Liquid Sorbent CO2 Removal via Capillary Action in Microgravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 removal systems in microgravity environments, such as space vehicles, face challenges in achieving both fast kinetics and effective containment of liquid sorbents, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues with existing solid sorbent systems and membrane-based liquid sorbent systems.
Innovation Solution
A liquid sorbent-based CO2 removal system utilizing capillary physics to enable direct contact between the liquid sorbent and gas phase, with recirculating loops and capillary action to manage fluid flow and containment, allowing for efficient CO2 uptake and desorption without the need for physical barriers or high regeneration temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid sorbents are used for CO2 removal in microgravity environments, then containment is improved, but power consumption and volume increase due to high desorption temperatures and large system size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the sorbent from solid to liquid, which fundamentally alters the desorption temperature parameter. Liquid sorbents enable desorption at lower temperatures compared to solid sorbents, thereby reducing the power consumption required for the regeneration process while maintaining effective CO2 removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical heating system required for high-temperature desorption of solid sorbents with a thermal exchange system that utilizes the inherent properties of liquid sorbents. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power heating elements and complex thermal management systems, significantly reducing overall power consumption
2Reliability
If solid sorbents are used for CO2 removal, then containment is improved, but system volume increases to accommodate low capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sorbent phase from solid to liquid, which increases the CO2 capacity per unit volume. Liquid sorbents offer approximately four times greater CO2 capacity compared to solid zeolites, allowing for a compact system design that reduces the overall volume required for effective CO2 removal in microgravity environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid sorbent that replicates and enhances the CO2 absorption functionality of solid sorbents while achieving superior capacity. The liquid sorbent system copies the essential CO2 removal function but improves upon it by providing higher capacity in a smaller volume, eliminating the need for large system enclosures
3Use of energy by moving object
If liquid sorbent systems are used, then power consumption is reduced, but containment becomes difficult in microgravity due to fluid flow control issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid sorbent system into distinct functional zones: an adsorption zone where CO2 is captured, a separation zone where gas-liquid separation occurs, and a desorption zone where CO2 is released. This segmentation allows for controlled fluid flow in each zone, addressing microgravity containment challenges by creating discrete functional regions with specific flow characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary separation mechanism that facilitates gas-liquid separation without relying on gravity-dependent filtration. This intermediary system enables effective containment of the liquid sorbent while allowing CO2 to be removed and released, solving the microgravity containment problem by providing a transition mechanism between phases
4Reliability
If membrane-based liquid sorbent systems are used, then containment is improved, but CO2 removal kinetics become slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the membrane barrier from the system, allowing direct contact between the liquid sorbent and CO2-laden air. By removing the membrane that previously limited mass transfer, the system achieves fast CO2 uptake kinetics while maintaining containment through alternative means such as capillary action and controlled fluid dynamics in microgravity
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 achieves fast and efficient CO2 removal with high containment efficiency, reducing power consumption and mechanical complexity, while maintaining reliability and capacity in microgravity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
CO2 may be captured in a first environment on a first side by a medium (or sorbent) and transferred or exposed to a high temperature/low pressure side where the CO2 may be released
Implementation Method 2
A liquid sorbent-based CO2 removal system utilizing capillary physics to enable direct contact between the liquid sorbent and gas phase
Implementation Method 3
transferred or exposed to a high temperature/low pressure side where the CO2 may be released into a second environment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for removing one or more predetermined gases from an environment is herein disclosed. An embodiment of the system and method will now be described. A means for conveying a fluid and a means for flowing the fluid is combined with adsorber and desorber sections. The fluid flows in the means for conveying the fluid by the means for flowing the fluid. Comparably, the fluid flows in the adsorber and desorber sections not by the means for flowing the fluid, but rather by capillary action. In the adsorber section, the environment is in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid is capable for adsorbing one or more gases from the environment. The fluid exits the adsorber section and subsequently flows into the desorber section. The desorber section is self-contained wherein an inner portion of the desorber section is not in direct contact with the environment. In the desorber section, the one or more gases are desorbed from the fluid into the inner portion of the desorber section. In an embodiment, the one or more gases exit the desorber section and the system as a whole.