DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 5–6 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected methods, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on Jul. 14, 2026. However, the applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the argument is therefore found not persuasive, and the requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(b)
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 3–4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 3 recites:
“ 3. A method for realizing two-stage forward purification of CO2 from hydrates by a large-scale integrated device of CO2 capture, sequestration and utilization,
the large-scale integrated device of C02 capture, sequestration and utilization, comprising a gas compression system, a liquid injection system, a hydrate generation and decomposition system, a refrigeration circulation system, a cold and energy storage system, a sequestration simulation system, an automatic control system, and a seawater desalination system;
the gas compression system comprises an air compressor (1), a gas mixture tank (2), electric valves (5), check valves (6), gas booster pumps (7), high-pressure buffer tanks (8), pressure sensors (9), gas flowmeters (10), a pipeline I, a pipeline II, a pipeline VI, a pipeline VII, a pipeline XII, and a pipeline VIII; the air compressor (1) is connected to the corresponding gas booster pumps (7) through the pipeline I, the pipeline II and the pipeline VIII, respectively, and pipes connecting the pipeline I, the pipeline II and the pipeline VIII to the corresponding gas booster pumps (7) are provided with the electric valves (5); the front and rear ends of each gas booster pump (7) are connected to a check valve (6), respectively, to ensure one-way gas flow; the rear end of each gas booster pump (7) is connected to a high-pressure buffer tank (8) through the check valve (6), the upper end of the high-pressure buffer tank (8) is equipped with a pressure sensor (9) to monitor the pressure in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) in real time; the high-pressure buffer tank (8) is connected to a gas flowmeter (10) to record the flow rate of the gases flowing through in real time;
the liquid injection system comprises a first water tank (3-1), a high-pressure injection pump (11), liquid flowmeters (12), electric valves (5), a pipeline III, a pipeline IV, a pipeline V, and a pipeline XVI; the first water tank (3-1) is connected to the liquid flowmeters (12) and the electric valves (5) on the pipeline IV and the pipeline V through the high-pressure injection pump (11) on the pipeline III, respectively, to provide water for a primary hydrate generation tank (16) and a secondary hydrate generation tank (21), and the flow rate of the water is recorded at the same time; water generated by hydrate decomposition in a primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) and a secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) flows back to the first water tank (3-1) through the pipeline XVI for water recycling;
wherein the large-scale integrated device of CO2 capture, sequestration and utilization is also used in a method for realizing reverse purification of CO2 from hydrates, the liquid injection system is divided into three lines:
the first water tank (3-1) is connected to the liquid flowmeter (12) and the electric valve (5) on the pipeline V through the high-pressure injection pump (11) on the pipeline III to provide water for a primary hydrate generation tank (16), and this line is a water injection line for the primary hydrate generation tank (16);
the first water tank (3-1) is connected to the liquid flowmeter (12) and the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IV through the high-pressure injection pump (11) on the pipeline III to provide water for a secondary hydrate generation tank (21), and this line is a water injection line for the secondary hydrate generation tank (21);
the seawater in the seawater tank (4) is injected into the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) under pressure through the high-pressure injection pump (11) and the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXIX, and the liquid flowmeter (12) and the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IV, and this line is a seawater injection line for the secondary hydrate generation tank (21);
the hydrate generation and decomposition system comprises the primary hydrate generation tank (16), the electric valves (5), the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18), the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), pressure sensors (9), temperature sensors (13), CO2 concentration sensors (14), vacuum pumps (15), high- pressure buffer tanks (8), a pipeline IX, a pipeline X, a pipeline VII, a pipeline XI, a pipeline XIV , a pipeline XVIII, a pipeline XV and a pipeline XIX; the pressure sensors (9), the temperature sensors (13) and the CO2 concentration sensors (14) are connected to both the primary hydrate generation tank (16) and the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) to monitor the temperature, the pressure and the C02 concentration in the hydrate generation tanks in real time, respectively; the pressure sensors (9) and the temperature sensors (13) are connected to both the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) and the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) to monitor the temperature and the pressure in the hydrate decomposition tanks in real time, respectively;
the primary hydrate generation tank (16) and secondary hydrate generation tank (21) are correspondingly connected to the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) and secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) through the pipeline XIV and the pipeline XVIII, respectively, for transporting hydrates generated by reaction; the pipeline XIV and the pipeline XVIII are provided with the electric valves (5);
