Regeneration of Loaded Scrubbing Agent via Intermediate Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas scrubbing processes for cleaning raw synthesis gas face challenges such as high pressure requirements for heat exchangers, limited flexibility in operation due to fixed liquid levels in stripping columns, increased energy consumption, and the need for dedicated storage containers, which lead to inefficiencies and higher capital and operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a regeneration stage where the loaded detergent is partially freed of bound gas components using stripping with detergent vapor, followed by storage in an intermediate container at ambient pressure, allowing for flexible operation, reduced equipment size, and elimination of the need for dedicated storage containers, while using a pressure relief stage to reduce toxic gas components and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the regenerated detergent is compressed to high pressure before cooling, then the absorption pressure requirement is met, but the heat exchangers must be designed for high pressure increasing capital expenditure and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent is cooled to absorption temperature before compression to high pressure. This preliminary cooling action allows the use of simpler, lower-pressure-rated heat exchangers and piping, as the cooling occurs at or near atmospheric pressure rather than at high absorption pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional sequence of compression then cooling is inverted to cooling then compression. By reversing the order of these operations, the system avoids the need for high-pressure heat exchangers, as cooling is performed at atmospheric pressure before the detergent is compressed to absorption pressure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stripping column bottom is designed with large volume for detergent storage, then operational flexibility during shutdowns is improved, but the equipment size and capital expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two functional units: a compact stripping column for detergent regeneration and a separate intermediate storage container for detergent accumulation. This segmentation allows the stripping column to be sized for its primary function without requiring excessive storage volume, while the intermediate container provides the necessary operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate storage container is introduced as a mediator between the stripping column and the absorption system. This intermediate container serves as a buffer that provides operational flexibility during shutdowns or load changes without requiring the stripping column itself to be oversized for storage purposes
3Stress or pressure
If a second pump is added for pre-compression to reduce heat exchanger pressure requirements, then the heat exchanger design pressure is reduced, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent is cooled to absorption temperature before compression to high pressure. This preliminary cooling action at atmospheric pressure eliminates the need for pre-compression pumps, as the cooling can be performed more efficiently and with simpler equipment at low pressure, and a single pump is used for final compression
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 operational flexibility, reduces capital expenditures by downsizing equipment, minimizes energy consumption, and avoids the combustion of toxic gases, enabling efficient regeneration and storage of detergent without the need for additional storage containers.
Implementation Method 1
the loaded detergent is regenerated in the regeneration stage by stripping with detergent vapor
Implementation Method 2
Cooling is carried out by a cooling system with a group of 6 to 12 heat exchangers in which the heat of the regenerated methanol is transferred to cold, loaded methanol
Implementation Method 3
the regenerated detergent must then be compressed by a pump to the pressure of 20 to 60 bar required for absorption
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for regenerating a loaded detergent from a gas scrubber for purifying raw synthesis gas, in which the loaded detergent is at least partially freed from bound gas components in a regeneration stage, thereby obtaining a regenerated detergent. According to the invention, the regenerated detergent is provided, after being drawn off from the regeneration stage, to an intermediate container, and the regenerated detergent is then drawn off from the intermediate container and fed to an absorption device for purifying raw synthesis gas.The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention, comprising a regeneration device in which bound gas components can be removed from a loaded detergent, wherein according to the invention it is provided that the device has an intermediate container into which a regenerated detergent produced in the regeneration device can be transferred and in which the regenerated detergent can be stored.