Direct Air Capture Buffer Fluid Desorption System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current direct air capture (DAC) technologies are not economically viable for widespread deployment due to high capital and operational expenditures, and they struggle to achieve the target cost of below $100 per metric ton of CO2.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for DAC using a recirculating buffer fluid to desorb CO2 from a chemical media, which includes a contactor with an adsorption medium, a circulator for buffer fluid, and a storage volume for dilute CO2, allowing for efficient capture and storage of CO2 with reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current DAC technologies are deployed, then CO2 capture function is achieved, but capital and operational expenditures are too high
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the CO2 capture process into distinct functional modules: contactor units with adsorption media, buffer fluid circulation systems, and storage volumes. This modular segmentation allows for scalable deployment and reduced capital expenditure by enabling incremental installation and optimized maintenance of individual components rather than requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer fluid as an intermediary substance that facilitates CO2 transfer from the adsorption media to storage volumes. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient CO2 desorption and transport, improving operational effectiveness while reducing the energy and resource requirements compared to direct heating or chemical regeneration methods.
2Reliability
If current DAC technologies are deployed, then CO2 capture function is achieved, but operational expenditures are too high
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer fluid circulation system operates to automatically desorb CO2 from the adsorption media and transport it to storage volumes without requiring external chemical agents or high-energy input processes. The system uses the inherent properties of the buffer fluid and controlled circulation to achieve CO2 release, reducing operational energy expenditure and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes controlled changes in physical parameters (temperature, pressure, fluid flow rates) during the buffer fluid circulation process to optimize CO2 desorption efficiency. By carefully managing these parameter changes, the system achieves effective CO2 capture and release while minimizing energy consumption and operational costs.
3Reliability
If complex system hardware and architecture are used, then CO2 capture capability is enhanced, but capital and operational expenditures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer fluid circulation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat transfer medium, a CO2 desorption agent, and a transport vehicle for moving CO2 from contactors to storage volumes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby simplifying system hardware and architecture while maintaining enhanced CO2 capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines several process functions into the buffer fluid circulation system, merging heating, CO2 desorption, and gas transport operations into a single integrated mechanism. This consolidation reduces the number of separate hardware components required, simplifying system architecture and reducing both capital and operational expenditures.
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 proposed system achieves cost-effective CO2 capture by reducing capital and operational expenditures, enabling the potential for large-scale DAC and mitigation of climate change impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a contactor including an adsorption medium, the adsorption medium configured to adsorb CO2 from ambient air
Implementation Method 2
a circulator configured to circulate a buffer fluid to desorb CO2 from the adsorption medium
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to DAC of CO2 and the associated adsorption, desorption, or regeneration, and storage of the CO2. In some embodiments, a system can include a contactor including a chemical medium including the adsorption medium, the adsorption medium configured to adsorb CO2 from ambient air; a circulator configured to circulate a buffer fluid to desorb CO2 from the adsorption medium to produce dilute CO2; and a storage volume configured to store the dilute CO2. In some embodiments, the dilute CO2 can have a concentration between about 0.5% and about 60% by volume. In some embodiments, the dilute CO2 can be stored in the storage volume in the form of liquid CO2, gaseous CO2, supercritical CO2 and/or CO2 dissolved in water. In some embodiments, the contactor can include a porous honeycomb monolith contactor, the porous honeycomb monolith contactor having chemical media including the adsorption medium impregnated therein or coated thereon. In some embodiments, the chemical media can include an amine, a carbonate, and/or an alkaline solvent.