Porous Gas Sorbent Monolith With Non-Aqueous Binder for Methane Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorbent materials for natural gas storage systems face challenges in achieving high volumetric and gravimetric working capacity, are prone to pore shrinkage and dimensional distortion due to conventional binders, and struggle with efficient gas release at ambient pressures, leading to reduced storage capacity and performance variability.
Innovation Solution
The use of a non-aqueous binder with a porous gas sorbent material featuring a significant pore volume distribution of 9-27 Å, combined with a mechanical adhesion mechanism, results in a porous gas sorbent monolith with superior and predictable dimensions, enhanced adsorbent density, and improved gas storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional binders are used to form porous gas sorbent monoliths, then the adsorbent material can be held together in a structured form, but the binders cause pore shrinkage and dimensional distortion that reduce storage capacity and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes conventional binders entirely from the monolith formulation. Instead of using binders to hold the porous gas sorbent material together, the system relies on the mechanical interlocking and friction between particles during compression, eliminating the source of pore shrinkage and dimensional distortion while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lubricant as an intermediary substance during the compression process. This lubricant facilitates particle rearrangement and reduces friction between particles, enabling the formation of a stable monolith structure without requiring binders that would cause pore shrinkage
2Quantity of substance
If the pore size distribution is optimized for methane storage (9-12 Å), then adsorption capacity is maximized, but gas release at ambient pressures becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different pore size regions within the monolith structure. The pore size distribution is engineered to have predominant pores in the 9-12 Å range for methane adsorption, while also incorporating larger pores that facilitate gas release at ambient pressures, allowing different regions to perform different functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pore size distribution parameters from a narrow 9-12 Å range to a broader distribution that extends to larger pore sizes. This parameter change enables the material to maintain high methane storage capacity while also achieving efficient gas release at ambient pressures through the larger pores
3Quantity of substance
If adsorbent density is increased to improve volumetric capacity, then more gas can be stored per unit volume, but the mechanical adhesion mechanism may compromise dimensional stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a lubricant during the compression process to facilitate proper particle arrangement and interlocking before the monolith is fully formed. This preliminary lubrication ensures that high adsorbent density can be achieved while maintaining dimensional stability through proper mechanical interlocking of particles
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 solution provides a lightweight, high-performance adsorbent monolith with stable gas storage capacity across multiple cycles, minimizing shrinkage and maintaining high volumetric and gravimetric capacity, while efficiently releasing gas at ambient pressures.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a non-aqueous binder with a porous gas sorbent material featuring a significant pore volume distribution of 9-27 Å, combined with a mechanical adhesion mechanism
Implementation Method 2
Adsorption of gas molecules on the surface of a solid and formation of the condenses phase within its pores is an exothermic phenomenon. In the ANG application, the primary adsorption is known as van der Waals forces, or weak force interactions
Implementation Method 3
Adsorption of gas molecules on the surface of a solid and formation of the condenses phase within its pores is an exothermic phenomenon. In the ANG application, the primary adsorption is known as van der Waals forces, or weak force interactions
Implementation Method 4
When copious amounts of gas are released a significant temperature decrease is noted for the system
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for a porous gas sorbent material with superior gravimetric working capacity and volumetric capacity, a gas storage system including a porous gas sorbent material of the present disclosure, methods of making the same, and method for storing a gas. The porous gas sorbent material includes a gas adsorbing material and a non-aqueous binder.