Paraboloidal Sorbent Filter Geometry for Low-Pressure CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon capture technologies face challenges in efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from ambient air due to the low concentration of CO2, leading to slower uptake rates and capacities, and high energy costs associated with pressure drops in fluid flow through sorbent beds.
Innovation Solution
The development of sorbent filter geometries with open-ended or closed-ended paraboloid, silo-shaped, or cylindrical shapes that minimize pressure drop by optimizing flow paths and increasing capture rates, utilizing electrochemical activation and specific packing configurations to enhance CO2 uptake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional sorbent bed geometries are used, then CO2 capture can be achieved, but pressure drop increases and energy costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from traditional cylindrical sorbent beds to paraboloid-shaped geometries. The paraboloid shape optimizes fluid flow paths, reducing turbulence and pressure drop while maintaining effective CO2 capture surface area. This curved geometry allows smoother flow patterns that decrease energy consumption associated with overcoming pressure drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dimensional optimization by changing the vertical profile of sorbent beds from uniform cylindrical shapes to paraboloids with varying cross-sectional areas. This dimensional change concentrates the sorbent material where it is most effective while creating flow channels that reduce pressure drop, thereby lowering energy costs without sacrificing capture efficiency.
2Productivity
If higher capture rates are achieved, then CO2 uptake increases, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paraboloid geometry creates optimized flow paths that reduce pressure drop while maintaining high capture rates. The curved shape distributes flow more evenly across the sorbent bed, preventing localized bottlenecks and reducing overall pressure requirements for achieving high capture rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the cross-sectional area of the sorbent bed along its length, with narrower sections at the outlet and wider sections at the inlet. This creates localized flow conditions that optimize both capture efficiency and pressure drop characteristics at different positions within the bed.
3Stress or pressure
If paraboloid-shaped geometries are used, then pressure drop decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorbent bed into modular paraboloid sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows use of standard manufacturing processes for individual components while achieving the complex overall paraboloid configuration, thereby reducing total manufacturing complexity compared to monolithic designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes manufacturing by controlling key geometric parameters of the paraboloid shape, such as the ratio of height to base diameter and the degree of curvature. By standardizing these parameters, the design becomes more manufacturable while maintaining the pressure drop benefits of the paraboloid geometry.
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
These geometries improve CO2 capture efficiency and reduce operational costs by allowing for higher capture rates and lower pressure drops, making them suitable for both direct air capture and point source applications.
Implementation Method 1
sorbent filter for filtering at least one of an axial, radial, and perpendicular flow of at least one of a gas, plasma, and liquid
Implementation Method 2
an outer surface in contact with at least one electrolyte and electrode for transmitting a voltage to the filter body
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure herein relates to a sorbent filter for filtering at least one of an axial, radial, and perpendicular flow of at least one of a gas, plasma, liquid, and solid particulates, the sorbent filter having a support material, a binder material for binding one or more active chemical material from a functional group to the support material and a filter body. The filter body includes a height of the sorbent filter longer than a radius of the filter body, the radius extending from a center axis through the filter body; an inner surface having a thickness less than the radius, and an outer surface in contact with at least one electrolyte and electrode for transmitting a voltage to the filter body.