CO2 Capture Sorbent Cooldown Phase Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 capture processes from ambient air suffer from suboptimal efficiency due to the high concentration of water vapor and other components, which negatively impact the sorbent performance and energy balance, making it challenging to operate efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A process where the sorption step coincides with the cooldown phase of the desorption step, utilizing residual heat from desorption to maintain the sorbent temperature warm, thereby reducing water uptake and enhancing CO2 sorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the sorbent is contacted with ambient air for CO2 capture, then CO2 can be removed from air, but water vapor in air negatively impacts sorbent performance and energy balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the sorption step at an elevated temperature (30-100°C) rather than ambient temperature. This temperature parameter change reduces water vapor uptake by the sorbent while maintaining CO2 sorption capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between CO2 capture and water vapor interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternating sorption and desorption steps. During sorption, the sorbent captures CO2 at elevated temperature; during desorption, the sorbent is heated to release CO2 and then cooled. This periodic cycling allows the sorbent to be regenerated and reused, overcoming the limitation of water vapor accumulation and maintaining long-term sorbent performance
2Productivity
If a substantial flow through the sorbent is used to capture significant CO2 from air, then CO2 capture efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases due to water vapor handling
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter to 30-100°C during sorption, the patent reduces water vapor partial pressure and sorbent affinity for water. This allows efficient CO2 capture at practical flow rates without the excessive energy penalty associated with removing water vapor at ambient temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of water vapor into a beneficial outcome by using the temperature elevation to selectively reduce water vapor uptake while preserving CO2 sorption. The water vapor that would otherwise compete for sorbent sites is thermally suppressed, allowing the sorbent to focus on CO2 capture with improved energy efficiency
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 increases the CO2 capture efficiency by minimizing water uptake and optimizing the sorbent temperature, leading to a higher CO2 to water molar ratio during the sorption process.
Implementation Method 1
a sorption step, in which a solid sorbent capable of sorbing CO2 and H2O is contacted with the gaseous composition, thereby sorbing CO2 from the gaseous composition to the sorbent
Implementation Method 2
a desorption step, in which the sorbent is heated to a temperature higher than that in the sorption step for releasing at least a part of the sorbed CO2 from the sorbent
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a process for the capture of CO2 from a gaseous composition, such as air, comprising: - a sorption step, in which a solid sorbent capable of sorbing CO2 and H2O is contacted with the gaseous composition, thereby sorbing CO2 from the gaseous composition to the sorbent, and - a desorption step, in which the sorbent is heated to a temperature higher than that in the sorption step for releasing at least a part of the sorbed CO2 from the sorbent in which a sorption step subsequent to the desorption step substantially coincides with a cooldown phase of the desorption step.