Static Mixer Carbon Capture with pH Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for capturing carbon dioxide from dilute fluid streams, such as those produced by fossil fuel combustion, are inefficient and costly due to high parasitic loads and energy requirements for solvent regeneration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves mixing a dilute CO2 stream with a fluid solvent in a static mixer, increasing the pH to form a bicarbonate or carbonate slurry, filtering the slurry to recover the precipitate, and calcinating it to produce soda ash or pearl ash, thereby reducing the need for solvent regeneration and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional post-combustion carbon capture technologies are used, then CO2 emissions are captured, but parasitic load and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the absorption solution by adjusting pH levels and using blended amine solutions with specific physical properties. This allows the solution to effectively capture CO2 from dilute streams while requiring less energy for regeneration, directly addressing the contradiction between CO2 capture effectiveness and parasitic load
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite absorption solutions blending different amine compounds (e.g., MEA, MDEA, PZ) to create a solution with optimized properties. This composite approach enables effective CO2 capture from dilute streams while reducing the energy penalty compared to traditional single-amine systems
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 is captured from dilute streams, then emissions are reduced, but capture efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies key parameters including pH control, temperature optimization, and pressure conditions to enhance CO2 capture efficiency from dilute streams. These parameter adjustments allow the absorption solution to maintain high capture efficiency even when CO2 concentration in the flue gas is low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized optimal conditions within the absorption system by controlling pH gradients and using staged absorption approaches. This allows different regions of the absorption process to be optimized for specific functions, maintaining high overall capture efficiency from dilute streams
3Object-affected harmful factors
If solvent regeneration is performed, then CO2 is separated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces regeneration energy by optimizing solution composition and operating parameters. The blended amine solutions are designed to release CO2 at lower temperatures and with lower energy input compared to traditional solvents, directly reducing the energy penalty of the regeneration step while maintaining effective CO2 separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes waste heat from the power generation process to provide the thermal energy needed for solvent regeneration. This heat integration approach removes the energy burden from the regeneration process by utilizing otherwise wasted thermal energy from the combustion process
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional carbon capture methods are used, then CO2 is captured, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces cost by optimizing solution concentration, pH levels, and operating conditions to minimize both capital and operational expenditures. The modified absorption parameters enable effective CO2 capture while reducing the amount of solvent needed and lowering energy consumption, thereby reducing overall process cost
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 reduces the parasitic load and energy costs associated with carbon capture, converts CO2 into a commercially viable product, and utilizes waste heat to offset process energy demands, making the process more efficient and economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method for capture and utilization of carbon dioxide from dilute fluid streams includes a static mixer fluidly coupled to a dilute CO2 stream and a fluid solvent, wherein the static mixer is configured to produce a homogenous mixture from the dilute CO2 stream and the fluid solvent
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the means for increasing the pH of the homogenous mixture includes an electrolysis system
Implementation Method 3
a filtration system applied to the slurry that recovers precipitate from the slurry
Implementation Method 4
a calcination system configured to convert the precipitate into an ash
Implementation Method 5
In some embodiments, the carbon capture system includes a compressor fluidly coupled to the static mixer and configured to compress the dilute CO2 stream prior to entry into the static mixer
Implementation Method 6
In some embodiments, the carbon capture system further includes a heat engine coupled between the fuel gas combustion chamber and the compressor, wherein the heat engine extracts work from the dilute CO2 stream to power the compressor
Implementation Method 7
In some embodiments, the carbon capture system includes a heat recovery system coupled between the fuel gas combustion chamber and the compressor, wherein heat from the dilute CO2 stream is used to calcinate the precipitate and form one of either soda ash or pearl ash
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for capture and utilization of carbon dioxide from dilute fluid streams. A method of capturing and utilizing carbon from a dilute post-combustion gas stream includes homogenizing a dilute CO2 gas stream with a fluid solvent in a static mixer to produce a homogenized gas-liquid mixture, applying an electric current to the homogenized gas-liquid mixture to increase the pH of the homogenized gas-liquid mixture and produce a slurry including carbonate, bicarbonate or a combination thereof, filtering the carbonate, bicarbonate or combination thereof from the slurry, and calcinating the recovered bicarbonate to form soda ash or pearl ash.