Direct Air Capture With Precise Ion Control for Low-Energy Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct air capture technologies face high energy consumption, high regeneration costs, and complex operation processes, particularly in concentrating ultra-low carbon dioxide from air to high concentrations, and they are not well-suited for renewable energy integration.
Innovation Solution
An energy-saving system with precise ion control using a valence-state ion sieving device, pH swing regeneration device, and CO2 regeneration device, employing moisture swing adsorbents and electrochemical processes to concentrate CO2 from 400 ppm to 95% at room temperature and pressure, utilizing renewable energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-temperature chemical absorption method is used to capture CO2 from air, then CO2 concentration can be increased from 400 ppm to more than 95%, but energy consumption becomes very high due to intensive regeneration energy required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CO2 concentration process into multiple stages: first using solid adsorbent to concentrate CO2 from 400 ppm to several percent, then using liquid absorbent to further concentrate to high purity, avoiding the need for single-stage high-temperature regeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using alternating electrochemical regeneration cycles that switch between oxidation and reduction modes, enabling regeneration at low temperatures instead of requiring 900°C heating, thus dramatically reducing energy consumption
2Ease of manufacture
If high-temperature heating is used to regenerate calcium carbonate to calcium hydroxide, then alkaline absorbent can be regenerated, but equipment volume becomes huge and operation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal regeneration system (heating equipment) with an electrochemical regeneration system using electrochemical cells that can regenerate the absorbent at room temperature through electrical energy input, eliminating the need for high-temperature furnaces and associated complex equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic electrochemical regeneration cycles that alternate between oxidation mode (regenerating calcium hydroxide) and reduction mode (regenerating calcium oxide), allowing continuous operation with simpler equipment compared to continuous high-temperature heating systems
3Quantity of substance
If steam at temperature higher than 100°C is used to regenerate solid adsorbent and desorb CO2, then CO2 can be concentrated, but energy consumption becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal desorption using steam heating with electrochemical desorption using electrochemical cells that can regenerate the adsorbent and release CO2 at low temperatures through electrical energy, eliminating the need for high-temperature steam generation equipment
4Volume of stationary object
If conventional electrochemical regeneration system is used, then equipment volume is small and regeneration occurs at normal temperature, but energy consumption remains at high theoretical level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrochemical regeneration into two distinct modes: oxidation mode for regenerating calcium hydroxide and reduction mode for regenerating calcium oxide, allowing the system to operate more efficiently at lower energy consumption compared to conventional single-mode electrochemical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the electrochemical regeneration parameters by controlling the alternating oxidation and reduction cycles, improving the energy efficiency and reducing the theoretical energy consumption below that of conventional electrochemical regeneration systems
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 achieves efficient CO2 concentration with reduced energy consumption, small equipment footprint, and environmental friendliness, enabling scalable and cost-effective CO2 capture suitable for industrial and biological applications.
Implementation Method 1
a CO2 adsorption device internally provided with a moisture swing adsorbent with high CO2 adsorption capacity
Implementation Method 2
a valence-state ion sieving device, where valence ion selective anion membranes and cation membranes through which OH- can pass but CO32- is prevented are alternately arranged
Implementation Method 3
The technology of electrochemically producing alkaline solution and acid solution has gradually re-entered the attention of scholars
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an energy-saving system and method for direct air capture with precise ion control. The system includes an air conveying device, an air distribution device and a CO2 adsorption device with a moisture swing adsorbent with high CO2 adsorption capacity, where the air conveying device, the air distribution device and the CO2 adsorption device are connected in sequence, and the CO2 adsorption device is provided with a spray desorption device; a valence-state ion sieving device; a pH swing regeneration device; and a CO2 regeneration device. In accordance with the energy-saving system provided by the present disclosure, ultra-low concentration of CO2 in the air can be enriched to the concentration of 95% step by step for industrial application or biological application at room temperature and pressure by consuming the electricity which cannot be connected to a power grid.