Temperature Swing Adsorption Plant Cycle Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) systems face losses of separated components during the rinsing cycle, as desorbed components remain in the adsorption units, leading to inefficiencies and reduced yield of target components.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing three adsorption units operated in offset cycles, where a part of the second gas mixture is used for flushing and the fourth gas mixture, containing desorbed components, is recycled back into the additional cycle, enhancing the loading of the adsorbent and recovering a significant portion of the product, thereby minimizing losses and maintaining pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a purge cycle is used to remove desorbed components from the adsorption unit, then the adsorbent is regenerated effectively, but the desorbed components are lost and product yield is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers desorbed components by redirecting the purge gas stream containing these components back to the adsorption inlet, where they can be re-adsorbed and eventually collected in the product stream, thereby preventing loss of valuable components during the purge cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the purge gas containing desorbed components is fed back to the adsorption inlet, creating a closed-loop system that continuously recovers and reprocesses these components rather than discarding them
2Reliability
If the adsorption unit is purged with purge gas to remove desorbed components, then regeneration is completed, but product flow fluctuations increase and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the purge gas containing desorbed components, the patent recycles it back to the adsorption inlet, allowing these components to be recovered and incorporated into the product stream, thereby maintaining higher overall product yield
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback of purge gas creates a continuous process where desorbed components are continuously recovered and re-adsorbed, eliminating interruptions in product formation and maintaining more stable product flow
3Reliability
If purge gas is used to flush the adsorption unit after regeneration, then desorbed components are removed, but valuable materials are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements recovery of valuable materials by feeding the purge gas containing desorbed components back to the adsorption inlet, where they are re-adsorbed and eventually collected, transforming what would be waste into recoverable product
Solution Approach 2:
The purge gas that would normally represent a loss of valuable materials is converted into a beneficial resource by recycling it back to the adsorption inlet, where it contributes to product formation and reduces overall material loss
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 significantly increases the yield of target components and reduces product flow fluctuations, allowing for better utilization of the adsorbent and recovery of valuable materials, while maintaining system performance.
Implementation Method 1
Temperature swing adsorption (TSA) is an adsorptive process for separating gas mixtures in which the adsorbent used is regenerated using thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
the adsorbent can then be largely freed of this component(s) by heating, i.e., introducing thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
Temperature swing adsorption takes advantage of the temperature dependence of adsorption processes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention describes a method for operating a temperature swing adsorption plant (10) having three adsorption units (1, 2, 3) which are operated out of phase with respect to one another, respectively in an adsorption phase, then in a feed phase, then in a regeneration phase, then in a flush phase, and then in a cooling phase, wherein in the adsorption phase a first gas mixture at a first temperature is guided over an adsorbent in the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) with obtention of a second gas mixture and adsorption onto the adsorbent of components of the first gas mixture, in the regeneration phase the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) are heated to a second temperature above the first temperature and the components adsorbed by the adsorbent during the adsorption mode are at least partially desorbed, and in the flush phase the components which were desorbed during the regeneration mode and which are present in the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) after the regeneration phase are at least partially flushed using a third gas mixture with obtention of a fourth gas mixture. In the cooling phase, the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) are at least partially cooled to the first temperature. It is provided that, in repeated first operating time periods which alternate with second operating time periods, respectively one of the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) is operated in the adsorption phase at the same time as one of the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) is operated in the flush phase and one of the adsorption units (1, 2, 3) is operated in the feed phase, and during the first operating time periods part of the second gas mixture of the adsorption unit (3) being operated in the flush phase is supplied as the third gas mixture or as part of the third gas mixture and at least part of the fourth gas mixture is supplied to the adsorption unit (1, 2, 3) being operated in the feed phase. The invention also relates to a corresponding temperature swing adsorption plant (100).