Magnetic Induction CO2 Adsorber for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 removal technologies from air in closed habitats and Direct Air Capture systems are energy-intensive, requiring complex water management systems and consuming significant energy, with high thermal and electrical demands, and are heavy, which is problematic for applications like aviation and space where weight and energy efficiency are critical.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaning device utilizing a magnetic induction heating system to regenerate adsorbing material, comprising a cavity with adsorbing material that absorbs CO2 during an adsorbing phase and desorbs it during a regenerating phase using an alternating magnetic field, reducing energy consumption and weight by employing a vacuum pump and controller to manage phases and minimize energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam regeneration of adsorbing material is used, then CO2 separation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to water management systems and steam generator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the water management system and steam generator from the CO2 separation process. By using magnetic induction heating directly on the adsorbing material, the system removes the need for complex water-based regeneration infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining CO2 separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal steam generation system with a magnetic induction heating system. The magnetic field generator directly heats the adsorbing material through induction, substituting the complex water-based thermal system with a more simplified electromagnetic heating approach
2Reliability
If steam regeneration is used, then CO2 separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases to approx. 2000 kWh per ton of CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating method from conventional thermal heating to magnetic induction heating. This parameter change in the heating mechanism significantly reduces energy consumption by improving heating efficiency and directly targeting the adsorbing material without the energy losses associated with steam generation and water management systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic magnetic field activation to regenerate the adsorbing material. By applying the magnetic field in controlled cycles during the regeneration phase, the system achieves efficient energy transfer to the adsorbing material, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous steam generation methods
3Reliability
If conventional CO2 removal systems are used, then CO2 separation is achieved, but weight increases, which is problematic for aviation and space applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes heavy components such as water tanks, pumps, and steam generators from the system. By extracting these unnecessary components and using a lightweight magnetic induction heating system, the overall weight of the CO2 removal device is significantly reduced, making it suitable for aviation and space applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical water management systems with a lightweight magnetic field generation system. The electromagnetic induction heating mechanism uses significantly less mass compared to conventional thermal processing equipment, thereby reducing the overall system weight while maintaining CO2 separation 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 system significantly reduces energy demand, achieving efficient CO2 capture and release with lower electrical and thermal energy consumption, while maintaining a lightweight design suitable for applications in submarines, spacecraft, and other closed habitats.
Implementation Method 1
the gas passing from the inlet valve through the cavity and out of the outlet valve penetrates the adsorbing material. Thereby, the adsorbing material adsorbs CO2 from the gas
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to activate the magnetic field generator, thereby heating the adsorbing material by induction heating
Implementation Method 3
heating the adsorbing material by induction heating and desorbing the CO2 from the adsorbing material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An air cleaning device (100) for removing CO2 from a gas and a vehicle having a life support system with such an air cleaning device (100) is provided. The air cleaning device (100) comprises an adsorber bed module (1), a controller (7), a generator of alternating magnetic field and a vacuum pump (9). The adsorber bed module (1) comprises a cavity (2), an inlet valve (3), an outlet valve (4), an adsorbing material (5) within the cavity (2), and an inductor coil (6) of the magnetic field generator. The adsorbing material (5) has magnetic properties. The controller (7) is configured to control the air cleaning device (100) in one of an adsorbing phase, an evacuating phase, and a regenerating phase. In the adsorbing phase a gas passing from the inlet valve (3) through the cavity and out of the outlet valve (4) penetrates the adsorbing material (5). Thereby, the adsorbing material (5) adsorbs CO2 from the gas. In the evacuating phase, the cavity (2) is evacuated by the vacuum pump (9). In the regenerating phase, the inlet valve (3) and the outlet valve (4) are in a closed state and the controller (7) is configured to activate the magnetic field generator (6), thereby heating the adsorbing material (5) by induction heating and desorbing the CO2 from the adsorbing material (5).