Tapered Adsorbent Beds for Swing Adsorption Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swing adsorption processes for natural gas treatment and carbon capture are inefficient due to the need for high energy steam rinses, which increase costs and reduce the efficiency of carbon dioxide capture and hydrogen production.
Innovation Solution
The use of a vessel with an angled baffle to create tapered adsorbent beds within the adsorption module, allowing for selective adsorption and desorption of gases, thereby enhancing gas separation efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional swing adsorption processes are used for natural gas treatment, then gas separation can be achieved, but high energy steam rinses are required which increase costs and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the adsorbent bed by creating a tapered configuration with varying cross-sectional area. This geometric parameter change allows for improved gas flow distribution and enhanced mass transfer, achieving efficient gas separation without requiring high energy steam rinses for regeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric tapered adsorbent bed design where the cross-sectional area varies along the length of the bed. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the flow dynamics and adsorption characteristics, enabling efficient separation with reduced energy requirements compared to conventional symmetric beds
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional swing adsorption processes are used for carbon dioxide capture, then carbon dioxide can be separated, but high energy steam rinses are required which increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by designing a tapered adsorbent bed with optimized geometric parameters. This configuration enhances the selective adsorption of carbon dioxide while reducing the energy required for the desorption and regeneration cycle, thereby lowering operational costs
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional swing adsorption processes are used for hydrogen production, then hydrogen can be produced, but high energy steam rinses are required which reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the adsorbent bed to a tapered configuration, which optimizes hydrogen production efficiency. This parameter change improves mass transfer and reduces the energy intensity of the steam rinse step, thereby enhancing overall process productivity while maintaining high hydrogen purity
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 configuration improves gas separation efficiency, achieving high purity hydrogen and carbon dioxide production with reduced energy requirements, enabling more economical and efficient natural gas treatment and carbon capture processes.
Implementation Method 1
a solid adsorbent material... selective adsorption and desorption of gases
Implementation Method 2
a vessel with an angled baffle to create tapered adsorbent beds within the adsorption module
Implementation Method 3
selective adsorption and desorption of gases
Data Source
AI summary
An adsorption module and associated processes for conducting advanced separations processes such as sorption enhanced water-gas shift (SEWGS). The adsorption module contains at least one angled baffle to create at least two tapered adsorbent beds within the adsorption module. The taper is such that the adsorbent beds' cross-sections within the adsorption module decrease in the direction of feed flow, thereby taking advantage of increased product purity and process efficiency provided by tapered adsorption beds.