the primary hydrate generation tank (16) and secondary hydrate generation tank (21) are connected to the pipeline IX and a pipeline XXI correspondingly and respectively, the pipeline IX and the pipeline XXI are provided with the electric valves (5) and the vacuum pumps (15) in sequence, and residual gases in the hydrate generation tanks are pumped out by the vacuum pumps (15); the vacuum pump (15) at the upper tail end of the pipeline IX is taken as a division node, and two branches are formed after passing through the vacuum pump (15); one branch is connected to the pipeline XI, and the tail end of the pipeline XI is connected to the atmosphere for forward purification; the other branch is connected to the pipeline X, the pipeline X is provided with the electric valves (5) and the high-pressure buffer tank (8) for reverse purification; two branches are formed after passing through the high-pressure buffer tank (8) at the tail end of the pipeline X, one branch goes upward and is connected to the gas booster pump (7) on the pipeline VII through an electric valve (5), and the other branch goes downward and is connected to the gas booster pump (7) on the pipeline XII through an electric valve (5); the pipeline XXI starts from the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), and the pipeline is provided with an electric valve (5), a vacuum pump (15), a high-pressure buffer tank (8) with a pressure sensor (9), an electric valve (5), a check valve (6), a gas booster pump (7), a check valve (6), a high-pressure buffer tank (8) with a pressure sensor (9), a gas flowmeter (10), and an electric valve (5) in sequence; the rear end of the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline XXI is connected to a pipeline XXX to be used as a final outlet of the residual gases in the secondary hydrate generation tank(21);
the primary hydrate generation tank (16) is connected to the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) through the pipeline IX, the pipeline X, and the pipeline XII (which is in the gas compression system) in sequence to transport the residual gases in the primary hydrate generation tank (16) to the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) for further reaction, and thus to complete the gas injection of the secondary hydrate generation tank (21);
the bottom of the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) is connected to the pipeline XV and the pipeline A, respectively, through an electric valve (5), with the pipeline XV being used for discharging non-C02 gases and the pipeline A being used for discharging CO2;
the bottom of the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) is connected to the pipeline XIX and the pipeline B, respectively, through an electric valve (5), with the pipeline XIX being used for discharging non-C02 gases and the pipeline B being used for discharging CO2;
during hydrate generation, due to the continuous consumption of gases, it is necessary to carry out repressurization in four lines, which is respectively to:
repressurize the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by forward purification: the gas mixture tank (2) is connected to the primary hydrate generation tank (16) through the pipeline VI in the gas compression system to complete repressurization;
repressurize the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) by forward purification: the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) is connected to the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) through the pipeline A, the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline IX, the pipeline X, and the pipeline XII (which is in the gas compression system) in sequence to complete repressurization;
repressurize the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by reverse purification: the primary hydrate generation tank (16) is connected to the pipeline IX, the pipeline X, the pipeline VII (which is in the gas compression system), and then back to the primary hydrate generation tank (16) in sequence to complete repressurization; further, C02 with a certain pressure is pre-stored in the high pressure buffer tank (8) on the pipeline X;
repressurize the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) by reverse purification: the primary hydrate generation tank (16) is connected to the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) through the pipeline IX, the pipeline X, and the pipeline XII in (which is the gas compression system) in sequence to complete repressurization;
an outlet of pipeline A is connected to an inlet end of the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline IX and is merged into the pipeline X after passing through the vacuum pump (15);
the hydrate refrigeration circulation system comprises a first refrigeration unit (17), a second refrigeration unit (22), a pipeline XIII and a pipeline XVII, and is used to provide a cooling capacity required for hydrate generation; the first refrigeration unit (17) and the second refrigeration unit (22) are connected to the primary hydrate generation tank (16) and the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) through the pipeline XIII and the pipeline XVII, respectively, and the pipeline XIII and the pipeline XVII are provided with electric valves (5);
