Covalently Bonded Amine Sorbents for Hydrothermal CO2 Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing physisorbent materials for carbon dioxide capture have reduced adsorption capacity due to interference by polar molecules like water, while chemisorbents offer superior selectivity but require improvements in adsorption capacity, kinetics, and stability.

Innovation Solution

Development of solid sorbents with amines covalently bonded to a porous support, utilizing amine alkylation and silanization reactions to enhance CO2 adsorption capacity and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physisorbent materials are used for CO2 capture, then the system is relatively mature and easy to operate, but the CO2 adsorption capacity is significantly reduced due to interference by polar molecules like water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidCO2 adsorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining amine-functionalized silica particles (chemisorbent) with a porous support structure. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the high CO2 selectivity of chemisorbents and the structural stability of porous supports, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and CO2 adsorption capacity by creating a hybrid material that overcomes the limitations of pure physisorbents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If chemisorbent materials are used for CO2 capture, then the selectivity of CO2 adsorption over interfering species is superior, but the adsorption capacity, kinetics, and stability require improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 adsorption selectivityVSAvoidhydrothermal and cycling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous materials by utilizing a porous support structure with controlled pore size and distribution. This porous architecture provides high surface area for amine functionalization while maintaining structural integrity during cycling and hydrothermal conditions, thereby improving both adsorption capacity and stability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the amine loading density, pore size distribution, and surface area of the sorbent material. By carefully controlling these parameters during synthesis, the material achieves enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity while maintaining fast kinetics and improved hydrothermal stability, resolving the contradiction between selectivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If amine functionalized silica particles are used, then CO2 adsorption through reversible chemical reactions is achieved, but the cost and complexity of synthesis increase compared to physisorbents

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 adsorption capacityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing the porous support structure before functionalizing it with amine groups. This sequential approach allows for optimized control of each synthesis step, improving manufacturing efficiency while achieving the desired high CO2 adsorption capacity through the combined effects of the porous structure and amine functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solid sorbents exhibit high CO2 adsorption capacity and desirable hydrothermal and cycling stability, addressing the limitations of physisorbents and enhancing the performance of chemisorbents.

Implementation Method 1

Chemisorbents, in particular, amine functionalized silica particles and metal-organic frameworks (MOF) etc., adsorb CO2 through reversible chemical reactions and formation of ammonium carbamate, carbamic acid, ammonium carbonate and/or ammonium bicarbonate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemisorption: Chemisorption

Implementation Method 2

reacting the first mixture in a silanization reaction to form a grafted sorbent including the grafter attached to the sorbent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

reacting the second mixture in an amine alkylation reaction to form the functionalized sorbent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4670839A2Sorbent systems
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP4670839A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4670839A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4670839A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described herein are solid sorbents including amines that are covalently bonded to a porous support. The solid sorbents exhibit high adsorption capacities for carbon dioxide. The solid sorbents exhibit desirable hydrothermal and cycling stability.