Carbon Dioxide Capture Adsorbent Cooling via Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide capture technologies require additional motive power for cooling the CO2 adsorbent, leading to reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide capture apparatus with a first and second adsorbent apparatus connected via an exhaust path, where outside air adsorbed by the first adsorbent cools the second adsorbent, eliminating the need for additional motive power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling water is used to cool the CO2 adsorbent, then the cooling function is achieved, but additional motive power (pump) is required which degrades CO2 capture efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the CO2-containing air stream itself to cool the adsorbent bed during the adsorption phase. The incoming air stream, which has not yet been heated by the adsorbent, passes through the adsorbent bed and absorbs heat, cooling the adsorbent without requiring external cooling media or pumps. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional motive power while achieving the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat medium (such as a metal plate or heat exchanger surface) that acts as an intermediary between the CO2-containing air stream and the adsorbent. The heat medium absorbs heat from the adsorbent and transfers it to the passing air stream, enabling efficient heat exchange without direct contact between the air and adsorbent particles, thus achieving cooling while maintaining system efficiency.
2Temperature
If a pump is added to circulate cooling water, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for pumps and external cooling circuits by using the natural flow of CO2-containing air through the adsorbent bed. The air stream serves its dual purpose of both being processed for CO2 capture and simultaneously cooling the adsorbent, thereby simplifying the overall system structure without compromising cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The incoming CO2-containing air stream performs multiple functions: it serves as the feed stream for CO2 capture and simultaneously acts as the cooling medium for the adsorbent bed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
3Temperature
If cooling efficiency is improved by using external cooling systems, then temperature control is enhanced, but CO2 capture efficiency relative to required energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves temperature control using the CO2-containing air stream itself, which is already part of the CO2 capture process. This eliminates the need for separate energy-consuming cooling systems, thereby maintaining high CO2 capture efficiency relative to the energy required, as the cooling function is integrated into the main process without additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling action occurs continuously during the adsorption process as the CO2-containing air stream continuously passes through the adsorbent bed. This continuous cooling ensures optimal adsorbent temperature control throughout the capture process, maintaining high CO2 capture efficiency without interrupting or adding separate cooling cycles.
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
Improves cooling efficiency by utilizing the adsorption process to cool the adsorbent without requiring new motive power, reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first adsorbent that adsorbs at least a part of carbon dioxide contained in outside air to be processed
Implementation Method 2
the outside air that has passed through the first apparatus in such a way that at least a part of the carbon dioxide is adsorbed by the first adsorbent passes through the second apparatus via the exhaust path so as to cool the second adsorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide capture apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a first apparatus including a first adsorbent that adsorbs at least a part of carbon dioxide contained in outside air to be processed; a second apparatus including a second adsorbent that adsorbs at least a part of carbon dioxide contained in the outside air; and an exhaust path that communicates the first apparatus with the second apparatus, in which the outside air that has passed through the first apparatus in such a way that at least a part of carbon dioxide is adsorbed by the first adsorbent passes through the second apparatus via the exhaust path so as to cool the second adsorbent.