Conveyor Belt Sorbent for Continuous CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon dioxide capture technologies face inefficiencies and high energy costs due to the need for fluidized beds and multiple valves, and often result in carbon dioxide-rich fluids with lower purity.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide capture apparatus with multiple zones within a single housing, utilizing a conveyor belt with a porous medium containing a carbon dioxide sorbent that cycles through zones for adsorption, heating, desorption, and cooling, integrating heat transfer between zones to enhance efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional carbon dioxide capture technologies use fluidized beds and multiple valves, then the capture process can be implemented, but the energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into four distinct zones (adsorption zone, heating zone, desorption zone, cooling zone) within a single housing, each performing a specific function in the carbon dioxide capture cycle. This segmentation allows continuous operation while simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for multiple valves and fluidized beds required in conventional technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional zones are merged into a single integrated apparatus housing, with the conveyor belt system transporting sorbent continuously through all zones. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate vessels and complex valve systems, reducing both device complexity and energy consumption while maintaining continuous capture operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional technologies are used for carbon dioxide capture, then the process can operate, but the carbon dioxide-rich fluid purity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The desorption zone is specifically designed with controlled conditions (temperature, pressure) optimized for maximizing carbon dioxide desorption from the sorbent. This localized optimization of conditions in the third zone ensures high purity carbon dioxide-rich fluid is produced while maintaining continuous capture productivity through the integrated four-zone system.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional carbon dioxide capture processes are implemented, then carbon dioxide can be captured, but operating costs increase due to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system enables continuous circulation of the carbon dioxide sorbent through all four zones without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates the need for periodic batch processing and valve operations, maintaining steady-state capture while reducing energy consumption and operating costs compared to conventional intermittent processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent automatically cycles through adsorption, heating, desorption, and cooling zones on the conveyor belt, with heat transfer occurring between zones to pre-condition the sorbent. This self-sustaining cyclic process minimizes external energy input and operational intervention, reducing both energy costs and operating expenses while maintaining continuous carbon dioxide capture.
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 apparatus achieves continuous carbon dioxide capture with higher purity and reduced energy consumption, eliminating the need for fluidized beds and fewer valves, thereby lowering operating costs and improving sorbent working capacity.
Implementation Method 1
Within the first zone at a first temperature, the carbon dioxide sorbent is configured to adsorb carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide-containing fluid as the carbon dioxide-containing fluid flows through the porous medium to produce the carbon dioxide-depleted fluid
Implementation Method 2
The liquid heating medium in the second zone is configured to heat the carbon dioxide sorbent from the first temperature toward the second temperature
Implementation Method 3
Within the third zone at a second temperature, the carbon dioxide sorbent is configured to desorb the carbon dioxide captured from the carbon dioxide-containing fluid to produce the carbon dioxide-rich fluid, thereby regenerating the carbon dioxide sorbent
Implementation Method 4
The liquid cooling medium in the fourth zone is configured to cool the carbon dioxide sorbent from the second temperature to the first temperature
Implementation Method 5
the wall is configured to transfer heat between the liquid heating medium in the second zone and the liquid cooling medium in the fourth zone
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing that defines a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, and a fourth zone. The apparatus includes an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a conveyor belt. The inlet is configured to receive a carbon dioxide-containing fluid in the first zone. The first outlet is configured to discharge a carbon dioxide-depleted fluid from the first zone. The second outlet is configured to discharge a carbon dioxide-rich fluid from the third zone. The conveyor belt passes through each of the zones. The conveyor belt includes a carbon dioxide sorbent. Within the first zone, the carbon dioxide sorbent is configured to adsorb carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide-containing fluid to produce the carbon dioxide-depleted fluid. Within the third zone, the carbon dioxide sorbent is configured to desorb the captured carbon dioxide to produce the carbon dioxide-rich fluid.