Process and apparatus for capture of co2
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 capture processes face inefficiencies due to the need for large driers and degraded CO2 PSA performance when recycling wet regeneration gas, and the off-gas from CO2 capture units is not effectively utilized as a fuel source.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus that utilizes CO2 capture off-gas as a regeneration fuel for driers and integrates multiple separation steps, including compression, temperature swing adsorption, and pressure swing adsorption, to efficiently separate and regenerate adsorbents while producing valuable hydrogen and carbon monoxide products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wet regeneration gas is recycled upstream the TSA inlet, then the regeneration of driers is achieved, but the drier size must be significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water removal function from the TSA unit by sending the wet regeneration gas to a separate water removal unit (condenser or molecular sieve drier) before recycling it to the TSA inlet. This extraction allows the TSA unit to maintain its original size while still achieving effective regeneration through the combined action of the TSA adsorbent and the dedicated water removal unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary water removal unit (condenser or molecular sieve drier) between the TSA regeneration process and the TSA inlet. This intermediary component handles the water removal function, allowing the TSA unit to focus on its primary separation function without requiring size increase for water management.
2Quantity of substance
If low pressure CO2 rich gas from CO2 PSA is recycled at the inlet of CO2 capture unit, then regeneration gas is provided, but the CO2 PSA performances are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the CO2 depleted gas serve multiple functions: it acts as regeneration gas for the TSA unit and simultaneously serves as fuel for the reformer burner. This multi-functionality allows sufficient regeneration gas supply without compromising CO2 PSA performance, as the gas is utilized efficiently in both applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the CO2 depleted gas, which would otherwise be a waste stream or require additional processing, into a valuable fuel source for the reformer burner. This conversion eliminates the need to compromise CO2 PSA performance for regeneration gas supply, as the depleted gas is productively utilized.
3Device complexity
If off-gas from CO2 capture unit is not utilized, then process simplicity is maintained, but energy waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the off-gas from the CO2 capture unit serve the process itself by using it as fuel for the reformer burner. This self-service approach allows the system to utilize its own waste stream for energy needs, eliminating energy waste while maintaining relatively simple process configuration through direct integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the off-gas utilization function with the existing reformer burner system. By combining the waste heat recovery and fuel generation functions into the existing thermal processing system, the invention achieves energy efficiency improvement without significantly increasing overall process complexity.
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
Enhances the efficiency of CO2 capture by reducing drier size requirements and improving PSA performance, while utilizing off-gas as a fuel, thereby optimizing energy use and product yield.
Implementation Method 1
Drying the compressed gas mixture with a temperature swing adsorption unit comprising at least two adsorbent beds
Implementation Method 2
Separation of the first residual gas depleted in CO2 from iii) by at least one pressure swing adsorption unit
Implementation Method 3
Separation of the dry and compressed gaseous mixture in a separation unit by at least one of the following steps: partial condensation, distillation, washing and solidification
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for separation of a gaseous mixture containing CO2, hydrogen and water includes a compressor for compressing the gaseous mixture to a first pressure between 20 to 60 bara, a temperature swing adsorption unit for drying the compressed gas mixture comprising at least two adsorbent beds, a separation unit for separation of the dry and compressed gaseous mixture in by at least one of the following techniques: partial condensation, distillation, washing and solidification to produce at least two streams, being a rich CO2 liquid enriched in CO2 and depleted in at least one of methane and hydrogen and carbon monoxide as compared with the gaseous mixture and a first residual gas depleted in CO2 and enriched in at least one of methane and hydrogen and carbon monoxide as compared with the gaseous mixture, a pressure swing adsorption unit for separation of the first residual gas depleted in CO2 by at least one pressure swing adsorption unit in order to produce at least one gas richer in CO2 than the first residual gas and at least one gas depleted in CO2 and enriched in at least one of methane and hydrogen and carbon monoxide as compared to the first residual gas, a conduit for sending to one of said adsorbent beds a regeneration gas which is at least a part of at least one gas depleted in CO2 as compared to the first residual gas.