Pre-amine capturing unit for amine recovery in CO2 scrubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In carbon dioxide capturing processes using amine absorbing liquids, a significant challenge is the inefficient capture of amine compounds entrained in decarbonated treatment gases, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced amine concentration over time, which results in higher amine release into the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide capturing apparatus is designed with a pre-amine capturing unit that brings decarbonated treatment gases into countercurrent contact with a rich liquid from the absorption tower, trapping entrained amine compounds and maintaining high amine concentration, thereby reducing amine release and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water washing capturing unit is used to capture amine compound, then amine capture efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases and energy consumption increases due to subsequent concentration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-amine capturing unit merges the amine capture function with the existing rich liquid stream from the first absorbing unit. By integrating the capture function into the existing absorption-regeneration loop rather than adding a completely separate water washing system, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining amine capture efficiency. The rich liquid serves dual purposes: as absorption medium and as capture medium for entrained amine.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own rich liquid output to capture amine compounds, making the system self-sufficient. The rich liquid that would otherwise be discarded or sent to regeneration is reused to trap entrained amine in the pre-amine capturing unit, eliminating the need for external water washing systems and their associated concentration requirements.
2Reliability
If water washing capturing unit is used to capture amine compound, then amine capture efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases due to concentration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rich liquid containing high concentrations of amine compounds serves as the capturing medium, eliminating the need for energy-intensive concentration processes. The system uses its own output (rich liquid) to capture amine, requiring no external energy input for concentration since the rich liquid is already in the appropriate concentration state for effective amine trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the rich liquid after CO2 absorption or subjecting it to energy-intensive concentration processes, the patent recovers and reuses the rich liquid in the pre-amine capturing unit to trap entrained amine compounds, thereby recovering valuable amine while avoiding energy consumption associated with concentration.
3Productivity
If amine absorbing liquid is used to capture carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide separation efficiency is improved, but amine concentration decreases over time due to entrained amine release
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-amine capturing unit creates a feedback loop where entrained amine is continuously captured and returned to the absorbing liquid stream. This feedback mechanism maintains amine concentration in the absorbing liquid over time, ensuring sustained CO2 separation efficiency without progressive amine loss to the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-amine capturing unit is positioned between the first absorbing unit and the water washing capturing unit to preliminarily capture amine compounds before they can be released to the atmosphere. This preliminary action prevents amine concentration degradation in the absorbing liquid by intercepting entrained amine early in the process flow.
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 pre-amine capturing unit effectively captures and reuses amine compounds, reducing energy consumption and minimizing amine release into the atmosphere, while maintaining the performance of the carbon dioxide capturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a first absorbing unit which brings a gas containing carbon dioxide into contact with an absorbing liquid containing an amine compound in such a manner that the absorbing liquid absorbs carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
a regeneration unit which releases a carbon dioxide gas from the rich liquid sent from the first absorbing unit, thereby regenerating the absorbing liquid
Implementation Method 3
The pre-amine capturing unit is provided between the first absorbing unit and the water washing capturing unit, receives part of the rich liquid from the first absorbing unit, and traps the amine compound entrained in the decarbonated treatment gas by bringing the decarbonated treatment gas from the first absorbing unit into countercurrent contact with the part of the rich liquid
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, a carbon dioxide capturing apparatus includes a first absorbing unit, a regeneration unit, a water washing capturing unit, and a pre-amine capturing unit. The first absorbing unit brings a gas containing carbon dioxide into contact with an absorbing liquid containing an amine compound, and discharges the absorbing liquid which has absorbed carbon dioxide as a rich liquid. The regeneration unit releases a carbon dioxide gas from the rich liquid sent from the first absorbing unit. The water washing capturing unit captures the amine compound entrained in a decarbonated treatment gas sent from the first absorbing unit. The pre-amine capturing unit receives part of the rich liquid from the first absorbing unit, and traps the amine compound entrained in the decarbonated treatment gas by bringing the decarbonated treatment gas from the first absorbing unit into countercurrent contact with the part of the rich liquid.