Methods and systems for reducing carbon dioxide in combustion flue gases

• US 20080276803A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BHA Altair LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Smithies, Alan, Molaison, Jennifer Lynn
• Granted Patent: US 8,398,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/178
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/2062 Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1475 Removing carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/18 Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor B01D3/16, B01D3/26, B01D3/30 take precedence; packing elements B01J19/30, B01J19/32
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/00 Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor separation of gases or vapours by diffusion B01D53/22
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/32 Direct CO2 mitigation

Abstract

A method for processing flue-gas, in an exemplary embodiment, includes providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor, channeling a combustion flue gas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, and channeling an ammonia-based liquid reagent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor. The method also includes partially separating the ammonia-based liquid from the flue gas such that the ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by a plurality of pores of the membrane contactor, to separate CO₂ from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO₂ within the ammonia-based liquid to produce a CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid.

Claims

1. A method for processing flue-gas, said method comprising:

providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor;

channeling a combustion flue gas along a first surface of the membrane contactor;

channeling an ammonia-based liquid reagent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor; and

partially separating the ammonia based liquid from the flue gas such that the ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by a plurality of pores of the membrane contactor, to separate carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO₂ within the ammonia-based liquid to produce a CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising coupling a desorber unit to the absorber unit.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising channeling the CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid to the desorber unit.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising heating the CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid to release CO₂ from the CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor comprises providing an absorber unit having a hydrophobic membrane contactor.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor comprises providing an absorber unit having an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane contactor.

7. A combustion system comprising:

an absorber unit comprising;

a housing for channeling a combustion flue gas;

an ammonia-based liquid reagent channeled within said housing;

a membrane contactor coupled within said housing to separate said ammonia based liquid from the flue gas, said membrane contactor comprising a plurality of pores defining gas-liquid interface areas, said ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contacting at said gas-liquid interface areas to separate carbon dioxide from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO₂ within said ammonia-based liquid to provide a CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid; and

a desorber unit coupled to said absorber unit, wherein said desorber unit receives and releases CO₂ from the CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid.

8. A combustion system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said membrane contactor comprises a hydrophobic material.

9. A combustion system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said membrane contactor comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material.

10. A combustion system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said membrane contactor comprises a plurality of hollow fibers.

11. A combustion system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said plurality of hollow fibers is packaged in a tube-and-shell arrangement.

12. A combustion system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said membrane contactor comprises a substantially planar sheet.

13. A combustion system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said substantially planar sheet is packaged as a spiral-wound module.

14. A flue-gas processing system comprising:

a housing for channeling a combustion flue gas;

an ammonia-based liquid reagent channeled within said housing; and

a membrane contactor coupled within said housing to separate said ammonia based liquid from the flue gas, said membrane contactor comprising a plurality of pores defining gas-liquid interface areas, said ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contacting at said gas-liquid interface areas to separate carbon dioxide from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO₂ within said ammonia-based liquid to provide a CO₂-rich ammonia-based liquid.

15. A flue-gas processing system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said membrane contactor comprises a hydrophobic material.

16. A flue-gas processing system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said membrane contactor comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material.

17. A flue-gas processing system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said membrane contactor comprises a plurality of hollow fibers.

18. A flue-gas processing system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said plurality of hollow fibers is packaged in a tube-and-shell arrangement.

19. A flue-gas processing system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said membrane contactor comprises a substantially planar sheet.

20. A flue-gas processing system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said substantially planar sheet is packaged as a spiral-wound module.