A direct air carbon capture system and method utilizing waste heat from an automotive engine

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of carbon capture, and discloses a direct air carbon capture system and method using automobile engine waste heat. The circulating water in the automobile exhaust heat exchange device heats the engine coolant to increase the temperature of the coolant sent to the absorption-desorption tower. After the air passes through the absorption-desorption tower, the obtained pure carbon dioxide is sent to a gas-liquid separator, and then compressed into a liquid state by a compression device and stored in a storage device. The present application has the advantages of high carbon capture amount, full utilization of engine waste heat, flexibility, long capture time, high plasticity, and completion of carbon dioxide capture during driving, etc. The present application is also suitable for large-scale carbon capture work. Compared with traditional carbon capture plants, the present application does not need to use large fans to guide air flow, reducing the consumption of energy, land and water resources, and promoting the realization of carbon neutralization.

Description

A direct air carbon capture system and method utilizing waste heat from an automobile engine Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air carbon capture, and more specifically to a direct air carbon capture system and method utilizing waste heat from an automobile engine. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, due to the continued dominance of fossil fuel use, the concentration of greenhouse gases released from their combustion, especially CO2 which has the greatest impact on global warming, has exceeded 400 ppm in the atmosphere.

[0003] Today, direct air carbon capture (CACC) technology is a major technological means of mitigating the global climate crisis and has been applied and developed in many industries, such as power plants, cement manufacturing plants, and steel mills. CACC can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store or utilize it to alleviate the rise in carbon dioxide concentration. However, most carbon capture devices are fixed devices that cannot be moved and occupy a large area, consuming land resources.

[0004] Currently, the number of cars continues to rise. Although the market share of electric vehicles is increasing, the proportion of cars in the overall fleet remains high. Cars generate significant exhaust emissions during operation, polluting the atmosphere. Waste heat from car engines is directly released into the environment without being utilized. Applying direct air carbon capture (DOCC) technology to vehicles can achieve targeted and enhanced capture of emissions from these sources. This technology does not require land resources, and the energy for carbon dioxide adsorption can be provided by the engine's waste heat, utilizing waste heat while reducing additional energy consumption. Compared to typical carbon capture plants, this technology does not require large, stationary fans; air absorption can be completed while the car is in motion, reducing energy consumption during carbon capture. Therefore, developing this technology is crucial and represents a new exploration of the application of DCC. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to use the waste heat of the engine to achieve direct air carbon capture in automobiles, thereby achieving the goal of mitigating climate change.

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a direct air carbon capture system utilizing waste heat from an automotive engine. The system includes an engine waste heat recovery system, a coolant circulation system, and a carbon dioxide capture and recovery system.

[0007] The engine waste heat recovery system is equipped with an internal circulation coolant outlet and an exhaust gas outlet in the engine block. Both the internal circulation coolant outlet and the exhaust gas outlet in the engine block are connected to a heat exchanger to form the engine waste heat recovery system.

[0008] The cooling fluid circulation mainly includes the engine coolant inlet, engine coolant outlet, heat exchanger, solenoid valve (15), heat dissipation device, water pump, solenoid valve (18) and adsorption-desorption tower connected in sequence.

[0009] The carbon dioxide capture and recovery system includes an air inlet box, a solenoid valve (19), an adsorption-desorption tower, a controller, a gas-liquid separation device, a compression device, a storage device, and a generator;

[0010] The air intake box is connected to an adsorption-desorption tower, which is equipped with a residual gas discharge pipe. The desorbed mixed gas pipe is connected to a gas-liquid separator. The pure carbon dioxide gas is compressed into liquid by a compression device and input into a storage device. The power consumption of the compression device comes from the car's own generator.

[0011] Optionally, the engine block is a power unit for a car, and its internal coolant is used to heat the adsorption-desorption tower.

[0012] Optionally, the heat exchanger is a tube-plate heat exchanger, in which vehicle exhaust gas and coolant exchange heat inside the heat exchanger to heat the coolant.

[0013] Optionally, the adsorbent is PEI-SiO2.

