Water Recycling in CO2 Removal Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture technologies face challenges in reducing CO2 emissions efficiently while minimizing water and energy consumption, and in converting CO2 into economically valuable products like bicarbonate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of an aqueous hydroxide solution in a chloro-alkali cell, followed by dilution and admixing with a gas stream to produce carbonate, and further processing to convert it into bicarbonate, with integrated water recovery and recycling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional CO2 capture processes are used, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and recycles water from the CO2 capture process. Water is removed from the bicarbonate product stream via evaporation or other separation methods, then condensed and recycled back to the CO2 absorption step, minimizing water loss and consumption in the overall process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature changes to control the CO2 absorption and bicarbonate formation reactions. By adjusting temperature parameters, the process achieves efficient CO2 capture while managing water consumption through controlled evaporation and condensation cycles
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional CO2 capture processes are used, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the energy-intensive CO2 capture process into a beneficial operation by simultaneously producing valuable bicarbonate products. The chemical reactions that capture CO2 also generate sellable products, making the energy input worthwhile and potentially profitable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes temperature and pressure parameters to enhance reaction efficiency and product yield. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process achieves effective CO2 capture with improved energy utilization and productive output
3Quantity of substance
If CO2 is converted to bicarbonate, then economically valuable by-products are produced, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated process: CO2 absorption, bicarbonate formation, and water removal occur in sequence within a unified system. This integration reduces overall process complexity compared to treating these as separate operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the CO2 capture process into distinct stages: (1) CO2 absorption in aqueous hydroxide to form carbonate, (2) conversion to bicarbonate, and (3) water removal to produce solid bicarbonate product. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity
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 effectively reduces CO2 emissions with a reduced water footprint, produces economically valuable by-products, and potentially makes the carbon capture process profitable by utilizing water recovery and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
generating an aqueous hydroxide solution in a chloro-alkali cell
Implementation Method 2
admixing the diluted aqueous hydroxide solution with a first portion of a gas stream containing carbon dioxide to produce carbonate
Implementation Method 3
removing water from the first admixture in a water removal unit
Implementation Method 4
admixing the first admixture with a second portion of the gas stream to produce bicarbonate
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods related to removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream are provided. Gas streams can be waste gas streams or natural gas streams. The systems and methods for removing carbon dioxide incorporate water repurposing schemes. Still others are disclosed.