Thermosensitive Absorbent Phase Separation for Acid Gas Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current acid gas removal methods, particularly in power stations using fossil fuels, require significant thermal energy for regeneration of the acid gas absorbent, leading to high operational costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An acid gas removal method utilizing a thermosensitive nitrogen-containing compound represented by formula (1) as an absorbent, which undergoes phase separation into a rich and lean phase at its lower critical solution temperature, allowing for efficient regeneration of the absorbent by heating only the rich phase, thereby reducing the energy required for acid gas separation and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional chemical absorbents like amino alcohols are used for acid gas removal, then the absorbent can effectively remove CO2 and H2S from exhaust combustion gas, but the regeneration energy required to recover the absorbent becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes liquid-liquid phase separation of the absorbent solution into rich and lean phases. By heating the absorbent to induce phase separation, the system enables selective regeneration of the lean phase absorbent, significantly reducing the thermal energy required compared to conventional methods that heat the entire absorbent stream
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent solution is divided into two distinct phases: a rich phase containing high concentrations of absorbed acid gases and a lean phase with lower concentrations. This segmentation allows targeted processing of only the rich phase for regeneration, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective acid gas removal
2Reliability
If the entire acid gas absorbing liquid is heated for regeneration, then complete recovery of the absorbent can be achieved, but the thermal energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs temperature-induced liquid-liquid phase separation to divide the absorbent into rich and lean phases. The lean phase, already containing low concentrations of acid gases, requires minimal or no heating for regeneration, thereby maintaining reliable absorbent recovery while dramatically reducing thermal energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the absorbent stream into rich and lean phases through phase separation, the system enables selective regeneration processing. Only the rich phase undergoes intensive heating and regeneration, while the lean phase is reused or requires minimal treatment, ensuring reliable overall absorbent recovery with reduced energy input
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 decreases the thermal energy needed for acid gas separation and recovery by up to 50% compared to conventional methods, lowering operational costs and enhancing the efficiency of the acid gas removal process.
Implementation Method 1
a solution containing a thermosensitive nitrogen-containing compound represented by formula (1) and having a lower critical solution temperature... the acid gas absorbent that has absorbed the acid gas is heated to the lower critical solution temperature of the solution or more to phase-separate the heated acid gas absorbent into a rich absorbent phase and a lean absorbent phase
Implementation Method 2
gas containing acid gas and an acid gas absorbent... are brought into contact to absorb the acid gas into the acid gas absorbent and to remove the acid gas from the gas
Implementation Method 3
The second heater heats the rich absorbent phase. The regeneration tower releases the acid gas in the rich absorbent phase
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An acid gas removal apparatus of one embodiment includes: an absorption tower bringing gas containing acid gas into contact with an acid gas absorbent of a solution containing a thermosensitive nitrogen-containing compound (formula (1)) and having LCST at a predetermined temperature to absorb the acid gas into the absorbent and remove the acid gas from the gas; a first heater heating the absorbent to LCST of the solution or more; a tank phase-separating the absorbent into a rich absorbent phase and a lean absorbent phase whose content of the thermosensitive compound is higher; a second heater heating the rich phase; a regeneration tower releasing the acid gas in the rich phase; a third heater provided at the regeneration tower heating the rich phase. (R1 is hydroxyalkyl group, R2 is non-substituted cyclic alkyl group whose carbon number is 3-10, R3 is hydrogen atom or non-substituted alkyl group.)