Helical Sorbent Structure for Wind-Adaptive CO2 Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air capture technologies face challenges in efficiently collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide due to high wind conditions that can damage sorbent materials and devices, and moisture-swing sorbents can be inefficient when moisture is not quickly removed, leading to delayed capture and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A passive CO2 capture device with a helical sorbent structure that rotates to adapt to wind conditions and includes a sorbent regeneration system, allowing the sorbent material to be exposed to airflow for capture and enclosed for regeneration, with a collapsible support mechanism to manage wind pressure and moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sorbent material surface area is increased to maximize CO2 capture, then the capture efficiency is improved, but the device becomes more vulnerable to wind damage and requires additional fortification

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture efficiencyVSAvoiddevice stability in wind

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sorbent material is configured to rotate about a vertical axis, transitioning from a static structure vulnerable to wind to a dynamic system that adapts to wind conditions. The rotation allows the sorbent to maintain capture functionality while reducing wind damage through motion, resolving the contradiction between maximizing surface area and ensuring structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the device is fortified to withstand high wind conditions, then the reliability is improved, but the device mass increases requiring more energy for manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidenergy for position and temperature manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using heavy fortification to resist wind, the invention employs dynamic rotation to adapt to wind conditions. This reduces the need for structural reinforcement, thereby minimizing the energy required to manipulate the device's position and temperature while maintaining reliability in high wind environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of wind into a beneficial force by allowing the sorbent to rotate with the wind rather than resist it. This eliminates the need for energy-intensive fortification while maintaining operational reliability, as the wind itself drives the rotation that prevents damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If moisture-swing sorbent material is used to capture CO2, then the capture capability is improved, but excess moisture delays regeneration and reduces overall output

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture capabilityVSAvoidregeneration delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating sorbent material dynamically exposes moisture-laden surfaces to airflow during rotation, enabling continuous moisture removal. This dynamic exposure accelerates the regeneration process by constantly presenting fresh sorbent surfaces to the drying airflow, reducing regeneration delay while maintaining high CO2 capture capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device efficiently captures atmospheric CO2 even in high winds and manages moisture, reducing device damage and energy consumption by optimizing sorbent exposure and regeneration, enhancing the capture process.

Implementation Method 1

Air contactor surfaces that comprise sorbent materials are exposed to passive atmospheric air flows, capturing carbon dioxide with the sorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the helical sorbent structure rotates in response to wind, thereby reducing the pressure exerted on the structure when it is elevated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind force: Wind

Implementation Method 3

a sorbent regeneration system to lower the structure into the vessel, where the sorbent material is regenerated and the captured carbon dioxide is released for further processing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS12377380B2Passive CO<sub>2 </sub>capture device with a helical sorbent structure

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIV OF ARIZONA

AI summary

A device for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed, including a vessel having an opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The device also includes a helical sorbent structure rotatably coupled to the vessel. The sorbent structure has a helical framework coupled to a sorbent material. The sorbent structure is movable between collection and release configurations. The collection configuration includes the sorbent structure extending upward from the vessel to expose the sorbent structure to an airflow and allow the sorbent material to capture atmospheric CO2. The sorbent structure is free to rotate on an axis. The sorbent material is constrained to a helix rotating about and propagating along the axis. The release configuration includes a lid covering the opening, and the sorbent material being sufficiently enclosed inside the vessel that the regeneration system may operate to release captured CO2 from the sorbent material and form an enriched gas.