Wall-Surface Nozzle for CO2 Absorber Liquid Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

In CO2 absorbers, the existing liquid distributors, such as spray-type and trough-type, lead to inefficient gas-liquid contact and increased costs due to non-uniform liquid distribution, resulting in degraded absorption performance near the wall surface and inefficient use of CO2 absorbents, which increases steam consumption and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A gas-liquid contactor with dedicated nozzles, including wall-surface and liquid dispersion nozzles, that spray liquid uniformly across the column, reducing the amount sprayed near the wall and optimizing CO2 absorbent distribution, using high- and low-load nozzles based on flow rates to maintain efficient contact and reduce mist formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a spray-type liquid distributor is used to disperse liquid uniformly into the gas absorber, then liquid dispersion is improved, but the distribution becomes lower near the wall surface causing degraded absorption performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid distribution uniformityVSAvoidabsorption performance near wall surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different nozzle configurations at different locations within the gas absorber. Specifically, the liquid distributor includes nozzles positioned at the wall surface region and other nozzles positioned at the central region, with each nozzle type optimized for its specific location to achieve uniform liquid distribution throughout the entire cross-section of the absorber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the spray atomizing pressure is increased to accommodate high flow rate region, then flow rate capacity is improved, but the amount of mist in the air increases causing CO2 absorbent entrainment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate capacityVSAvoidCO2 absorbent entrainment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the spray atomizing pressure to be 0.05 MPa or less, which is a specific parameter value that achieves effective liquid dispersion while preventing excessive mist formation and CO2 absorbent entrainment in the gas stream

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the height of the trough-type liquid distributor is increased to perform load operation, then adaptability to different gas processing amounts is improved, but material cost and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload operation capabilityVSAvoiddistributor cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the liquid distributor into multiple separate nozzle components positioned at different locations and heights within the gas absorber. This modular approach allows the system to handle varying gas processing amounts without requiring a single tall distributor structure, thereby reducing material and manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances CO2 absorption performance by ensuring uniform liquid distribution, reduces wasteful consumption of CO2 absorbents, and decreases steam requirements, thereby improving the operational efficiency and reducing facility costs of the CO2 recovery unit.

Implementation Method 1

a wall-surface dedicated nozzle provided along a wall surface in the contact column to spray the liquid toward inside of the contact column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 2

a liquid dispersion nozzle provided more inside in the contact column than the wall-surface dedicated nozzle to uniformly spray the liquid into the contact column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 3

CO2 in flue gas is absorbed by the CO2 absorbent in the CO2 absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2609986B8Gas-liquid contactor and co2 recovery device
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND ENG LTD

AI summary

A gas-liquid contactor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of spray nozzles 22A provided in a CO2 absorber to spray a CO2 absorbent downward into the CO2 absorber in which flue gas drifts upward and passes to bring flue gas drifting upward and the CO2 absorbent into contact with each other. The spray nozzle 22A includes a wall-surface dedicated nozzle 26 provided along a wall surface 27 in the CO2 absorber and a liquid dispersion nozzle 25 provided inside of the wall-surface dedicated nozzle 26 in the CO2 absorber.