the cold and energy storage system comprises a hot gas mixture tank (20), electric valves (5), a check valve (6), a gas booster pump (7), a gas flowmeter (10), a heat exchanger (19), a high-pressure injection pump (11), a second water tank (3-2), temperature sensors (13), a pipeline XXV, a pipeline XXVI, a pipeline XXVII, a pipeline XXVIII, a pipeline XXXI and a pipeline XXXII; high-temperature gases in the hot gas mixture tank (20) pass through an electric valve (5), the gas booster pump (7), the gas flowmeter (10) and an electric valve (5) in sequence and then enter the heat exchanger (19) to heat the water from the second water tank (3-2), and cold gases after being cooled down in the heat exchanger (19) are transported to the gas mixture tank (2) through the pipeline XXV; the high-pressure injection pump (11) is located on the pipeline XXVII, water from the second water tank (3-2) passes through the high-pressure injection pump (11) and enters the heat exchanger (19) to be heated and then transported to a water outlet of the heat exchanger (19), the water outlet of the heat exchanger (19) is divided into two branches, one branch is the pipeline XXXI which is provided with an electric valve (5) and a temperature sensor (13), the tail end of the pipeline XXXI is connected to the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18), and the water is returned to the second water tank (3-2) through the pipeline XXVII with a temperature sensor (13) after heat release is completed in a coil of the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18); the other branch is the pipeline XXVIII which is connected before the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXXI, the pipeline XXVIII is also provided with an electric valve (5) and a temperature sensor (13), the tail end of the pipeline XXVIII is connected to the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), and the water is returned to the second water tank (3-2) through the pipeline XXXII with a temperature sensor (13) after heat release is completed in a coil of the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23);
the sequestration simulation system comprises pressure sensors (9), a temperature sensor (13), a C02 sequestration tank (27), an oil tank (24), an axial pressure tracking pump (25), a peripheral pressure tracking pump (26), a CO2 sequestration tank (27), the pipeline XXI, a pipeline XXII and a pipeline XXIII;
high-concentration CO2 enters the C02 sequestration tank (27) through the pipeline XXI, and the high-concentration CO2 is from two sources:
source 1: the high-concentration CO2 is discharged from the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) and merged into the pipeline XXI through the pipeline B, and the tail end of the pipeline B is connected to an inlet of the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline XXI;
source 2: the high-concentration CO2 is discharged from the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) and enters the pipeline XXI directly;
the CO2 sequestration tank (27) is provided with a pressure sensor (9) and the temperature sensor (13) to monitor the temperature and the pressure in the C02 sequestration tank (27) in real time;
the pipeline XXII is provided with an electric valve (5), an oil tank (24-1), an electric valve (5), the axial pressure tracking pump (25) with a pressure sensor (9), and an electric valve (5) in sequence, and is then connected to the C02 sequestration tank (27);
the pipeline XXIII is provided with an electric valve (5), an oil tank (24-2), an electric valve (5), the peripheral pressure tracking pump (26) with a pressure sensor (9), and an electric valve (5) in sequence, and is then connected to the C02 sequestration tank (27);
the automatic control system comprises a computer (28), a display, a touch screen and an interface;
the seawater desalination system comprises a seawater tank (4), a pipeline XXIX, a high- pressure injection pump (11), electric valves (5), a pipeline XXIV, a pipeline XX and a pipeline C; seawater is injected into the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) under pressure through the high-pressure injection pump (11) and the electric valve (5) on pipeline XXIX, generated hydrates and high-concentration brine enter the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) through the pipeline XVIII together, and prior to hydrate decomposition in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), the high-concentration brine is recovered through the pipeline XXIV; the lower part of the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) is connected to the pipeline C, and after the pipeline C is connected to the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XXI, the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) is repressurized by the high-concentration CO2 in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) on the pipeline XXI to make the high-concentration brine flow out smoothly, and fresh water generated after hydrate decomposition flows back to the first tank (3-1) through the pipeline XX and the pipeline XVI;
comprising the following steps:
step 1: generation of C02 hydrate by primary hydrate generation tank (16);
starting the air compressor (1), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline I and the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline VI through which gas mixture outflow passes, and pumping the gas mixture in the gas mixture tank (2) into the high-pressure buffer tank (8) through the gas booster pump (7); when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (9) on the high-pressure buffer tank (8) is stable, opening the second electric valve (5) on the pipeline VI through which gas mixture outflow passes, and pumping the gas mixture in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) into the primary hydrate generation tank (16); when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline VI or a target pressure is detected by the pressure sensor (9) on the primary hydrate generation tank (16), closing the electric valves (5) on the pipeline, and shutting down the air compressor (1) to stop gas injection;
