CO2 Conversion to Carbon Black via Hydrogenation and Cracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving negative CO2 emissions face challenges with underground sequestration due to safety and societal acceptance concerns, and existing technologies do not effectively convert CO2 into stable forms for safe storage or commercial use.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step process involving direct air capture of CO2, followed by hydrogenation to form hydrocarbons, and subsequent cracking to produce amorphous carbon or graphite, specifically carbon black, which can be safely stored or utilized, using a cyclic adsorption/desorption process and hydrogen recycling for efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CO2 is sequestered underground, then CO2 emissions reductions are achieved, but safety concerns and low societal acceptance arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts CO2 from the sequestration process and converts it into a different form (amorphous carbon or graphite) that can be stored safely above ground. This removes the harmful aspect of underground injection while maintaining the benefit of CO2 removal from the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of CO2 by converting it from gaseous CO2 into solid amorphous carbon or graphite through controlled carbonization processes. This parameter transformation enables safe, permanent storage without underground injection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CO2 is converted to methane through existing technologies, then CO2 utilization is achieved, but the final product requires further processing and does not provide stable long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of converting CO2 to methane, the invention changes CO2 parameters through carbonization to produce amorphous carbon or graphite. This direct transformation creates a stable solid product that inherently provides long-term storage stability without requiring further processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a permanent, stable carbon product that eliminates the need for further processing or disposal. The amorphous carbon or graphite produced is stable and can be used or stored indefinitely, replacing the transient methane product.
3Reliability
If direct air capture is used to remove CO2, then CO2 capture is achieved, but energy consumption is high and the captured CO2 requires additional processing for stable storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the CO2 capture process with the carbonization process. The heat and pressure conditions required for carbonization are integrated with the CO2 capture and conversion process, eliminating the need for separate processing steps and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a continuous process where captured CO2 is immediately converted to amorphous carbon or graphite without intermediate storage or processing steps. This continuous transformation maintains system efficiency and reduces energy losses associated with batch processing.
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 method efficiently converts CO2 into stable carbon forms, reducing energy consumption and offering economic advantages by utilizing renewable energy and high-purity carbon products, addressing the limitations of existing technologies in achieving CO2 emissions reductions and negative emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclic adsorption/desorption process
Implementation Method 2
a cyclic adsorption/desorption process
Implementation Method 3
followed by hydrogenation to form hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 4
subsequent cracking to produce amorphous carbon or graphite
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the production of at least one of amorphous carbon or graphite, preferably of carbon black, from atmospheric air, biogas or flue gas CO2 is given, including at least the following steps:a) isolation of concentrated CO2 of a concentration of at least 50% v/v from atmospheric air, green house air or flue gas preferably by means of a cyclic adsorption/desorption process on amine-functionalized adsorbents;b) conversion of said captured CO2 into a gaseous or liquid saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon by hydrogenation:c) cracking of said saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon to at least one of amorphous carbon or graphite, preferably carbon black,wherein the H2 resulting from step c) is at least partially used in the hydrogenation of step b).