CO2 Capture Membrane for Vehicle Exhaust Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems are inadequate for efficiently capturing and storing carbon dioxide from vehicle exhaust in a fluid state, particularly for integration with fuel delivery systems for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide separation membrane using metal oxides such as Li2ZrO3, Li5AlO4, Li4SiO4, Li4TiO4, Li6Zr2O7, Li2CuO2, Li2SiO3, and Na2ZrO3 is employed to selectively remove CO2 from vehicle exhaust, followed by conversion into supercritical CO2 and storage in a vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a carbon dioxide separation membrane is used to remove CO2 from vehicle exhaust, then CO2 capture efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the system increases due to integration requirements with fuel delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CO2 separation membrane system with the existing fuel delivery system by integrating the membrane module into the fuel tank assembly. The membrane module includes a feed chamber receiving exhaust gas, a permeate chamber for CO2 permeation, and uses the fuel tank structure as part of the support framework. This merging approach allows CO2 capture functionality to be added without creating a completely separate complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel delivery system components are designed to serve dual purposes: the fuel tank structure supports both fuel storage and CO2 separation membrane assembly, the pump system handles both fuel delivery and CO2 removal, and the nozzle system delivers both fuel and captured CO2. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating redundant components.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 is captured and converted to supercritical CO2 for storage, then CO2 storage density is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to compression requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of CO2 by compressing it to supercritical conditions (above 31°C and 73 atm). The compressor raises CO2 pressure from atmospheric levels to supercritical pressures, and the heating element or heat exchanger raises the temperature above the critical point. This parameter transformation achieves high storage density in the fuel tank while the recovered thermal energy from exhaust gas pre-heats the CO2, reducing the net energy required for compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the CO2 stream before compression and uses recovered thermal energy from the exhaust gas to preheat the CO2 during or after compression. This preliminary thermal management reduces the total energy input required for achieving supercritical conditions and maintains energy efficiency throughout the compression process.
3Reliability
If a monolithic ceramic structure is used for the separation membrane, then membrane durability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a monolithic ceramic membrane with a porous structure made from materials such as lithium zinc aluminate (Li2ZrO3), lithium aluminum oxide (Li5AlO4), or lithium silicate (Li2SiO3). These porous ceramic materials provide high mechanical strength and thermal stability for durability, while their modular monolithic form factor simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling multiple membrane pieces. The porous structure enables CO2 permeation while maintaining structural integrity under compression and thermal conditions.
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 and stores 20% to 90% of CO2 from vehicle exhaust, converting it into supercritical CO2 for storage and potential industrial use, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enabling net negative carbon emissions from vehicles using low or zero-carbon fuels.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the vehicle exhaust gas with a carbon dioxide separation membrane comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Li2ZrO3, Li5AlO4, Li4SiO4, Li4TiO4, Li6Zr2O7, Li2CuO2, Li2SiO3, Na2ZrO3 and mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 2
a cooler configured to receive carbon dioxide removed from the vehicle exhaust
Implementation Method 3
a compressor configured to receive the cooled carbon dioxide and compress the cooled carbon dioxide and form supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2)
Implementation Method 4
converting the removed carbon dioxide from the vehicle exhaust into supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2)
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for carbon dioxide capture/storage from exhaust utilizing a carbon dioxide separation membrane which may be prepared in the form of a monolithic structure. The captured carbon dioxide may also be stored in a fluid state as supercritical CO2. An integrated fuel delivery and carbon dioxide unloading system is also disclosed, to remove carbon dioxide from a vehicle for sequestration or other industrial purposes.