at the same time, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline V, injecting the water in the first water tank (3-1) into the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by the high-pressure injection pump (11) through the pipeline III and the pipeline V; when a target injection volume is detected by a liquid flowmeter (12) on the pipeline V, closing the electric valve (5) on the pipeline V to stop water injection;
at the same time, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XIII, and making the first refrigeration unit (17) work continuously to provide cooling water for a water cooling jacket of the primary hydrate generation tank (16), so as to ensure that the temperature of the primary hydrate generation tank (16) is constant at the hydrate reaction temperature;
when hydrate generation begins, making the water react with the C02 in the gas mixture to generate CO2 hydrate, thus to separate the CO2 in the gas mixture; however, in this process, a small amount of hydrates will also be generated by some impurity gases;
when hydrate generation is finished, opening the electric valves (5) on the pipeline IX and the pipeline XI, and discharging the residual exhaust gas in the generation tank through the pipeline IX and the pipeline XI;
step 2: hydrate transport;
after the concentration of primarily purified CO2 drops to a set value, sending a signal to the computer (28) by the C02 concentration sensor (14), activating the function of controlling hydrate transport, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XIV, and transporting the hydrate in the primary hydrate generation tank (16) to the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18);
when a pressure decrease is detected by the pressure sensor (9) in the primary hydrate generation tank (16), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline I and the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline VI through which gas mixture outflow passes, and repressurizing the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by forward purification to maintain the reaction pressure in the primary hydrate generation tank (16);
since the volume of the hydrate generation tank is greater than that of the hydrate decomposition tank, hydrate transport will be promoted by the inlet repressurization process, and at the same time, residual hydrate slurry in the hydrate generation tank will play a function of inducing subsequent hydrate generation;
when the reading of the pressure sensor (9) on the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) is the same as that of the pressure sensor (9) on the primary hydrate generation tank (16), closing the electric valves (5) on all the above mentioned pipelines to finish hydrate transport;
step 3: decomposition of C02 hydrate by primary hydrate decomposition tank (18);
after the hydrate enters the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18), starting the heat exchanger (19) and the high-pressure injection pump (11) (which is in the cold and energy storage system), and opening the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which high-temperature exhaust gas outflow passes; when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XXVI, closing the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which high-temperature exhaust gas outflow passes, opening the second electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which high-temperature exhaust gas outflow passes, and making high-temperature industrial exhaust gas flow out of the hot gas mixture tank (20) and enter the heat exchanger (19) through the pipeline XXVI; after heat exchange, making low- temperature industrial exhaust gas enter the gas mixture tank (2) through the pipeline XXV;
starting the high-pressure injection pump (11), pumping low-temperature circulating water in the second water tank (3-2) into the heat exchanger (19), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXXI, and after heat exchange, making high-temperature circulating water enter a heat exchange coil in the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) through the pipeline XXXI to provide heat energy for hydrate decomposition and accelerate hydrate decomposition reaction; after heat release is completed, making the low-temperature water return to the second water tank (3-2) through the pipeline XXVII;
generating water and C02 after the decomposition of the C02 hydrate in the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18); when a target parameter is detected by the pressure sensor (9) or the temperature sensor (13) on the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XVI, making the water flow back to the first tank (3-1) through the pipeline XVI, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline X, and making the gas flow through the pipeline A and the pipeline X and be collected by the vacuum pump (15) into the high-pressure buffer tank (8); after decomposition products flow out, closing the electric valves (5) on all the pipelines in the above steps;
step 4: generation of C02 hydrate by secondary hydrate generation tank (21);
