Heat pump module with carbon dioxide separation from air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-scale carbon dioxide capture systems for buildings are energy-intensive and space-consuming, making them economically disadvantageous, especially for residential applications.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump module that integrates a carbon dioxide capture system by utilizing an existing fan to generate ambient air flow, incorporating a gas scrubbing device for wet chemical gas scrubbing, including electrodialysis to separate acids and alkalis, and a refrigerant circuit using carbon dioxide, which is integrated with a photovoltaic system for renewable energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blower is added to generate large volume flow of ambient air for DAC system, then carbon dioxide extraction capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump module's blower is made to serve dual purposes: it generates the large volume flow of ambient air required for effective carbon dioxide extraction in the DAC system, while simultaneously providing the airflow needed for the heat pump's normal heating operation. This eliminates the need for a separate blower dedicated solely to DAC functions, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining high carbon dioxide extraction capability
2Productivity
If a blower is added to generate large volume flow of ambient air for DAC system, then carbon dioxide extraction capability is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump module's blower is made to serve dual purposes: it generates the large volume flow of ambient air required for effective carbon dioxide extraction in the DAC system, while simultaneously providing the airflow needed for the heat pump's normal heating operation. This eliminates the need for a separate blower dedicated solely to DAC functions, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining high carbon dioxide extraction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The DAC system is merged with the heat pump module by integrating the gas scrubbing device into the existing heat pump structure. The blower, heat exchangers, and control systems are shared between both functions, creating a compact combined system that reduces overall space requirements compared to separate DAC and heat pump installations
3Productivity
If large volume flow of ambient air is generated for DAC system, then carbon dioxide extraction capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump module's blower is made to serve dual purposes: it generates the large volume flow of ambient air required for effective carbon dioxide extraction in the DAC system, while simultaneously providing the airflow needed for the heat pump's normal heating operation. This eliminates the need for a separate blower dedicated solely to DAC functions, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining high carbon dioxide extraction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates continuously by integrating the DAC function with the heat pump's continuous heating operation. The blower runs continuously to provide both heating airflow and carbon dioxide extraction, eliminating idle time and ensuring constant productive action. The gas scrubbing device processes the continuous airflow, maintaining uninterrupted carbon dioxide removal
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 provides a cost-effective and space-efficient method for carbon dioxide capture and heating, utilizing existing infrastructure, achieving a net-negative carbon dioxide balance and reducing operational costs and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the gas scrubbing device or the carbon dioxide gas scrubbing device is arranged such that the volume flow generated by the blower is conveyed through the gas scrubbing device, whereby carbon dioxide can be extracted from the volume flow by means of wet chemical gas scrubbing
Implementation Method 2
the electrodialysis device, preferably comprising a bipolar membrane electrodialysis stack. By means of this device, an aqueous salt solution, preferably an aqueous sodium chloride solution, potassium chloride solution, sodium acetate solution, or potassium carbonate solution, can be converted into an acid and an alkali by electrodialysis
Implementation Method 3
In the electrodialysis device, ions are separated from the electrolyte by ion exchange membranes under the influence of an electric field
Implementation Method 4
The heat pump module according to the invention for extracting heat from ambient air, preferably for heating an interior space of a building, comprises a first heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat pump module for extracting heat from ambient air, preferably for heating an interior space of a building, comprising a first heat exchanger (5) and a blower (6) by means of which a volume flow (3) of the ambient air can be conveyed through the first heat exchanger (5).