PCC-Based CO2 Capture With Electric Calcination and Carbonate Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 capture and storage technologies face challenges in achieving efficient CO2 capture from atmospheric air and permanent storage, limiting their commercial viability and scalability due to reliance on geological CCS and the lack of economic value from carbonate by-products.
Innovation Solution
A plant and method utilizing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) through electrical calcination of carbonates, converting CO2 into bicarbonates for storage in seawater and subsequent carbonation to PCC, integrating an electric calciner, contactor, pH correction apparatus, absorber/precipitator, and separator to optimize CO2 capture and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If geological CCS is used for CO2 storage, then CO2 storage capacity is improved, but project implementation difficulty and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts CO2 from the complex geological storage process and transforms it into a simpler chemical product (carbonate) that can be stored and utilized directly, avoiding the complexities of geological site identification, drilling, and long-term monitoring required by traditional CCS
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of CO2 by converting it from a gaseous state requiring geological containment into a solid carbonate product through chemical reaction with hydroxide, fundamentally altering its storage requirements and enabling commercial applications
2Productivity
If hydroxide is used for CO2 capture by carbonation, then CO2 capture efficiency is improved, but economic viability decreases due to lack of commercial use for carbonate by-product
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the carbonate by-product, the invention recovers and utilizes it as a valuable commercial product with applications in construction materials, agriculture, and industry, transforming a waste stream into an revenue-generating asset
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts what was previously a harmful waste product (carbonate by-product with no commercial value) into a beneficial resource with multiple commercial applications, thereby improving economic viability while maintaining high CO2 capture efficiency
3Quantity of substance
If permanent CO2 storage external to the process is implemented, then CO2 storage is improved, but application scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the CO2 storage function with the hydroxide carbonation process itself, creating an integrated system where CO2 is captured and converted to carbonate within the same process train, enabling scalability across diverse applications without requiring separate external storage infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously captures CO2, produces a commercial product (carbonate), and enables scalability across various applications including construction, agriculture, and industrial uses, replacing the single-purpose external storage approach
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 approach enhances CO2 capture efficiency and generates a commercially valuable PCC product, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for CO2 storage.
Implementation Method 1
an electric calciner (10) suitable for receiving a flow of carbonate (110) and for releasing a flow of carbonic gas (140) and a flow of oxide (130) resulting from a calcination of the flow of carbonate (110)
Implementation Method 2
a contactor (20) suitable for receiving the flow of carbonic gas (140) released by the electric calciner (10) and for reacting the CO2 present in the flow of carbonic gas (140) with a flow of water (210) and a flow of dosed PCC (920)
Implementation Method 3
an apparatus for pH correction (30) suitable for receiving the flow of ionic mixture (230) and for releasing a flow of neutralized ionic mixture (340) resulting from a pH correction of the flow of ionic mixture (230)
Implementation Method 4
an absorber/precipitator (50) suitable for receiving a flow of atmospheric air (510) and for releasing a flow of lean air (520) and a flow of PCC suspension (550) resulting from a carbonation of a flow of hydroxide (470)
Implementation Method 5
a separator (70) suitable for receiving the flow of PCC suspension (550) and for releasing at least a flow of PCC (750) and a flow of basic solution (710)
Data Source
AI summary
A plant and a method to improve the efficiency of CO2 capture and storage from the atmospheric air, using precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and calcium bicarbonates. The plant includes an electric calciner, a contactor, an apparatus for pH correction, a dosing device for the buffering substance, an absorber/precipitator, a separator, and a PCC dosing device. The system is suitable for receiving at the inlet electric energy, carbonate, water, a flow of atmospheric air and for releasing a flow of CO2-lean air, a buffered ionic mixture, and a flow of excess PCC. The plant uses the bicarbonates or carbonates as permanent CO2 storage: this storage allows a cost-effective CO2 storage in modular plants.