SBAM Adsorbent Contactor Structures With Low Pressure Drop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contactor structures face challenges in achieving high adsorbent density and efficient fluid flow management, with packed beds causing pressure drops and monoliths limiting adsorption sites and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating adsorbent particles into polymeric structures using solvent-based additive manufacturing (SBAM) to form continuous polymer structures with distributed adsorption sites, reducing pressure drops and enhancing adsorption capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If packed bed structures are used to incorporate large quantity of adsorbent, then adsorbent density is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packed bed is segmented into multiple smaller channels arranged in parallel, reducing the length and resistance of individual flow paths while maintaining overall adsorbent quantity. This segmentation allows fluid to distribute across multiple zones, lowering pressure drop per unit volume of adsorbent.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional packed bed to a multi-channel monolith structure with three-dimensional flow distribution. By creating multiple parallel channels within the monolith, the system achieves higher adsorbent density while providing alternative flow paths that reduce pressure drop.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If monolith structures are used to reduce pressure drop, then fluid flow efficiency is improved, but adsorbent site density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The monolith structure combines ceramic or metal support material with deposited adsorbent layers, creating a composite material system. This allows the structural integrity and flow channels of the monolith to be preserved while maximizing adsorbent loading on channel surfaces and within pores, increasing adsorbent site density without compromising fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolith incorporates porous structures within its walls and channels, allowing adsorbent to be distributed throughout the volume rather than just on external surfaces. This porous architecture increases the available adsorbent site density while maintaining open flow paths that minimize pressure drop.
3Temperature
If complex structures are machined in ceramic or metal monoliths, then heat transfer fluid distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heat transfer fluid distribution channels are incorporated into the monolith structure during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring post-formation machining. This preliminary integration of thermal management features simplifies manufacturing by combining structure formation and fluid distribution channel creation in a single process.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolith structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing mechanical support, defining process fluid flow channels, and incorporating heat transfer fluid distribution pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate machining operations and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
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
SBAM allows for the formation of polymeric structures with enhanced adsorption capacity and fluid flow efficiency, overcoming limitations of conventional designs by distributing adsorbent throughout the structure volume and minimizing fluid flow difficulties.
Implementation Method 1
after depositing a layer of ink, the polymeric structure is formed by phase inversion after evaporation of a portion of the solvent from the ink
Implementation Method 2
the polymeric structure is formed by phase inversion after evaporation of a portion of the solvent from the ink
Implementation Method 3
use an adsorbent or absorbent to remove CO2 from a potential emission gas flow
Data Source
AI summary
Ink compositions are provided for using solvent-based additive manufacturing (SBAM) techniques to form contactor structures and/or structures for use in an adsorption or absorption contactor. Methods forming a contactor using SBAM are also provided. The ink compositions can include a substantial content of adsorbent particles to provide enhanced adsorption by a contactor. Metal organic framework (MOF) structures and zeotype framework structures are examples of types of adsorbent particles that can be incorporated into an ink composition for forming a contactor structure by SBAM. The ink can further include a polymeric component that can serve as the structural component of a polymeric structural material produced by the additive manufacturing method. Such a structural material can correspond to a polymeric material with incorporated adsorbent particles. In some aspects, the polymeric structural material and/or the adsorbent particles can have selectivity for adsorption of CO2 from a process fluid flow.