CO2 Capture via Humidity-Adjusted Air and Polyamine-Cu Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing direct air capture (DAC) methods for CO2 capture are energy-intensive, costly, and lack scalability due to the low concentrations of CO2 in the ambient atmosphere.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide capturing system that includes a humidity/temperature adjusting unit with an evaporative cooling unit and a CO2 adsorbing unit with a sorbent column made of polyamine-Cu (II) complex resin. The system adjusts humidity and temperature to enhance CO2 capture and regenerates the sorbent column using NaCl and an alkaline stream.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional DAC methods use high-capacity sorbents to capture CO2 from low concentrations in ambient atmosphere, then CO2 capture capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting temperature and humidity conditions to optimize CO2 capture. The system uses evaporative cooling to lower temperature and increase humidity of the air stream before passing it through the sorbent column, enhancing CO2 adsorption capacity while reducing the energy required for regeneration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service through the evaporative cooling mechanism that uses a portion of the air stream itself to cool and humidify the incoming air. This self-cooling approach reduces external energy input while preparing the air stream for efficient CO2 capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If conventional DAC methods implement regeneration phase to release captured CO2 from solvent, then CO2 is recovered, but operating costs increase due to energy-intensive processes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 recoveryVSAvoidoperating cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the regeneration approach by using temperature and humidity adjustments rather than high-temperature heating. The modified air stream parameters enable CO2 release from the sorbent with minimal energy input, significantly reducing operating costs while maintaining effective CO2 recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional DAC methods process ambient air directly with minimal pre-treatment, then system complexity is reduced, but CO2 capture efficiency decreases due to low concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidCO2 capture efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the air stream processing into distinct stages: evaporative cooling section, humidity adjustment section, and CO2 adsorption section. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall CO2 capture efficiency while keeping each individual component relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively captures CO2 from the air stream with improved energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, enhancing scalability and reducing operational costs through efficient regeneration of the sorbent column.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing the humidity to near saturation by utilizing the air stream for evaporative cooling in the evaporative cooling unit with lowered temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Implementation Method 2

allow the humidity-adjusted air stream to pass through the sorbent column to selectively adsorb the CO2 from the humidity-adjusted air stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

passing a source of NaCl to the sorbent column, and displacing the captured CO2 in the resin with chloride (Cl—) ion and releasing the captured CO2 in the NaCl solution as a bicarbonate ion (HCO3—)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS20250144563A1System and method for capturing carbon dioxide from a humidity adjusted air stream

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 SAHAY ANAHAT

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for capturing carbon dioxide from an air stream. The system includes a carbon dioxide capturing unit that includes a humidity/temperature adjusting unit with an evaporative cooling unit and a CO2 adsorbing unit. The CO2 adsorbing unit includes a sorbent column made of polyamine-Cu (II) complex resin. The humidity/temperature adjusting unit receives air stream from ambient atmosphere and process the air stream to obtain a humidity-adjusted air stream. The CO2 adsorbing unit receives the humidity-adjusted air stream to pass through the sorbent column. The sorbent column selectively adsorbs the CO2 from the humidity-adjusted air stream. The sorbent column is regenerated using an alkaline stream to separate the adsorbed CO2 from the sorbent column.