Methods and systems for CO2 separation

• US 9,919,261 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2016
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Westendorf, Tiffany Elizabeth Pinard, Wood, Benjamin Rue, Genovese, Sarah Elizabeth, McDermott, John Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US15/088,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20160214058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• 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 system for separating carbon dioxide (CO₂) from a gas stream, comprising:

(i) a reaction chamber configured to receive a first liquid sorbent stream and the gas stream, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to react at least a portion of CO₂ in the gas stream with the first liquid sorbent stream to form an entrained gas stream comprising a plurality of solid adduct particles;

(iii) a separation unit in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the separation unit is configured to receive the entrained gas stream and a second liquid-sorbent stream, and wherein the separation unit is configured to separate at least a portion of the plurality of solid adduct particles from the entrained gas stream to form an adduct stream and CO₂-lean gas stream; and

(iii) a desorption unit in fluid communication with the separation unit, wherein the desorption unit is configured to receive the adduct stream, and wherein the desorption unit is configured to decompose the plurality of solid adduct particles to form a CO₂ stream and a regenerated liquid-sorbent stream.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to receive the gas stream via an inlet that is located in a lower region of the reaction chamber relative to an inlet for receiving the first liquid sorbent stream.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to transfer the entrained gas stream from the reaction chamber to the separation unit via an outlet that is located in a lower region off the reaction chamber relative to an inlet for receiving the first liquid sorbent stream.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first liquid sorbent stream comprises a liquid sorbent.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the liquid sorbent comprises an amino siloxane.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of solid adduct particles comprises a carbamate, a bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

7. The system 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.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the separation unit comprises a wet-scrubber comprising a mist eliminator, a cyclone, or combinations thereof.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a suspension unit in fluid communication with the separation unit, wherein the suspension unit comprises a slurry tank in fluid communication with a slurry pump, and wherein the slurry tank is configured to receive a third liquid sorbent stream and the adduct stream from the separation unit to form a slurry, and the slurry pump is configured to pressurize the slurry and transport it to the desorption unit.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the third liquid sorbent stream comprises at least a portion of the regenerated liquid sorbent stream.