opening the first electric valve (5) through which the pipeline XII passes, i.e. the valve located in front of an inlet of the gas booster pump (7); when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XII, opening the second electric valve (5) through which the pipeline XII passes, i.e. the valve located behind an outlet of high-pressure buffer tank (8), and injecting the gas primarily purified and collected in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) on the pipeline XII into the secondary hydrate generation tank (21); when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XII or a target pressure is detected by the pressure sensor (9) on the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), closing the electric valves (5) on the pipeline XII to stop gas injection; at the same time, starting the high- pressure injection pump (11), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IV, injecting the water in the first water tank (3-1) into the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by the high- pressure injection pump (11) through the pipeline III and the pipeline IV; when a target injection volume is detected by a liquid flowmeter (12) on the pipeline IV, closing the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IV to stop water injection; at the same time, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XVII, and making the second refrigeration unit (22) work continuously;
repeating the primary CO2 hydrate generation process to conduct secondary purification;
when hydrate generation is finished, starting the vacuum pump (15), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXX, and discharging the residual exhaust gas in the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) through the electric valve (5) and the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline XXI, and the pipeline XXX;
step 5: hydrate transport;
after the concentration of secondarily purified CO2 drops to a set value, sending a signal to the computer (28) by the C02 concentration sensor (14); activating the function of controlling hydrate transport, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XVIII, and transporting the hydrate in the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) to the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23);
when a pressure decrease is detected by the pressure sensor (9) in the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), opening the electric valves (5) on the pipeline II, the pipeline A, the pipeline X and the pipeline XII, starting the air compressor (1) and the vacuum pump (15) (which is on the pipeline IX), repressurizing the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) by forward purification, and injecting the primarily purified gas into the secondary hydrate generation tank (21);
when the reading of the pressure sensor (9) on the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) is the same as that of the pressure sensor (9) on the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), closing the electric valves (5) on all the above mentioned pipelines to finish hydrate transport;
step 6: decomposition of C02 hydrate by secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23);
after the hydrate enters the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), starting the heat exchanger (19) and the high-pressure injection pump (11) (which is in the cold and energy storage system), and opening the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes; when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XXVI, closing the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes, opening the second electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes, and making high- temperature industrial exhaust gas flow out of the hot gas mixture tank (20) and enter the heat exchanger (19) through the pipeline XXVI; after heat exchange, making low-temperature industrial exhaust gas enter the gas mixture tank (2) through the pipeline XXV;
starting the high-pressure injection pump (11), pumping low-temperature circulating water in the second water tank (3-2) into the heat exchanger (19), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVIII, and after heat exchange, making high-temperature circulating water enter a heat exchange coil in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) through the pipeline XXVIII to provide heat energy for hydrate decomposition and accelerate hydrate decomposition reaction; after heat release is completed, making the low-temperature water return to the second water tank (3-2) through the pipeline XXXII;
repeating the primary CO2 hydrate decomposition process to conduct secondary purification;
generating water and C02 after the decomposition of the CO2 hydrate in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XX, and making the water flow back to the first tank (3-1) through the pipeline XX and the pipeline XVI; opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline B, starting the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline XXI, decomposing the purified gas in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), and making the gas flow through the pipeline B to be collected by the vacuum pump (15) into the high-pressure buffer tank (8); after decomposition products flow out, closing the electric valves (5) on all the above mentioned pipelines.” Emphasis Added.
Claim 3 is indefinite because the limitation of “the corresponding gas booster pumps”, “the upper end” “the gases” “the seawater tank” “the pipeline XXIX” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 3 is also indefinite because it is unclear if the second recited “a primary hydrate generation tank” and “a second hydrate generation tank” are the same as the first recited ones. The limitation of “the upper tail end of the pipeline IX” “the vacuum pump” “the tail end of the pipeline XI” “the tail end of the pipeline X” lacks antecedent basis. It is unclear which one is the “tail end” especially when there is also an “upper tail end”. The limitation of “the reading” lacks antecedent basis. It is also unclear if the recited “secondary hydrate generation tank” is the same as that recited earlier. It is unclear which valve is the claimed “the valve located behind an outlet of high-pressure buffer tank”.
