CO2 Conversion Using Atomic Oxygen at Lower Reaction Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, such as thermal and plasma-assisted conversion, face inefficiencies and high energy consumption, making them unsuitable for large-scale commercial applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing atomic oxygen to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide by controlling the supply rates of atomic oxygen and carbon dioxide within a mixing area, avoiding the need for rare materials and external energy sources, and maintaining temperatures below 2500° K to optimize conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal conversion is used to convert CO2 into CO, then high conversion rates are achieved, but extremely high temperatures (3000-4000° K) are required leading to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces atomic oxygen as an intermediary substance to facilitate the conversion of CO2 to CO. Instead of directly applying extreme heat to break CO2 bonds, atomic oxygen serves as a reactive intermediary that combines with CO2 to form CO and O2 through the reaction CO2 + O → CO + O2. This mediator approach enables the reaction to proceed at much lower temperatures (below 2500° K) while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the reaction parameter from thermal energy input to chemical reactivity input. By shifting from a thermally-driven process (requiring 3000-4000° K) to a chemically-driven process using atomic oxygen, the operating temperature parameter is reduced to below 2500° K. This parameter change is achieved by introducing atomic oxygen through plasma generation or other methods, which then reacts with CO2 to produce CO without requiring extreme temperatures.
2Productivity
If plasma-assisted conversion is used, then CO2 can be split into CO and O, but energy consumption remains high and conversion efficiency needs improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by generating atomic oxygen only to the extent needed for the reaction, rather than maintaining full plasma conditions throughout the entire reaction zone. Atomic oxygen is generated in a controlled manner and introduced to react with CO2, avoiding the continuous high energy input required for sustained plasma. This partial application of plasma-generated atomic oxygen reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining effective conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous process where atomic oxygen is continuously generated and fed into the reaction zone to maintain steady-state conversion of CO2 to CO. The reaction CO2 + O → CO + O2 proceeds continuously as long as atomic oxygen supply and CO2 flow are maintained, creating a sustained useful action without the need for intermittent high-energy plasma pulses. This continuity improves overall energy efficiency by avoiding repeated energy-intensive plasma initiation cycles.
3Productivity
If conventional methods are used, then conversion can occur, but complex set-ups and rare materials are required leading to high investment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex catalyst systems, rare materials, and sophisticated reactor configurations from conventional conversion methods. By using atomic oxygen as a simple reactive species that can be generated through relatively straightforward plasma or photolysis processes, the invention removes the requirement for expensive catalytic materials and complex multi-component reactor systems, thereby significantly reducing investment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs atomic oxygen, a short-lived reactive species that can be generated on-demand and consumed in the reaction, replacing the need for expensive, long-lived catalyst materials. The atomic oxygen is generated through energy input (plasma or light) and immediately reacts with CO2, eliminating the need for costly catalyst beds, rare metal components, or complex material systems that would require significant investment.
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
Achieves high conversion efficiency with up to 99% yield at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption and enabling integration with renewable energy sources, while avoiding the thermal conversion limit of 3000° K.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the carbon dioxide with the atomic oxygen within a mixing area such that the atomic oxygen can interact with the carbon dioxide for forming carbon monoxide within the mixing area through a first CO producing reaction: CO2+O→CO+O2
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide comprising: producing atomic oxygen, providing carbon dioxide to be converted, mixing the carbon dioxide with the atomic oxygen within a mixing area such that the atomic oxygen can interact with the carbon dioxide for forming carbon monoxide within the mixing area through a first CO producing reaction: C02+0→C0+02, supplying the atomic oxygen into the mixing area at a first supply rate and supplying the carbon dioxide into the mixing area at a second supply rate, defining the first supply rate and the second supply rate such that a ratio between the first supply rate and the second supply rate remains within a pre-defined lower and upper threshold, and extracting carbon monoxide from the mixing area. The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide.