Co-processing Waste Plastic with Biomass via High-Temperature PSA
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for co-processing biomass with plastic waste in pyrolysis or gasification produce gas phase pyrolysis effluents with undesirable H2 to CO ratios, requiring multiple energy-intensive stages for CO2 separation and water gas shift, leading to inefficiencies and variability in synthesis gas quality.
Innovation Solution
Integration of high temperature pressure swing adsorption (PSA) with pyrolysis or gasification processes to selectively remove CO2 and perform water gas shift simultaneously, reducing the need for cooling and additional processing stages, and allowing for the production of multiple synthesis gas streams with desired H2 to CO ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional co-processing of biomass with plastic waste is performed, then liquid products of higher quality can be produced, but the H2 to CO ratio in the gas phase pyrolysis effluent becomes lower than desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the temperature parameter to perform high-temperature processing (500-1200°C) that alters the composition of the gas phase effluent, achieving improved H2 to CO ratios while maintaining liquid product quality. This temperature parameter change enables simultaneous CO2 removal and water gas shift reactions.
2Ease of operation
If multiple stages are used for CO2 separation and water gas shift, then the H2 to CO ratio can be improved, but energy consumption and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CO2 separation and water gas shift reactions into a single high-temperature processing stage. By combining these functions that would traditionally require multiple separate stages into one integrated process, the patent reduces equipment complexity while achieving the desired H2 to CO ratio improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-temperature processing system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it removes CO2 through adsorption and conducts water gas shift reactions to adjust the H2 to CO ratio. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated equipment for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple stages are used for CO2 separation and water gas shift, then the H2 to CO ratio can be improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 separation and water gas shift reactions into a single high-temperature processing stage. By combining these functions that would traditionally require multiple separate stages into one integrated process, the patent reduces equipment complexity while achieving the desired H2 to CO ratio improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the temperature parameter to perform high-temperature processing (500-1200°C) that alters the composition of the gas phase effluent, achieving improved H2 to CO ratios while maintaining liquid product quality. This temperature parameter change enables simultaneous CO2 removal and water gas shift reactions.
4Loss of substance
If plastic waste is introduced in a counter-current manner to reduce entrainment, then plastic waste evaporation is minimized, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the temperature parameter to perform high-temperature processing (500-1200°C) that alters the composition of the gas phase effluent, achieving improved H2 to CO ratios while maintaining liquid product quality. This temperature parameter change enables simultaneous CO2 removal and water gas shift reactions.
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 simplifies process control, increases CO2 capture efficiency, and produces synthesis gas streams with improved H2 to CO ratios suitable for applications like Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and methanol synthesis, while reducing energy consumption and equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
exposing at least a portion of the low-hydrogen-content synthesis gas stream to an adsorbent at a first adsorbing temperature of 300° C. to 600° C. and a first adsorbing pressure of 1.0 MPa-g or more to form an H2-enriched stream
Implementation Method 2
converting and/or separating the gas phase pyrolysis effluent requires multiple stages, including stages for cooling the effluent to a suitable temperature for separating CO2 from synthesis gas
Implementation Method 3
exposing a feedstock comprising a mixture of biomass and plastic waste to pyrolysis conditions at a temperature of 500° C. to 1200° C. to form at least a low-hydrogen-content synthesis gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of plastic waste with biomass to generate gas phase product streams with improved properties. The systems and methods can include having a high temperature swing adsorption process integrated with a pyrolysis process, gasification process, or other thermal conversion process, so that CO2 can be removed from at least a portion of the effluent. This can facilitate capture of CO2 when using pyrolysis, gasification, or other thermal conversion to generate a hydrogen-containing stream. Additionally, the integrated system and/or method can allow for production of multiple product streams having desirable ratios of hydrogen to carbon oxides.