Modular Grooved Contactor Stacks for Compact CO2 Scrubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 scrubbing technologies in submarines are inefficient in terms of space usage and require complex temperature and pressure switching, limiting their effectiveness and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A solid CO2 remover immobilized on contactor plates with integrated thermal management, utilizing grooved or crenelated channels for gas and thermal fluid flow, allowing asynchronous operation and modular scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solid CO2 absorbers operate in pressure-swing system configuration, then continuous air scrubbing is achieved, but space efficiency deteriorates due to system duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent contactor modules, each capable of operating in different phases (absorption, desorption, cooling). This segmentation allows parallel processing of different air streams, achieving continuous scrubbing without duplicating the entire system, thereby reducing overall space requirements while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic phase switching between contactor modules, where each module can transition between absorption, desorption, and cooling phases. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain continuous air scrubbing capability while using fewer physical units compared to static systems, optimizing space utilization.
2Productivity
If temperature-swing is implemented for solid CO2 absorbers, then CO2 desorption and absorption rates improve, but system complexity increases due to heating and cooling switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function with the desorption process by using pre-cooled air from the absorption phase to cool the desorbing contactor. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective temperature-swing operation for improved CO2 absorption and desorption rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational byproducts (pre-cooled air from absorption phases) to serve the cooling needs of desorption phases. This self-service approach eliminates external cooling systems and reduces complexity, while still achieving the necessary temperature variations for high CO2 absorption and desorption rates.
3Productivity
If direct liquid-air contactors are used, then CO2 removal is achieved, but atmospheric quality deteriorates with higher than desired CO2 levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from liquid-based absorption to solid adsorbent materials, fundamentally changing the absorption parameter. This change enables more efficient CO2 removal, achieving lower residual CO2 levels and improved atmospheric quality while maintaining high productivity. The solid adsorbents provide higher surface area and more effective CO2 binding compared to liquid 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
Enhances CO2 removal efficiency, reduces space requirements, and facilitates retrofitting to existing systems, extending submarine deployment duration.
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
Depending on the active chemistry used, the CO2 binding process may be absorption, adsorption, dissolution or other molecular process.
Implementation Method 3
The thermal transfer fluid can be easily switched from a cold source to a heat source.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
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.