High-Pressure Electrolysis for Self-Driven CO2 Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing methane gas from hydrogen and carbon dioxide are inefficient and require additional energy for compressing carbon dioxide, which is energy-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method using a high-pressure electrolyser to generate high-pressure oxygen gas, which is used as a drive gas to compress carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas, eliminating the need for additional energy and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If carbon dioxide is compressed using conventional compressors, then the carbon dioxide can be pressurized for the reaction, but additional external energy is required which reduces overall process efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide pressureVSAvoidenergy consumption for compression

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The high-pressure oxygen gas produced by the electrolyser serves its own purpose by driving the compressor to pressurize carbon dioxide. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external energy input for compression, as the system uses its own by-product (high-pressure oxygen) to perform the compression task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the oxygen production function with the carbon dioxide compression function into a single integrated system. The high-pressure oxygen from the electrolyser is directly coupled to drive the compressor, merging two separate processes (electrolysis and compression) into one efficient workflow that eliminates energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If high-pressure electrolysis is used to generate high-pressure hydrogen, then the hydrogen is ready for reaction without further compression, but the carbon dioxide still requires compression which consumes energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss in CO2 compression

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the high-pressure oxygen generated during electrolysis to self-drive the compression of carbon dioxide. This creates a self-sufficient system where the energy required for CO2 compression is provided internally by the electrolysis process itself, rather than requiring external energy input that would reduce overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts what would normally be a waste product (high-pressure oxygen that might be vented or require separate handling) into a useful resource that drives the compression process. This transforms a potential loss into a benefit, eliminating energy waste in the compression step.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Device complexity

If conventional compression methods are used for carbon dioxide, then the equipment is simple, but the overall system energy efficiency is reduced due to additional energy requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression system complexityVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrolysis system with the compression system by using the electrolyser's output (high-pressure oxygen) to directly drive the compressor. This integration maintains relatively simple device architecture while dramatically improving energy efficiency, as it eliminates the need for separate external power sources for compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The high-pressure oxygen serves multiple functions: it is both a product of the electrolysis reaction and a drive gas for the compressor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional equipment and energy inputs, maintaining simplicity while improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 process achieves high efficiency in producing synthetic hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, with reduced energy consumption and a smaller reactor footprint, while utilizing by-products like calcium oxide to mitigate carbon emissions.

Implementation Method 1

Water electrolysis is the process of converting water to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas by means of electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

feeding a reciprocating positive displacement pump comprising a reciprocating member, with a stream of CO2, and with the stream of high-pressure oxygen gas as drive gas to actuate the reciprocating member and compress the CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive displacement compression: Pump

Implementation Method 3

The hydrogen gas thus obtained can be reacted with carbon to obtain methane gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS12442096B2Method of compressing carbon dioxide using high-pressure electrolysis

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 HYMETH APS

AI summary

A method of compressing carbon dioxide, CO2, including a) generating a stream of high-pressure oxygen gas and a stream of high-pressure hydrogen gas using a high-pressure electrolyser, b) feeding a reciprocating positive displacement pump comprising a reciprocating member, with a stream of CO2, and with the stream of high-pressure oxygen gas as drive gas to actuate the reciprocating member and compress the CO2 to obtain a stream of high-pressure CO2.