Method and apparatus for increasing mass transfer in aqueous gas adsorption processes
A method of removing and capturing an acid gas from a fluid stream includes exposing the fluid stream to an aqueous scrubbing solution in the presence of a packing element including alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic features or zones. A related apparatus is also disclosed.
1. A method of removing and capturing an acid gas from a fluid stream, comprising:
counterflowing the fluid stream against an aqueous scrubbing solution in an absorber with a packing element within, wherein the packing element comprises a first corrugated plate, a second corrugated plate and a third corrugated plate with flow channels in a stacked arrangement, the first and third corrugated plates each having perforations, wherein the second corrugated plate does not include perforations and comprises on a surface of a flow channel alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic zones such that liquid flowing through the flow channel of the second corrugated plate creates internal turbulence in order to form a dynamically refreshing and reactive liquid-gas interface and capture acid gas from the fluid stream.
2. The method of claim 1 including recovering the acid gas captured by the aqueous scrubbing solution and regenerating the aqueous scrubbing solution.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the fluid stream is flue gas and the acid gas is carbon dioxide.
4. The method of claim 1 , including providing said hydrophobic zones on a surface of the packing element with a width or length of between 1 mm and 100 mm.
5. The method of claim 4 , including providing said hydrophilic zones on a surface of the packing element with a width or length of between 1 mm and 100 mm.
6. The method of claim 5 , including providing a hydrophobic zone at an edge of the packing element.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the fluid stream is a flue gas, the acid gas is carbon dioxide and the aqueous scrubbing solution includes an aqueous amine for carbon capture.