Humidity-Driven Sorbent for CO2 Delivery to Greenhouse Biomass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for addressing climate change and environmental pollution, such as carbon capture and water purification, are often energy inefficient and pose safety concerns, and there is a need for systems that can effectively capture greenhouse gases like CO2 while also improving plant growth and water quality.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines aquatic macrophytes like duckweed with solid sorbents to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and release it into enclosures where the macrophytes can utilize it for enhanced growth, while also purifying contaminated water, using a rotating sorbent mechanism to alternate CO2 capture and release based on humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If solid sorbents are used to capture CO2 from the atmosphere, then CO2 concentration in the greenhouse is increased, but energy consumption increases for operating the CO2 capture and delivery system
Solution Approach 1:
The solid sorbent automatically captures CO2 from the atmosphere and releases it in the greenhouse based on humidity changes during the day, eliminating the need for external energy input. The sorbent uses the natural humidity cycle (absorbing moisture during night dew formation and releasing it during daytime) to drive the CO2 capture and delivery process
Solution Approach 2:
Humidity acts as an intermediary that triggers the CO2 release mechanism. The solid sorbent captures CO2 when dry and releases it when exposed to moisture, using humidity as a natural trigger to transfer CO2 from the atmosphere to the greenhouse without requiring mechanical or electrical systems
2Productivity
If CO2 levels are increased to enhance plant growth, then biomass production increases, but excessive CO2 concentrations may become harmful to plant health
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides periodic CO2 delivery through the solid sorbent that naturally cycles between capture and release phases. CO2 is released during daytime when plants are actively photosynthesizing and can utilize it, and capture occurs during nighttime when plants are not actively using CO2, creating a rhythm that matches plant physiological needs
Solution Approach 2:
The solid sorbent system responds to humidity conditions as a feedback mechanism. When CO2 concentration in the greenhouse rises, the sorbent can capture it during nighttime humidity cycles, providing a self-regulating mechanism that prevents excessive accumulation while maintaining beneficial levels during daytime
3Quantity of substance
If traditional CO2 capture technologies are used, then CO2 can be captured from the atmosphere, but the technologies are energy inefficient and pose safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The solid sorbent system operates autonomously using natural humidity cycles without requiring external energy input. The sorbent material itself performs the work of capturing and releasing CO2 through passive adsorption and desorption processes driven by environmental moisture changes, eliminating energy consumption entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The solid sorbent can be a simple, inexpensive material that does not require complex regeneration systems. The system accepts that the sorbent may need periodic replacement rather than investing in expensive, energy-intensive regeneration equipment, prioritizing simplicity and low operational cost over long-term material reuse
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
This system efficiently captures CO2, enhances the growth rate of aquatic macrophytes by maintaining higher CO2 concentrations, and effectively purifies water, offering a dual solution to environmental pollution and climate change while being energy-efficient and safe.
Implementation Method 1
a solid sorbent configured to capture CO2 in air exterior to the enclosure and release the captured CO2 to the interior of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
WO 2008 042919 A1 describes a method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from ambient air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to greenhouses
Implementation Method 3
increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth
Implementation Method 4
using a rotating sorbent mechanism to alternate CO2 capture and release based on humidity levels
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for using photo synthetic biomass to purify water, reduce indoor air pollution, remove greenhouse gases including CO2 from outdoor atmospheric air, and produce biofuel, food products, and fertilizer are provided herein. Also provided herein are systems and methods for enhancing growth of a photo synthetic biomass in a greenhouse.