Electroswing CO2 Recovery System with Sensor-Based Potential Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon dioxide recovery systems using electrochemical cells face challenges in accurately determining the adsorption amount of carbon dioxide, particularly due to low concentrations in the atmosphere, leading to inefficiencies and energy losses.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide recovery system that includes a sensor and controller to detect and correlate the recovery amount of carbon dioxide, allowing for precise control of adsorption and desorption potentials based on target adsorption amounts, optimizing energy usage and recovery efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the application time period of adsorption potential is extended to increase adsorption amount, then the adsorption amount increases, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorption amountVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a sensor to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the application time period of the adsorption potential based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage while achieving the required adsorption amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The application time period of the adsorption potential is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the time period in real-time based on the detected carbon dioxide concentration and the current adsorption state, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions and minimize energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the concentration of carbon dioxide is low in the atmosphere, then the system operates in low-concentration environments, but it becomes difficult to grasp the adsorption amount

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate in low concentration environmentsVSAvoidadsorption amount detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor continuously monitors the carbon dioxide concentration and provides real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to accurately track the adsorption amount even when the carbon dioxide concentration is low, as the controller can calculate the difference between the initial and current concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct mechanical measurement of adsorption amount with an indirect measurement approach using a sensor to detect carbon dioxide concentration. This substitution allows for accurate measurement in low-concentration environments where direct measurement would be difficult.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively grasps the target adsorption amount of carbon dioxide, reducing energy losses and enhancing recovery efficiency by accurately controlling the application time of adsorption potentials, even in environments with low carbon dioxide concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

recovers carbon dioxide from a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide by an electrochemical reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

an adsorbent capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

the electroactive material on the negative electrode is oxidized. As a result, carbon dioxide is released from the electroactive material on the negative electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4268938A1Electroswing carbon dioxide recovery system

Publication Date: 2023.11.01 DENSO CORP

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AI summary

In a carbon dioxide recovery system, an electrochemical cell of a recovery device includes a working electrode having an adsorbent capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide, and a counter electrode paired with the working electrode. A sensor detects a recovery amount that is an amount of carbon dioxide recovered in the recovery device and sent to a carbon dioxide recovery tank. A controller applies a first potential between the electrodes only for an adsorption time period in an adsorption mode such that the adsorbent adsorbs carbon dioxide. The adsorption time period corresponds to a target adsorption amount that is an amount of carbon dioxide that can be adsorbed by the adsorbent. The controller applies a second potential between the electrodes in the recovery mode such that the adsorbed carbon dioxide is desorbed. The controller acquires the target adsorption amount as a correlation value correlated with the detected recovery amount.