Compact CO2 Capture Housing with Partially Insulated Pipe Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current direct air carbon capture solutions are large and industrial-grade, lacking smaller and more portable options suitable for mobile applications such as the communications industry, which require efficient and compact carbon dioxide capture systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact housing unit with a partially insulated pipe cooling system and solid carbon dioxide sorbent discs that utilize excess heat from base station coolants to capture CO2 from ambient air, featuring a controller for managing absorption and regeneration cycles, and a thermoelectric generator for energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large industrial-grade air sucking facilities are used for direct air carbon capture, then carbon dioxide capture capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple functional zones with separate openings for ambient air intake, coolant intake, coolant exit, air exit, and carbon dioxide exit. The cooling pipes are segmented into multiple routes (first cooling route and second cooling route) that can be independently controlled through steering valves, allowing modular operation and reduced overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon dioxide sorbent material is embedded within the housing structure, and the cooling pipes are integrated within the same housing. The discs made of sorbent material are positioned to directly contact the uninsulated pipe surfaces, creating a nested arrangement where multiple functions (cooling and carbon dioxide capture) are combined in a compact configuration.
2Temperature
If cooling pipes are fully insulated to maintain coolant temperature, then cooling efficiency is improved, but heat transfer to sorbent material for carbon dioxide release is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pipes are partially insulated rather than fully insulated or fully exposed. Specific portions of the pipes remain uninsulated to enable direct heat transfer to the carbon dioxide sorbent material, while other portions are insulated to maintain coolant temperature. This local differentiation of thermal properties allows simultaneous optimization of both cooling efficiency and carbon dioxide release efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The uninsulated pipe surfaces act as intermediaries that transfer heat from the coolant to the carbon dioxide sorbent material. The pipes serve dual functions: as conduits for coolant flow and as heat transfer surfaces for regenerating the sorbent material, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment.
3Ease of operation
If shutters are added to control openings for cycle management, then operational control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering valves serve multiple functions: they control the flow of coolant to different cooling routes and also act as part of the cycle management system by coordinating with the shutters. The controller integrates the control of multiple shutters and steering valves into a unified system, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each component.
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 solution enables efficient capture and storage of carbon dioxide, with the ability to recover up to 100% of adsorption capacity, and converts waste heat into electrical energy, making it suitable for mobile and industrial use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one disc made of a solid carbon dioxide sorbent material for capturing carbon dioxide from the ambient air
Implementation Method 2
the at least one pipe forming the first cooling route is a partially insulated pipe with an uninsulated pipe surface portion; at least one disc made of a solid carbon dioxide sorbent material for capturing carbon dioxide from the ambient air, the at least one disc being arranged in the housing within the first cooling route with a direct physical contact to the uninsulated pipe surface portion for heating the at least one disc when the coolant passes the first cooling route
Implementation Method 3
a thermoelectric generator, which bottom side is attached to the second cooling route near the second opening to convert heat into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
To capture carbon dioxide from ambient air, a housing having at least five openings and one cooling route for a coolant from a base station to circulate within the housing may be used. The housing may include five openings: one for ambient air to enter the housing, one for the coolant to enter the housing, one for the coolant to exit the housing, one for air to exit the housing and one, the below most, for a carbon dioxide to exit the housing. The cooling route is between the openings for the coolant, formed by at least one partially insulated pipe with an uninsulated pipe surface portion. The housing further includes at least one disc made of a solid carbon dioxide sorbent material for capturing carbon dioxide and being arranged within the cooling route with a direct physical contact to the un-insulated pipe surface portion.