Process and apparatus for removing heat and water from flue gas

A process for use with a flue gas having a moisture content M, the process comprising the steps of:

• i. simultaneously
• introducing said flue gas to a flow of strong brine adapted to exothermically absorb moisture from the flue gas to produce heat;
• and
• withdrawing heat,
• thereby to produce a flow of heat, a flow of water-enriched brine and a gas having a moisture concentration less than M;
• and
• ii. recovering the strong brine from the water-enriched brine to produce a flow of water,
• characterized in that
• a. the temperature of the brine throughout the absorption step remains within 220 F. of a temperature T that lies in the range 220° F.-300° F.;
• and/or
• b. the withdrawal of heat is associated with the phase change of a working fluid from the liquid state to a gaseous state;
• the terminus of the heat flow is associated with the phase change of the working fluid from the gaseous state to the liquid state;
• in the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking;
• and in the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection;
• and/or
• c. the flow of heat directly drives a boiler to produce positive pressure steam;
• and/or
• d. M is greater than 15 wt. % water;
• and/or
• e. the strong brine is recovered through multiple-effect distillation of the water-enriched brine.