CO2 Vapor Removal Using Recyclable Condensing Liquid Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas purification methods for removing carbon dioxide vapor are energy-intensive and costly, often relying on toxic or expensive solutions, and there is a need for more efficient methods to address these limitations in the separation of gases.
Innovation Solution
A method involving direct contact of a carrier gas with a specially chosen liquid mixture in a separation chamber, where the carbon dioxide condenses and forms chemical complexes, allowing for continuous removal and subsequent reconstitution of the liquid mixture for recycling, using a combination of ionic and soluble organic compounds to facilitate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standard vapor removal techniques (chemical complexing, condensation, desublimation) are used, then carbon dioxide vapor can be removed from gas streams, but energy costs become excessively high and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the liquid mixture to below the condensation point of carbon dioxide vapor, enabling condensation at lower temperatures than conventional methods. This parameter change allows efficient CO2 removal while reducing the energy input required for heating and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite liquid mixture containing both ionic compounds (for chemical complexing with CO2) and soluble organic compounds (for maintaining liquid phase at low temperatures). This composite approach combines multiple mechanisms (condensation, complexing, absorption) in a single system, improving removal efficiency while avoiding the high energy costs of sequential conventional processes
2Quantity of substance
If conventional vapor removal solutions are employed, then carbon dioxide can be extracted from carrier gas, but the solutions become highly toxic, difficult to work with, or expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects a liquid mixture that remains in liquid phase at temperatures below the CO2 condensation point, avoiding the need for toxic high-pressure or high-temperature systems. This parameter change enables safe, easy-to-handle operating conditions while maintaining effective CO2 removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid mixture of common ionic and organic compounds that is inexpensive, non-toxic, and easily replaceable. Rather than using expensive specialized solvents or desiccants, the system uses readily available materials that simplify operations and reduce costs
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 method effectively reduces energy costs by enabling efficient removal of carbon dioxide vapor from various gas streams, achieving between 1% and 100% removal with reduced operational expenses and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the carrier gas condensing at a lower temperature than the carbon dioxide vapor
Implementation Method 2
a combination of chemical effects cause the carbon dioxide to condense, complex, or both condense and complex with the liquid mixture
Implementation Method 3
at least one component forms a chemical complex with the carbon dioxide vapor and thereby extracts at least a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor from the carrier gas
Implementation Method 4
The liquid mixture is then reconstituted after passing through the separation chamber by a chemical separation process chosen to remove an equivalent amount of the carbon dioxide vapor from the liquid mixture
Implementation Method 5
The reconstituted liquid mixture is restored to temperature and pressure through heat exchange, compression, and expansion
Implementation Method 6
The reconstituted liquid mixture is restored to temperature and pressure through heat exchange, compression, and expansion
Data Source
AI summary
A method for continuously removing carbon dioxide vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. This method includes, first, causing direct contact of the carrier gas with a liquid mixture in a separation chamber, the carrier gas condensing at a lower temperature than the carbon dioxide vapor. A combination of chemical effects cause the carbon dioxide to condense, complex, or both condense and complex with the liquid mixture. The liquid mixture is chosen from the group consisting of: first, a combination of components that can be maintained in a liquid phase at a temperature below the carbon dioxide vapor's condensation point, whereby the carbon dioxide condenses into the liquid mixture; second, a combination of components where at least one component forms a chemical complex with the carbon dioxide vapor and thereby extracts at least a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor from the carrier gas; and third, a combination of components that can both be maintained in a liquid phase at a temperature below the carbon dioxide's condensation point, and wherein at least one component forms a chemical complex with the carbon dioxide vapor and thereby extracts at least a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor from the carrier gas. The liquid mixture is then reconstituted after passing through the separation chamber by a chemical separation process chosen to remove an equivalent amount of the carbon dioxide vapor from the liquid mixture as was removed from the carrier gas. The reconstituted liquid mixture is restored to temperature and pressure through heat exchange, compression, and expansion, as necessary, in preparation for recycling back to the separation chamber. The liquid mixture is then returned to the separation chamber. In this manner, the carrier gas leaving the exchanger has between 1% and 100% of the carbon dioxide vapor removed.