Structured CO2 Sorbent Regeneration for Low-Concentration Gas Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 capture and sequestration technologies are inefficient and costly for gases with low CO2 concentrations (up to 1 vol %) due to high energy requirements and sorbent degradation, and they fail to address the underrecognized climatological impact of these emissions.
Innovation Solution
A CO2 concentration process using sorbents with a mesoporous and macroporous polymer backbone, covalently bound CO2 adsorbing agents, and additives for enhanced adsorption and desorption, operating at low regeneration temperatures, which includes ambient air dehumidification and selective CO2 adsorption, producing a product gas with twice the CO2 concentration without exceeding 20 vol %.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing CO2 capture technologies are used for low-concentration gases (up to 1 vol %), then CO2 concentration can be achieved, but energy requirements are high and sorbent performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using temperature swing adsorption (TSR) with regeneration temperatures between 50-150°C, which is lower than conventional methods. This parameter change reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective CO2 concentration from low-concentration streams (up to 1 vol%). The sorbent is designed to operate effectively at these milder temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite sorbent materials combining a porous polymer backbone with covalently bound CO2-selective functional groups. This composite structure provides both the mechanical stability needed for long-term operation and the selective adsorption capability, resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy use by enabling efficient CO2 capture at lower temperatures without sorbent degradation.
2Productivity
If existing CO2 capture technologies are used for low-concentration gases (up to 1 vol %), then CO2 concentration can be achieved, but sorbent performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite sorbent materials with a porous polymer backbone and covalently bound CO2-selective functional groups. This composite structure provides both mechanical stability for long-term operation and selective adsorption capability, ensuring reliable performance over time while maintaining high CO2 concentration efficiency from low-concentration feeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific functional zones within the sorbent structure where CO2-selective groups are covalently bound to the polymer backbone. This localized functionalization ensures that only specific regions of the material interact with CO2, providing consistent and reliable performance over time while maintaining high productivity in CO2 concentration.
3Manufacturing precision
If high purity CO2 recovery systems are used, then CO2 purity (90-100 vol %) can be achieved, but capital equipment costs and operating expenses are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by targeting a moderate CO2 concentration range (at least twice the feed concentration, up to 20 vol %) rather than pursuing complete purification to 90-100 vol %. This partial concentration approach significantly reduces capital equipment costs and operating expenses while still providing useful CO2-enriched streams for various applications, resolving the contradiction between purity and device complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional CO2 capture methods are used, then CO2 can be recovered, but the process is not economically viable for low-concentration streams (up to 1 vol %)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the economic parameters by optimizing the process for low-concentration feeds (up to 1 vol% CO2) using temperature swing adsorption with regeneration at 50-150°C. This parameter optimization makes CO2 recovery economically viable from low-concentration streams by reducing energy costs and simplifying equipment requirements while still achieving meaningful CO2 concentration increases.
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 efficiently concentrates CO2 from low-concentration gases with reduced energy consumption and sorbent degradation, enabling applications in various CO2-utilizing systems and facilities.
Implementation Method 1
CO2 is selectively adsorbed by the sorbent to produce CO2-reduced gas as effluent from the contacting
Implementation Method 2
flowing regeneration gas, e.g., ambient air, through the media while heating the sorbent to temperature in a range of from 50° C. to 150° C. as the regeneration temperature, to desorb CO2 from the sorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A process is described for concentrating CO2 from feed gases containing CO2 at concentrations up to 1 vol % (10,000 ppmv) to produce product gas containing CO2 at concentration that is at least twice the concentration of CO2 in the feed gas, wherein the concentration of CO2 in the product gas does not exceed 20 vol %. The process may be carried out in a CO2 concentrator including one or more structured sorbent elements, in which the sorbent includes (i) a mesoporous and macroporous polymer backbone, (ii) CO2 adsorbing agent, and (iii) an additive effective to enhance CO2 adsorption, enhance CO2 desorption, lower the regeneration temperature of the sorbent, and/or enhance the thermal and/or oxidative stability of the sorbent. The structured sorbent elements may be arranged for Joule heating to regenerate the CO2 adsorbing agent with sweep gas at low temperature, e.g., in a range of from 50° C. to 150° C.