CO2-to-Hydrogen Carrier Loop With Integrated Carbon Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing research on carbon dioxide utilization focuses primarily on increasing production efficiency of synthetic gas, with insufficient attention to a comprehensive system that effectively captures, stores, and recycles carbon dioxide through subsequent processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a carbon dioxide capturing device, electrochemical reaction device, hydrogen carrier manufacturing device, and hydrogen utilization device, utilizing a tertiary aqueous amine solution and bipolar membrane to produce synthetic gas, hydrogen, and recycle carbon dioxide, with integrated circulation and no additional separation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carbon dioxide is captured using a tertiary aqueous amine solution and supplied to the electrochemical reaction device, then carbon dioxide conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for integrated circulation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carbon dioxide capturing device, electrochemical reaction device, hydrogen carrier manufacturing device, and dehydrogenation device into an integrated system where the tertiary aqueous amine solution circulates through all components. The capturing device and electrochemical reaction device are merged into a single circulation loop, eliminating the need for separate processing systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The tertiary aqueous amine solution serves multiple functions: it captures carbon dioxide in the capturing device, transports it to the electrochemical reaction device, and the resulting synthetic gas is used in the hydrogen carrier manufacturing device. This multi-functional approach improves carbon dioxide conversion efficiency while avoiding the need for multiple separate systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional separation processes are added to the system, then manufacturing precision of synthetic gas is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical reaction device itself performs the separation function through the bipolar membrane, which automatically separates synthetic gas without requiring additional external separation processes. The membrane's inherent properties enable selective gas passage, achieving high synthetic gas purity through the reaction device's own operation rather than through added separation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems with an electrochemical approach using a bipolar membrane. Instead of using mechanical separators or multiple processing stages, the system uses electrochemical reactions and membrane properties to achieve synthetic gas separation and purification, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Loss of substance
If carbon dioxide is not recycled through the dehydrogenation device, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of substance increases due to wasted carbon dioxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recirculation system where carbon dioxide that would otherwise be discarded is recovered through the dehydrogenation device. The dehydrogenation device processes the hydrogen carrier material to release carbon dioxide, which is then fed back to the carbon dioxide capturing device. This closed-loop approach minimizes carbon dioxide waste while the integrated design keeps recirculation system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where carbon dioxide produced in the dehydrogenation device is fed back to the carbon dioxide capturing device. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous utilization of carbon dioxide, preventing substance loss while the integrated circulation design maintains reasonable system complexity by using the same tertiary aqueous amine solution throughout.
4Productivity
If the tertiary aqueous amine solution is supplied at high pressure (5 bar or more), then carbon dioxide capture efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous circulation system where the tertiary aqueous amine solution is continuously pumped through the carbon dioxide capturing device, electrochemical reaction device, and dehydrogenation device. This continuous action maintains high carbon dioxide capture efficiency through sustained high-pressure supply while optimizing energy use by eliminating the need for repeated pressurization cycles. The system operates continuously, making the energy investment in pressurization worthwhile through constant productive action.
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
Improves carbon dioxide conversion efficiency, eliminates crossover to counter electrodes, and eliminates the need for additional separation processes, enhancing the production and recycling of useful gases and fuels.
Implementation Method 1
The carbon dioxide capturing device may include a tertiary aqueous amine solution containing HCO3−
Implementation Method 2
an electrochemical reaction device for producing synthetic gas by reducing the carbon dioxide captured by the carbon dioxide capturing device
Implementation Method 3
a separation membrane provided between the reduction electrode and the oxidation electrode
Implementation Method 4
a dehydrogenation device for producing hydrogen from the hydrogen carrier material manufactured by the hydrogen carrier manufacturing device
Data Source
AI summary
A system of utilizing carbon dioxide comprises a carbon dioxide capturing device for capturing carbon dioxide, an electrochemical reaction device for producing synthetic gas by reducing the carbon dioxide captured by the carbon dioxide capturing device, a hydrogen carrier manufacturing device for manufacturing a hydrogen carrier material by using the synthetic gas produced by the electrochemical reaction device, a dehydrogenation device for producing hydrogen from the hydrogen carrier material manufactured by the hydrogen carrier manufacturing device, and a hydrogen utilization device for utilizing hydrogen produced by the dehydrogenation device, wherein the dehydrogenation device further produces carbon dioxide from the hydrogen carrier material and supplies the carbon dioxide to the carbon dioxide capturing device.