method 4
removing carbon dioxide as a pure gas stream in a CO2 regeneration column
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method adapted for integration with a carbonate absorption/stripping process for removal of carbon dioxide, the method and system including the steps of: converting a source of alkali from a first industry to a non-carbonate alkali; feeding the non-carbonate alkali as makeup to a carbonate absorption system for stripping carbon dioxide from emissions from a second industry; recovering an output from the system for stripping carbon dioxide, and in the process of conversion of the alkali from the first industry, utilising energy from the second industry.