Autonomous CO2 Capture Verification in Alkalinity-Dosed Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon dioxide removal and storage technologies face challenges in verifying and quantifying the mass or volume captured and stored, are costly, and lack scalability, necessitating a low-cost, scalable solution for carbon capture and sequestration.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for quantifying carbon dioxide capture and storage using an autonomous measurement sensing system and control system to monitor and adjust alkalinity introduction in water, converting CO2 to bicarbonate and carbonate ions, with real-time feedback for precise carbon capture and storage verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If supercritical carbon dioxide pumping into rock formations is used for carbon storage, then carbon dioxide removal capability is improved, but verification and quantification difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide removal capabilityVSAvoidverification and quantification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical verification systems with optical sensing. Autonomous floating devices use optical sensors to detect carbon dioxide concentrations and verify storage quantities, substituting difficult mechanical measurement approaches with more precise and easier optical detection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces autonomous floating devices as intermediaries between the carbon storage site and verification systems. These devices carry sensors and communication equipment, acting as mediators that collect data from the storage environment and transmit verification information without requiring direct human intervention or complex on-site measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If traditional carbon capture infrastructure is deployed, then carbon dioxide capture capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide capture capabilityVSAvoidcost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the carbon capture system into modular autonomous floating devices. Each device is a self-contained unit with sensors, processing capability, and communication systems. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing at lower costs and enables scalable deployment without requiring expensive integrated infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous floating devices perform self-service functions including autonomous navigation to storage sites, self-calibration of sensors, automated data collection and verification, and autonomous communication of results. This eliminates the need for expensive human-operated monitoring infrastructure and reduces ongoing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If geologic formation-based storage is used, then carbon storage capacity is improved, but scalability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon storage capacityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous floating devices are designed with universal applicability to multiple storage environments including oceanic, lacustrine, and terrestrial water bodies. The same device architecture and verification methodology can be deployed across diverse geologic formations and water types, enabling scalable carbon storage solutions beyond location-specific geological constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate measurement and verification of carbon capture and storage, reducing uncertainties and environmental risks, while providing a scalable and cost-effective solution for carbon dioxide removal from water and air.

Implementation Method 1

dosing of material into a container holding the liquid that reacts with carbon dioxide in the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20250383335A1Methods and Systems for Measurement, Reporting, Validation, and Optimization of an Amount of Carbon Dioxide Captured and Stored in Liquid or Water

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 VYCARB INC

AI summary

An example method for quantifying an amount of carbon dioxide captured from liquid is described including receiving, from an autonomous measurement sensing system, a measured amount of dissolved aqueous carbon, which is generated by dosing of material into a container holding the liquid, and a measured amount of carbon dioxide reduction (CDR) in the liquid held in the container, and performing a verification of a volume of carbon captured and stored as bicarbonate and carbonate based on a comparison of the measured amount of dissolved aqueous carbon and the measured amount of CDR. Additional verifications can be performed based on a comparison of the measured amount of CDR and a calculated amount of CDR. Following, based on either of the first verification or the second verification failing, the method includes providing instructions to change an amount of the dosing of the material into the container.