CO2 Absorbent Composition for Ambient Air Capture and Electrolytic Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide absorbents struggle with efficiency under varying and low carbon dioxide partial pressures, particularly in ambient air, and face challenges with dynamic water equilibrium affecting uptake efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide absorbent composition comprising water, polyethylene glycols or polyols, and carbon dioxide absorbing agents like inorganic carbonates, amines, or polyethylene glycol amines, which adjusts to ambient conditions and ensures rapid and efficient carbon dioxide uptake even at low concentrations, using a three-chamber electrolysis for easy CO2 release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional absorbents are used to remove CO2 from ambient air, then CO2 absorption occurs, but the absorption efficiency is insufficient under low CO2 partial pressures and varying ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite absorbent system comprising multiple components: a polyol or polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the primary absorbent matrix, inorganic carbonates (such as potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate) as catalysts, and optionally metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as selective adsorption materials. This composite structure synergistically combines the bulk absorption capacity of polyols/PEGs with the catalytic enhancement of carbonates and the selective adsorption properties of MOFs, thereby achieving high efficiency and stability under varying ambient conditions including low CO2 partial pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as discrete particles dispersed within the polyol/PEG absorbent matrix. These MOF particles provide localized high-affinity binding sites for CO2 molecules, creating regions of enhanced absorption activity throughout the bulk material. This local quality enhancement allows the absorbent to maintain high efficiency even when the overall CO2 partial pressure in ambient air is low, as the MOF particles actively capture CO2 at their surfaces
2Quantity of substance
If aqueous absorbent solutions are used for CO2 absorption, then CO2 uptake occurs, but dynamic water equilibrium causes varying water concentrations that affect uptake efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional aqueous absorbent solutions with non-aqueous polyol or polyethylene glycol (PEG) based absorbents. These materials do not participate in dynamic water equilibrium exchanges with ambient air, thereby maintaining stable composition and consistent absorption efficiency throughout operation. The non-aqueous nature of the absorbent eliminates the water concentration variability that plagues aqueous systems, providing reliable and predictable CO2 uptake performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from aqueous-based absorbent systems to non-aqueous polyol/PEG-based systems, fundamentally changing the solvent parameter of the absorbent medium. This parameter change eliminates the dynamic water equilibrium issue inherent in aqueous systems, as polyols and PEGs have different hygroscopic properties and do not exhibit the same degree of water vapor exchange with ambient air, thereby stabilizing the absorbent composition
3Productivity
If complex absorbent systems are designed to handle varying CO2 concentrations, then absorption efficiency improves, but system complexity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated absorbent formulation: the polyol or PEG serves as both the bulk absorbent matrix and solvent, inorganic carbonates are dissolved or dispersed within it to provide catalytic enhancement, and MOF particles are incorporated as solid adsorbent phases. This unified composite structure eliminates the need for separate stages or complex multi-component systems, achieving high absorption efficiency under variable conditions while maintaining relatively simple handling and processing
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 absorbent achieves stable and efficient carbon dioxide uptake across varying conditions, allowing for continuous removal from ambient air with minimal water interference, and facilitates easy CO2 recovery for further utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a) water in a proportion of greater than or equal to 2 wt % and less than or equal to 93 wt %; b) polyethylene glycols or polyols with a molecular weight of less than or equal to 1000 g/mol in a proportion of greater than or equal to 2 wt % and less than or equal to 93 wt %; and c) carbon dioxide absorbing agent in a proportion of greater than or equal to 5 wt % and less than or equal to 60 wt %
Implementation Method 2
One technical option for removing carbon dioxide from the air is that the carbon dioxide is passed over or through an adsorbent and is selectively removed by it from the air stream
Implementation Method 3
using a three-chamber electrolysis for easy CO2 release
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a method includes loading an absorbent with a carbon dioxide in a first device, wherein a hydrogen carbonate-containing solution is formed, feeding the hydrogen carbonate-containing solution from the first device into an electrolysis unit, electrolyzing the hydrogen carbonate-containing solution in the electrolysis unit to release carbon dioxide, wherein a carbonate-rich solution is formed in the electrolysis unit, forming oxygen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the electrolysis unit, and recycling the carbonate-rich solution from the electrolysis unit to the first device.