Multi-Bed CO2 Thermal Swing Adsorption for Low-Energy Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon capture systems require multiple stages and high energy demand, reducing efficiency and increasing costs in semi-closed cycle engine systems.
Innovation Solution
A carbon capture system utilizing multiple CO2 thermal swing adsorption (TSA) beds with a control module to operate in continuous modes, including capture, regeneration, and cooling, integrated with a production stream circulator subsystem using waste heat for regeneration and nitrogen recirculation for enhanced CO2 concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple stages of carbon capture are used to produce CO2 at suitable purity, then CO2 purity is improved, but energy demand increases and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the carbon capture process into multiple TSA beds (first TSA bed, second TSA bed, third TSA bed) that operate in different modes simultaneously. This segmentation allows one bed to capture CO2 while another regenerates and a third cools, achieving high purity CO2 production with reduced energy demand through parallel operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module ensures continuous operation by continuously switching between capture, regeneration, and cooling modes across the multiple TSA beds. This continuous cyclic operation maintains high CO2 purity output while optimizing energy consumption through uninterrupted productive action.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple stages of carbon capture are used to produce CO2 at suitable purity, then CO2 purity is improved, but overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into multiple independent TSA beds that can operate simultaneously in different modes (capture, regeneration, cooling), the system achieves high CO2 purity without the efficiency penalties of sequential multi-stage processing. Each bed operates optimally in its assigned mode while contributing to overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous cyclic operation maintained by the control module ensures that at least one bed is always in capture mode while others perform supporting functions. This continuous useful action maintains high system efficiency alongside high CO2 purity production.
3Productivity
If thermal swing adsorption is used to capture CO2, then CO2 capture capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple TSA beds with standardized capture, regeneration, and cooling capabilities. This segmentation allows the complex thermal swing adsorption process to be distributed across multiple identical or similar units, reducing the complexity burden on any single component while maintaining high CO2 capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each TSA bed is designed to perform multiple functions (capture, regeneration, cooling) in sequence, making the system more adaptable and less complex overall. The universal design of these multi-functional beds reduces the need for specialized separate systems for each function.
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
Reduces energy consumption and auxiliary loads, achieves high CO2 purity in a single stage, and lowers construction and operational costs, while effectively capturing CO2 and other pollutants in semi-closed cycle engines.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of CO2 thermal swing adsorption (TSA) beds configured to capture CO2 within a capture temperature range
Implementation Method 2
regenerate the captured CO2 at a regeneration temperature range above the capture temperature range
Implementation Method 3
a heat source configured to add heat to the production flow sufficient to heat the respective TSA bed operated in regeneration mode to within a regeneration temperature range
Implementation Method 4
at least one of the one of the plurality of TSA beds is operated in a cooling mode to be cooled by a cooling flow
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon capture system can include a plurality of CO2 thermal swing adsorption (TSA) beds. The plurality of CO2 TSA beds can include at least a first TSA bed, a second TSA bed, and a third TSA bed configured to capture CO2 within a capture temperature range and to regenerate the captured CO2 at a regeneration temperature range above the capture temperature range. The carbon capture system can include a plurality of valves and associated flow paths configured to allow switching operational modes of each of the first, second, and third TSA beds.