Latent heat and condensation exchanger

1 . A method for removing a first component from a mixed gas stream comprising:

passing a refrigerant stream through a first channel of an indirect contact heat exchanger;

passing a contact liquid stream through a second channel of the indirect contact heat exchanger such that the contact liquid stream wets an interior wall of the second channel;

passing a mixed gas stream through a center of the second channel such that the mixed gas stream and the contact liquid stream exchange a heat, mass, or heat and mass;

wherein the contact liquid stream:

receives the heat from the mixed gas stream;

transmits a first portion of the heat through the interior wall of the second channel into the refrigerant stream; and

leaves the second channel while retaining a balance of the heat; and

wherein the first component condenses from the mixed gas stream into the contact liquid stream, resulting in a depleted gas stream and an enriched contact liquid stream.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the heat stream is all of the heat stream, causing the contact liquid stream to be isothermal throughout the second channel.

3 . The method of claim 1 , the mixed gas stream cooling to a temperature below a frost point of the first component.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the balance of the heat stream is positive and a temperature of the contact liquid stream increases from an inlet of the second channel to an outlet of the second channel.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the balance of the heat stream is negative and a temperature of the contact liquid stream decreases from an inlet of the second channel to an outlet of the second channel.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixed gas stream is selected from a group consisting of flue gas, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and syngas.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises water.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the mixed gas stream further comprises a second component comprising acid gases selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, mercury, mercury oxides, carbon monoxide, other pollutants, and a combination thereof.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contact liquid stream is selected from the group consisting of water, isopentane, methanol, ethanol, and a combination thereof.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant stream is counter current to the contact liquid stream.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the mixed gas stream is counter current to the contact liquid stream.

12 . A method for removing a first component from a mixed gas stream comprising:

passing a refrigerant stream through a first channel of an indirect contact heat exchanger;

passing a contact liquid stream through a second channel such that the contact liquid stream wets an interior wall of the second channel;

passing a mixed gas stream through a center of the second channel such that the mixed gas stream and the contact liquid stream exchange heat, mass, or heat and mass;

wherein the contact liquid stream receives heat from the mixed gas stream and passes the heat to the refrigerant stream, the contact liquid stream remaining isothermal through the second channel; and

wherein the first component condenses from the mixed gas stream into the contact liquid stream, resulting in a depleted gas stream and an enriched contact liquid stream.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first component is water vapor and the mixed gas stream further comprises carbon dioxide.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the contact liquid stream comprises methanol, ethanol, or a combination thereof.

15 . A system for removing a first component from a mixed gas stream comprising:

an indirect contact heat exchanger comprising a process channel and one or more refrigerant channels, the process channel sharing walls with the one or more refrigerant channels;

the process channel configured to receive a contact liquid stream through an inlet of the process channel and wet an inner surface of the process channel with the contact liquid stream while leaving a gas space inside the process channel;

the process channel further configured to receive the mixed gas stream through the inlet of the process channel and pass the mixed gas stream through the gas space;

the one or more refrigerant channels configured to each receive one of a group of refrigerant streams from one or more refrigerant controllers;

one or more instruments situated at least on an inlet of the process channel, an outlet of the process channel, or both;

the one or more instruments configured to measure one or more process variables of the process channel and transmit the one or more process variables to a main controller;

the main controller programmed to receive the one or more process variables and send a signal to each of the one or more refrigerant controllers;

the one or more refrigerant controllers configured to control a flow rate of one of the group of refrigerant streams to each of the one or more refrigerant channels to maintain the one or more process variables in the contact liquid stream at a setpoint; and

wherein:

the mixed gas stream condenses the first component into the contact liquid stream;

the mixed gas stream passes a heat stream to the contact liquid stream;

the contact liquid stream transmits a first portion of the heat stream to the one of the group of refrigerant streams; and

the contact liquid stream retains a balance of the heat stream.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first portion of the heat stream is all of the heat stream, causing the contact liquid stream to be isothermal throughout the process channel.

17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the mixed gas stream is selected from a group consisting of flue gas, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and syngas.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first component comprises water.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the mixed gas stream further comprises a second component comprising acid gases selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, mercury, mercury oxides, carbon monoxide, other pollutants, and a combination thereof.

20 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the contact liquid stream is selected from the group consisting of water, isopentane, methanol, ethanol, and a combination thereof.