Modular CO2 Capture Reactor with Joule Heating Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon capture systems are complex, energy-intensive, and often interfere with existing equipment, requiring significant modifications and using substantial raw materials and water, making them inefficient and costly for large-scale implementation.
Innovation Solution
A modular system that integrates carbon dioxide separation and collection using a reactor with monoliths impregnated with sorbents like metal carbonates or amines, employing joule heating for efficient regeneration of carbon dioxide, which can be easily integrated into existing industrial equipment such as cooling towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing carbon capture systems are implemented, then carbon dioxide can be captured from the fluid, but the systems become complex and energy-intensive with significant equipment modifications required
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the carbon capture process into separate functional modules: a contactor unit with sorbent material for CO2 absorption, and a regeneration unit with heating elements for CO2 release. This modular segmentation allows independent optimization of each function and simplifies integration into existing equipment without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material serves multiple functions: it absorbs CO2 in the contactor unit during normal operation, and then releases concentrated CO2 in the regeneration unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each process stage, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining capture effectiveness.
2Reliability
If existing carbon capture systems are implemented, then carbon dioxide can be captured from the fluid, but substantial raw materials and water are consumed making them costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and concentrates CO2 from the fluid stream by passing it through the sorbent material. Instead of discarding the sorbent after single-use absorption, the regeneration unit heats the sorbent to release concentrated CO2, which is then collected. This recovery approach reduces the need for continuous raw material input and minimizes waste disposal requirements, lowering operational costs.
3Reliability
If existing carbon capture systems are implemented, then carbon dioxide can be captured from the fluid, but they interfere with existing equipment requiring significant modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor unit and regeneration unit are designed as separate, self-contained modules that can be independently installed and operated. This segmentation allows the system to be integrated into existing equipment at strategic points in the process flow without requiring modification of the entire existing system, thereby improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material acts as an intermediary between the fluid stream and the CO2 collection system. It temporarily holds CO2 molecules, allowing the system to decouple the CO2 removal function from direct modification of the main process equipment. This intermediary approach enables easier integration as the sorbent can be contained in separate vessels that interface with existing equipment without disrupting its operation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If modular system with monoliths and joule heating is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system requires new technology implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical or thermal heating methods with joule heating (electrical resistance heating) in the regeneration unit. This substitution directly reduces energy consumption by heating only the sorbent material locally and efficiently without the energy losses associated with large-scale thermal processing. The electrical heating elements can be precisely controlled and integrated into the modular design, managing implementation complexity through standard electrical components.
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 efficiently captures and regenerates carbon dioxide with minimal impact on existing equipment performance, reducing energy consumption and capital costs, and allowing for rapid scaling and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the fluid with a first sorbent disposed in the first chamber such that the first sorbent adsorbs carbon dioxide from the fluid
Implementation Method 2
employing joule heating for efficient regeneration of carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed to a system for extracting carbon dioxide from a fluid. The system can include a fluid source and a reactor. The reactor can include one or more chambers, and each chamber can include one or more monoliths for adsorbing carbon dioxide from the fluid. The chambers can be alternatively unsealed for a contacting mode and sealed for a regeneration mode. A power source can provide an electric current to the monoliths to release carbon dioxide adsorbed by the monoliths. Each chamber can include an array of monoliths. Each monolith can include a sorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide from fluid. The system can include modular components such that the number of reactors can be increased or decreased.