RF-Heated Sorbent Desorption with Flow-Loop Cold-Spot Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing desorption systems using radio frequency (RF) systems to heat sorbents for gas release suffer from non-uniform heating, leading to inefficiencies in gas desorption processes.
Innovation Solution
A desorption system that incorporates a flow loop with a blower to induce gas flow through the sorbent chamber, utilizing RF heating to uniformly heat the sorbent and a vacuum line to manage pressure, enhancing desorption efficiency by uniformly heating cold spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF heating is applied to heat sorbent for gas desorption, then desorption efficiency is improved, but heating uniformity deteriorates causing cold spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing flow to specifically target and heat the cold spots within the sorbent bed. Rather than attempting to uniformly heat the entire bed, the system locally enhances heating in the regions where it is most needed (the cold spots) by directing flow through these areas, thereby resolving the non-uniform heating problem while maintaining overall desorption efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a static heating process to a dynamic one where flow is introduced to continuously move through the sorbent bed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to the non-uniform temperature distribution by actively circulating fluid to deliver heat to cold spots, thereby improving heating uniformity while maintaining desorption efficiency
2Stability of the object's composition
If flow is induced through the flow loop, then heating uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the flow loop system to serve multiple functions: it delivers heat to cold spots, removes desorbed gases from the sorbent bed, and potentially controls pressure within the system. By combining these functions into a single flow circulation system, the patent improves heating uniformity without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the desorbed gases themselves as the heating medium. The gases released from desorption are circulated back through the flow loop to provide heat to cold spots in the sorbent bed, eliminating the need for an external heating system and reducing overall device complexity while improving heating uniformity
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 achieves improved sorbent uniformity and increased efficiency in gas release by uniformly heating the sorbent, optimizing the desorption process.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency (RF) system configured to provide electromagnetic energy to the sorbent within the chamber to heat the sorbent and release the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof from the sorbent
Implementation Method 2
inducing flow of the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof released from the sorbent through a flow loop that includes the chamber to heat at least a portion of the sorbent
Implementation Method 3
a gas inlet line configured to flow a fluid including gas(es), vapor(s), or a mixture thereof into the chamber such that the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof is adsorbed by the sorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a chamber having a sorbent therein and forming a part of a flow loop, a gas inlet line configured to flow a fluid including gas(es), vapor(s), or a mixture thereof into the chamber such that the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof is adsorbed by the sorbent, a gas outlet line configured to receive, from the chamber, the fluid with at least some of the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof removed therefrom, a radio frequency (RF) system configured to provide electromagnetic energy to the sorbent within the chamber to heat the sorbent and release the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof from the sorbent. The system is configured to induce a flow of the gas(es), vapor(s), or the mixture thereof released from the sorbent through the flow loop.