Activated Carbon Scrubber for CO2 Removal via Temperature Swing Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Activated carbon, despite its use in gas filtering and control systems, has not been considered a practical solution for regenerative CO2 adsorption due to its low adsorption efficiency and high temperature regeneration process, making it inefficient for controlled atmosphere applications like transport refrigeration systems.
Innovation Solution
An activated carbon scrubber apparatus that alternates between adsorption and regeneration configurations at a high cycle frequency, using a sorbent bed predominantly composed of activated carbon, with controlled heating and gas flow rates to efficiently remove CO2 and regenerate the sorbent, allowing for reduced sorbent bed size and energy-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If activated carbon is used for CO2 adsorption, then the sorbent bed size can be reduced, but the regeneration temperature becomes too high making the process inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the scrubber in alternating adsorption and regeneration cycles. During adsorption, CO2-rich gas flows through the sorbent bed at low temperature to capture CO2. During regeneration, the cycle reverses to desorb CO2. This periodic operation allows the system to achieve high CO2 removal efficiency while maintaining lower average temperatures, avoiding the need for continuously high regeneration temperatures that would be required if operated in steady-state regeneration mode.
2Reliability
If high temperature regeneration is used to regenerate activated carbon, then the sorbent can be regenerated, but the energy consumption increases and the process becomes inefficient for controlled atmosphere applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting operating parameters including temperature, pressure, and gas flow rates during different phases of the cyclic operation. During adsorption, low temperature and appropriate pressure differential maximize CO2 uptake. During regeneration, parameters are modified to favor desorption without requiring excessively high temperatures. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes both regeneration effectiveness and energy efficiency, making the process suitable for controlled atmosphere applications where energy consumption must be minimized.
3Productivity
If the scrubber operates at high cycle frequency, then the CO2 removal efficiency per unit time improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a cyclically operating system that dynamically switches between adsorption and regeneration modes. The system uses dynamic control of gas flow directions, valve positions, and temperature profiles to achieve high CO2 removal efficiency over time. This dynamic operation allows the scrubber to maintain high productivity through frequent cycling while managing complexity through standardized cycle control logic and automated sequence management, rather than requiring overly complex continuous processing equipment.
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 CO2 removal and regeneration at lower temperatures, improving overall CO2 removal efficiency per unit time while reducing the size and energy consumption of the sorbent bed, making activated carbon a viable option for CO2 removal in transport refrigeration systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sorbent bed comprising activated carbon for CO2 adsorption
Implementation Method 2
controlling a heater to heat the sorbent bed in the regeneration configuration
Implementation Method 3
provide a regenerating gas from outside of the controlled environment to the sorbent bed to desorb CO2 and regenerate the activated carbon
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to an activated carbon scrubber apparatus 300 and a method of its operation for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from a controlled environment. The scrubber apparatus is configured to switch between: an adsorption configuration in which it is configured to provide CO2-rich gas from the controlled environment to a sorbent bed 302 comprising activated carbon for CO2 adsorption, and to return the treated gas to the controlled environment; and a regeneration configuration in which it is configured to provide a regenerating gas from outside of the controlled environment to the sorbent bed to desorb CO2 and regenerate the activated carbon, and to discharge CO2-rich gas outside of the controlled environment. The method comprises alternately operating the scrubber apparatus in the adsorption configuration and the regeneration configuration over a plurality of cycles, wherein the scrubber apparatus is operated at a cycle frequency of between 4 and 30 cycles per hour. A heater 303 is controlled to heat the sorbent bed in the regeneration configuration.