Mesoporous Silica Adsorbent for High-Pressure CO2 Capture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for CO2 capture, such as liquid phase absorption in amine solutions, face challenges like high regeneration costs and corrosion issues, and existing CO2 adsorbents do not effectively combine high uptake, complete regeneration under mild conditions, high thermal stability, and favorable adsorption-desorption kinetics, especially for mesoporous silica materials like MCM-41 at high pressures.

Innovation Solution

The use of mesoporous silica with specific pore volumes, median pore diameters, and BET surface areas for selective CO2, H2S, and SO2 adsorption through pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes, where CO2 is adsorbed under high pressure and desorbed at moderate pressure, utilizing materials like MCM-41-100 and PE-MCM-41 for high gravimetric and volumetric capacities and fast kinetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid phase absorption in amine solutions is used for CO2 capture, then CO2 removal efficiency is improved, but regeneration cost increases and corrosion problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 removal efficiencyVSAvoidregeneration cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical absorption mechanism (amine solutions) with a physical adsorption mechanism using mesoporous silica materials. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical regeneration processes, thereby reducing energy consumption and avoiding corrosion issues while maintaining CO2 removal efficiency through high surface area and selective pore structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs mesoporous silica materials with controlled pore sizes (2-50 nm) and high surface areas to selectively adsorb CO2 molecules. The porous structure provides high CO2 uptake capacity through physical adsorption, enabling efficient CO2 removal without the energy-intensive regeneration required by liquid amine systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Quantity of substance

If conventional CO2 adsorbents are used, then CO2 uptake capacity is improved, but regeneration under mild conditions becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 uptake capacityVSAvoidregeneration condition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology where CO2 is adsorbed at high pressure (30-100 bar) and desorbed at low pressure (1-10 bar) without temperature changes. This parameter change approach allows complete regeneration of mesoporous silica under mild conditions while maintaining high CO2 uptake capacity through reversible physical adsorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If mesoporous silica materials are used for CO2 adsorption, then thermal stability is improved, but adsorption-desorption kinetics become slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidadsorption-desorption kinetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the local pore structure of mesoporous silica by controlling pore diameter (2-50 nm) and surface area (500-2000 m²/g) to enhance CO2 diffusion rates. The localized pore geometry and surface chemistry are tailored to facilitate rapid adsorption-desorption kinetics while maintaining the inherent thermal stability of the silica framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Quantity of substance

If high pressure adsorption is used for CO2 capture, then CO2 adsorption capacity is improved, but energy consumption for pressure maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 adsorption capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic pressure swing adsorption cycles where the system alternates between high-pressure adsorption phases (maximizing CO2 capacity) and low-pressure desorption phases (regenerating the adsorbent). This periodic operation allows the system to achieve high CO2 adsorption capacity while minimizing energy consumption by utilizing pressure differential rather than continuous high-pressure maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 achieves high CO2 adsorption capacities, selectivity, and efficient regeneration with low energy requirements, suitable for bulk CO2 separation and recovery at high pressures, maintaining performance in both dry and humid conditions.

Implementation Method 1

conducting said gas stream through an adsorbent containing a mesoporous material under high pressure to adsorb said CO2 onto said adsorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

reducing the pressure on said adsorbent having CO2 adsorbed thereon to a moderate pressure to desorb at least a fraction of the adsorbed CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS8361200B2Materials, methods and systems for selective capture of CO<sub>2 </sub>at high pressure

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 SAYARI ABDELHAMID

AI summary

The present invention provides methods and systems for carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases capture via adsorption at high pressure using mesoporous materials.