CO2 Capture and Conversion via Reducing Material Reforming Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing and converting carbon dioxide are not economically viable or efficient, contributing to environmental issues like the greenhouse effect.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reducing material reforming agent, created by reacting a CO2 absorbing material (such as metals or their oxides) with CO2 and water, is mixed with a reducing material to produce a CO2 converting material, which can include synthesis gas or chemical fuels, using catalysts like Fe, Co, or Ru to enhance the conversion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional CO2 capture methods are used, then CO2 can be captured, but the process is not economically viable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 capture and conversion into a single integrated process. The CO2 absorbing material captures CO2 from flue gas to form a carbonate compound, which is then directly reacted with a reducing material in the same system to produce synthesis gas. This merging of capture and conversion operations eliminates separate processing steps, reducing overall cost and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the captured CO2, which would otherwise be a waste product contributing to greenhouse effects, into valuable synthesis gas (CO and H2) that can be used as fuel or chemical feedstock. The harmful CO2 is transformed into a beneficial resource through reaction with reducing materials in the presence of a catalyst, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and creating economic value.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 is captured and converted through conventional processes, then synthesis gas can be produced, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The CO2 absorbing material performs preliminary CO2 capture from the flue gas before the conversion step. By pre-concentrating CO2 onto the absorbing material surface and forming a carbonate compound, the subsequent conversion reaction with reducing material becomes more efficient and requires simpler processing conditions, reducing overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbonate compound formed during CO2 capture acts as an intermediary species that facilitates the conversion to synthesis gas. This intermediate form of CO2 (as carbonate) is more reactive toward reducing materials than gaseous CO2, enabling the conversion reaction to proceed under milder conditions with simpler equipment requirements.
3Productivity
If CO2 absorbing material is used to capture CO2, then CO2 capture efficiency improves, but the material needs regeneration which adds process steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CO2 capture function and the regeneration function into a single continuous process. While the CO2 absorbing material captures CO2 in one location, the spent material is simultaneously regenerated by reaction with reducing material in another location, and the regenerated material is recycled back. This continuous operation eliminates separate batch regeneration steps and reduces overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 absorbing material operates continuously in a cyclic manner: capturing CO2 during the absorption phase, then being regenerated during the reaction phase with reducing material. This continuous cycling ensures that the absorbing material is always in an active state ready for CO2 capture, maintaining high capture efficiency without interrupting the process for regeneration.
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 simplifies and cost-effectively captures and converts CO2, producing valuable synthesis gases or fuels like hydrogen and carbon monoxide, while recycling the CO2 absorbing material to sustain the process, thus improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of a CO2 absorbing material (Cabs) and CO2, a reaction product of a CO2 absorbing material (Cabs), CO2, and H2O
Implementation Method 2
mixing the reducing material reforming agent with a reducing material to provide a CO2 converting material
Implementation Method 3
adding a catalyst to provide a CO2 converting material. The catalyst may include one selected from Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Ru, Pt, Ir, Pd, Al, Ga, Mn, Si, Zr
Data Source
AI summary
A method of converting CO2 may include mixing a reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of a CO2 absorbing material (Cabs) and CO2, a reaction product of a CO2 absorbing material (Cabs), CO2, and H2O, and a combination thereof with a reducing material to provide a CO2 converting material (also referred to herein as a CO2 converted material). The CO2 absorbing material (Cabs) may include one selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a combination thereof.