Carbon Dioxide Separation Using Supersonic Flow Phase Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon dioxide capture technologies, such as wet absorption, dry absorption, and phase separation methods, require significant compression work and energy, are inefficient, and difficult to scale up for large plants, leading to high operational costs and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide separation and capture system that includes a first compression unit, heat exchange unit, second compression unit, and separation and capture unit, utilizing centrifugal dust collection to convert gas flow into supersonic flow for phase change and separation, with power generation to recover energy from residual exhaust gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If wet absorption method is used to separate carbon dioxide from exhaust gas, then carbon dioxide can be separated from exhaust gas, but large amount of compression work is required to liquefy the separated carbon dioxide and high energy is required to regenerate the wet absorbent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide separation efficiencyVSAvoidcompression work and energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of carbon dioxide directly from gas to solid (deposition) by converting internal energy to kinetic energy through supersonic flow, avoiding the need for liquid phase compression and absorbent regeneration processes. This resolves the contradiction by achieving separation through phase change rather than absorption followed by compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with a kinetic energy-based separation system. By converting internal energy to kinetic energy and using supersonic flow, the system achieves carbon dioxide separation without requiring traditional compression equipment, thereby reducing compression work and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If dry absorption method is used to separate carbon dioxide from exhaust gas, then carbon dioxide can be separated from exhaust gas, but large amount of compression work is required to liquefy the separated carbon dioxide and high energy is required to regenerate the solid adsorbent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide separation efficiencyVSAvoidcompression work and energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs phase transition of carbon dioxide from gas to solid state through supersonic flow and internal-to-kinetic energy conversion. This direct phase change method eliminates the need for adsorbent materials and their regeneration processes, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and energy consumption for regeneration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical compression and adsorbent regeneration system with a kinetic energy-based phase transition system. By using supersonic flow to convert internal energy to kinetic energy, the system achieves separation without traditional compression and regeneration equipment, reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If membrane separation method is used to separate carbon dioxide from exhaust gas, then carbon dioxide can be separated from exhaust gas, but it is difficult to increase the capacity and durability is weak due to deterioration of the separating membrane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide separation efficiencyVSAvoidmembrane durability and capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the membrane separation system with a kinetic energy-based phase transition system. By converting internal energy to kinetic energy through supersonic flow, the system achieves carbon dioxide separation without physical membranes, eliminating membrane deterioration issues and enabling easier capacity scaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If phase separation method is used to separate carbon dioxide from exhaust gas, then carbon dioxide can be separated from exhaust gas, but pressure higher than the triple point is required which results in low energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide separation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of carbon dioxide from gas to solid state through supersonic flow and internal-to-kinetic energy conversion. This method achieves separation at lower pressures compared to traditional phase separation methods that require pressure above the triple point, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters by using kinetic energy conversion to achieve phase transition at different pressure conditions than traditional phase separation. By converting internal energy to kinetic energy, the system achieves efficient separation without requiring high pressures above the triple point, improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Significantly reduces compression work and energy consumption, enabling cost-effective, scalable carbon dioxide capture with improved energy efficiency and space utilization, and recovers energy from residual gases.

Implementation Method 1

a first compression unit supplied with exhaust gas and compressing the exhaust gas to generate first compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchange unit connected to the first compression unit, supplied with the first compressed gas, and cooling the first compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a second compression unit connected to the heat exchange unit and compressing the first compressed gas cooled in the heat exchange unit to generate second compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

separating and capturing solid carbon dioxide from the second compressed gas by converting internal energy of the second compressed gas into kinetic energy and cooling the second compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInternal energy to kinetic energy conversion:

Implementation Method 5

separating and capturing solid carbon dioxide from the second compressed gas by converting internal energy of the second compressed gas into kinetic energy and cooling the second compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 6

separating and capturing solid carbon dioxide from the second compressed gas by converting internal energy of the second compressed gas into kinetic energy and cooling the second compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSupersonic flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4714524A2Carbon dioxide separation and capture system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 INST FOR ADVANCED ENG
  • EP4714524A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4714524A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4714524A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide separation and capture system. A carbon dioxide separation and capture system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first compression unit supplied with exhaust gas and compressing the exhaust gas to generate first compressed gas, a heat exchange unit connected to the first compression unit, supplied with the first compressed gas, and cooling the first compressed gas, a second compression unit connected to the heat exchange unit and compressing the first compressed gas cooled in the heat exchange unit to generate second compressed gas; and a separation and capture unit connected to the second compression unit and separating and capturing solid carbon dioxide from the second compressed gas by converting internal energy of the second compressed gas into kinetic energy and cooling the second compressed gas.