Rotating Adsorbent DAC Plant for Continuous CO2 Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DAC plants for carbon dioxide extraction from ambient air are energy-intensive and require batch processes, with inefficient use of adsorbents and significant space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A DAC plant design utilizing rotating storage bodies with adsorbents for water and carbon dioxide, allowing for continuous, quasi-stationary operation with periodic flow connections for adsorption and desorption, reducing the need for batch processes and minimizing space and adsorbent quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batch processes are used for carbon dioxide extraction, then the DAC plant can operate with simple equipment, but the productivity is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using rotating storage bodies that continuously rotate to transition adsorbent segments between different operational states. This dynamic operation enables continuous carbon dioxide extraction processes, replacing batch operations and improving productivity while reducing energy consumption through optimized timing and flow management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the rotation of storage bodies, where adsorbent segments periodically alternate between adsorption zones and desorption zones. This periodic cycling allows continuous operation with reduced energy requirements compared to batch processes, as the system maintains steady-state operation with optimized timing for each phase.
2Quantity of substance
If large quantities of adsorbent are used, then the carbon dioxide extraction capacity increases, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating storage bodies dynamically cycle adsorbent segments through adsorption and desorption zones, maximizing the utilization of each adsorbent unit. This dynamic reuse of adsorbent material increases extraction capacity without proportionally increasing installation space, as the same adsorbent serves multiple cycles continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous rotation of storage bodies ensures that adsorbent segments are constantly utilized in productive cycles of adsorption and desorption. This continuity maximizes the effective use of adsorbent quantity, allowing high extraction capacity with minimized installation space by eliminating idle periods and optimizing space utilization.
3Reliability
If multiple separate systems are used for drying and carbon dioxide extraction, then each system can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying system and carbon dioxide extraction system into an integrated configuration where rotating storage bodies perform both functions sequentially. The same rotational mechanism handles both water removal and CO2 extraction, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize each function through zoned design and controlled timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating storage bodies serve multiple functions: they act as both drying elements and carbon dioxide extraction elements through their rotation. Different segments of the same storage body perform different functions (drying vs. CO2 extraction) at different times, providing multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining optimization capabilities.
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
Enables efficient, continuous carbon dioxide extraction with reduced energy consumption and minimal installation space, utilizing rotating storage bodies for adsorption and desorption of water and carbon dioxide, thereby optimizing the DAC process.
Implementation Method 1
the drying of the air is based on utilising a solid sorbent bed in the so-called temperature oscillation method
Implementation Method 2
the separation of the carbon dioxide from the air is based on the principle of physisorption
Data Source
AI summary
A DAC plant for extracting carbon dioxide from ambient air, having a first air flow channel for ambient air, from which carbon dioxide is extracted, a system for drying the ambient air, a carbon dioxide extraction device for extracting carbon dioxide, and a second air flow channel for waste air. The system includes a first rotating storage body, which carries an adsorbent for water and is driven such that segments of the storage body are periodically in operative flow connection with the first second air flow channels. The carbon dioxide extraction device includes at least one second rotating storage body, which carries an adsorbent for carbon dioxide. The second rotating storage body is driven such that segments of the storage body are periodically in operative flow connection with the first air flow channel and a carrier gas flow channel.