Oxygen Separation via Temperature Swing Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems face challenges in efficiently separating oxygen from gas mixtures at low temperatures, which affects the reduction capacity and energy storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A temperature swing adsorption (TSA) process using an oxygen-selective sorbent, YBaCo4O7+δ (YBC114), which captures oxygen between 275° C. and 325° C. and desorbs it at temperatures above 400° C., allowing for continuous oxygen separation with low pO2 production and efficient regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional TCES materials (perovskites or redox metal oxides) are used for oxygen separation, then the system can achieve oxygen separation, but the required temperatures are higher increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational temperature parameters by using YBC114 sorbent that operates at lower temperatures (275-400°C) compared to conventional materials, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective oxygen separation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite sorbent material YBaCo4O7+δ (YBC114) that combines specific metal elements to achieve low-temperature oxygen separation capability, outperforming conventional perovskites and redox metal oxides in this temperature range
2Reliability
If oxygen is removed from the gas mixture continuously, then the reduction capacity increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oxygen separation system into multiple sorption beds that can operate in parallel, allowing continuous oxygen removal while distributing the system complexity across multiple identical modular units rather than a single complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous oxygen separation through multiple sorption beds operating in sequence, ensuring uninterrupted oxygen removal from the gas mixture to maintain high reduction capacity without requiring complex control systems
3Productivity
If a multiple bed configuration is used for continuous operation, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oxygen separation process into multiple identical sorption beds that can be operated in parallel or sequence, achieving continuous productivity through modular repetition rather than a single complex integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs multiple sorption beds with identical universal structure and functionality, allowing them to be used interchangeably in different operational modes (parallel for high throughput, sequence for continuous operation), thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
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 TSA process achieves efficient and cost-effective oxygen separation with consistent performance, reducing energy costs and maintaining low pO2 levels, suitable for TCES systems, and can be operated with multiple bed configurations for continuous production of inert gas streams.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a sorbent with a first gas stream and adsorbing oxygen in the first gas stream with the sorbent. The sorbent is selective for oxygen and the adsorbing occurs at an adsorbing temperature between 275° C. and 325° C.
Implementation Method 2
heating the sorbent to a desorbing temperature greater than 400° C., and desorbing a majority of the oxygen to yield a second gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
Separating oxygen from a gas includes contacting an oxygen-selective sorbent with a gas stream, adsorbing oxygen in the gas stream with the sorbent, heating the sorbent to greater than 400° C., and desorbing a majority of the oxygen. The sorbent is selective for oxygen, and adsorbing occurs at a temperature between 275-325° C. An oxygen separation system includes a sorption bed, a heater configured to heat the sorption bed, an oxygen analyzer, a first conduit configured provide an input gas to the sorption bed, a second conduit configured to provide processed input gas from the sorption bed to the oxygen analyzer, a third conduit configured to provide a purge gas to the sorption bed, and a fourth conduit configured to provide processed purge gas to the oxygen analyzer. The first and third conduits are configured to flow the input gas and the purge gas flow in opposite directions through the sorption bed.