Fuel Cell Carbon Capture with Replaceable Air Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon capture technologies face challenges with solid metals as fuels, such as low reactivity, difficulty in introduction, and the accumulation of carbon compounds in air electrodes, leading to performance degradation and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A metal-air fuel cell system with a controller that manages fuel supply, air intake, and electrode replacement, allowing continuous carbon dioxide capture and storage by using liquid or gaseous fuels and replacing air electrodes as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional carbon capture methods (amine scrubbing, membrane separation, adsorption) are used, then carbon dioxide can be separated from flue gas, but the process requires large amounts of energy and has high operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide gas into a useful fuel (synthetic natural gas or liquid fuel) through the power-to-liquid process. Instead of merely separating and capturing CO2, the system uses CO2 as a feedstock for fuel synthesis, eliminating the need for energy-intensive separation processes while producing valuable energy carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state and composition of carbon dioxide by combining it with hydrogen through catalytic processes. The CO2 is transformed from a gaseous waste product into liquid or gaseous fuel products, fundamentally altering its physical and chemical parameters to create a beneficial outcome.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon capture and storage (CCS) is implemented, then carbon emissions can be reduced, but the storage capacity is limited and long-term safety cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing CO2 in geological formations with uncertain long-term safety, the patent converts CO2 into stable fuel products that can be utilized immediately or stored as liquid/gaseous fuels. This transforms the harmful emissions into useful energy carriers with known stability and handling characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydrogen as an intermediary substance that reacts with CO2 to form fuel products. This intermediary process allows the transformation of CO2 from a harmful gas into a useful fuel, mediating between the problem of emissions and the solution of energy production.
3Quantity of substance
If direct air capture technology is used, then carbon can be captured from the atmosphere, but the cost is extremely high and not economically viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures CO2 at the source (flue gas from power plants or industrial processes) before it is released into the atmosphere, rather than attempting to capture it from ambient air. This preliminary capture at concentrated sources reduces the energy and cost requirements compared to direct air capture, while still achieving significant carbon reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures CO2 that would otherwise be emitted as waste and converts it into valuable fuel products. This approach simultaneously addresses emissions reduction and creates economic value, making the process financially viable unlike direct air capture which produces captured CO2 with limited commercial value.
4Quantity of substance
If existing carbon capture systems are deployed, then carbon can be collected, but the systems occupy large spaces and have complex structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carbon capture function with the fuel synthesis function into a single integrated power-to-liquid system. Instead of separate capture and storage facilities, the system combines CO2 capture with hydrogenation and fuel production, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining carbon collection capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures CO2, produces hydrogen fuel, and generates electrical power. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate facilities into a single integrated plant, reducing both spatial footprint and structural complexity.
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
Enables continuous carbon dioxide capture and storage with reduced costs and increased efficiency by using reactive metals in liquid or gaseous form, and convenient electrode replacement, producing electrical energy and mineralized resources.
Implementation Method 1
an anode unit including a fuel electrode for performing an oxidation reaction of the fuel supplied from the fuel supply line
Implementation Method 2
a cathode unit including an air electrode for performing a reduction reaction of the gas introduced from the air cartridge
Implementation Method 3
an electrolyte unit including an electrolyte for transferring metal ions generated by the oxidation reaction of the fuel between the anode unit and the cathode unit
Data Source
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AI summary
In the present disclosure, a method, an apparatus, and a system for collecting carbon using a fuel cell principle are disclosed. More specifically, the carbon capture device may comprise an air cartridge in which a gas including a carbon component is introduced; a fuel cartridge in which a fuel is injected; a fuel cell stack; a fuel supply line for supplying the fuel between the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell stack; and a controller, wherein the fuel cell stack may include: an anode unit including a fuel electrode for performing an oxidation reaction of the fuel supplied from the fuel supply line; a cathode unit including an air electrode for performing a reduction reaction of the gas introduced from the air cartridge; and an electrolyte unit including an electrolyte for transferring metal ions generated by the oxidation reaction of the fuel between the anode unit and the cathode unit. Various embodiments for collecting carbon and generating energy are disclosed.