Osmotic Engine Carbon Capture Process
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions are inefficient, requiring complex equipment, high energy consumption, and often do not yield usable products, making them costly and ineffective for carbon capture and storage.
Innovation Solution
An integrated process that captures carbon dioxide to form a solution of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, or ammonium carbamate, which is then decomposed to generate energy and useful nitrogen compounds like ammonia and urea, using osmotic engines and low-grade heat under atmospheric pressure without high temperature equilibrium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If compression and underground geological formation storage methods are used for CO2 disposal, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the equipment complexity and implementation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emissions into useful products (urea, ammonium carbamate, ammonia) by using CO2 as a raw material in chemical synthesis processes. Instead of merely storing CO2, the system transforms it into valuable nitrogen compounds through reaction with ammonia, thereby eliminating the need for complex compression and geological storage infrastructure while simultaneously producing saleable products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing low-grade heat and atmospheric pressure conditions for the decomposition and chemical reaction processes, rather than requiring high-pressure compression equipment. The process operates at near-ambient conditions, fundamentally changing the operational parameters from extreme to moderate, which eliminates complex equipment requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high temperature and pressure forward osmosis process is used for CO2 capture, then CO2 separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases vastly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the operational parameters from high temperature and pressure to low-grade heat and atmospheric pressure conditions. The chemical reactions proceed efficiently at near-ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive heating and pressurization systems while maintaining effective CO2 capture and conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using energy-intensive physical separation methods, the patent employs chemical conversion where CO2 reacts with ammonia to form useful products. This chemical pathway consumes minimal energy compared to physical separation methods, as the reaction is thermodynamically favorable under mild conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional CO2 disposal methods are used, then CO2 is contained, but no usable or saleable products are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms CO2 from a waste product requiring disposal into a valuable raw material for synthesizing saleable nitrogen compounds. The process produces urea, ammonium carbamate, and ammonia - all commercially valuable products - thereby converting the harmful CO2 emissions into economic assets while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures CO2, converts it to useful products, generates energy, and produces saleable nitrogen compounds. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate CO2 storage infrastructure while creating additional value streams from the same CO2 feedstock.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If complex apparatuses are used for CO2 capture and storage, then CO2 disposal is achieved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive compression equipment, specialized storage facilities, and complex transport infrastructure by converting CO2 into products that can be generated and utilized on-site. The simple chemical reaction system replaces millions of dollars worth of specialized CO2 storage infrastructure with basic reaction vessels and separation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
By operating at atmospheric pressure and using low-grade heat, the patent eliminates the need for expensive high-pressure equipment, thick-walled vessels, and specialized safety systems required for high-pressure CO2 storage. The process uses conventional, readily available equipment operating under mild conditions, dramatically reducing capital and operational costs.
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
This process effectively reduces carbon dioxide emissions by generating energy and producing saleable nitrogen compounds, such as urea, while using less complex equipment and less energy compared to existing methods, making it more cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
employing an osmotic engine comprising: (1) the formed solution of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbamate or mixture thereof as a draw solution and (2) a feed solution having a lower osmotic pressure than said draw solution to generate a gradient
Implementation Method 2
The decomposing of the solution is further characterized by one or more of the following: (d) decomposing using low grade heat
Implementation Method 3
decomposing in the presence of a semipermeable membrane, condensing, or a water soluble, solvent under suitable conditions to form substantially separated ammonia and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
decomposing in the presence of a semipermeable membrane, condensing, or a water soluble, solvent under suitable conditions to form substantially separated ammonia and carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to new methods for generating energy and useful nitrogen compounds from captured carbon dioxide. It involves employing an osmotic engine, draw solution, and feed solution. An osmotic gradient between the solutions assists in generating energy and a solution of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate or mixture thereof. This solution may be decomposed to form ammonia, carbon dioxide, a precipitate, or a mixture thereof.