Silicone Separator Cascades for Low-Concentration CO2 Enrichment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to enrich carbon dioxide concentration from low atmospheric concentrations, limiting the effectiveness and efficiency of carbon dioxide capture and removal, and existing dual gas separator cells fail to achieve sufficient enrichment levels and gas volume processing.
Innovation Solution
A cascading series of gas separator cells with selective gas-permeable membranes, utilizing a multichannel pump for pressurization and feedback flow, enables higher levels of carbon dioxide enrichment from low to intermediate concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dual gas separator cells are used, then gas separation is achieved, but enrichment level and gas volume processing are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas separation process into multiple stages, with each stage containing multiple separator cells arranged in parallel. The output of one stage feeds into the next stage in a cascading series, allowing progressive enrichment while maintaining high gas volume processing capability through parallel architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-stage or dual-cell configuration to a multi-stage cascading series arrangement. This dimensional expansion from 1-2 cells to multiple parallel cells across multiple stages enables simultaneous achievement of high enrichment levels and large gas volume processing
2Productivity
If pre-enrichment is applied to improve capture effectiveness, then carbon dioxide removal efficiency increases, but additional equipment and process complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cascading series of separator cells performs self-enrichment through its own structure and operation. Each stage progressively enriches the gas stream without requiring external pre-enrichment equipment, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high removal efficiency
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 apparatus effectively captures and enriches carbon dioxide from low atmospheric concentrations to intermediate levels, improving capture efficiency and reducing the reliance on pre-enrichment, while also enabling enrichment of other gases like methane and sulfur dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-permeable membrane, selective to a target gas, bifurcating the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for enriching a target gas from a gas mixture. The apparatus includes a cascading series of parallel arrangements of a plurality of gas separator cells. The gas separator cells of a second stage receive the output of gas separator cells of a prior stage as input. A gas separator cell includes an input portion, and a depleted gas outlet that is fed to an input of another gas separator cell or fed back to upstream stages. The outlet of a current stage connects to an input inlet of a subsequent stage. The input and output portions of the gas separator cell connect to form a chamber formed by connection of the input portion and the output portion and which includes a gas permeable membrane, selective to a target gas. The gas separator cell includes a gas permeable material supporting the gas permeable membrane.