PSA Unit Heat Exchange via Water Gas Shift Effluent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure swing adsorption (PSA) separation-purification systems face inefficiencies in heat exchange, requiring additional components and structural changes to manage adsorption/desorption heat effectively, leading to increased installation area, heat loss, and maintenance complexities.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a water gas shift reaction process with a PSA system, using the reaction effluent as a heat medium for desorption and a refrigerant for adsorption heat management within the PSA unit, eliminating the need for additional heat exchangers or heating means, and maintaining the existing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional heat exchangers or heating means are installed to improve heat exchange performance, then adsorption/desorption heat control is improved, but device complexity and installation area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchange function with the existing PSA unit structure by integrating heat exchange pipes directly into the adsorption columns. This combines the separation function and heat exchange function into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate heat exchanger units and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective heat management during adsorption and desorption cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The PSA unit structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: gas separation and heat exchange. The heat exchange pipes integrated within the adsorption columns allow the same structural space to perform both separation and thermal management functions, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and minimizing installation area
2Reliability
If additional heat exchangers or heating means are installed to improve heat exchange performance, then adsorption/desorption heat control is improved, but installation area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange function is merged into the existing PSA unit footprint by integrating heat exchange pipes within the adsorption columns. This eliminates the need for separate heat exchanger equipment and associated piping, thereby maintaining effective heat exchange performance without increasing the overall installation area
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange pipes are nested within the adsorption columns, placing one functional element inside another. The heat exchange tubes are positioned within the column structure where adsorbent is loaded, allowing heat exchange to occur concentrically within the same vertical space, thus maximizing space utilization without expanding the installation footprint
3Reliability
If additional heat exchangers or heating means are installed to improve heat exchange performance, then adsorption/desorption heat control is improved, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange process is segmented into distinct phases corresponding to adsorption and desorption cycles. During adsorption, heat exchange pipes remove generated heat; during desorption, the same pipes supply heat. This segmentation allows optimized heat management at each stage, reducing thermal losses by matching heat exchange direction with process requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange operation follows a periodic pattern synchronized with the adsorption-desorption cycles. Heat is exchanged in alternating phases: cooling during adsorption when heat is generated, and heating during desorption when heat is required. This periodic heat exchange minimizes energy losses by recovering and reusing thermal energy within the cyclic operation
4Reliability
If additional heat exchangers or heating means are installed to improve heat exchange performance, then adsorption/desorption heat control is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange function is merged into the PSA unit structure, eliminating separate heat exchanger components that would require independent maintenance. The integrated heat exchange pipes become part of the column assembly, reducing the number of separate units that need inspection, maintenance, and repair, thereby simplifying overall system maintenance while maintaining heat exchange performance
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 desorption efficiency and separation-purification performance by utilizing the reaction effluent and refrigerant for heat exchange, reducing energy input and operational costs while maintaining the system's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant from the refrigerant supply unit may pass through the heat medium path for the heat exchange to eliminate adsorption heat of the PSA unit in an adsorption process
Implementation Method 2
a PSA unit having at least one adsorption column in which adsorption/desorption processes are alternately performed
Implementation Method 3
the reaction effluent of the water gas shift reaction unit may pass through the heat medium path for the heat exchange to provide desorption heat to the PSA unit in a desorption process
Implementation Method 4
a PSA unit having at least one adsorption column in which adsorption/desorption processes are alternately performed
Implementation Method 5
a condenser separating and eliminating moisture contained in the reaction effluent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) separation-purification system and process integrated with a water gas shift reaction process. According to the invention, the adsorption/desorption heat of a PSA separation-purification device is controlled using a reaction effluent and a refrigerant of a water gas shift reaction process without using additional components such as a heat exchanger or a heating means or without changing the structure of a PSA separation-purification device, thus achieving the best separation-purification performance of the PSA separation-purification device.