System and method for integrated absorber intercooling via rich solvent stream using 3D-printed active packings

An absorber column apparatus for removing a selected component of a gas, the apparatus comprising:

• a first zone, a second zone and a third zone;
• the first and third zones forming a first domain through which a first fluid laden with a select gaseous component to be removed therefrom flows along concurrently with a second fluid, and wherein the second fluid operates to at least substantially remove the select gaseous component from the first fluid to create a third fluid, and wherein the first fluid leaves the apparatus as a fourth fluid having had the select gaseous component at least substantially removed therefrom;
• and
• the second zone being arranged between the first and third zones and linearly in line with the first and third zones;
• and
• the second zone forming an active packing zone including a structure which forms an independent second domain in thermal communication with the first domain, the second zone operating to receive a quantity of the third fluid at a first longitudinal end, and to channel the quantity of the third fluid through the second zone to a second longitudinal end, to help cool both the first fluid and the second fluid.

A method for removing a selected component of a gas using an absorber column, the method comprising:

• flowing a first fluid laden with a select gaseous component through a first, second and third zones of the absorber column, in a first domain of the first, second and third zones;
• flowing a second fluid through the first domain of the first, second and third zones concurrently with the first fluid;
• using the second fluid to at least substantially remove the select gaseous component from the first fluid to thus create a third fluid, and wherein the first fluid leaves the absorber column as a fourth fluid having had the select gaseous component at least substantially removed therefrom;
• and
• causing at least a portion of the third fluid to be channeled into the second zone, wherein the second zone is comprised of a structure and material which forms an independent second domain in thermal contact with the first domain, by which heat from at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is transferred to the third fluid to create a fourth fluid;
• and
• channeling the third fluid out of the second zone.