Blended Sorbent Formulations for Moisture Swing Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sorptive gas separation processes face challenges with energy-intensive and long desorption processes due to water adsorption on sorbents, sorbent degradation, and inverse relationships between water stability and desirable attributes like target molecule adsorption capacity and reaction kinetics, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of blended sorbent formulations comprising tolerant and intolerant sorbent materials, where the tolerant sorbent weight is at least 20% of the total weight, to enhance durability and maintain sorption capacity while mitigating the damaging effects of water and other pollutants like NOx and SOx, through optimized structural configurations and regeneration methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional sorbent materials are used for moisture swing regeneration, then water sorption capacity is achieved, but desorption becomes energy intensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite sorbent materials combining hydrophilic components (for water sorption) and hydrophobic components (for rapid desorption). This composite structure enables the sorbent to selectively sorb water while facilitating easier desorption, resolving the contradiction between high water capacity and low desorption energy requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies sorbent material parameters by adjusting hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity balance, surface area, pore size distribution, and chemical composition. These parameter changes enable optimization of both water sorption capacity and desorption ease, allowing the system to achieve high capacity while reducing the energy and time required for regeneration
2Productivity
If sorbent materials with high target molecule adsorption capacity are used, then sorption efficiency is improved, but water stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite sorbents where hydrophilic components provide water stability and hydrophobic components provide target molecule adsorption capacity. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high productivity and reliability by distributing functions across different material components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating sorbent structures with spatially differentiated properties - hydrophilic regions for water interaction and hydrophobic regions for target molecule adsorption. This local differentiation allows the sorbent to maintain water stability in certain zones while achieving high adsorption capacity in other zones
3Productivity
If polymeric amine adsorbents are used, then target molecule sorption capacity is enhanced, but sorbent degrades due to partial solvation and migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polymeric amine components with structurally stable support materials. The polymeric amine provides high target molecule sorption capacity while the stable support matrix prevents solvation-induced migration and maintains structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stable support matrix as an intermediary between the polymeric amine and the aqueous environment. This intermediary protects the polymeric amine from direct water contact that causes degradation, while still allowing it to perform its sorption function, thus maintaining both high capacity and structural stability
4Measurement precision
If MOF adsorbents are used, then selective adsorption capacity is improved, but sorbent degrades due to phase transition and pore collapse in steam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines MOF components with steam-stable materials to create composite sorbents. The MOF provides selective adsorption capacity while the steam-stable component protects against phase transitions and pore collapse, enabling simultaneous achievement of high selectivity and steam stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective matrix or coating as an intermediary between the MOF and steam environment. This intermediary shields the MOF from direct steam exposure that causes degradation, while still allowing selective adsorption to occur, thus preserving both selectivity and stability
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 the energy required for desorption, prolongs sorbent durability, and maintains sorption efficiency, thereby decreasing operational costs and improving process efficiency by protecting intolerant sorbents from degradation and optimizing thermal properties.
Implementation Method 1
A water component from the regeneration stream or steam, undergoes a phase change and sorbs onto the sorbent material, releasing a heat of adsorption at the same time
Implementation Method 2
releasing a heat of adsorption at the same time. A portion of the heat of adsorption released can be used as a portion of the heat of desorption
Implementation Method 3
A water component from the regeneration stream or steam, undergoes a phase change and sorbs onto the sorbent material
Implementation Method 4
rapid introduction of energy to the sorbent during regeneration of a sorbent by using the heat of adsorption or condensation of the moisture onto the sorbent to distribute heat energy relatively homogeneously within the porous sorbent
Data Source
AI summary
Sorptive gas separators can employ contactors having various sorbents blended together. The various sorbents used to make a blended sorbent contactor can be selected for their various physical and chemical properties, which will allow operators to customize formulations and structural configurations to obtain optimum performance of sorptive gas separators using blended sorbents.