CO2 Extraction Reactor Heating Cycles for Continuous Air Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inadequate for efficiently removing CO2 from the Earth's atmosphere, and there is a need for a reliable and efficient process to extract and store CO2 from air.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an extraction reactor with an adsorption surface, a heating assembly to raise the temperature above the desorption temperature, and an extracted gas store to alternately adsorb and desorb CO2, using substrates with porous structures and adsorption coatings, and a heating gas circuit to facilitate desorption and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive measures for reforestation or renaturation of moors are used to generate natural stores of extracted gas, then CO2 can be stored in natural reservoirs, but the process is slow, space-consuming, and does not efficiently remove existing CO2 from the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to control the adsorption/desorption process. The extraction reactor is heated to a temperature above the desorption temperature of the extracted gas, enabling efficient CO2 removal from air. This temperature parameter change allows the system to achieve both reliable CO2 capture and high removal efficiency, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If an extraction reactor with adsorption surface is used to extract CO2 from air, then CO2 can be efficiently removed and stored, but the process requires heating the reactor above desorption temperature which consumes energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through clocked operation of multiple extraction reactors. Reactors are alternately operated in adsorption mode and desorption mode, with heating applied periodically only when needed for desorption. This periodic operation allows continuous CO2 extraction while minimizing energy consumption by heating reactors only during desorption cycles rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by using a plurality of extraction reactors that operate in different modes simultaneously. While one reactor is being heated for desorption, another is performing adsorption of CO2 from air. This continuous operation maintains high productivity without requiring all reactors to be heated simultaneously, thereby reducing total energy consumption while maintaining efficient CO2 extraction.
3Productivity
If multiple extraction reactors are operated in parallel to treat large volumes of air, then CO2 extraction capacity increases, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the CO2 extraction system into multiple independent extraction reactors, each capable of operating autonomously in adsorption or desorption mode. This segmentation allows the system to handle large volumes of air by distributing the load across multiple units while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. Each reactor can be independently controlled and maintained, simplifying overall system management despite the increased number of components.
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 process allows for continuous extraction and storage of CO2, enabling its further use in chemical processes or as a welding gas, with efficient energy recovery and use of renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
at least one extraction reactor through which CO2-containing air is able to flow in an adsorption mode and which has an adsorption surface
Implementation Method 2
a heating assembly for heating the at least one extraction reactor at least in the region of its adsorption surface to a temperature above an extracted gas desorption temperature in a heating mode
Implementation Method 3
at least one extracted gas store for storing CO2 desorbed from the at least one extraction reactor in a desorption mode
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extracting CO2 from air includes at least one extraction reactor through which CO2-containing air is able to flow in an adsorption mode and which has an adsorption surface. A heating assembly is provided for heating the at least one extraction reactor at least in the region of its adsorption surface to a temperature above an extracted gas desorption temperature in a heating mode. At least one extracted gas store is provided for storing CO2 desorbed from the at least one extraction reactor in a desorption mode.