Claim 4 recites:
“4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the large-scale integrated device of CO2 capture, sequestration and utilization is also used in a method for realizing reverse purification of C02 from hydrates, comprising the following steps:
step 1: generation of non-C02 hydrates by primary hydrate generation tank (16);
starting the air compressor (1), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline I and the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline VI through which the gas mixture passes, and pumping the gas mixture in the gas mixture tank (2) into the high-pressure buffer tank (8) through the gas booster pump (7); when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (9) on the high-pressure buffer tank (8) is stable, opening the second electric valve (5) on the pipeline VI through which the gas mixture passes, and pumping the gas mixture in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) into the primary hydrate generation tank (16); when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline VI or a target pressure is detected by the pressure sensor (9) on the primary hydrate generation tank (16), closing the electric valves (5) on the pipeline, and shutting down the air compressor (1) to stop gas injection;
at the same time, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline V, injecting the water in the first water tank (3-1) into the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by the high-pressure injection pump (11) through the pipeline III and the pipeline V; when a target injection volume is detected by a liquid flowmeter (12) on the pipeline V, closing the electric valve (5) on the pipeline V to stop water injection;
at the same time, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XIII, and making the first refrigeration unit (17) work continuously to provide cooling water for a water cooling jacket of the primary hydrate generation tank (16), so as to ensure that the temperature of the primary hydrate generation tank (16) is constant at the hydrate reaction temperature;
when hydrate generation begins, making pure water react with non-C02 gases in the gas mixture to generate hydrates, and high-concentration CO2 and some impurity gases will be left in the tank; when hydrate generation is finished, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IX, pumping the high-concentration C02 and some impurity gases through the pipeline IX into the high-pressure buffer tank (8) to make preparation for secondary purification;
step 2: hydrate transport;
after the concentration of primarily purified CO2 drops to a set value, sending a signal to the computer (28) by the C02 concentration sensor (14), activating the function of controlling hydrate transport, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XIV, and transporting the hydrate in the primary hydrate generation tank (16) to the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18);
when a pressure decrease is detected by the pressure sensor (9) in the hydrates in the primary hydrate generation tank (16), carrying out inlet repressurization to the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by reverse purification, with the specific process as follows:
during initial operation, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline VIII and the second electric valve (5) through which the pipeline VII passes, i.e. the valve located behind an outlet of high-pressure buffer tank (8), pre-storing C02 with a certain pressure in the high-pressure buffer tank (8), and pumping high-concentration CO2 and some impurity gases into the primary hydrate generation tank (16) through the gas booster pump (7) to maintain the reaction pressure in the primary hydrate generation tank (16);
during subsequent operation, opening the electric valves (5) on the pipeline VIII, the pipeline IX and the pipeline X, opening the first electric valve (5) through which the pipeline VII passes, i.e. the valve located in front of an inlet of the gas booster pump (7), and pumping the high-concentration CO2 and some impurity gases into the high-pressure buffer tank (8); when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (9) is stable, opening the second electric valve (5) through which the pipeline VII passes, i.e. the valve located behind an outlet of high-pressure buffer tank (8), pumping the high-concentration C02 and some impurity gases into the primary hydrate generation tank (16) through the gas booster pump (7) to maintain the reaction pressure in the primary hydrate generation tank (16);
since the volume of the hydrate generation tank is greater than that of the hydrate decomposition tank, hydrate transport will be promoted by the inlet repressurization process, and at the same time, residual hydrate slurry in the hydrate generation tank will play a function of inducing subsequent hydrate generation;
when the reading of the pressure sensor (9) on the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) is the same as that of the pressure sensor (9) on the primary hydrate generation tank (16), closing the electric valves (5) on all the above mentioned pipelines to finish hydrate transport;
step 3: decomposition of non-CO2 hydrates by primary hydrate decomposition tank (18);
after the hydrate enters the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18), starting the heat exchanger (19) and the high-pressure injection pump (11) (which is in the cold and energy storage system), and opening the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes; when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XXVI, closing the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes, opening the second electric valve (5) through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes, and making high-temperature industrial exhaust gas flow out of the hot gas mixture tank (20) and enter the heat exchanger (19) through the pipeline XXVI; after heat exchange, making low-temperature industrial exhaust gas enter the gas mixture tank (2) through the pipeline XXV;
starting the high-pressure injection pump (11), pumping low-temperature circulating water in the second water tank (3-2) into the heat exchanger (19), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXXI, and after heat exchange, making high-temperature circulating water enter a heat exchange coil in the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) through the pipeline XXXI to provide heat energy for hydrate decomposition and accelerate hydrate decomposition reaction; after heat release is completed, making the low-temperature water return to the second water tank (3-2) through the pipeline XXVII;
generating water and CO2 after the decomposition of the non-CO2 hydrates in the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18); when a target parameter is detected by the pressure sensor (9) or the temperature sensor (13) on the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18), discharging gases by the following steps: opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XV, and discharging the gases generated by decomposition in the primary hydrate decomposition tank (18) into the atmosphere through the pipeline XV;
