Methods and systems for CO;separation

• US 9,427,697 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Pinard Westendorf, Tiffany Elizabeth, Genovese, Sarah Elizabeth, Wood, Benjamin Rue, McDermott, John Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): BERNS, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/429,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20120207659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,618 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/204 Amines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/2053 Other nitrogen compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/40 Absorbents explicitly excluding the presence of water
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/124 Liquid reactants
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1425 Regeneration of liquid absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1475 Removing carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1493 Selection of liquid materials for use as absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/77 Liquid phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/96 Regeneration, reactivation or recycling of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

A method for separating carbon dioxide (CO₂) from a gas stream is provided. The method includes reacting at least a portion of CO₂ in the gas stream with a plurality of liquid sorbent particles to form a plurality of solid adduct particles and a first CO₂-lean gas stream; the solid adduct particles entrained in the first CO₂-lean gas stream to form an entrained gas stream. The method includes separating at least a portion of the plurality of solid adduct particles from the entrained gas stream in a separation unit to form an adduct stream and a second CO₂-lean gas stream. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the adduct stream in a desorption unit to form a CO₂ stream and a regenerated liquid sorbent stream. A system for separating CO₂ from a gas stream is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for separating carbon dioxide (CO₂) from a gas stream, comprising:

(i) contacting a first liquid sorbent stream comprising a plurality of liquid sorbent particles with the gas stream in a reaction chamber;

(ii) reacting at least a portion of CO₂ in the gas stream with the plurality of liquid sorbent particles to form a plurality of solid adduct particles and a first CO₂-lean gas stream, wherein the plurality of solid adduct particles is entrained in the first CO₂-lean gas stream to form an entrained gas stream;

(iii) transferring the entrained gas stream from the reaction chamber to a separation unit via an outlet located in a lower region of the reaction chamber relative to an inlet for the first liquid sorbent stream;

(iv) contacting the entrained gas stream with a second liquid sorbent stream in the separation unit, thereby separating at least a portion of the plurality of solid adduct particles from the entrained gas stream to form an adduct stream and a second CO₂-lean gas stream; and

(v) heating at least a portion of the adduct stream in a desorption unit to form a CO₂ stream and a regenerated liquid sorbent stream.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising circulating a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream to the separation unit, wherein the second liquid sorbent stream comprises at least a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (iv) further comprises reacting at least a portion of unreacted CO₂ in the entrained gas stream with the liquid sorbent in the second liquid sorbent stream to form a plurality of solid adduct particles.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (iv) further comprises forming a slurry, and the adduct stream comprises a slurry of the plurality of solid adduct particles and the liquid sorbent.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the separation unit comprises a wet-scrubber.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the separation unit further comprises a mist eliminator, a cyclone, or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the entrained gas stream further comprises a plurality of liquid sorbent particles, and step (iv) further comprises separating the liquid sorbent particles in the separation unit.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the adduct stream with a third liquid sorbent stream in a suspension unit to form a slurry, and pressurizing and transporting the slurry to the desorption unit.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising circulating a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream to the suspension unit, wherein the third liquid sorbent stream comprises at least a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising circulating at least a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream to the reaction chamber.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid sorbent in the first liquid sorbent stream comprises an amino siloxane.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of solid adduct particles comprises a carbamate, a bicarbonate, or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first liquid sorbent stream and the second liquid sorbent stream are substantially free of a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, ionic liquids, and combinations thereof.

14. A method for separating carbon dioxide (CO₂) from a gas stream, comprising:

(i) contacting a first liquid sorbent stream comprising a plurality of liquid sorbent particles with the gas stream in a reaction chamber;

(ii) reacting at least a portion of CO₂ in the gas stream with the plurality of liquid sorbent particles to form a plurality of solid adduct particles, wherein the solid adduct particles are entrained in the gas stream to form an entrained gas stream;

(iii) transferring the entrained gas stream from the reaction chamber to a separation unit via an outlet located in a lower region of the reaction chamber relative to an inlet for the first liquid sorbent stream;

(iv) contacting the entrained gas stream with a second liquid sorbent stream in the separation unit, thereby separating at least a portion of the plurality of solid adduct particles from the entrained gas stream to form an adduct stream and a CO₂-lean gas stream;

(v) contacting the adduct stream with a third liquid sorbent stream in a suspension unit to form a slurry, and transporting the slurry to a desorption unit;

(vi) heating at least a portion of the slurry to form a CO₂ stream and a regenerated liquid sorbent stream; and

(vii) circulating at least a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream to the separation unit.