Pneumatic Air Scrubber for CO2 Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air scrubbing systems in enclosed environments, such as rescue chambers and submarines, rely on electricity-powered technologies like lithium hydroxide and soda lime, which are inefficient for large areas and require power sources, posing challenges for maintaining breathable air without electricity.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide scrubbing system using compressed air and oxygen to power a fan, which draws air through a soda lime chamber, effectively removing CO2 without electricity, utilizing a fluid-driven motor and soda lime as the scrubbing agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium hydroxide or soda lime is used for CO2 scrubbing, then CO2 removal effectiveness is improved, but the system requires electricity and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically-powered CO2 scrubbing systems with a purely mechanical system. Compressed air drives a fan that mechanically forces air through soda lime chambers, eliminating the need for electric motors, batteries, or electronic controls while maintaining effective CO2 removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by employing compressed air as the driving force. The compressed air flows through a motor that mechanically drives a fan, creating a self-sustaining pneumatic system that circulates air through the scrubbing chambers without electrical power
2Ease of operation
If battery-powered systems are used for air scrubbing, then portability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is self-powered through a pneumatic cycle where compressed air drives a motor that powers a fan, which in turn recirculates air through the scrubbing chambers. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external batteries or electrical power sources, reducing energy consumption while maintaining portability
3Use of energy by stationary object
If compressed air and oxygen are used to power the fan, then electricity requirement is eliminated, but gas consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and recirculates the compressed air and oxygen that pass through the scrubbing chambers. The fan-driven circulation ensures that these gases are not wasted but rather continuously reused, minimizing net gas consumption while eliminating electricity requirements
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 system provides efficient air circulation and CO2 removal in large areas without the need for electricity, maintaining a safe and breathable environment by using compressed air and oxygen to power the fan and soda lime to absorb CO2, reducing the reliance on battery-powered systems and enhancing air quality.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon dioxide scrubber layer disposed in the chamber which claims carbon dioxide from air passing through the scrubber layer
Implementation Method 2
flowing compressed air through a fluid driven motor to operate the motor without any electricity
Implementation Method 3
rotating a fan with the operating motor. There is the step of drawing air into a chamber of a housing with the fan blowing the air through a carbon dioxide scrubber layer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for affecting air includes a housing. The apparatus includes a treatment layer disposed in the housing for treating air. The apparatus includes a fan. The apparatus includes a gas powered motor mechanically engaged with the fan to operate the fan which forces the air through the treatment layer. The apparatus includes a compressed gas tank in fluid connection with the gas powered motor to provide gas to the motor to power the motor. A method for affecting air.