Dielectric Heater for CO2 Desorption from Molecular Sieves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional carbon dioxide collection methods are energy-intensive due to the need for significant heating and vacuum requirements, which increase operational costs and require specialized, costly equipment, especially when dealing with ceramic molecular sieves that are inefficient at conducting heat and releasing charged molecules.
Innovation Solution
The use of dielectric heating to desorb carbon dioxide from adsorbent materials, reducing the need for high temperatures and vacuums, and employing a system with a condenser and desiccant chamber to preprocess the gas stream, minimizing energy consumption and structural material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If radiant heating is used to desorb carbon dioxide from molecular sieve, then carbon dioxide can be released from the collecting medium, but significant energy is required and heat must be rapidly and efficiently radiated throughout the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the radiant heating system (thermal energy transfer through radiation) with a dielectric barrier discharge system that uses electrical energy to generate plasma. This substitution eliminates the need for thermal radiation infrastructure and directly heats the gas phase CO2 molecules, significantly reducing energy loss and improving desorption efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy input parameter from thermal radiation to electrical discharge. By applying high voltage alternating current across the molecular sieve bed, dielectric barrier discharge generates plasma that directly excites and heats CO2 molecules, enabling desorption at lower overall energy input compared to traditional radiant heating methods.
2Productivity
If high vacuum is used to pull carbon dioxide molecules off the collecting medium, then carbon dioxide can be released faster, but additional energy is required and additional structural components are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum system with a dielectric barrier discharge plasma system. Instead of using mechanical means (vacuum pumps) to remove CO2 molecules, the invention uses electrical discharge to directly energize and release CO2 molecules from the molecular sieve, eliminating vacuum equipment and associated energy consumption while maintaining fast desorption rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric barrier discharge system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it heats the CO2 molecules for desorption, creates plasma that facilitates molecule release, and can directly collect the discharged CO2 in plasma form. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate vacuum systems and reduces overall energy requirements.
3Reliability
If molecular sieve is made from ceramic materials, then it has good adsorption properties, but it does not conduct heat easily and must be designed in close proximity to multiple heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal conduction heating (which requires multiple heat sources due to ceramic insulation) with dielectric barrier discharge electrical heating. The electrical discharge directly ionizes and heats the CO2 molecules in the gas phase without requiring thermal conduction through the ceramic molecular sieve structure, thereby maintaining adsorption reliability while eliminating the need for multiple heat sources.
4Reliability
If molecular sieve holds charged molecules such as water, then it has high affinity to target molecules, but higher temperatures are required to release these molecules thus requiring more energy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the energy input method from thermal heating to electrical plasma discharge. The dielectric barrier discharge generates high-energy electrons and ions that can directly interact with and neutralize the charged molecules (such as water) held by the molecular sieve, releasing them at lower overall energy input compared to thermal heating while maintaining the sieve's high retention capability during the adsorption phase.
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
Dielectric heating allows for efficient and cost-effective release of carbon dioxide with reduced energy input and material costs, enabling faster desorption and regeneration of adsorbent materials, thus improving the overall efficiency and economic viability of carbon dioxide collection.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric heater proximate the adsorbent material to desorb the carbon dioxide from the adsorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collecting carbon dioxide from a process gas including an adsorbent material for adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules from the process gas, a dielectric heater proximate the adsorbent material, and a vessel having an internal volume enclosing the adsorbent material and, optionally, the dielectric heater.