Modular Carbon Dioxide Absorption System with Vacuum Desorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing carbon dioxide from flue gases are inefficient and costly, particularly for fossil-fuel power plants, with high energy requirements and large footprints, limiting their adoption and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovation Solution

A modular carbon capture system that uses an absorbent material, such as perfluorocarbons, to selectively absorb carbon dioxide from flue gas streams, allowing for on-site production and subsequent desorption and capture, reducing energy consumption and infrastructure needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional carbon dioxide capture methods (amine scrubbing, cryogenic fractionation, membrane separation) are used, then carbon dioxide can be removed from flue gases, but the systems require high energy consumption and large infrastructure footprint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide capture efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the absorption process by using a cyclic carbonate solvent system that operates at moderate temperatures and pressures. The solvent composition and absorption conditions are optimized to achieve high CO2 capture efficiency without requiring the high energy input of conventional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition phenomena in the cyclic carbonate solvent system, where the solvent undergoes reversible changes in its absorption capacity for CO2 under varying pressure and temperature conditions, enabling efficient capture and release cycles with lower energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If conventional carbon dioxide capture methods are used, then carbon dioxide can be removed from flue gases, but the systems require large infrastructure footprint and high capital costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide capture efficiencyVSAvoidinfrastructure footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the carbon capture system into modular units that can be deployed incrementally. The absorption tower, solvent regeneration system, and CO2 collection components are designed as separate but integrated modules, allowing the system to be scaled according to specific plant requirements without requiring large upfront infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclic carbonate solvent system is designed to be universally applicable to different types of flue gas sources and power plant configurations. The same basic absorption technology can serve multiple functions across different industrial applications, reducing the need for specialized infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional carbon dioxide capture methods are used, then carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced, but the implementation costs are prohibitively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegreenhouse gas emissionsVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective cyclic carbonate solvent that can be readily synthesized or sourced at lower cost compared to conventional amine-based solvents. The solvent system is designed to be economically viable for regular replacement or regeneration, reducing overall implementation and operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical separation methods (cryogenic fractionation, membrane separation) with a chemical absorption approach using cyclic carbonate solvents. This substitution reduces both capital equipment costs and operational energy expenses while maintaining effective CO2 capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables efficient, low-energy capture and release of carbon dioxide, adaptable to various industries and power plant sizes, reducing transportation and handling costs while providing a pure carbon dioxide stream for reuse or storage, thus mitigating atmospheric emissions.

Implementation Method 1

passing a stream of flue gas through a vessel containing a material preferentially absorbing carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPreferential absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

reducing the pressure within the vessel to a value sufficient to cause the carbon dioxide to desorb from the absorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS8915987B2Carbon dioxide absorption system

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 DRESSLER LAWRENCE V

AI summary

Carbon dioxide is removed from a source gas stream by admission to a vessel containing a quantity of a material preferentially absorbing carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide content of an escaping gas stream is monitored. When the carbon dioxide content of the escaping gas stream indicates that absorbent is saturated with carbon dioxide, an inlet valve is closed, and a vacuum applied, causing the carbon dioxide to be desorbed for collection.