Moving Sorbent Web CO2 Capture Without Steam Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional carbon capture systems require significant energy and water input, affecting their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and often rely on direct steam application which undermines their environmental benefits.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide capture system using a flexible web that contacts gas and employs a sorbent material, transporting it between zones with different temperatures and pressures to desorb CO2 without direct steam or wetting, and recapturing heat for reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional carbon capture systems use direct steam application for heating sorbent, then CO2 capture process can be completed, but energy consumption and water consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes water from the conventional steam heating process, replacing it with a dry heating method using heated air or gas. This extraction of water eliminates the water consumption issue while maintaining the heating function needed for CO2 desorption from the sorbent material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating medium parameter from steam (liquid phase) to heated air or gas (gas phase). This parameter change allows the system to achieve the necessary temperature for CO2 capture without the water consumption and energy efficiency issues associated with steam application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional carbon capture systems use direct steam application for heating sorbent, then CO2 capture process can be completed, but water consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 capture efficiencyVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If conventional carbon capture systems use direct steam application, then heating function is provided, but environmental benefits are undermined due to high energy and water input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of steam (high water and energy consumption) into a beneficial dry heating process. By using heated air or gas instead of steam, the system maintains the necessary heating capability for CO2 capture while eliminating the environmental drawbacks of water consumption and reduced energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 achieves lower energy and water consumption, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs while effectively capturing and storing CO2.

Implementation Method 1

A carbon dioxide capture system using a flexible web that contacts gas and employs a sorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

transporting it between zones with different temperatures and pressures to desorb CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250381521A1Carbon dioxide removal and associated systems, devices, and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 SPONGE DAC INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for carbon dioxide removal are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a representative carbon dioxide removal apparatus includes a web with a sorbent configured to absorb carbon dioxide and a drive system operably coupled to the web. The drive system can transport the web from a first zone, in which the web is exposed to gas, to a second zone, where the first zone is at a first temperature and the second zone is at a second temperature greater than the first temperature. The apparatus can further include a heating mechanism configured to increase a temperature of the second zone at least to the second temperature. This causes the removal of fluid including carbon dioxide from the web within the second zone.