Macroporous CO2 Absorbent Structure to Prevent Amine Entrainment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 scrubbing technologies in submarines are inefficient and energy-intensive, leading to suboptimal atmospheric quality and safety concerns due to amine entrainment and high energy costs in creating gas-liquid interfaces, particularly for long-duration voyages.
Innovation Solution
A macro-porous solid support infused with a liquid absorbent forms a stable film on its interior surfaces, allowing direct gas-liquid interaction without the need for energy-intensive bubble creation, reducing amine escape and filtration requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct liquid-air contactors are used for CO2 removal, then CO2 absorption occurs, but amine is entrained into the exiting air flow causing safety concerns and operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous solid support structure that holds the liquid absorbent within its pores. This configuration allows CO2 to diffuse into the liquid absorbent through the porous structure while preventing the liquid from being entrained in the exiting air flow, thus resolving the contradiction between CO2 removal efficiency and amine entrainment prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines a solid porous support structure with a liquid absorbent to create a composite absorption medium. This composite structure provides both the mechanical support needed to contain the liquid and the chemical absorption capability, while preventing liquid entrainment in the gas stream
2Productivity
If gas-liquid interface is created by bubbling or spraying to increase contact area, then CO2 absorption efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases due to pumps and compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The porous solid support structure automatically provides the gas-liquid interface through its inherent porosity and surface area. The liquid absorbent is held within the pores and automatically contacts the passing gas stream without requiring external energy input for bubbling or spraying, thus achieving high contact efficiency with minimal energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical systems (pumps, compressors, agitators) that create gas-liquid interfaces with a passive porous structure that provides the interface through its physical geometry. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical energy input while maintaining effective gas-liquid contact
3Quantity of substance
If liquid absorbent is used in large volumes for gas-liquid contact, then CO2 absorption capacity increases, but the system becomes bulky and requires complex return air filtration equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The porous solid support structure provides a large internal surface area within a compact volume, allowing the liquid absorbent to be distributed throughout the pores rather than requiring large bulk volumes. This compact configuration eliminates the need for bulky filtration equipment while maintaining absorption capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a bulk liquid phase to a distributed film phase within porous structures. This dimensional transformation allows the absorbent to be effectively distributed throughout a compact three-dimensional structure, reducing the overall system volume and eliminating the need for complex external filtration systems
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 maintains a high-surface area for CO2 absorption/desorption, minimizing energy consumption and filtration equipment, thus improving CO2 removal efficiency and safety in submarine environments.
Implementation Method 1
a macro-porous solid support wherein the macro-porous solid support comprises a surface roughness that is suitable for infusion with a liquid absorbent such that the liquid absorbent forms a stable film on at least part of the interior surfaces of the macropores
Implementation Method 2
it is critical to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmospheric air... CO2 from the air dissolves into the absorber liquid... Depending on the active chemistry used, the CO2 binding process may be absorption, adsorption, dissolution or other molecular process
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an absorber element comprising a macro-porous solid support wherein the macro-porous solid support is suitable for infusion with a liquid absorbent such that the liquid absorbent forms a stable film on at least part of the interior surfaces of the macropores. In one aspect, the present invention relates to an absorber element comprising a macro-porous solid support, wherein the macro-porous solid support comprises a surface roughness that is infused with a liquid absorbent such that the liquid absorbent forms a stable film on at least part of the interior surfaces of the macropores.