A method and arrangement for capturing carbon dioxide from a gas stream using an adsorption system comprising a heat storage and recovery unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture systems are inefficient in capturing CO2 from sources with intermediate concentrations, such as greenhouses and vegetable storage facilities, and from flue gas, due to high energy consumption and potential contamination risks, with existing technologies either being complex or not suitable for enclosed spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing zeolite adsorbents with a dual desiccant wheel system for air pre-treatment and heat exchange to minimize energy consumption, efficiently capture and store CO2 from varying concentrations, and regenerate the adsorbent without introducing contaminants, while utilizing heat storage to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical absorption methods are used for CO2 capture, then CO2 capture efficiency is improved, but system complexity and safety risks increase due to chemical handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical absorption systems with physical adsorption using solid sorbents. This substitution eliminates the need for complex chemical handling, pumps, and safety systems while maintaining CO2 capture efficiency. The solid sorbent beds provide a simpler, safer mechanical system that achieves the same productivity goal without the drawbacks of chemical methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If high energy input is applied for CO2 capture and regeneration, then CO2 purification is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic cyclic operation where sorbent beds alternately adsorb CO2 during day hours and regenerate during night hours. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high CO2 purification through extended contact time during adsorption while using lower energy input during regeneration, as the heat of desorption is utilized and ambient temperature variations provide natural thermal cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of water (evaporation during day, condensation at night) to provide thermal energy for the adsorption-regeneration cycle. Solar heating drives water evaporation which provides heat for CO2 desorption, and nighttime condensation releases heat for sorbent cooling, eliminating the need for external high-energy heating systems.
3Quantity of substance
If CO2 is captured from enclosed spaces like greenhouses, then CO2 concentration is improved, but humidity control becomes problematic due to plant transpiration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the CO2 component from the greenhouse atmosphere using selective adsorption on the sorbent beds, while allowing the humid air to pass through or be separately handled. This extraction approach captures high-concentration CO2 without necessarily removing the beneficial humidity that plants require, separating the two functions of CO2 capture and humidity control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively captures CO2 from sources with concentrations ranging from 50 ppm to 40,000 ppm, reduces energy consumption, and maintains the purity of captured CO2, enabling its safe reuse in enclosed spaces with minimal energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
A method and arrangement for efficient capture of CO2, temporarily store the captured CO2 and release the CO2 as nearly 100% CO2 following the adsorption sequence
Implementation Method 2
A method utilizing zeolite adsorbents with a dual desiccant wheel system for air pre-treatment
Implementation Method 3
utilizing heat storage to optimize energy use
Implementation Method 4
heat storage and recovery unit
Data Source
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AI summary
It is described a method and arrangement for capturing CO2 from ambient air or flue gases, wherein a pre-cooled stream of said air/gases is conducted through a bed (34) of CO2 adsorbent material in a first direction capturing CO2 from the streamed air/gas in the CO2 adsorbent bed, a stream of warm heating gas is conducted from a heat storage unit (66) to said CO2 adsorbent bed (34) in a second direction opposite said first direction transferring stored heat from said heat recovery unit to said CO2 adsorbent bed, while simultaneously transferring coldness from the adsorbent bed to the heat storage, and following this, said heating gas is conducted through the CO2 adsorbent bed in a closed loop desorbing CO2 from the CO2 adsorbent bed, the desorbed CO2 is extracted for use or storage, next a stream of cooling gas is conducted through the heat storage unit and the CO2 adsorbent bed in the first direction transferring low temperature heat to the CO2 adsorbent bed and high temperature heat from the CO2 adsorption bed to the heat storage unit.