Carbon Capture Membrane With Ordered Pores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technologies are hindered by bulky and heavy equipment, high energy consumption, and challenges in storage, with membrane technologies limited by pressure drop issues.

Innovation Solution

A thin, lightweight carbon capture membrane with a polymeric support layer and a carbon dioxide capture layer comprising solid porous materials, such as amine-functionalized materials, integrated in a modular system to facilitate easy maintenance and regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid solvent absorption method is used for CO2 separation, then CO2 capture efficiency is improved, but equipment size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture efficiencyVSAvoidequipment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous solid materials (such as porous polymers, metal-organic frameworks, or activated carbon) as the absorption medium instead of liquid solvents. These porous materials provide high surface area and numerous active sites for CO2 adsorption, achieving efficient CO2 capture while significantly reducing the weight and volume of the equipment compared to liquid solvent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials combining different porous substances or composite structures (e.g., polymer matrices with embedded porous fillers, or composite porous particles) to optimize both CO2 capture efficiency and weight reduction. The composite structure leverages the advantages of each material while mitigating their individual limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If liquid solvent absorption method is used, then CO2 separation capability is improved, but additional processing steps and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 separation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional processing steps such as heating, cooling, or phase change operations that are required in liquid solvent systems. The porous solid material enables direct CO2 adsorption and separation through physical or chemical adsorption mechanisms, reducing energy consumption by removing unnecessary thermal processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/thermal processing system of liquid solvent absorption (requiring pumps, heaters, coolers) with a simpler porous material-based system that operates through adsorption equilibrium, significantly reducing energy requirements for compression, heating, and cooling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If mixed matrix composite membrane is used, then CO2 separation performance is improved, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 separation performanceVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating hierarchical pore structures with different pore sizes in different regions or layers of the porous material. Larger pores facilitate gas flow with lower pressure drop, while smaller pores provide higher separation performance. This spatial variation in pore characteristics optimizes both separation efficiency and pressure characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the porous material structure into multiple functional zones or layers: a flow channel layer with larger pores for low resistance gas transport, and an active separation layer with smaller pores or higher surface area for enhanced CO2 adsorption. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The membrane design enhances CO2 absorption efficiency, reduces pressure drop, and allows for modular integration, improving scalability and reducing energy costs while addressing fouling and storage challenges.

Implementation Method 1

the carbon dioxide capture layer comprising solid porous material with at least one carbon dioxide adsorption site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11325075B2Carbon capture membrane

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

AI summary

There is provided a carbon capture mixed matrix membrane comprising: a polymeric support layer; and a carbon dioxide capture layer in contact with the polymeric support layer, the carbon dioxide capture layer comprising solid porous material with at least one carbon dioxide adsorption site, wherein the polymeric support layer comprises spatially ordered uniform sized pores. The polymeric support layer may be patterned by micro-molding, nanoimprinting, mold-based lithography or other suitable lithographic process. The carbon dioxide capture layer may comprise amine-functionalised material, metal-organic frameworks such as zeolite imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8) or copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) which may or may not be amine modified. There is also provided a membrane module comprising at least one carbon capture mixed matrix membrane and a method of forming the carbon capture mixed matrix membrane.