Atmospheric CO2 Capture With Air Drying and Vacuum Solidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting CO2 from atmospheric air are inefficient, especially in environments with high water content, and often require significant capital investment and transportation costs, particularly for applications like enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a condenser, desiccant material, and vacuum chamber to remove water from atmospheric air, adsorb CO2, and transition it from a gas to a solid, allowing for efficient collection and storage, with the option for multiple collection assemblies and a controller to manage airflow and regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is collected from remote natural sources and delivered to usage locations, then CO2 supply for industrial processes is ensured, but transportation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting and storing CO2 directly at the usage location (oil field) before it is needed for enhanced oil recovery operations. The CO2 collection system is established in advance, creating a local reservoir that eliminates the need for later transportation from remote natural sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system - a CO2 collection and storage infrastructure at the oil field location that acts as a mediator between CO2 sources and EOR operations. This intermediary local storage facility eliminates the need for direct long-distance transportation of CO2.
2Quantity of substance
If atmospheric air with high water content is processed for CO2 collection, then CO2 can be obtained from abundant source, but water content limits collection capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes water from atmospheric air through condensation and desiccation processes before CO2 collection. By taking out the harmful water component, the system enables effective CO2 collection from humid atmospheric air that would otherwise be unsuitable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of atmospheric air by cooling it to condense water vapor, then further drying it through desiccation. These parameter changes (temperature reduction, humidity removal) transform humid air into dry air suitable for CO2 adsorption.
3Productivity
If condenser and desiccant material are used to dry atmospheric air, then CO2 collection efficiency increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water removal process into two distinct stages: condensation (phase change) and desiccation (adsorption). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall drying efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using the same basic infrastructure (chillers, heat exchangers, adsorption beds) for both water removal and CO2 collection processes. The dried air stream is simultaneously prepared for CO2 adsorption, making the system efficient and reducing redundant components.
4Loss of energy
If CO2 is collected and stored on-site for EOR operations, then transportation costs are reduced, but initial infrastructure investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by using waste heat from EOR operations and industrial processes to drive the CO2 collection and water removal processes. The heat from these existing operations is utilized to regenerate desiccant materials and operate condensers, making the system economically viable without requiring separate energy inputs.
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 approach increases CO2 production, reduces water content in the collection process, and provides water as a byproduct, making CO2 collection more affordable and environmentally friendly, capable of operating in environments with higher water content than existing methods, and reduces transportation costs by allowing on-site collection.
Implementation Method 1
removing water from atmospheric air with a condenser
Implementation Method 2
removing additional water from the flow of atmospheric air to produce substantially dry air
Implementation Method 3
a contactor chamber for adsorbing carbon dioxide from the dry air to a material in the contactor chamber
Implementation Method 4
transitioning the released carbon dioxide from a gas to a solid in the vacuum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of collecting carbon dioxide are disclosed. In one example, a method includes removing water from atmospheric air with a condenser and a desiccant material to produce dry air, adsorbing carbon dioxide to a material from the dry air, releasing the adsorbed carbon dioxide to a vacuum chamber, and transitioning the released carbon dioxide from a gas to a solid in the vacuum chamber.