Pressurized Vortex Tube CO2 Separation for Continuous Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 separation and capture technologies are energy-intensive and have limited lifetimes, and vortex tubes have shown low separation efficiencies for CO2 from air mixtures.
Innovation Solution
A vortex tube operated at pressures between 105 psi and 280 psi above atmospheric pressure is used to separate and concentrate CO2 from a gaseous input stream, followed by a conversion system to convert CO2 into another chemical compound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical adsorbents are used for CO2 separation, then CO2 can be captured, but the process is energy intensive and the adsorbents have limited lifetimes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical adsorption systems with a mechanical vortex tube system that uses centrifugal force and tangential gas injection to separate CO2. This mechanical approach eliminates the need for chemical adsorbents with limited lifetimes and reduces energy consumption by avoiding heating and cooling cycles required for adsorbent regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from chemical parameter-based (adsorption capacity) to physical parameter-based (centrifugal force, temperature differential, density differences). By operating the vortex tube at specific pressure ranges (105-280 psi above atmospheric), the system achieves continuous CO2 separation without the lifetime limitations of chemical adsorbents.
2Reliability
If conventional cooling methods are used for CO2 separation, then CO2 can be captured, but the process is energy intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex tube system is self-service in that it generates its own cooling effect through the vortex flow mechanism. The tangential injection of compressed gas creates a vortex that automatically produces cold and hot streams without external cooling equipment, eliminating the energy-intensive refrigeration cycles required by conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the temperature differential created by the vortex tube operation, where one stream becomes cold and the other hot. This internal phase-related separation allows CO2 to be concentrated in the cold stream without external cooling, reducing energy consumption while maintaining separation effectiveness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vortex tubes are used for CO2 separation, then energy consumption is reduced, but separation efficiency is low (less than 10%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vortex tube operation into multiple stages or uses multiple vortex tubes in series to progressively concentrate CO2. Each stage increases the CO2 concentration further, allowing the system to achieve high overall separation efficiency while maintaining low energy consumption at each individual stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex tube system serves multiple functions: it separates CO2, concentrates it in the cold stream, and can operate continuously without maintenance. By integrating this multi-functional approach, the system achieves both high productivity in CO2 separation and low energy consumption simultaneously.
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 achieves CO2 separation efficiencies greater than 10% and allows for the subsequent conversion of CO2 into compounds like methane or ethane, reducing energy consumption and extending the capture process.
Implementation Method 1
The Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube is a non-moving geometrical structure, or device, capable of dividing a high-pressure input flow into two low-pressure flows of different temperatures. The centripetal, vortex motion in a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube, created by tangential injection of compressed gas through one or more tangential nozzle(s), gives rise to a non-uniform temperature distribution allowing separation of hotter and colder gases.
Implementation Method 2
Similarly, the centripetal force of the gaseous input allows separation of gas species of different mass, as dependent upon the geometrical features of the vortex tube and the velocity and composition of the input gas.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for separating and concentrating CO2 from air or a gas include a vortex tube designed for separating and concentrating CO2 from a gaseous input stream. The vortex tube has an operating design pressure of between 105 psi and 280 psi above atmospheric pressure and produces a concentrated CO2 outlet stream. The concentrated CO2 outlet stream is in fluid connection with a conversion system capable of converting the separated CO2 into another chemical compound.