Hydrocyclone Membrane Contactor for CO2 Removal Without Absorber Carryover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 scrubbing technologies in submarines are inefficient and bulky, leading to suboptimal atmospheric quality and significant liquid absorber carryover, necessitating bulky secondary cleanup systems, which are not suitable for confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocyclone contactor module with a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane is used, where the liquid absorber flows in a continuous spiral inside the membrane, and gas passes outside, allowing CO2 diffusion without direct liquid-gas contact, reducing carryover and enabling independent flow rate adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If direct liquid-gas contactors are used for CO2 removal, then CO2 absorption occurs, but significant liquid absorber carryover occurs in the purified gas stream
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid absorber and gas stream. The membrane allows CO2 to pass through while blocking liquid absorber molecules, thus enabling CO2 removal without liquid carryover. This resolves the contradiction by mediating the interaction between liquid and gas phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a hydrophobic membrane (thin film) as the contactor surface where gas and liquid interact. The membrane's selective permeability allows CO2 transfer while preventing liquid passage, eliminating carryover issues inherent in direct contact systems.
2Productivity
If large areas of liquid-gas interface are created for fast CO2 contact, then CO2 removal efficiency improves, but liquid absorber carryover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic membrane provides a large surface area for CO2 transfer without requiring bulk liquid-gas mixing. CO2 diffuses through the membrane surface while liquid is confined to one side, achieving high removal efficiency without carryover.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane's porous structure allows selective passage of CO2 molecules while repelling liquid absorber. This enables efficient CO2 removal through the membrane's large surface area without liquid carryover.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If secondary cleanup systems are added to remove liquid absorber from purified gas, then airborne contaminant levels are reduced, but system volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic membrane acts as a built-in separator that prevents liquid absorber from entering the gas stream in the first place. This eliminates the need for separate secondary cleanup systems, reducing overall system volume while maintaining low airborne contaminant levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid absorber carryover problem is extracted and eliminated at the source by using the hydrophobic membrane barrier, rather than adding separate cleanup systems downstream. This reduces system complexity and volume.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional contactor systems are used, then CO2 removal is achieved, but system space requirements increase due to bulky equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic membrane contactor replaces bulky conventional contactor equipment with a compact membrane-based system. The membrane's large surface area is achieved in a thin, space-efficient configuration, reducing overall system volume while maintaining CO2 removal effectiveness.
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 approach enhances CO2 absorption efficiency, reduces liquid absorber loss, minimizes the need for bulky cleanup systems, and lowers power consumption, making it suitable for submarines by optimizing space and energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrocyclone having a cyclonic cone section constructed from a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
allowing CO2 diffusion without direct liquid-gas contact
Implementation Method 3
A hydrocyclone works by creating a high-speed, rotating flow within a cylindrical or conical chamber. This swirling motion generates centrifugal force, causing heavier particles to move outward toward the chamber walls
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hydrocyclone contactor module for use in gas purification. In particular, the present invention relates to a CO2 removing hydrocyclone contactor module, a system comprising one more CO2 removing hydrocyclone contactor modules as defined herein, a method of removing CO2 from gas using the hydrocyclone contactor module, a method of retrofitting the hydrocyclone contactor module or system comprising the hydrocyclone contactor module into a submarine atmospheric control system, and a submarine comprising the hydrocyclone contactor module or system comprising the hydrocyclone contactor module. In a one aspect, the present invention relates to a module for removing CO2 from gas, the module comprising: a hydrocyclone having a cyclonic cone section constructed from a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane; an inlet to the cyclonic cone section; and an outlet at the apex of the cyclonic cone section.