Electrochemical CO2 Capture via pH Swing and Proton Intercalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture systems, such as direct-air capture and flue gas systems, face high energy consumption and economic inefficiencies due to thermally-driven processes and expensive membranes, making them impractical for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical cell system utilizing a pH swing in an alkaline environment with reversible proton intercalation/de-intercalation electrodes and a cation exchange membrane, leveraging Faradaic deionization for low-energy CO2 capture and sequestration, without the need for thermal energy or expensive membranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermally-driven processes are used for CO2 capture, then CO2 can be effectively separated and captured, but energy consumption becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermally-driven mechanical separation processes with electrochemical processes. Specifically, it uses electrochemical cells with pH-swing mechanisms to capture CO2, substituting thermal energy with electrical energy that operates at ambient temperatures, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining capture effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from thermal temperature to electrochemical potential. By using pH-swing electrochemical processes that operate at ambient temperature with controlled pH levels (e.g., pH 10-12 for capture, pH 6-8 for release), the system achieves CO2 separation without the high thermal energy input required by conventional methods
2Reliability
If expensive membranes are used in CO2 capture systems, then separation selectivity is improved, but capital costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the expensive membrane component from the CO2 capture system. Instead of using membranes for separation, it employs electrochemical pH-swing processes that achieve CO2 capture and release through chemical reactions in solution, removing the need for costly membrane materials and their associated manufacturing and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex membranes with simple, inexpensive electrochemical cells containing basic electrolyte solutions. These cells use readily available chemicals (such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solutions) that are much cheaper than specialized membranes, enabling widespread deployment of CO2 capture technology
3Reliability
If conventional CO2 capture systems are deployed, then CO2 can be captured, but the process becomes economically inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the reversible electrochemical process. The same electrochemical cell system performs both CO2 capture and release functions by simply reversing the electrical polarity or adjusting pH levels, eliminating the need for separate capture and release systems. This self-service capability reduces overall system complexity and operational costs, improving economic efficiency while maintaining reliable CO2 capture capability
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 significantly reduces energy consumption and capital costs, enabling efficient and cost-effective CO2 capture and sequestration, with a high selectivity for CO2 over other gases, facilitating the conversion of captured CO2 into valuable products.
Implementation Method 1
An electrochemical cell system utilizing a pH swing in an alkaline environment with reversible proton intercalation/de-intercalation electrodes
Implementation Method 2
reversible proton intercalation/de-intercalation electrodes
Implementation Method 3
leveraging Faradaic deionization for low-energy CO2 capture and sequestration
Implementation Method 4
a cation exchange membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an electrochemical apparatus, comprising a pair of electrodes each composed of an intercalation host compound (IHC), a separator disposed between the pair of electrodes, and a controller configured to control cycling of the electrochemical apparatus, wherein the pair of electrodes is configured to undergo, during the cycling, reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions in electrolyte solutions that facilitate capturing of carbon dioxide (CO2) and release of captured CO2. Additional embodiments are disclosed.