CO2 Pump Membrane Using Moisture Swing for Continuous Air Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing direct air capture (DAC) technologies face challenges with high energy consumption, fragility, and high costs due to batch processes requiring phase transitions and moving parts, making them inefficient for continuous CO2 capture from ambient air.

Innovation Solution

A CO2 pump membrane using a moisture-swing material that absorbs CO2 when dry and releases it when wet, creating a water concentration gradient to continuously capture and pump CO2 without moving parts, allowing for a continuous stream of concentrated CO2.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If batch process direct air capture systems are used, then CO2 collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and fragility increase due to required phase transition mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 collection efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical phase transition mechanisms with a chemical absorption-desorption cycle using hydroxide-functionalized sorbent materials. The sorbent chemically absorbs CO2 to form carbonates/bicarbonates, then releases CO2 through chemical regeneration, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts, seals, and valves while maintaining continuous operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous CO2 capture by operating multiple sorbent beds in sequence, where one bed is capturing CO2 while another is being regenerated. This continuous cyclic operation between multiple beds ensures uninterrupted CO2 collection, maintaining productivity without requiring complex mechanical phase transition devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If batch process direct air capture systems are used, then CO2 collection efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases due to phase transition mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 collection efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical phase transition mechanisms with chemical absorption-desorption cycles. The hydroxide-functionalized sorbent materials enable CO2 capture through chemical reactions that occur at lower energy costs compared to mechanical compression and phase change processes, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional CO2 capture devices are used, then capture capability is achieved, but capital cost and operating cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture capabilityVSAvoidcapital cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs hydroxide-functionalized sorbent materials that can be regenerated through simple chemical processes. The sorbent beds operate until degradation occurs, then are replaced or regenerated, avoiding the high capital costs of durable mechanical phase transition devices. This approach reduces both initial manufacturing costs and long-term operating expenses while maintaining effective CO2 capture capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The system reduces energy and capital costs, eliminates mechanical complexity, and provides a stable, continuous CO2 stream, suitable for large-scale applications without the need for phase transitions or moving parts.

Implementation Method 1

a CO2 pump membrane having a moisture-swing material that absorbs CO2 when dry and releases CO2 when wet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The difference between the first water concentration and the second water concentration results in the transport of water through the CO2 pump membrane from the first fluid to the second fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Implementation Method 3

The water concentration gradient within the moisture-swing material of the CO2 pump membrane creates a carbon concentration gradient across the CO2 pump membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12544710B2System, method, and device for continuous CO<sub>2 </sub>capture using a CO<sub>2 </sub>pump membrane

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIV OF ARIZONA

AI summary

A continuous CO2 capture system, method, and device are disclosed. The device includes a CO2 pump membrane including a moisture-swing material, and a cavity having a first fluid. The CO2 pump membrane separates the first fluid from a second fluid, the fluids creating a water concentration gradient across the membrane and transport of water through the membrane. The water concentration gradient creates a carbon concentration gradient across the membrane that decreases moving from outside the cavity to inside the cavity. As water is continuously transported from the first fluid to the second fluid through the CO2 pump membrane because of the water concentration gradient, carbon dioxide is continuously captured from the second fluid by the moisture-swing material of the CO2 pump membrane and continuously pumped along the carbon concentration gradient across the CO2 pump membrane and into the first fluid within the cavity.