Greenhouse Gas Processing System with Zeolite Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing greenhouse gases from landfills, such as methane and carbon dioxide, are inefficient as they either release additional carbon dioxide during combustion or fail to effectively separate and utilize these gases, contributing to atmospheric warming.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a collection subsystem for methane and carbon dioxide, a combustion subsystem that generates electrical energy and additional carbon dioxide through methane combustion, and a separation subsystem using an adsorption chamber with zeolite adsorbent material to separate carbon dioxide and water from the combustion effluent, enhancing carbon dioxide collection and water production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If methane is combusted to generate electrical energy, then energy production is improved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide produced by methane combustion into a beneficial product by capturing and purifying it through the separation subsystem. The combustion subsystem generates electrical energy while the separation subsystem recovers carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent, transforming the harmful emission into a marketable commodity that can be utilized in various applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding carbon dioxide as waste emissions from methane combustion, the system recovers it through the separation subsystem using adsorption technology. The carbon dioxide is captured from the combustion effluent, purified, and collected for potential commercial use, thereby recovering what would otherwise be a harmful byproduct.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If landfill gas is flared to the atmosphere, then methane emissions are reduced, but energy recovery is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful practice of flaring landfill gas into a beneficial energy production process. By using the combustion subsystem to generate electrical energy from methane and the separation subsystem to recover carbon dioxide, the system transforms what was once a waste disposal method into a dual-purpose energy and material recovery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the landfill gas processing self-serving by generating electrical energy to power the collection and separation subsystems, and by producing purified carbon dioxide that can be used to offset the energy consumption of the system, thereby making the process increasingly self-sufficient.
3Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide and water are separated from combustion effluent, then greenhouse gas collection is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous adsorbent materials in the adsorption chamber to selectively capture carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent. The porous structure of the adsorbent material provides high surface area for gas adsorption, enabling efficient carbon dioxide separation without requiring complex mechanical separation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation subsystem utilizes phase transitions, particularly condensation of water vapor and adsorption of carbon dioxide gas onto solid adsorbent material. These phase change processes occur naturally under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, simplifying the separation mechanism compared to mechanical or chemical methods.
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 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by converting methane into electrical energy and additional carbon dioxide, while separating and utilizing carbon dioxide and water, offering multiple revenue streams and reducing landfill gas release.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to cool the gaseous combustion effluent prior to the gaseous combustion effluent entering the adsorption chamber and condense water within the gaseous combustion effluent
Implementation Method 2
an adsorption chamber comprising an adsorbent material that is arranged to adsorb carbon dioxide from the remaining gaseous combustion effluent by way of a physical adsorption process
Implementation Method 3
a combustion subsystem configured to combust said methane in said gaseous mixture and output a gaseous combustion effluent, wherein said combustion subsystem generates electrical energy, water and additional quantities of said carbon dioxide
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for processing greenhouse gases including a collection subsystem configured to collect a gaseous mixture including carbon dioxide and methane, a combustion subsystem configured to combust the methane in the gaseous mixture and output a gaseous combustion effluent, wherein the combustion subsystem generates electrical energy, water and additional quantities of carbon dioxide, and a separation subsystem configured to separate the carbon dioxide from the gaseous combustion effluent.