Exhaust-Stack CO2 Capture Vessels with Adaptive Sorbent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems are inadequate in efficiently capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from exhaust stacks in buildings, particularly in high-concentration environments, and lack effective monitoring and control mechanisms to minimize harmful by-products.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising emissions capture reaction vessels with reaction media containers, housing inlets and outlets, fans, and sensors, controlled by a controller and remote computer system, which captures carbon dioxide from exhaust stacks and processes it through sorbent materials for sequestration, while minimizing harmful gas generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing systems are used to capture carbon dioxide emissions, then some capture capability is provided, but the capture efficiency is inadequate particularly in high-concentration environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs reaction media with adjustable chemical properties and flow rates to optimize capture efficiency for different emission concentrations. The controller dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as media flow rate, reaction temperature, and pressure to maintain high capture performance across varying CO2 concentration levels, particularly improving effectiveness in high-concentration environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes composite reaction media comprising multiple sorbent materials with complementary properties. This composite approach enhances the overall capture capacity and selectivity for carbon dioxide, allowing the system to achieve high capture efficiency across a broader range of operating conditions including high-concentration emission streams.
2Loss of substance
If existing systems capture emissions, then some carbon dioxide is sequestered, but harmful by-products are generated and lack effective monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the composition of the gas stream and the performance of the reaction media. This feedback is processed by a controller that adjusts operational parameters in real-time to maximize CO2 capture while minimizing harmful by-product formation. The system can detect changes in emission composition and adjust media flow rates or replace media proactively to maintain optimal performance and reduce harmful outputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to convert potentially harmful by-products into beneficial outcomes. The reaction media and process conditions are optimized to transform captured carbon dioxide into stable, non-harmful compounds such as carbonates. Additionally, any harmful by-products generated are monitored and converted through secondary reaction pathways or neutralization processes, turning them into harmless or useful substances.
3Ease of operation
If existing systems operate without effective monitoring, then basic capture function is maintained, but timely media replacement cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual monitoring and decision-making with automated electronic sensors and a controller. Sensors continuously measure gas composition, flow rates, and reaction media performance, while the controller automatically processes this data to determine optimal media replacement timing. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with electronic monitoring eliminates the need for manual inspection and ensures timely media replacement based on actual performance data rather than fixed schedules.
4Device complexity
If no control mechanisms are implemented, then system simplicity is maintained, but harmful by-products are not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-regulating control mechanisms where the reaction media and process conditions automatically adjust to minimize harmful by-products. The controller monitors output composition and autonomously modifies operational parameters such as flow rates, temperature, and pressure without external intervention. This self-service approach allows the system to maintain low by-product generation through inherent feedback loops while keeping the control architecture relatively simple and integrated into the existing capture process.
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 captures and sequesters carbon dioxide, reduces harmful emissions, and allows for efficient monitoring and control of the process, ensuring minimal by-product generation and enabling timely media replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction media container (114) arranged within the housing (111) and configured to house a volume of reaction media, the reaction media configured to extract a constituent gas from gas flowing through the emissions capture reaction vessel (110) and capture constituent gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system for directly capturing and measuring greenhouse gasses from a mixture of gasses over a wide range of concentrations from ambient air to combustion exhaust products including: an emissions capture reaction vessel; a reaction media container configured to house a volume of reaction media, the reaction media configured to extract a constituent gas from gas flowing through the emissions capture reaction vessel and capture constituent gas; an intake and exhaust manifold configured to receive and release, respectively a portion of a gas stream via a first access tap on the exhaust stack; a computer system comprised of sensors and actuators connected to a network to directly measure efficiency and uptake of a system, and a fan arranged within the housing and configured to influence the amount and speed of the gas stream.