Building CO2 Separation and Chemical Conversion for Indoor Air Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
High levels of carbon dioxide in indoor and outdoor air pose health risks and degrade air quality, particularly in buildings, where existing methods are inadequate for efficient separation and utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for separating CO2 from building air using a CO2 separating device, followed by a treatment stage to form chemical compounds, such as hydrocarbons, while improving indoor air quality by reducing CO2 levels and utilizing the separated CO2, integrated with ventilation systems for energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is separated from indoor air using conventional methods, then CO2 levels are reduced, but energy consumption increases and the separated CO2 is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CO2 separation function with the existing ventilation system, integrating the separating device into the air handling unit. This merging allows CO2 removal to occur during the normal ventilation process without requiring separate energy-intensive extraction systems, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while effectively lowering indoor CO2 levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 byproduct into a valuable chemical resource. By integrating a chemical treatment stage that converts CO2 into useful chemicals (such as methanol or other carbon-based compounds), the system transforms waste CO2 into beneficial products, simultaneously improving indoor air quality and creating economic value while reducing energy waste.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional CO2 separation methods are used, then CO2 is removed from air, but the separated CO2 is discarded rather than utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by converting the harmful CO2 into valuable chemical products through a integrated chemical treatment stage. The system uses catalysts and chemical reactions to transform CO2 into useful substances such as methanol, formic acid, or other carbon-based chemicals, thereby eliminating waste and creating economic value from what would otherwise be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements CO2 recovery by capturing the separated CO2 and directing it to a chemical treatment stage. Instead of discarding the CO2 as conventional systems do, the system recovers it and converts it into usable chemical products, thereby preventing substance loss and creating additional value from the separation process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 separation and treatment equipment is added to buildings, then air quality improves and CO2 is utilized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CO2 separation device with the existing ventilation system's air handling unit, combining multiple functions (air filtration, CO2 separation, and chemical treatment) into a single integrated system. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation and maintenance while effectively improving indoor air quality and enabling CO2 utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that performs ventilation, CO2 separation, and chemical synthesis within a single apparatus. The air handling unit serves multiple purposes: filtering indoor air, separating CO2 from the air stream, and directing CO2 to chemical treatment. This universality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
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
Effectively reduces CO2 levels in indoor air, improves air quality, and enables the production of chemical products, such as hydrocarbons, while reducing energy consumption and operating costs by integrating with ventilation systems.
Implementation Method 1
separating device for separating carbon dioxide from air
Implementation Method 2
separating device for separating carbon dioxide from air
Implementation Method 3
treatment device in order to form a chemical compound from the carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for separating and utilizing carbon dioxide. According to the invention, carbon dioxide (3a, 3b) is separated from air (1a) being conducted to a building and/or from air (1c,1d) being circulated in the building to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in indoor air (1b) of the building (4), the carbon dioxide (3a, 3b) is recovered, and the carbon dioxide is conducted to a carbon dioxide treatment stage (5), where a chemical compound (6) is formed from the carbon dioxide. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the method.