Nanoporous Carbon Adsorbent Stabilization and Desorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbonaceous materials used in fluid storage and dispensing systems face issues such as positional instability leading to noise and damage during transport, and low-pressure systems struggle with efficient fluid utilization due to residual 'heels' of fluid, which are difficult to remove without external heating.
Innovation Solution
The use of nanoporous carbon materials with expanded porosity, stabilized by positional structures and agents, and the application of electrical heating to enhance fluid desorption, addresses these challenges by maintaining stability, reducing noise, and maximizing fluid utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If monolithic carbon adsorbent blocks are used in fluid storage and dispensing systems, then fluid storage capacity is improved, but positional stability deteriorates during transport causing noise and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible film or shell surrounding the carbon adsorbent blocks to maintain their positional stability during transport. This flexible enclosure prevents the blocks from shifting and impacting against each other or the container walls, while allowing the system to maintain its fluid storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance or structure between the carbon adsorbent blocks and the container walls to prevent direct contact and impact. This intermediary layer acts as a buffer that absorbs shocks and prevents damage during transport while maintaining the blocks' functional integrity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low-pressure adsorbent-based fluid storage systems are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but fluid utilization deteriorates due to residual heels that are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes operational parameters such as temperature, pressure, or flow conditions to optimize fluid desorption from the adsorbent. By adjusting these parameters, the system can reduce residual heels and improve fluid utilization efficiency without requiring excessive energy input, thus resolving the contradiction between low energy consumption and high fluid utilization.
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 effectively stabilizes nanoporous carbon materials, prevents damage and noise during transport, and enhances fluid utilization by enabling efficient desorption of residual fluids without external heating, improving the performance and efficiency of fluid storage and dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
carbonaceous materials having utility for fluid storage/dispensing
Implementation Method 2
application of electrical heating to enhance fluid desorption
Implementation Method 3
application of heat to effect thermal desorption of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An adsorbent having porosity expanded by contact with a first agent effecting such expansion and a pressurized second agent effecting transport of the first agent into the porosity, wherein the adsorbent subsequent to removal of the first and second agents retains expanded porosity. The adsorbent can be made by an associated method in which materials such as water, ethers, alcohols, organic solvent media, or inorganic solvent media can be utilized as the first agent for swelling of the porosity, and helium, argon, krypton, xenon, neon, or other inert gases can be employed as the pressurized second agent for transport of both agents into the porosity of the adsorbent, subsequent to which the agents can be removed to yield an adsorbent of increased capacity for sorbable fluids, e.g., organometallic compounds, hydrides, halides and acid gases. Also described is a nanoporous carbon composite having porosity that is at least partially filled with material imparting to the composite an enhanced character with respect to characteristics selected from the group consisting of hardness, wear-resistance and toughness, as compared with the nanoporous carbon alone.