CO2 Electrolytic System with Predictive Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability of carbon dioxide electrolysis operations due to unpredictable renewable energy sources and carbon dioxide supply makes it challenging to maintain stable production of carbon compounds, leading to inefficiencies in energy storage and increased storage costs.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide electrolytic system that includes an electrolysis cell, a detection unit, and a controller to predict the flow rate of carbon compounds and adjust compression conditions, ensuring stable operation by regulating electrolysis and compression conditions based on real-time data from sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric power is stored in a storage battery, then electric power can be stabilized, but storage costs increase and energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the unstable renewable energy into useful chemical energy through electrolysis, transforming the harmful variability into beneficial stored chemical compounds (hydrogen, carbon monoxide, formic acid) that can be used when needed, avoiding the losses associated with battery storage
2Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide electrolysis is performed with unpredictable renewable energy sources, then carbon compounds can be produced, but production stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a control unit that monitors the electrolysis process and adjusts operating conditions based on feedback from sensors, maintaining stable production of carbon compounds even when renewable energy input varies, thereby resolving the contradiction between production quantity and production stability
3Quantity of substance
If compression conditions are not controlled, then carbon compounds can be stored, but storage efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts compression conditions (pressure, temperature) based on the type and amount of carbon compounds produced, optimizing storage efficiency and minimizing energy loss by changing physical parameters to match storage requirements
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 stabilizes the electrolysis process, reduces energy storage costs, and minimizes losses by accurately controlling the production and storage of carbon compounds, enhancing the overall efficiency of the carbon dioxide reduction system.
Implementation Method 1
carbon dioxide (CO2) is electrochemically reduced to be converted into a chemical substance (chemical energy) such as a carbon compound
Implementation Method 2
a detection unit to acquire data defining operation states of the electrolysis cell
Implementation Method 3
a compression unit including a compressor to compress the first product, and a compressor regulator to regulate compression conditions of the first product by the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide reduction system comprises: an electrolytic unit including an electrolysis cell having a cathode to reduce a first substance containing carbon dioxide and thus produce a first product containing a carbon compound, and an anode to oxidize a second substance containing water or hydroxide ions and thus produce a second product containing oxygen, a detection unit to acquire data defining operation states of the electrolysis cell, and an electrolytic regulator to regulate electrolysis conditions of the electrolysis cell; a compression unit including a compressor to compress the first product, and a compressor regulator to regulate compression conditions of the first product by the compressor; and a controller programmed to predict a flow rate of the carbon compound discharged from the electrolysis cell in accordance with the data to control regulation of the compression conditions in accordance with the predicted flow rate.