Rectangular Absorption Towers for Space-Efficient CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide capture systems face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature conditions for absorption reactions due to varying seawater temperatures, leading to reduced absorption efficiency, and suffer from poor spatial efficiency and high regeneration energy consumption, particularly in confined spaces like ships.
Innovation Solution
The system employs hexahedral-shaped absorption towers with square or rectangular cross-sections, interconnected in a transverse arrangement, includes a post-treatment tower, partition walls with demisters, and heat exchangers to maintain absorbent concentration and temperature, and integrates a pre-treatment portion for temperature adjustment and impurity removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If cylindrical absorption towers are used as in conventional land-based systems, then the absorption process can be performed, but spatial efficiency is significantly poor due to the curved shape occupying more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inverse of the spheroidality principle by replacing the conventional cylindrical (curved) tower shape with a hexahedral (rectangular/prismatic) shape. This geometric transformation allows the absorption tower to better utilize the available cubic space on ships, reducing wasted space between the tower and surrounding structures while maintaining the necessary absorption functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If seawater is used as cleaning water in scrubbers, then sulfur oxides can be removed, but the exhaust gas becomes supercooled when seawater temperature is low, reducing carbon dioxide absorption efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary component between the scrubber and absorption tower. This heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the seawater (or other heat source) to the supercooled exhaust gas, raising its temperature to the optimal range for CO2 absorption without interfering with the sulfur oxide removal process in the scrubber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the exhaust gas from a supercooled state (caused by low seawater temperature) to an optimized temperature range suitable for CO2 absorption. This parameter adjustment is achieved through thermal energy transfer in the heat exchanger, enabling the absorption process to proceed efficiently regardless of seawater temperature variations.
3Productivity
If multiple absorption towers are added to enhance absorption capacity, then carbon dioxide absorption efficiency improves, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the absorption system into multiple separate absorption towers rather than using a single large tower. Each tower can be independently configured and optimized, allowing for modular installation in the confined space of a ship. The segmented structure enables better space utilization while collectively providing enhanced absorption capacity through increased total surface area and parallel processing capability.
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 carbon dioxide absorption capacity and efficiency by optimizing space utilization, maintaining uniform absorbent concentration, and reducing regeneration energy consumption, while preventing droplet emissions and impurity damage.
Implementation Method 1
chemical absorption method that absorbs and captures CO2 using an absorbent solution has been the most widely applied due to its high efficiency and process stability
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger 93 that receives the absorbent containing absorbed carbon dioxide via a pump P for heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
a regeneration tower 92 for stripping the carbon dioxide chemically bound to the heat-exchanged absorbent
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for capturing carbon dioxide contained in exhaust gas. More specifically, it provides a carbon dioxide capture device that can enhance spatial efficiency by configuring the cross-section or side section of the absorption tower to have a square or rectangular shape, and further enhance carbon dioxide absorption efficiency by providing two or more absorption towers or post-treatment towers.