Catalytic CO2 Sequestration System for Permanent Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon sequestration methods are inadequate as they temporarily capture CO2 but fail to permanently store it, leading to high emissions due to slow reaction rates and inefficiencies, requiring large-scale infrastructure and energy inputs.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic system that dissolves CO2 into an aqueous solution with a sequestration agent, using a catalyst like carbonic anhydrase to enhance the dissolution rate of the sequestration agent, such as calcium carbonate, by creating controlled catalysis regions that increase proton concentration near the sequestration agent, thereby accelerating the sequestration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional CO2 capture methods are used, then CO2 can be temporarily captured, but the reaction rate is too slow to achieve permanent storage efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that mediates between CO2 and the sequestration agent. The catalyst accelerates the dissolution reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway, enabling permanent storage to occur at practical timescales without requiring extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the system by introducing catalytic substances that modify the reaction kinetics. This allows the system to achieve high sequestration rates under mild conditions (ambient temperature and pressure) rather than requiring extreme parameters, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If large-scale infrastructure is deployed to capture CO2, then more CO2 can be captured, but energy inputs and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The catalytic system enables the CO2 capture process to proceed spontaneously under ambient conditions without requiring external energy inputs. The catalyst facilitates the reaction between dissolved CO2 and the sequestration agent, allowing the system to capture and store CO2 efficiently using only the energy already present in the emission stream.
3Productivity
If uncatalyzed dissolution is used, then the process is simpler, but the dissolution rate of the sequestration agent is too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the simple dissolution process and the required high dissolution rate. By introducing this single catalytic component, the system achieves rapid dissolution without requiring complex equipment or multiple processing stages, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and complexity.
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 method significantly increases the rate of CO2 sequestration, achieving dissolution rates several orders of magnitude higher than uncatalyzed systems, allowing for efficient and permanent storage of CO2 without the need for extreme mineral undersaturation or low pH conditions.
Implementation Method 1
titrating a hydrating catalyst into the aqueous carbon dioxide solution such that at least within a first catalysis region a mixture of catalyst and aqueous carbon dioxide solution is formed
Implementation Method 2
the catalyst is one of either carbonic anhydrase or a carbonic anhydrase analog
Implementation Method 3
reacting the aqueous carbon dioxide solution with the catalyst within the first catalysis region to produce protons in proximity to the second interfacial catalysis region such that the protons dissolve the sequestration agent
Implementation Method 4
reacting the carbon dioxide within the aqueous carbon dioxide solution with the dissolved sequestration agent within the second interfacial catalysis region to produce an effluent comprising at least bicarbonate
Implementation Method 5
placing at least the first catalysis region and the second interfacial catalysis region under a pressure of at least 500 psi such that the dissolution of the sequestration agent is increased relative to the unpressurized dissolution rate
Data Source
AI summary
Processes, methods, and apparatus for carbon sequestration utilizing catalysis schemes configured to provide high concentrations of hydrated CO2 in proximity with a sequestration agent are provided. Reactants are combined with catalyst such that at least two regions of controlled catalytic activity form encompassing at least the interface between a sequestration agent and an aqueous solution containing dissolved CO2. Suitable reactants include various sequestration agents, catalyst, and carbon dioxide dissolved in an aqueous solution (seawater, for example). Possible products include bicarbonate and metal cations.