Coiled Duct Centrifugal Air Separation for Continuous CO2 Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling carbon dioxide levels in enclosed environments, such as spacecraft and submarines, are either non-regenerative and require significant chemical supplies or are bulky and power-intensive, posing challenges for efficient and sustainable gas purification.
Innovation Solution
Centrifugal air separators that utilize a coiled duct system to separate gas streams based on molecular weight, allowing for continuous operation without regeneration, effectively removing carbon dioxide while conserving beneficial gases and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical reaction systems are used to remove carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide removal effectiveness is improved, but supply requirements for chemical materials increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical reaction systems with a mechanical centrifugal separation system. The centrifugal air separator uses rotational force to separate carbon dioxide from breathable air based on molecular weight differences, eliminating the need for consumable chemical materials like lithium hydroxide while maintaining effective carbon dioxide removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the separation parameter from chemical reactivity to physical property (molecular weight). By using centrifugal force to exploit the molecular weight difference between carbon dioxide and other air components, the system achieves continuous operation without chemical consumption.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If adsorption systems are used to remove carbon dioxide, then regenerative operation is achieved, but power consumption and system weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal regeneration process of adsorption systems with a continuous mechanical centrifugal separation process. Instead of cycling adsorbent materials through heating and cooling, the centrifugal air separator continuously separates carbon dioxide using rotational force, eliminating the need for significant electrical power input while maintaining regenerative operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the cyclic operation of adsorption systems to continuous separation operation. The centrifugal air separator maintains constant separation of carbon dioxide from air without requiring regeneration cycles, providing uninterrupted carbon dioxide removal with lower power consumption.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If adsorption systems are used to remove carbon dioxide, then regenerative operation is achieved, but system weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy adsorbent material beds with a lighter centrifugal separation mechanism. The centrifugal air separator uses rotational dynamics and molecular weight differences to separate gases, eliminating the need for large quantities of zeolite or other adsorbent materials that contribute significantly to system weight.
4Productivity
If chemical reaction systems are used to remove carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide removal effectiveness is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical blower system required for chemical reaction systems with a centrifugal separation mechanism. The centrifugal air separator uses rotational force generated by the separation section itself to drive the separation process, reducing external electrical power requirements while maintaining effective carbon dioxide removal.
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 centrifugal air separators efficiently maintain safe carbon dioxide levels in enclosed environments by continuously separating carbon dioxide from other gases, reducing the need for chemical supplies and minimizing energy usage, thus providing a sustainable and efficient gas purification solution.
Implementation Method 1
The separation section is configured to separate the input air stream into a clean air stream emitted from an exit port of the separation section and a waste stream emitted from a waste port of the separation section
Implementation Method 2
The separation section includes a coiled duct that has a duct entrance port fluidically connected to the entrance port of the separation section
Data Source
AI summary
Centrifugal air separators, systems including the same, and methods of separating gas are disclosed. Centrifugal air separators include a separation section configured to separate an input air stream into a clean air stream emitted from an exit port of the separation section and a waste stream emitted from a waste port of the separation section. The separation section includes a coiled duct and is configured to transmit through a duct entrance port a duct input air stream that is at least a portion of the input air stream and to at least partially separate the duct input air stream according to a molecular weight of components of the duct input air stream into a duct clean air stream that is at least a portion of the clean air stream and a duct waste stream that is at least a portion of the waste stream.