Modular Grooved Contactor Stacks for Space-Efficient CO2 Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 scrubbing technologies in submarines are inefficient in terms of space usage and require duplicating system parts for absorb and desorb modes, leading to space constraints and inefficiencies, especially in pressure-swing and temperature-swing systems.
Innovation Solution
A solid CO2 remover immobilized on contactor plates with grooved or shaped channels, allowing for simultaneous gas and thermal transfer fluid flow, enabling asynchronous operation and efficient thermal management for absorption and desorption cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid CO2 absorbers operate in pressure-swing system configuration, then CO2 removal capability is improved, but space efficiency deteriorates due to system duplication for absorb and desorb modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the absorb and desorb functions into a single pressure-swing system by implementing a movable piston that divides a single chamber into two zones. The piston allows one zone to perform absorption while the other performs desorption simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate duplicated systems and improving space efficiency while maintaining CO2 removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable piston that dynamically divides the chamber into variable zones. By moving the piston position, the system can adjust the volume allocation between absorption and desorption zones, enabling flexible operation and continuous CO2 removal without requiring fixed duplicated structures.
2Reliability
If solid CO2 absorbers require temperature-swing for cycling between absorption and desorption, then CO2 binding efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to heating and cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter from temperature-swing to pressure-swing for the CO2 absorption and desorption cycle. By using pressure changes instead of temperature changes, the system achieves CO2 binding and release without requiring complex heating and cooling infrastructure, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining binding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating/cooling system) with a mechanical field (pressure control system). The movable piston mechanically controls pressure distribution to achieve CO2 desorption, substituting complex thermal management with simpler mechanical pressure control.
3Reliability
If absorb rates and desorb rates are dissimilar, then CO2 removal effectiveness is improved, but system sizing must accommodate the slowest process, worsening space efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous CO2 removal by having the movable piston enable simultaneous absorption in one zone and desorption in another zone. This continuous operation allows the system to accommodate faster absorb or desorb rates without being limited by the slower process, as both processes occur concurrently rather than sequentially, improving space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable piston creates periodic zone switching that allows alternating absorption and desorption phases in different spatial locations. This periodic action enables the system to optimize for faster rates in each zone while maintaining overall balance, reducing the need to oversize the system for the slower process.
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 solution provides a modular, scalable, and efficient CO2 removal system that optimizes space usage, improves flexibility, and extends submarine deployment by reducing structural modifications and operational downtime.
Implementation Method 1
For the purposes of simplicity, this document will refer to absorption, however this should not be read as limiting the document to this specific process as the principles of the invention apply to any molecular process
Implementation Method 2
The thermal transfer fluid channel allows a thermal transfer fluid or gas to flow alongside the gas flow channel. This fluid may be at a lower temperature than the gas flow channel to cool it or be at a higher temperature than the gas flow channel to heat it.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a module for a contactor stack, for use in air purification. In particular, the present invention relates to a CO2 removing module, a contactor stack comprising a plurality of said CO2 removing modules, a method of removing CO2 from air using the contactor stack, a method of retrofitting the contactor stack into a submarine atmospheric control system, and a submarine comprising the contactor stack. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a CO2 removing module, for use in a contactor stack, the module comprising: a first grooved plate and a second grooved plate, wherein one or more spaces between the inner faces of the first grooved plate and the second grooved plate define one or more first channels; a top plate to seal the top-most first channel; a bottom plate to seal the bottom-most first channel; and wherein the one or more first channels contain a CO2 removing material.