Method For Trapping Carbon Dioxide By Cryocondensation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of capturing carbon dioxide in a fluid comprising at least one compound more volatile than carbon dioxide CO2, for example oxygen O2, argon Ar, nitrogen N2, carbon monoxide CO, helium He and/or hydrogen H2.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for producing at least one CO2-lean gas and one or more CO2-rich fluids from a process fluid containing CO2 and at least one compound more volatile than CO2, comprising:
 a) a cooling in at least one vessel of at least part of said process fluid so as to obtain at least one solid containing predominantly CO2 by cryo-condensation of part of said process fluid and at least one residual gas containing said CO2-lean gas;   b) an extraction from said vessel of at least part of said solid formed in step a); and   c) a liquefaction and/or sublimation of at least a part of said solid extracted in step b) so as to obtain one or more CO2-rich fluids;   wherein the time intervals during which said step b) is implemented are included within the time intervals during which said step a) is implemented.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said solid containing predominantly CO2 and formed in step a) and extracted in step b) is in the form of carbon dioxide snow. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said cryo-condensation occurs through deposition on one or more surfaces. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said surfaces are the internal and/or external surfaces of tubes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said surfaces are oriented in such a way that at least part of said solid periodically falls off under the effect of gravity once a certain thickness of said solid has built up on said surfaces. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said surfaces are periodically scraped to remove at least part of said solid progressively as it forms. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least part of said surfaces is given a vibrating movement that helps to dislodge at least part of said solid. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least part of said surfaces is periodically heated in order to detach at least part of said solid and cause it to fall off. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said cryo-condensation of said solid takes place on supporting solid particles that form a fluidized bed. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said supporting solid particles on which said solid is condensed in a first reactor are removed from said first reactor then regenerated in a second reactor in order to rid them of at least part of said solid which they support. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said supporting solid particles are taken from said first and second reactors by gas-solid separation in cyclones. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said supporting solid particles contain at least one metal and/or one plastic or alternatively contain predominantly CO2. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least part of said solid is extracted in said step b) under the action of one or more endless screws. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least part of said solid is dislodged from said surfaces or from said supporting solid particles on which said solid is condensed in step a), said dislodging being obtained under the effect of pressure waves or assisted by pressure waves. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein it is applied to industrial flue gases with a view to capturing CO2.