Electrochemical Acid-Base Generation for Low-Resistance Carbon Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical systems for producing acid and base solutions are inefficient and costly, particularly due to high electrical resistance and limited current densities, making them unsuitable for effective carbon capture and the production of commercially valuable materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrolytic acid-base generators operating at high current densities, utilizing anion and proton exchange membranes, and incorporating porous diffusion layers to mitigate crossover inefficiencies, allows for cost-effective production of acid and base solutions from salt solutions, including seawater, for carbon capture and extraction of valuable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing electrochemical systems are used to produce acid and base solutions, then the production process can be established, but the system suffers from high electrical resistance and limited current densities making it inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces porous diffusion layers in the electrochemical cell that enable efficient ion transport while maintaining structural integrity. These porous materials reduce electrical resistance by providing multiple pathways for ion conduction, thereby increasing current density and overall system efficiency without compromising the separation function of the membranes.
2Productivity
If electrochemical systems operate at higher current densities, then productivity improves, but crossover inefficiencies between acid and base chambers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous diffusion layers as intermediary structures between the acid and base chambers. These layers act as mediators that facilitate controlled ion transport while preventing direct mixing of acid and base solutions. The porous structure allows selective passage of ions, reducing crossover inefficiencies even at elevated current densities.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrochemical systems are used for carbon capture, then the basic function can be performed, but the process is too costly to be commercially viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including membrane selection, electrode configuration, and operational conditions to achieve cost-effective acid and base production. By adjusting these parameters, the system reduces energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining high productivity, making the carbon capture process economically viable.
4Productivity
If electrochemical systems are designed for high efficiency, then productivity increases, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrochemical system into distinct functional modules including separate acid and base chambers, selective membranes, and porous diffusion layers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, achieving high overall system efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
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
This approach enables efficient and cost-effective production of acid and base solutions, enabling carbon capture and the extraction of valuable materials like steel, magnesium hydroxide, and silica, while being compatible with intermittent renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemically (i.e., electrolytically or electrodialytically) producing acid and base solutions
Implementation Method 2
utilizing anion and proton exchange membranes
Implementation Method 3
incorporating porous diffusion layers to mitigate crossover inefficiencies
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a material for capturing carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere, comprises producing an acid and a base with an electrochemical acid-base generator; dissolving a mineral in the acid to produce a mineral rich solution, separating silica from the mineral rich solution to form a silica depleted solution; adding a first portion of the base to the silica depleted solution to remove impurities by precipitation, adding a second portion of the base until ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2) precipitates, then pausing base addition and removing the ferrous hydroxide precipitate from the solution. Then adding a third portion of the base to the iron-depleted solution to precipitate magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and/or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). Then recovering a salt solution and directing the recovered salt solution to the electrochemical acid-base generator to produce a new acid and a new base. The magnesium hydroxide and/or calcium hydroxide may be used to capture and sequester carbon dioxide from a CO2-containing gas (e.g., air) by forming a carbonate or from the ocean by forming bicarbonate.