Protected Solid Adsorbent Coating for Fast Thermal Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid adsorbents, such as zeolites, face challenges in HTC and HTP processes due to slow heating and cooling cycles, reactiveness with fluids, and inefficient heat transfer, which hinders continuous operation and reduces the viability of these processes.
Innovation Solution
A protected solid adsorbent is developed with a selective nano layer coating that is permeable to active gases like CO2, while being hydrophobic to prevent interaction with liquid heating/cooling fluids, allowing for direct and efficient heating and cooling of the adsorbent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If direct heating and cooling of the adsorbent is used, then heating and cooling time is reduced, but the adsorbent reacts with heating/cooling fluids causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic protective layer is applied as an intermediary between the adsorbent and the heating/cooling fluids. This layer allows efficient thermal energy transfer while preventing direct contact and chemical reactions between the adsorbent and the fluids, thus resolving the contradiction between fast heating/cooling and adsorbent stability
Solution Approach 2:
A thin hydrophobic protective layer is formed on the adsorbent surface. This thin film provides thermal conductivity for efficient heating and cooling while being sufficiently thin to not impede heat transfer, yet thick enough to prevent fluid penetration and chemical reactions, solving the time-stability contradiction
2Reliability
If a protective coating is applied to prevent fluid interaction, then adsorbent stability is improved, but permeability to active gas may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is designed with a porous structure that allows active gas molecules to diffuse through while maintaining the hydrophobic barrier against liquid heating/cooling fluids. The porosity ensures gas permeability for maintained productivity, while the hydrophobicity provides protection for reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer exhibits different properties for different substances: it is permeable to active gases (allowing adsorption) but impermeable to liquid heating/cooling fluids (preventing reactions). This selective local quality resolves the contradiction between stability and productivity
3Reliability
If shell and tube geometry is used for heating and cooling, then adsorbent protection is improved, but system size and cycle time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is extracted from the external shell and tube structure and applied directly to the adsorbent surface as a thin hydrophobic coating. This eliminates the need for large external protection structures, reducing system size while maintaining adsorbent protection
Solution Approach 2:
A thin protective film is applied directly to the adsorbent surface, replacing the bulky shell and tube geometry. This thin film provides adequate protection while minimizing the volume occupied by protective structures, resolving the contradiction between protection and system size
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 solution reduces cycle time, prevents adsorbent degradation, and enhances CO2 adsorption efficiency by ensuring the adsorbent remains non-reactive with heating/cooling fluids, thus improving the economic viability and efficiency of HTC and HTP processes.
Implementation Method 1
a selective surface layer that at least partially coats the solid adsorbent... the surface layer being generally permeable to an active agent
Implementation Method 2
the surface layer is hydrophobic... preventing interaction with liquid heating/cooling fluids
Implementation Method 3
direct heating and cooling of the adsorbent... reduces the cycle time needed to achieve temperature swings
Implementation Method 4
active agents in the form of gas molecules, such as CO2, adsorb onto the solid adsorbent at temperatures close to ambient
Data Source
AI summary
A protected solid adsorbent is disclosed that includes a solid adsorbent substrate and a surface layer at least partially coating the solid adsorbent substrate, the surface layer being generally permeable to an active agent. Additionally, a process for protecting a solid adsorbent and an adsorption system that includes a vessel containing the protected solid adsorbent is provided.