[0014] Optionally, the system for direct air carbon capture using waste heat includes a gas-liquid separation device; the gas-liquid separation device is used to condense the water vapor and carbon dioxide mixture in the adsorption-desorption tower to separate the carbon dioxide from the water; the gas-liquid separation device is connected to the outlet of the adsorption-desorption tower and the inlet of the compression device.

[0015] Optionally, the compression device is used to compress condensed carbon dioxide gas, cool it, and then compress it into a liquid for storage in a storage container.

[0016] Optionally, the storage device is used to store liquid carbon dioxide, and the storage device includes a volumetric meter and a carbon dioxide storage tank; the volumetric meter is used to measure whether the storage amount has reached the rated value; the carbon dioxide storage tank is used to store liquid carbon dioxide.

[0017] Optionally, the heat dissipation device includes a radiator and a controllable fan, which are connected to the vehicle's exhaust system and coolant circulation to reduce the temperature of the vehicle's exhaust system and coolant, while also extending the service life of the vehicle's exhaust system.

[0018] Optionally, the controller is connected to the adsorption-desorption tower and the coolant circulation system to control the reaction process of the adsorption-desorption tower, so as to realize the sequential adsorption and desorption of the adsorption-desorption tower.

[0019] Optionally, the air inlet box is connected to the adsorption-desorption tower for storing a certain amount of air.

[0020] Optionally, the water pump is used in the coolant circulation to pressurize the coolant and pump it into the engine block. It is a water pump used in existing engines, including mechanical water pumps and electronic water pumps.

[0021] Optionally, the solenoid valve is used throughout the system to regulate the flow rates of air and coolant.

[0022] Optionally, the various devices are connected by connecting pipes, the connecting pipes being equipped with control valves for controlling the flow of hot materials and the entry and exit of gas.

[0023] This invention also discloses a method for a direct air carbon capture system utilizing waste heat from an automobile engine, as detailed below:

[0024] The coolant flows into the heat exchanger through the coolant outlet and the exhaust gas flows into the exhaust gas outlet. The heat of the exhaust gas is used to heat the coolant to raise its temperature to 100±10℃. The heated coolant then flows into the adsorption-desorption tower to heat the carbon dioxide desorption process.

[0025] The coolant, heated during the carbon dioxide desorption process, flows through a heat dissipation device to be cooled to ambient temperature. After being pressurized by a water pump, it flows through an adsorption-desorption tower and returns to the engine block through the engine's coolant inlet, completing the coolant circulation.

[0026] Air enters the adsorption-desorption tower through the air inlet box. The adsorption-desorption tower adsorbs carbon dioxide from the air and discharges the remaining gas. Then, the carbon dioxide is desorbed. The desorbed mixed gas is sent to the gas-liquid separation device for gas-liquid separation. The pure carbon dioxide gas is compressed into liquid using a compression device. Finally, the liquid carbon dioxide is placed in a storage device for storage.

[0027] When air enters the adsorption-desorption tower through the air intake box, the controller shuts off the coolant flowing out of the engine outlet. The adsorption-desorption tower completes the adsorption of carbon dioxide at room temperature. When the controller detects that the carbon dioxide content in the adsorption-desorption tower is almost zero, it discharges the remaining gas in the adsorption-desorption tower, and the adsorption process ends. At this time, the solenoid valves (19) and (18) are closed, and the solenoid valve (17) is opened, so that the high-temperature coolant heats the adsorption-desorption tower to complete the desorption of carbon dioxide. After the desorption is completed, the mixed gas flows through the gas-liquid separator for gas-liquid separation.

[0028] The adsorbent material used in this invention is silica-based solid polyethyleneimine (PEI-SiO2). Its advantages include the ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from humid air, good thermal stability, chemical stability, low required concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment, and high absorption efficiency. Furthermore, due to the high stability of PEI-SiO2, carbon dioxide is absorbed at room temperature and desorbed at a thermal flow temperature of 100°C, which facilitates the separation and collection of carbon dioxide. This material is reusable, has a long service life, minimal environmental impact, and maintains ultra-high absorption efficiency, thus improving the system's energy and economic benefits.

[0029] The advantage of the system used in this invention lies in its precise capture of carbon dioxide at the emission source using engine waste heat. The system's heat flow originates from engine waste heat; utilizing this waste heat reduces system energy consumption and indirectly lowers engine temperature, thereby improving engine efficiency.

