Direct Air Capture Vessel With Nested Sorbent Subcontainers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are costly and inefficient, failing to remove sufficient quantities to effectively mitigate climate change.
Innovation Solution
A carbon capture vessel system that includes a container, sorbent subcontainers, a sorbent material, and a heating element, designed to optimize the advection, contact, and capture of carbon dioxide, as well as the regeneration of the sorbent material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional direct air capture systems are used, then carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere, but the cost and resource requirements are high and the quantity removed is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the carbon capture process into separate functional modules: an adsorption section with multiple beds for CO2 capture, a stripping section for regeneration, and a heating section for thermal processing. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and improves overall productivity while reducing the complexity of any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested structural arrangements where smaller functional units are contained within larger vessels. Multiple adsorption beds are arranged concentrically or in stacked configurations within the same footprint, allowing sequential processing of CO2 and improving quantity removed without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If conventional systems are used, then carbon dioxide removal can be achieved, but the cost in terms of money and resources is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes operational parameters including temperature profiles in the heating section, pressure differentials between adsorption and stripping sections, and flow rates through the sorbent beds. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves high productivity while reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The stripping section recovers and reuses the desorbed CO2 and regenerates the sorbent material by exposing it to steam or carbonated water. This recovery process reduces the need for continuous replacement of sorbent materials, lowering operational costs and improving overall efficiency.
3Productivity
If conventional systems are used, then carbon dioxide can be captured, but the contact efficiency and advection optimization are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic flow control where air flow rates are adjusted based on real-time CO2 concentration measurements. The fan-driven air supply can be modulated to optimize contact time between air and sorbent material, ensuring maximum capture efficiency without excessive time loss. The system adapts operational parameters dynamically to maintain optimal performance.
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 system enhances the efficiency of carbon dioxide capture and regeneration, reducing costs and increasing the quantity of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, thereby contributing to the goal of net zero emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged to heat the sorbent material within the second hollow interior
Implementation Method 2
one or more sorbent subcontainers disposed within the first hollow interior... Each sorbent subcontainer may include a second outer sidewall and an inner sidewall disposed within the second outer sidewall
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for an atmospheric carbon dioxide removal system are disclosed herein. The system may include a carbon capture vessel including two or more intermodal containers connected end to end and sealed to define a first hollow interior and configured to receive an air flow. Sorbent material subcontainers may be disposed within the first hollow interior of the connected intermodal containers and may include a outer sidewall defining a second hollow interior. A sorbent material may be disposed around an exterior of the outer sidewall of each subcontainer. The carbon capture vessel may also include a plate to prevent air from entering/exiting the first hollow interior a fan to direct the air flow into the subcontainers, pipes to direct fluid flow inside/outside the subcontainers, and at least one door, gate, or flap valve to prevent the fluid flow from exiting a first end of the connected intermodal containers.