Capacitive Gas Separation Apparatus for Low Energy CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial-scale gas separation techniques, such as pressure swing adsorption and temperature swing adsorption, face significant energy consumption issues, making large-scale gas separations like CO2 capture from flue gas costly and inefficient, particularly for applications like coal-fired power plants.
Innovation Solution
A supercapacitive swing adsorption apparatus using a gas permeable layer, electrodes, and an electrolyte, where capacitively charging and discharging the electrodes allows for selective adsorption and desorption of gases without electrochemical redox processes, enabling energy-efficient gas separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption is used for industrial-scale gas separation, then gas separation capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal swing systems (PSA/TSA) with an electrical field-based capacitive system. Instead of using pressure cycling or temperature cycling to achieve adsorption/desorption, the invention applies voltage to create electric fields that modulate the adsorption properties of electrodes, thereby substituting mechanical/thermal energy with electrical energy for gas separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameter from pressure or temperature (in PSA/TSA) to electrical voltage. By applying and removing voltage, the system modulates the electrostatic field to control gas adsorption and desorption, achieving separation through electrical parameter changes rather than mechanical or thermal parameter changes
2Reliability
If electrochemical approaches are used for gas separation, then separation efficiency improves, but permanent electrical current flow consumes large amounts of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs periodic application and removal of voltage to the capacitive electrodes. During the charging phase, gas is adsorbed; during the discharging phase, gas is desorbed. This periodic electrical action replaces permanent current flow, allowing the system to achieve continuous separation while recovering energy during discharge, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive system allows energy stored during the charging phase to be utilized during the discharging phase for gas desorption. The system essentially serves itself by recycling the electrical energy, reducing the need for continuous external energy input that characterizes electrochemical approaches with permanent current flow
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 minimizes energy consumption and enhances the efficiency of gas separation, allowing for scalable and cost-effective separation of gases like CO2 from gas mixtures, reducing the energy required for the process.
Implementation Method 1
a gas permeable layer adapted and configured to allow for flow of the gaseous mixture
Implementation Method 2
when the first and second electrodes are capacitively charged by applying a voltage to the apparatus, the first gas is preferentially adsorbed in the apparatus from the gaseous mixture
Implementation Method 3
when the first and second electrodes are capacitively charged by applying a voltage to the apparatus
Implementation Method 4
the separator is disposed between, and in physical contact with, the second surface of the first electrode and the first surface of the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes apparatuses and methods to separate a gas from a gaseous mixture using supercapacitive swing adsorption.