Alkaline Solution Carbon Dioxide Capture and Electrolytic Regeneration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon capture technologies face challenges in capturing carbon dioxide from air, incur high operational costs, and struggle with transportation and utilization, particularly due to energy-intensive regeneration methods and high investment costs associated with alkaline solution processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an alkaline solution for carbon dioxide capture, followed by electrolytic regeneration to produce carbon dioxide, oxygen, and hydrogen, with optional catalytic conversion to hydrocarbons, which are used as industrial by-products, to reduce costs and enhance utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional liquid amine adsorption method is used to capture carbon dioxide from tail gas, then carbon dioxide capture efficiency is improved, but a large amount of steam is needed for regeneration which increases energy consumption and operation cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the regeneration method from thermal steam stripping to electrolytic regeneration. Instead of using high-temperature steam to desorb CO2 from the amine solution, the system uses electrolysis to directly decompose the carbamate species, generating CO2 gas, H2 gas, and regenerating the amine solution. This parameter change from thermal to electrical energy input significantly reduces the energy consumption and eliminates the need for large amounts of steam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal regeneration system (steam generation and heat transfer equipment) with an electrochemical system (electrolytic cell). This substitution eliminates the need for complex thermal management infrastructure and reduces both energy consumption and equipment complexity while maintaining high capture efficiency.
2Productivity
If conventional alkaline solution adsorption technology is used to capture carbon dioxide from air, then carbon dioxide capture is achieved, but the system design becomes complex and investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carbon dioxide capture function with the regeneration function into a single integrated system. The amine solution simultaneously captures CO2 from air and is regenerated in-place through electrolysis, eliminating the need for separate capture and regeneration trains. This integration significantly simplifies the overall system design and reduces investment costs while maintaining capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The amine solution serves multiple functions: it acts as both the CO2 capture medium and the electrolyte for regeneration. The same solution circulates between the absorption tower and the electrolytic cell, performing both capture and regeneration roles. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies system architecture.
3Productivity
If conventional methods are used to capture carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide can be captured, but transportation and utilization of the captured carbon dioxide remain unresolved challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful CO2 emission into valuable chemical products. Instead of capturing CO2 only for storage or transport, the electrolytic regeneration process directly converts CO2 into H2 gas and regenerates the amine solution in-situ. The CO2 is transformed from a waste product requiring transportation into a useful chemical feedstock for hydrogen production, eliminating transportation needs and creating economic value.
4Productivity
If solid membrane adsorption method is used to capture carbon dioxide, then capture efficiency is improved, but regeneration requires large amount of low-temperature steam which increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the regeneration mechanism from thermal desorption to electrochemical decomposition. Instead of heating the adsorbent with low-temperature steam to release CO2, the system uses electrolysis to directly decompose the CO2-amine complex at ambient or near-ambient temperatures. This parameter change from thermal to electrical energy input maintains high capture efficiency while dramatically reducing energy consumption.
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 reduces carbon dioxide emissions, addresses transportation and utilization challenges, and generates industrial by-products, thereby lowering investment costs and improving overall production profitability.
Implementation Method 1
performing, by using an alkaline solution, a capture process on carbon dioxide in a target component, to obtain an aqueous solution containing a carbonate
Implementation Method 2
performing, on the aqueous solution containing the carbonate, an electrolytic regeneration process, to obtain an aqueous solution of a hydroxide, carbon dioxide produced by electrolysis, oxygen and hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
performing, a catalytic reaction of the carbon dioxide produced by the electrolysis and the hydrogen, to obtain a hydrocarbon
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and a system for capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide. The method for capturing and utilizing the carbon dioxide includes: performing a capture process on carbon dioxide in a target component by using an alkaline solution, to obtain an aqueous solution containing a carbonate; performing an electrolytic regeneration process on the aqueous solution containing the carbonate, to obtain an aqueous solution of a hydroxide, carbon dioxide produced by electrolysis, oxygen and hydrogen; and performing a catalytic reaction of the carbon dioxide produced by the electrolysis and the hydrogen, to obtain a hydrocarbon.