after decomposition products flow out, closing the electric valves (5) on all the pipelines in the above steps;
step 4: generation of non-CO2 hydrates by secondary hydrate generation tank (21);
opening the first electric valve (5) through which the pipeline XII passes, i.e. the valve located in front of an inlet of the gas booster pump (7); when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XII, opening the second electric valve (5) through which the pipeline XII passes, i.e. the valve located behind an outlet of high-pressure buffer tank (8), and injecting the gas primarily purified and collected in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) on the pipeline XII into the secondary hydrate generation tank (21); when hydrate generation begins, making pure water react with non-CO2 gases in the gas mixture to generate hydrates, and high-concentration CO2 will be left in the secondary hydrate generation tank (21); when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XII or a target pressure is detected by the pressure sensor (9) on the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), closing the electric valves (5) on the pipeline XII to stop gas injection;
at the same time, starting the high-pressure injection pump (11), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IV, injecting the water in the first water tank (3-1) into the primary hydrate generation tank (16) by the high-pressure injection pump (11) through the pipeline III and the pipeline IV; when a target injection volume is detected by a liquid flowmeter (12) on the pipeline IV, closing the electric valve (5) on the pipeline IV to stop water injection;
at the same time, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XVII, and making the second refrigeration unit (22) work continuously;
repeating the primary non-CO2 hydrate generation process to conduct secondary purification;
collecting secondarily purified CO2 into the high-pressure buffer tank (8) by the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline XXI;
step 5: hydrate transport;
after the concentration of secondarily purified CO2 drops to a set value, sending a signal to the computer (28) by the CO2 concentration sensor (14); activating the function of controlling hydrate transport, opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XVIII, and transporting the hydrate in the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) to the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23);
when a pressure decrease is detected by the pressure sensor (9) in the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), repressurizing the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) by reverse purification, with the specific process as follows: opening the electric valves (5) on the pipeline II and the pipeline XII, starting the air compressor (1), and injecting the gases purified and collected in the high-pressure buffer tank (8) on the pipeline X into the secondary hydrate generation tank (21) through the pipeline XII;
when the reading of the pressure sensor (9) on the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) is the same as that of the pressure sensor (9) on the secondary hydrate generation tank (21), closing the electric valves (5) on all the above mentioned pipelines to finish hydrate transport;
step 6: decomposition of non-CO2 hydrates by secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23);
after the hydrate enters the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), starting the heat exchanger (19) and the high-pressure injection pump (11) (which is in the cold and energy storage system), and opening the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes; when a target injection volume is detected by the gas flowmeter (10) on the pipeline XXVI, closing the first electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes, opening the second electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVI through which the high-temperature exhaust gas passes, and making high- temperature industrial exhaust gas flow out of the hot gas mixture tank (20) and enter the heat exchanger (19) through the pipeline XXVI; after heat exchange, making low-temperature industrial exhaust gas enter the gas mixture tank (2) through the pipeline XXV;
starting the high-pressure injection pump (11), pumping low-temperature circulating water in the second water tank (3-2) into the heat exchanger (19), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XXVIII, and after heat exchange, making high-temperature circulating water enter a heat exchange coil in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23) through the pipeline XXVIII to provide heat energy for hydrate decomposition and accelerate hydrate decomposition reaction; after heat release is completed, making the low-temperature water return to the second water tank (3-2) through the pipeline XXXII;
repeating the primary non-CO2 hydrate decomposition process to conduct secondary purification;
generating water and CO2 after the decomposition of the CO2 hydrate in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline XX, and making the water flow back to the first tank (3-1) through the pipeline XX; opening the electric valve (5) on the pipeline B, and starting the vacuum pump (15) on the pipeline XXI;
generating water and non-CO2 gases after the decomposition of the non-CO2 hydrates in the secondary hydrate decomposition tank (23), and discharging the gases into the atmosphere through the pipeline XIX;
after decomposition products flow out, closing the electric valves (5) on all the above mentioned pipelines.” Emphasis Added.
Claim 4 is indefinite because it depends on claim 3. Additionally, Claim 4 recites a method for realizing reverse purification of CO2 from hydrates, it is unclear if that is the same method as recited in claim 3. Additionally, claim 3 and claim 4 seem to have a lot of redundancies, for example, the highlighted steps are all the same. It is therefore unclear if claims 3 and 4 recites the same process. Applicant is reminded that if they are, claim 4 could potentially be rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3–4 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Song et al., CN 103861444 A is the considered the closet prior art.
Regarding claim 3:
Song discloses a method of carbon dioxide capture and seawater desalination using gas hydrates, Song entire document. However, Song does not disclose all the details recited in claim 3, for example, Song does not disclose a step of reversing purification of CO2 from hydrates.
It would not have been obvious for one ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to modify Song for all the method details recited in claim 3 because none of the prior art shows or renders the method recited in claim 3 as being obvious.
Claim 4 would be allowable because it depends on claim 3.
Conclusion
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/Qianping He/Examiner, Art Unit 1776
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