Direct Air Capture Control Using Weather-Adaptive Physisorbent Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon dioxide separation systems face inefficiencies due to the degradation of amine-based chemisorbents at high temperatures and the high water affinity of physisorbents, requiring laborious and expensive drying and energy-intensive operations, while renewable energy sources like wind and solar are limited by weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that adjusts process times, performance parameters, and air flow based on weather parameters, using physisorbents and renewable energy sources to optimize carbon dioxide separation efficiency by predicting and adapting to weather conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If amine-based chemisorbents are used to separate carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide separation efficiency is improved, but the sorbent material degrades when exposed to oxygen at temperatures above 60°C

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide separation efficiencyVSAvoidsorbent material stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies an inert atmosphere principle by using nitrogen or other inert gases to replace oxygen in the environment surrounding the amine-based chemisorbent during the desorption phase. This prevents oxidative degradation of the sorbent material while maintaining high carbon dioxide separation efficiency, as the inert gas protects the chemisorbent from thermal degradation above 60°C.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Productivity

If physisorbents like zeolites are used to separate carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide adsorption capacity is improved, but the sorbent material requires extensive drying of ambient air due to high water affinity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide adsorption capacityVSAvoiddrying system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes water vapor from the ambient air stream before it contacts the physisorbent material. By separating the drying function from the carbon dioxide adsorption function and placing it in a preliminary step, the system enables the physisorbent to operate at full carbon dioxide adsorption capacity without being compromised by water competition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If carbon dioxide separation systems are operated continuously, then carbon dioxide yield is improved, but energy consumption increases due to weather-dependent renewable energy limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide yieldVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation by continuously adjusting system parameters such as air flow rate, sorbent regeneration timing, and process intensity based on real-time weather conditions and renewable energy availability. This allows the system to maximize carbon dioxide yield during favorable conditions while reducing operation during unfavorable conditions, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If drying of ambient air is performed before carbon dioxide adsorption, then carbon dioxide separation efficiency is improved, but process time and energy demand increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide separation efficiencyVSAvoidprocess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs drying as a preliminary action before carbon dioxide adsorption by pre-treating the ambient air stream to remove water vapor. This preliminary drying step ensures that subsequent carbon dioxide adsorption proceeds with maximum efficiency without time loss during the main separation process, as the drying function is executed in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 the energy efficiency and yield of carbon dioxide separation by optimizing process control with renewable energy sources, reducing energy demand, and minimizing system shutdowns through weather-based adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

adsorbing carbon dioxide from the dried air flow using a physisorbent in a second process chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

desorbing the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the physisorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250339808A1Method And System For Separating Carbon Dioxide From The Ambient Air

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for separating carbon dioxide from the ambient air. The method comprises determining current and/or future weather parameters at the location of the system, conveying an air flow of the ambient air into a first process chamber, wherein the air flow is dried in the first process chamber, adsorbing carbon dioxide from the dried air flow using a physisorbent in a second process chamber, desorbing the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the physisorbent, and storing the desorbed carbon dioxide in a storage unit. It is provided that the process times of the system, the performance parameters of the system, and/or the air flow through the system are adjusted depending on the current or future weather parameters.