Electrogenerated Acid–Base Streams for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing and releasing carbon dioxide are inefficient and costly due to the high expenses associated with generating and regenerating capture materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrochemical cells to generate acid and base streams from salt solutions, such as brine, to promote the capture and release of carbon dioxide, combined with the recycling of capture/release streams to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to generate and regenerate capture materials for carbon dioxide capture, then carbon dioxide capture can be achieved, but the process becomes expensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electrochemical cells to generate acids and bases in-situ from common salt solutions, eliminating the need for external purchase and regeneration of specialized capture materials. The electrochemically generated acids and bases continuously perform capture and release functions, making the system self-sufficient and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the capture solution by electrochemically generating acids and bases from salt solutions. By controlling electrical parameters (voltage, current, timing), the system dynamically adjusts the chemical composition to optimize capture efficiency while minimizing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrochemical cells are used to generate acids and bases from salt solutions, then capture material costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical cells perform multiple functions: generating bases for carbon dioxide capture, generating acids for carbon dioxide release, and regenerating the salt solution for reuse. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each operation, thereby managing complexity while achieving cost effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recycles the salt solution and electrogenerated acids and bases through controlled discarding and recovery cycles. The capture stream and release stream are systematically managed to recover valuable components, reducing waste and simplifying overall system operation through structured material flow.
3Productivity
If capture streams are concentrated and recycled, then system efficiency is enhanced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical cells operate continuously to generate acids and bases, maintaining uninterrupted capture and release cycles. The concentrated capture streams are continuously recycled back through the electrochemical cells, eliminating idle time and maintaining constant productive action throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The salt solution is pre-concentrated and prepared before entering the electrochemical cells, and the capture streams are concentrated in advance of recycling. This preliminary concentration reduces the volume requiring processing and accelerates the overall cycle time, improving efficiency without sacrificing thoroughness.
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
This approach achieves a more efficient and cost-effective system for treating carbon dioxide by leveraging low-voltage electrochemical cells and judicious selection of aqueous salt inputs, allowing for the concentration and recycling of capture and release streams.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemical production of acids and/or bases
Implementation Method 2
performing one or more reactions to produce: a base-rich product solution comprising electrogenerated basic species; and an acid-rich product solution comprising electrogenerated acidic species
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for capturing and releasing carbon dioxide at least in part via the electrochemical production of acids and/or bases are generally described. An aqueous input stream that includes a dissolved salt such as sodium chloride may be input into an electrolysis assembly to produce acidic and/or basic species. The basic species may promote capture of carbon dioxide (e.g., via direct air capture or from a point source). The acidic species may promote subsequent release of the carbon dioxide to form a carbon dioxide-rich stream. In some instances, at least some streams are concentrated and/or recycled, thereby improving overall system performance and/or efficiency.