Amine Sorbent CO2 Extraction System Using Process Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods to address global warming through carbon dioxide reduction are hindered by high costs and inefficiencies, particularly in extracting CO2 from the ambient atmosphere, as conventional approaches focus on high concentration flue gas sources, which are finite and costly to process, whereas the vast but low-concentration ambient air is overlooked despite its potential for large-scale CO2 extraction.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing process heat to extract CO2 from the atmosphere using a medium with a large surface area substrate, such as an amine solution, which absorbs CO2 from the air and regenerates the sorbent for repeated use, allowing for efficient and cost-effective CO2 removal from the ambient air, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to extract CO2 from high concentration flue gas sources, then CO2 extraction efficiency is improved, but the scope of CO2 removal is limited and costs increase due to finite sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CO2 extraction process into two distinct stages: (1) absorption of CO2 from ambient air using a sorbent material, and (2) desorption/regeneration of the sorbent using process heat. This segmentation allows the system to handle low-concentration CO2 from vast ambient air sources while using concentrated heat energy efficiently for regeneration, thereby expanding the scope of CO2 removal beyond finite flue gas sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sorbent material as an intermediary substance that temporarily binds CO2 from ambient air. This intermediary enables the system to capture diffuse CO2 from large volumes of air at low concentration, then concentrate it during the regeneration phase. The sorbent acts as a mediator between the low-concentration CO2 source and the high-temperature regeneration process, resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and scope.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ambient air is used as CO2 source instead of flue gas, then the vast air source potential is utilized, but CO2 concentration is low making extraction costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter by using a sorbent material that selectively binds CO2 molecules from ambient air, effectively concentrating CO2 from its natural low concentration (～0.04%) to a much higher concentration on the sorbent surface. This parameter transformation allows efficient subsequent desorption and regeneration, making ambient air a viable CO2 source despite its low initial concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition concepts in the sorbent material's interaction with CO2 - the sorbent undergoes a chemical or physical state change when absorbing CO2, then reverses this transition during thermal regeneration. This phase transition mechanism enables the sorbent to efficiently capture CO2 at ambient conditions and release it concentrated during heated regeneration, resolving the efficiency issue with low-concentration ambient air.
3Reliability
If process heat is used for CO2 removal from medium, then regeneration of sorbent is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses the sorbent material after CO2 desorption. The heated regeneration process releases concentrated CO2 from the sorbent, which is then cooled and reused for another absorption cycle. This recovery and reuse of the sorbent eliminates the need for continuous production of new absorbent materials and allows the system to operate cyclically with relatively low energy input per unit of CO2 removed, improving energy efficiency while maintaining reliable regeneration.
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 the effective extraction of CO2 from the atmosphere at a faster rate than its increase, producing negative carbon emissions and reducing global warming threats, while being more economical than traditional methods by leveraging the vast ambient air source and lower temperature process heat.
Implementation Method 1
a medium with a large surface area substrate, such as an amine solution, which absorbs CO2 from the air
Implementation Method 2
using process heat to heat the medium, thereby removing the carbon dioxide from the medium and regenerating the sorbent for repeated use
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing carbon dioxide from an atmosphere to reduce global warming including an air extraction system that collects carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a medium and removes carbon dioxide from the medium; a sequestration system that isolates the removed carbon dioxide to a location for at least one of storage and which can increase availability of renewable energy or non-fuel products such as fertilizers and construction materials; and one or more energy sources that supply process heat to the air extraction system to remove the carbon dioxide from the medium and which can regenerate it for continued use.