[0030] This system, installed on a mobile vehicle, eliminates the need for large fans to collect air. It leverages the vehicle's mobility to collect air, reducing energy consumption in the carbon capture process. Since carbon dioxide levels are higher around the vehicle than the average ambient concentration, it allows for precise capture at the emission source.

[0031] The present invention has a high carbon capture capacity, is flexible and adaptable, and makes full use of engine waste heat. Compared with other carbon capture systems, the system of the present invention has great advantages in energy utilization and capture efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a carbon capture device that utilizes engine waste heat.

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a carbon dioxide storage device.

[0034] The reference numerals in the attached diagram are explained as follows: 1-Engine block, 2-Coolant inlet, 3-Coolant outlet, 4-Exhaust gas outlet, 5-Heat exchanger, 6-Adsorption-desorption tower, 7-Heat dissipation device, 8-Water pump, 9-Intake box, 10-Control device, 11-Generator, 12-Gas-liquid separator, 13-Compression device, 14-Storage device, F15, F16, 17, 18, 19 Solenoid valves. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will be described clearly and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, this embodiment provides a system for capturing carbon from the air using waste heat from an automobile engine, including an engine block 1, an adsorption-desorption tower 6, a heat exchanger 5, a generator 11, an air intake box 9, a cooling device 7, a water pump 8, solenoid valves 17, 18, 19, F15, F16, a gas-liquid separator 12, a control device 10, a compression device 13, a storage device 14, and a connecting device.

[0037] The carbon capture system includes an engine waste heat recovery system, a coolant circulation system, and a carbon dioxide capture and recovery system. The engine waste heat recovery system includes an internal circulating coolant outlet 3 and an exhaust gas outlet 4 in the engine block 1. Both the coolant outlet 3 and the exhaust gas outlet 4 are connected to a heat exchanger 5, forming the engine waste heat recovery system.

[0038] Furthermore, the coolant flows into the heat exchanger 5 through the coolant outlet 3 and the exhaust gas flows into the exhaust gas outlet 4, using the heat of the exhaust gas to heat the coolant and increase its temperature. The heated coolant then flows into the adsorption-desorption tower 6 to heat the carbon dioxide desorption process.

[0039] The coolant circulation includes an engine coolant outlet 3, a heat exchanger 5, a solenoid valve 15, a heat dissipation device 7, a water pump 8, a solenoid valve 18, an adsorption-desorption tower 6, and an engine coolant inlet 2, the purpose of which is to provide heat for the carbon capture process.

[0040] Furthermore, the coolant heated during the carbon dioxide desorption process flows through the heat dissipation device 7 to be cooled to ambient temperature, and then, after being pressurized by the water pump 8, flows through the adsorption-desorption tower 6. Finally, it returns to the engine block 1 through the engine coolant inlet 2, completing the coolant circulation.

[0041] The carbon dioxide capture and recovery system includes an air inlet box 9, a solenoid valve 19, an adsorption-desorption tower 6, a control device 10, a gas-liquid separation device 12, a compression device 13, a storage device 14, and a generator 11.

[0042] Furthermore, air enters the adsorption-desorption tower 6 through the air intake box 9. The adsorption-desorption tower 6 adsorbs carbon dioxide from the air and discharges the remaining gas. Then, the carbon dioxide is desorbed, and the desorbed mixed gas is sent to the gas-liquid separator 12 for gas-liquid separation. The pure carbon dioxide gas is compressed into liquid using the compression device 13. The power consumption of the compression device comes from the generator 11 of the car itself. Finally, the liquid carbon dioxide is placed in the storage device 14 for storage.

[0043] The engine waste heat recovery system of this invention utilizes the recovered engine waste heat for a carbon dioxide capture system, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to traditional carbon capture systems. Recovering and utilizing the waste heat from the vehicle engine block 1 for carbon capture improves energy efficiency and meets the energy requirements of the carbon dioxide capture device. Furthermore, by recovering and utilizing the heat from the engine exhaust through the heat exchanger 5, the temperature of the engine block 1 can be effectively reduced, extending its service life. This achieves energy conservation and emission reduction while capturing carbon dioxide.

