CO2 Capture System Using Electrochemical Potential and Environmental Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional carbon dioxide capture systems require fans and compressors to efficiently introduce gas and release adsorbed CO2, leading to complex configurations and large spaces, necessitating a simplification that eliminates the need for these components.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide capture system utilizing an intake unit that leverages environmental gas flow to feed an electrolysis unit with an adsorbent that adsorbs and releases CO2 through electric potential adjustments, eliminating the need for fans and heating/cooling mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fans and compressors are used to introduce gas and release adsorbed CO2, then gas introduction and CO2 release efficiency is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas introduction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the fan component from the system by utilizing natural environmental wind flow to introduce gas into the electrolysis unit. This removes the mechanical complexity associated with fan-driven gas introduction while maintaining the gas flow function through environmental convection currents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical compressor system with an electrochemical mechanism. Instead of using mechanical compression to release adsorbed CO2, the system applies electric potential to the adsorbent material, causing CO2 to be released through electrochemical effects. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical compression equipment while achieving the same CO2 release objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If fans and compressors are used to introduce gas and release adsorbed CO2, then gas introduction and CO2 release efficiency is improved, but system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 release efficiencyVSAvoidsystem space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the compressor component from the system by utilizing electrochemical potential application to release adsorbed CO2. This removes the mechanical compression equipment and associated space requirements while maintaining CO2 release efficiency through the electrochemical response of the adsorbent material to applied potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If heating mechanisms are used to release adsorbed CO2, then CO2 release from adsorbent is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 release rateVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal heating mechanisms with an electrochemical mechanism. Instead of using heat to release adsorbed CO2, the system applies electric potential to the adsorbent material, causing CO2 to be released through electrochemical effects. This substitution reduces energy consumption by avoiding the high thermal energy requirements of heating while achieving comparable CO2 release rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter used to trigger CO2 release from temperature (thermal parameter) to electric potential (electrical parameter). By applying voltage to the adsorbent material, the system exploits electrochemical potential differences to drive CO2 desorption, thereby avoiding the energy-intensive heating process while maintaining effective CO2 release.

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

The system simplifies configuration, reduces size, and increases installation flexibility by using environmental gas flow to introduce gas into the electrolysis unit and releasing CO2 without heating the adsorbent, thereby downsizing the system while maintaining effective CO2 capture.

Implementation Method 1

a gas is flowed into an adsorption unit that includes an adsorbent capable of adsorbing and releasing carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent is released from the adsorbent by adjusting an electric potential of the electrolysis unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP4321235A1Carbon dioxide capture system and carbon dioxide capture method

Publication Date: 2024.02.14 KK TOSHIBA

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AI summary

A carbon dioxide capture system (1) of an approach includes an intake unit (2), an electrolysis unit (E1-En), a power supply unit (40), and a capture unit (30). The intake unit (2) takes in gas by utilizing gaseous flow around the intake unit (2), and, in the electrolysis unit (E1-En), an adsorbent can adsorb and release carbon dioxide by an adjustment of an electric potential of the electrolysis unit (E1-En). The power supply unit (40) adjusts the electric potential so as to adsorb carbon dioxide from the flowing gas to the adsorbent and release the carbon dioxide from the adsorbent in the electrolysis unit (E1-En). The capture unit (30) collects the carbon dioxide released from the adsorbent after adsorption to the adsorbent.