Integrated CO2 Capture and Mineralization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide, such as CO2 separation membrane capture, mineralization, and photo-culture using microalgae, face challenges including high system installation costs, low CO2 throughput, and reduced CO2 reduction rates per unit area, necessitating a more efficient integrated system for maximizing CO2 recycling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a CO2 capture unit using separation membrane technology, a mineralization process unit for converting CO2 into stable minerals, and a photo-culture process unit utilizing microalgae, with a control unit managing gas flow rates and CO2 concentrations to optimize the entire process, ensuring a high CO2 recycling efficiency by adjusting CO2 concentrations between units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CO2 separation membrane capture technology is used, then CO2 can be captured, but system installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 separation membrane capture, mineralization, and photo-culture processes into a single integrated system. The membrane capture unit feeds directly to the mineralization unit, which feeds to the photo-culture unit, creating a coupled system that reduces overall installation costs while maintaining reliable CO2 capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: CO2 capture, mineralization to stable compounds, and photo-culture for biomass production. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and decreases overall installation costs while maintaining effective CO2 removal.
2Reliability
If CO2 mineralization technology is used, then CO2 can be converted to stable minerals, but system installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mineralization unit is integrated with the membrane capture and photo-culture units, allowing CO2 to flow directly from capture to mineralization to biological processing. This integration eliminates the need for separate standalone mineralization systems, reducing installation costs while maintaining reliable CO2 conversion capability.
3Reliability
If photo-culture technology using microalgae is used, then CO2 can be treated, but CO2 reduction rate per unit area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane capture unit pre-concentrates CO2 before it enters the photo-culture unit, and the mineralization unit pre-processes the gas to optimize conditions for microalgae growth. This preliminary processing ensures that the photo-culture unit receives CO2 at optimal concentrations, maximizing the CO2 reduction rate per unit area of the photo-culture system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration and composition parameters of CO2 gas as it progresses through the units. The membrane unit increases CO2 concentration, the mineralization unit adjusts gas composition, and these parameter changes optimize the photo-culture process to achieve higher CO2 reduction rates per unit area.
4Reliability
If separate CO2 treatment technologies are used, then each process can be optimized, but overall CO2 recycling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate CO2 treatment technologies into a single integrated recycling system where the output of one unit becomes the input of the next. The membrane capture, mineralization, and photo-culture units are coupled to create a continuous CO2 recycling loop that maintains individual process optimization while achieving high overall recycling efficiency through integrated operation.
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 system enhances CO2 recycling efficiency, addresses the limitations of existing technologies, and achieves a balanced energy consumption and CO2 reduction rate, making it a more effective solution for carbon dioxide management.
Implementation Method 1
CO2 separation membrane capture technology
Implementation Method 2
CO2 mineralization technology
Implementation Method 3
photo-culture technology using microalgae
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, which includes a CO2 capture unit into which an exhaust gas containing CO2 is input, and which captures the CO2 as a high concentration enriched gas and separates a first treatment gas; a mineralization process unit which mineralizes the CO2 after receiving the high concentration enriched gas captured in the CO2 capture unit and discharges a second treatment gas; a mixing tank which receives the first treatment gas and the second treatment gas and mixes them so that the contained CO2 has a predetermined concentration; a photo-culture process unit which receives the resulting third treatment gas from the mixing tank to perform a photo-culture process using microalgae; and a control unit which controls the flow rates and the CO2 contents of the gases supplied and discharged to/from the CO2 capture unit, the mineralization process unit, the mixing tank and the photo-culture process unit.