CO2 Thermal Swing Adsorption with Wet Regeneration and Hot Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon capture technologies, such as molecular sieves and activated carbon, are inefficient in terms of electrical power consumption and cost, and fail to effectively capture CO2 due to high heat of adsorption and low capture efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A carbon capture system utilizing a thermal swing adsorption (TSA) process with a CO2-turbocharger to drive the process with reduced electrical power, incorporating a CO2-turbocharger to recycle and regenerate CO2 using exhaust waste heat, and employing a CO2 evaporative cooler for wet regeneration to enhance CO2 capture efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If molecular sieves are used for CO2 capture, then CO2 capture capacity is improved, but electrical power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture capacityVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the molecular sieve system by implementing a thermal swing adsorption process with optimized temperature cycles. The system uses heated N2 gas to regenerate the sieve at controlled temperatures (heating phase followed by cooling phase), replacing continuous high-power electrical operation with intermittent thermal processing, thereby reducing overall electrical power consumption while maintaining CO2 capture capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic operation of the molecular sieve through cyclic thermal swing adsorption. The sieve alternates between adsorption mode (capturing CO2), heating mode (regenerating by heating with N2 gas), cooling mode (preparing for next cycle), and drying mode. This periodic action allows the system to maintain capture capacity while reducing electrical power consumption by using thermal energy stored during the cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of energy

If activated carbon is used instead of molecular sieves, then heat of adsorption for water is reduced, but CO2 capture performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat of adsorption for waterVSAvoidCO2 capture performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different adsorbent materials for different functions within the same system. Molecular sieves are used specifically for CO2 capture where high capacity is needed, while activated carbon is used in specific stages (such as water adsorption stages) where lower heat of adsorption for water is beneficial. This spatial and functional differentiation allows the system to optimize both CO2 capture performance and energy management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of substance

If conventional TSA process is used, then CO2 release is achieved, but electrical power consumption remains high

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 releaseVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by using the CO2-rich gas generated during regeneration to pre-heat the incoming N2 gas that will be used for the next regeneration cycle. The system also uses the thermal energy stored in the heated sieve and gas streams to drive subsequent cycles, reducing the need for external electrical heating power. The CO2 release process becomes part of a self-sustaining thermal cycle rather than an energy-consuming step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 achieves high CO2 capture efficiency with reduced electrical and mechanical loads, lower costs, and improved capture purity by utilizing exhaust waste heat and a CO2-turbocharger for efficient CO2 recycling and regeneration.

Implementation Method 1

capture media are configured to adsorb CO2 from an exhaust gas during the CO2 capture stage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

release adsorbed CO2 during the wet regeneration stage to produce a CO2 stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

release adsorbed water due to evaporation caused by the first heated N2 gas during the drying stage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

receive a cooled gas during the cooling stage such that an absorption capacity of the capture media for CO2 capture is increased

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS12533625B2System and method of CO<sub>2 </sub>thermal swing adsorption with wet regeneration and hot drying

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 ENHANCED ENERGY GRP

AI summary

A capture vessel is provided that is configured to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) according to a thermal swing adsorption (TSA) process. The capture vessel includes capture media that are configured to adsorb CO2 from an exhaust gas during a CO2 capture stage to produce a first N2 gas that exits the capture vessel, receive a mixed stream of CO2 and water vapor during a wet regeneration stage, adsorb water from the mixed stream of CO2 and water vapor and release adsorbed CO2 during the wet regeneration stage to produce a CO2 stream, receive a first heated N2 gas and release adsorbed water due to evaporation caused by the first heated N2 gas during a drying stage, and receive a cooled gas during a cooling stage such that an absorption capacity of the capture media for CO2 capture is increased for a next CO2 capture stage.