[0044] Furthermore, the adsorbent is PEI-SiO2, which is synthesized using silica gel as a carrier and polyethyleneimine as a ligand. Its advantages include good adsorption performance, good thermal stability, convenient separation process, large specific surface area and pore structure, and good mechanical strength, perfectly matching the requirements of the adsorbent in this invention. Since the ligand of the adsorbent is polyethyleneimine, it can absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from humid air, encapsulating the carbon dioxide in the polyethyleneimine solid material or refining it for use. This material can also be reused, reducing operating costs.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the carbon dioxide storage device 14 is used to store liquid carbon dioxide. The carbon storage device has intelligent detection instruments and intelligent meters to detect the carbon dioxide content inside the storage device in real time. When the storage capacity reaches the rated value, the liquid carbon dioxide inside the device is extracted.

[0046] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the content disclosed in the specific embodiments, and the scope of protection claimed by the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A system for direct air carbon capture using waste heat from a car engine during vehicle movement, characterized in that, This includes an engine waste heat recovery system, a coolant circulation system, and a carbon dioxide capture and recovery system. The engine waste heat recovery system has an internal circulating coolant outlet and an exhaust outlet for the engine block, both connected to a heat exchanger. The coolant circulation system includes, in sequence, an engine coolant inlet, an engine coolant outlet, a heat exchanger, solenoid valve A (17), an adsorption-desorption tower, solenoid valve B (15), a heat dissipation device, a water pump, and solenoid valve C (18). Solenoid valve C (18) is connected to the engine coolant inlet via an adsorption-desorption tower. The carbon dioxide capture and recovery system includes an intake box, solenoid valve D (19), an adsorption-desorption tower, and a control... The system includes a controller, a gas-liquid separator, a compression device, a storage device, and a generator. The intake box is connected to an adsorption-desorption tower via a solenoid valve D(19). The adsorption-desorption tower is equipped with a residual gas discharge pipe. The desorbed mixed gas pipe is connected to the gas-liquid separator. The pure carbon dioxide gas is compressed into liquid by the compression device and input into the storage device. The power consumption of the compression device comes from the generator of the vehicle itself. The adsorption-desorption tower is equipped with a controller, which is connected to the coolant circulation. The coolant flows into the heat exchanger through the coolant outlet and the exhaust gas flows into the heat exchanger through the exhaust gas outlet. The heat of the exhaust gas is used to heat the coolant, raising the coolant temperature to 100±10℃. The heated coolant flows into the adsorption-desorption tower. The carbon dioxide desorption process is heated; the coolant, after being heated for the carbon dioxide desorption process, flows through a heat dissipation device to be cooled to ambient temperature, then flows through an adsorption-desorption tower via a water pump, and finally returns to the engine block through the engine coolant inlet, completing the coolant circulation; the adsorption-desorption tower is equipped with a controller connected to the coolant circulation system to control the reaction process of the adsorption-desorption tower, enabling sequential adsorption and desorption; air enters the adsorption-desorption tower through the air intake box, the adsorption-desorption tower adsorbs carbon dioxide from the air, the adsorption-desorption tower discharges the remaining gas, and then the carbon dioxide is desorbed, and the desorbed mixed gas is sent to a gas-liquid separator for gas-liquid separation. The pure carbon dioxide gas is compressed into liquid using a compression device, and the liquid carbon dioxide is then stored in a storage device. When air enters the adsorption-desorption tower through the air intake box, the controller shuts off the coolant flowing out from the engine outlet. The adsorption-desorption tower completes the adsorption of carbon dioxide at room temperature. When the controller detects that the carbon dioxide gas content in the adsorption-desorption tower is almost zero, the remaining gas in the adsorption-desorption tower is discharged, and the adsorption process ends. At this time, the solenoid valves D (19) and C (18) are closed, and the solenoid valve A (17) is opened to allow the high-temperature coolant to heat the adsorption-desorption tower to complete the desorption of carbon dioxide. After the desorption is completed, the mixed gas flows through the gas-liquid separator for gas-liquid separation.

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