Alternating Adsorption Desorption CO2 Removal System

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Solution Overview

Problem

In closed spaces like vehicles, CO2 concentrations rise rapidly due to human respiration, leading to discomfort and decreased concentration, and traditional ventilation methods are inefficient or impractical, especially in air recirculation mode where fresh air exchange is limited.

Innovation Solution

A device with two adsorption and desorption units operating alternately, each equipped with a filter and a fan, uses adsorbents like Al2O3 or aluminum silicate to continuously remove CO2 from the air, regenerating the adsorbent and preventing CO2 re-entry, while also filtering other pollutants, allowing for prolonged air recirculation without external air intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If air recirculation mode is used to maintain temperature and block external pollutants, then energy efficiency is improved and external harmful factors are reduced, but CO2 concentration increases and air quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidCO2 concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air treatment system is segmented into multiple functional modules: pre-filter for particulate matter, CO2 adsorption device with alternating adsorption/desorption beds, and post-filter for final polishing. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in removing specific contaminants while working together to maintain air quality during recirculation mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The CO2 adsorption device utilizes porous adsorbent materials with high surface area to volume ratio, enabling efficient CO2 capture from recirculated air. The porous structure provides numerous active sites for CO2 molecules to adhere to, effectively reducing CO2 concentration while allowing the system to operate in closed recirculation mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If continuous CO2 adsorption is implemented using a single adsorption device, then air purification is improved, but operational continuity is interrupted during desorption cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purification efficiencyVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Two adsorption devices are merged into a single integrated system that operates in parallel. While one device is in the adsorption phase capturing CO2 from recirculated air, the other device simultaneously undergoes desorption to regenerate the adsorbent. This merging of multiple units enables continuous CO2 removal without interruption, as one device always remains in active adsorption mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic alternation between adsorption and desorption phases across the two devices. Each device cycles through adsorption and desorption in a coordinated manner, with one device adsorbing CO2 while the other desorbs and regenerates. This periodic action ensures that at least one device is always in the adsorption phase, maintaining continuous air purification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If adsorbent regeneration is performed by heating, then desorption efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesorption efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling of the adsorbent bed during the adsorption phase, preparing it for more efficient desorption. By maintaining optimal temperature conditions during adsorption and pre-conditioning the bed, the subsequent desorption requires less energy input to achieve effective CO2 release, reducing the overall energy consumption of the regeneration cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables continuous air purification in closed spaces, maintaining air quality and reducing the need for external ventilation, thereby improving comfort and safety by maintaining low CO2 levels and filtering other harmful substances, even in polluted areas.

Implementation Method 1

two adsorption devices for adsorbing CO2 from the air supplied to the adsorption devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

each with a desorption device associated with the adsorption devices for desorbing adsorbed CO2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

a fan is connected upstream of each adsorption device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

each of the adsorption devices is connected upstream or downstream by means of which pollutants contained in the air to be supplied or the cleaned air to be supplied back to the room can be filtered out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3573739B1Device for cleaning air laden with co2 in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle in recirculated-air mode by means of an adsorption device
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 AUDI AG
  • EP3573739B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for cleaning air laden with CO2, which air is located in a closed space, comprising at least one adsorption device (9, 9a, 9b) for adsorbing CO2 from the air supplied to the adsorption device (9, 9a, 9b), a desorption device (15, 15a, 15b) for desorbing adsorbed CO2, which desorption device is associated with the adsorption device (9, 9a, 9b), and a removal device (20, 20a, 20b) for leading away the desorbed CO2.