PEI Fiber Sorbent Cycling for Continuous CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining carbon dioxide from carbon-dioxide containing atmospheres are inefficient, energy-intensive, and unsuitable for large-scale operations, particularly those using solid-bound sorbents, which operate in batch cycles rather than allowing continuous CO2 extraction.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fibrous carrier material charged with polyethylene imine is alternately passed through spatially separate adsorption and desorption zones, utilizing room temperature and normal pressure for CO2 absorption and elevated temperature and reduced pressure for desorption, with optional stripping gas, to achieve continuous CO2 production at low energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batch-type operation is used for CO2 extraction, then equipment complexity is reduced, but productivity is limited and continuous operation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent extraction units, each capable of batch operation. These units are arranged in parallel and can be sequentially activated to achieve continuous overall operation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple batch-type equipment and achieving continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between multiple extraction units. While one unit is in the extraction phase, another is in the desorption or regeneration phase. This periodic alternation allows continuous CO2 extraction without requiring all units to operate simultaneously, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving continuity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional sorption methods are used, then CO2 extraction is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes changes in temperature and pressure parameters to control the sorption and desorption processes. By optimizing these parameters, the energy required for CO2 extraction and release is minimized while maintaining high extraction efficiency. The sorbent material's affinity for CO2 is modulated through parameter changes rather than continuous energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material naturally adsorbs CO2 when exposed to the gas stream without requiring external energy input. During the desorption phase, the accumulated CO2 is released by simple pressure reduction or temperature increase, allowing the system to operate with minimal electrical energy consumption while maintaining productive CO2 recovery.
3Productivity
If scalability is increased for larger CO2 production volumes, then productivity improves, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed as a modular array of identical extraction units. To scale up CO2 production capacity, additional units are simply added to the parallel configuration rather than increasing the size of individual units. This segmentation allows linear scalability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each extraction unit is designed to perform multiple functions: CO2 extraction, desorption, and regeneration. This multi-functionality allows the system to scale by adding universal units that can be integrated into the existing control framework, avoiding the need for specialized components that would increase complexity.
4Reliability
If conventional sorbents are used, then CO2 absorption is achieved, but the sorbent requires frequent replacement or regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
While one sorbent bed is in the extraction phase, another bed is simultaneously undergoing regeneration. This continuous alternation ensures that the system always has fully active sorbent available, eliminating downtime associated with regenerating a single bed and maintaining high reliability without sacrificing regeneration efficiency.
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 method enables continuous CO2 production with low overall energy consumption, producing at least 1 kg of CO2 and 1.6 kg of water using 0.5 kWhel, and can be scaled to climate-relevant levels with minimal energy input, utilizing waste heat for thermal energy needs.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier material absorbs carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere in the at least one adsorption zone
Implementation Method 2
releases it in the at least one desorption zone at a temperature that is higher than room temperature and/or at a carbon dioxide partial pressure that is lower than normal conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for continuously obtaining carbon dioxide from a carbon-dioxide containing atmosphere, in which a fibrous carrier material charged with polyethylene imine is guided alternately through at least one adsorption zone and at least one desorption zone. In addition, the present invention relates to a device by which the method according to the invention can be carried out.