Direct Air Capture Unit Layout for Uniform Flow and Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
DAC units experience decreased CO2 productivity due to uneven air flow distribution and high pressure loss, which increases capture costs.
Innovation Solution
The design of a DAC unit with optimized structural elements in the inlet and outlet air sections to maintain a pressure loss of less than 200 Pa and ensure a minimum flow within 0-20% of the maximum flow, using partially or fully impermeable structures to stabilize air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional DAC units process large quantities of air through sorbent material, then CO2 capture is achieved, but pressure loss increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes physical parameters including reducing pressure loss across inlet and outlet sections to less than 200 Pa, maintaining volumetric flow within 0-20% of maximum, and optimizing the dimensions and configuration of inlet/outlet air sections to improve overall system efficiency and productivity
2Productivity
If air flow distribution is uneven across the sorbent section, then processing capacity is reduced, but CO2 productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements optimized inlet and outlet air sections with specific structural configurations that create uniform flow distribution across the sorbent section, ensuring each local area of the sorbent receives appropriate air flow to maximize CO2 capture efficiency throughout the entire unit
3Loss of energy
If the DAC unit is designed to minimize pressure loss, then energy efficiency improves, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific design parameters including pressure loss less than 200 Pa across inlet and outlet sections, and volumetric flow maintenance within 0-20% of maximum, providing clear design guidelines that balance energy efficiency with manageable structural complexity
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
Enhances CO2 productivity and reduces capture costs by stabilizing air flow distribution and minimizing pressure loss, thereby improving overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sorbent substance that removes the carbon dioxide from the feedstream
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for capture of carbon dioxide from a gaseous feed stream. The process may include a direct air capture unit comprising an inlet air section, a sorbent section, and an outlet air section. A gaseous feed stream may be received at the inlet air section and the feed stream may be contacted with a sorbent material in the sorbent section. An exit gaseous outlet stream may be provided from the outlet air section. The total pressure loss across the inlet and outlet air sections may be maintained at less than 200 Pa. The feed stream may have a volumetric flow within the sorbent section having a maximum and a minimum flow. The unit may include at least one structural element for maintaining the minimum flow to be within a range of 0-20% lower than the maximum flow over the entire sorbent section.