Integrated CO2 Capture and Electroregeneration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture and utilization technologies face limitations in processing capacity, material degradation, high energy consumption, and inefficient electroregeneration and electroconversion processes, particularly due to separate reactor systems for CO2 capture and conversion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method integrating CO2 capture and electroregeneration with synchronous conversion using an electrolytic cell with cation and anion exchange membranes, where CO2 is captured by an absorption liquid, regenerated through electrooxidation, and converted into high-value products in a single reactor system, optimizing energy use and product generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate reactor systems are used for CO2 electroregeneration and electroconversion, then the processes can be independently optimized, but the system complexity increases and energy consumption doubles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 electroregeneration and electroconversion into a single integrated electrolytic cell with multiple chambers. The anode chamber performs electroregeneration of absorption liquid while the cathode chamber simultaneously performs CO2 electroconversion to produce valuable chemicals, eliminating the need for separate reactor systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated electrolytic cell serves multiple functions within a single device: it regenerates the absorption liquid in the anode chamber, captures CO2 in the middle chamber, and converts CO2 to valuable products in the cathode chamber. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate systems needed while maintaining process optimization.
2Ease of operation
If separate reactor systems are used for CO2 electroregeneration and electroconversion, then each process can be independently controlled, but energy consumption increases due to duplicate electrical energy usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electroregeneration and electroconversion processes into a single electrolytic cell powered by one power supply system. The power supply simultaneously drives both the anode electrooxidation reaction and the cathode electroreduction reaction, eliminating duplicate energy consumption while maintaining independent process control through separate chamber designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 generated in-situ in the middle chamber automatically serves as the substrate for the cathode electroconversion reaction without requiring external CO2 supply. This self-service mechanism reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for separate CO2 handling and transfer systems between independent reactors.
3Measurement precision
If solid amine adsorbents are used for CO2 capture, then CO2 adsorption selectivity is improved, but processing capacity is limited due to mass transfer constraints and high material cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase of the absorbent from solid amine particles to liquid amine solution, fundamentally altering the mass transfer mechanism from surface adsorption to bulk liquid absorption. This parameter change enables continuous CO2 capture with much higher processing capacity while maintaining good selectivity through the chemical absorption mechanism of alkali liquor.
4Productivity
If alkali liquor absorption is used for CO2 capture, then processing capacity and cost advantage are improved, but the absorption liquid requires regeneration which consumes energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the absorption liquid regeneration process with the CO2 electroconversion process in the same electrolytic cell. The anode chamber electrooxidizes the spent absorption liquid back to its active form while simultaneously generating CO2 that is immediately utilized in the cathode chamber, eliminating the need for separate thermal regeneration and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal regeneration process with electrochemical regeneration. Instead of using high-temperature heating to regenerate the absorption liquid, the system uses electrooxidation at the anode to restore the active form of the absorbent, significantly reducing the energy required 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 integrated approach reduces energy consumption by at least 50%, enhances reaction efficiency, and enables stable operation for CO2 capture, regeneration, and conversion into high-value products like CO, methane, methanol, and formic acid, while minimizing ineffective electrooxidation and electric energy utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane are arranged in the electrolytic cell at an interval, and the cation exchange membrane and the anion exchange membrane separate the electrolytic cell into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber at the left and right ends
Implementation Method 2
CO2 can be also regenerated by an electrochemical reaction, with the energy consumption much lower than that of CO2 thermal regeneration
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical conversion can activate CO2 at a low energy input, quickly stabilize CO2 intermediates with simultaneous electron/proton transfer, and realize the oriented conversion of CO2 to generate high value-added terminal products
Implementation Method 4
CO2 capture can be divided into two categories: amine adsorption and alkali liquor absorption
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for CO2 capture and electroregeneration and synchronous conversion are provided. The system includes a CO2 capture subsystem, which uses an absorption liquid to capture CO2 and generate a capture liquid; and a CO2 electroregeneration and synchronous conversion subsystem, including a cathode chamber provided with a cathode electrode, a sample inlet, and a sample outlet, an anode chamber having an anode electrode, a sample inlet connected to an outlet of the capture liquid of the CO2 capture subsystem, and a sample outlet connected to the sample inlet of the cathode chamber for introducing CO2 regenerated by anodic oxidation into the cathode chamber for electroreduction, and a balance chamber in the middle having a sample outlet connected to an inlet of the absorption liquid of the CO2 capture subsystem. The system can perform self-circulation and stably operate, to capture, regenerate and convert CO2.