Process and apparatus for separating a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current separation processes for hydrogen and carbon dioxide mixtures, particularly those following adsorption, face inefficiencies and stability issues due to reliance on external heat sources and complex control systems, which can lead to reduced performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A process involving partial condensation and membrane separation, combined with turbine expansion to recycle and recover CO2, reduces the load on separation processes and eliminates the need for external heating, stabilizing the system by utilizing the compression heat and optimizing temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If external heat sources are used for separation processes, then separation efficiency is improved, but system complexity and reliability deteriorate due to complex control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the compression heat generated during CO2 compression to provide the heating required for the separation process. This self-service approach eliminates external heat sources and complex control systems while maintaining separation efficiency, as the process heat is internally generated and automatically utilized.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the waste heat generated during compression into a useful resource for the separation process. By utilizing the compression heat that would otherwise be wasted, the system achieves efficient separation without requiring external heating, thereby simplifying the control system while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If external heat sources are used for separation processes, then separation efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the compression heat generated during CO2 compression to provide the heating required for the separation process. This self-service approach eliminates external heat sources and complex control systems while maintaining separation efficiency, as the process heat is internally generated and automatically utilized.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex control systems are used to manage separation processes, then process stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the compression heat generated during CO2 compression to provide the heating required for the separation process. This self-service approach eliminates external heat sources and complex control systems while maintaining separation efficiency, as the process heat is internally generated and automatically utilized.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional separation processes are used, then CO2 separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the waste heat generated during compression into a useful resource for the separation process. By utilizing the compression heat that would otherwise be wasted, the system achieves efficient separation without requiring external heating, thereby simplifying the control system while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and utilizes the compression heat that would otherwise be discarded. By capturing and using this waste heat for the separation process, the system significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective CO2 separation.
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 enhances the efficiency and reliability of hydrogen production by recycling CO2 and reducing energy consumption, while stabilizing the system and improving performance by eliminating the need for external heat sources and simplifying control loops.
Implementation Method 1
cooling of the mixture from a first temperature in a heat exchanger, resulting in the partial condensation of the mixture into a liquid phase enriched in carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
said heat exchanger being at least partially cooled by a gaseous fluid which is heated in the heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
separation of the gas phase by permeation in a membrane separation unit, generating one or more permeates and at least one residue
Implementation Method 4
the expansion of the at least one residue from a first pressure in one or more turbines producing a fluid expanded to a second pressure lower than the first pressure and to a third temperature lower than the first temperature
Data Source
AI summary
In a process for separating a mixture containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the following steps are present: a) cooling of the mixture in a heat exchanger by sending the mixture to the heat exchanger, resulting in the partial condensation of the mixture into a liquid phase enriched in carbon dioxide and a gas phase depleted in carbon dioxide, a gaseous fluid which is heated in the heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange, b) separating the liquid phase from the gas phase in a separator vessel, c) heating of the gas phase originating from at least one of the separator vessels in the heat exchanger, d) sending of the at least one heated part from step c) to a membrane separation unit, generating a residue depleted in hydrogen and carbon dioxide and e) expansion of the at least one residue in a turbine producing an expanded fluid, f) the expanded fluid constituting the gaseous fluid of step a) which is heated in the heat exchanger by indirect heat exchange.