Solar Updraft Tower Contactor for Low-Energy CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current direct air capture (DAC) systems face challenges with high energy consumption, land use, and difficulty in choosing appropriate materials for carbon dioxide capture, while solar updraft towers have high initial capital expenditure and limited competitiveness with other renewable power sources.
Innovation Solution
A sloped solar updraft tower and power plant (SSUPP) system that co-adsorbs carbon dioxide and water, utilizing a two-stage process with a contactor and rapid temperature swing adsorption (RTSA) system, which captures carbon dioxide and water without external energy input, and includes a chimney and solar collector design that optimizes solar radiation and reduces construction costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If direct air capture systems use thermal swing adsorption with packed bed sorption material, then carbon dioxide capture is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to high pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous sorbent materials with optimized pore structures that allow high CO2 uptake capacity while maintaining low pressure drop characteristics. The porous architecture provides extensive surface area for adsorption without creating excessive flow resistance, thereby reducing the energy penalty associated with gas throughput requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes dynamic operation modes including pressure swing adsorption and temperature swing adsorption that optimize the balance between capture efficiency and energy consumption. By dynamically adjusting operating parameters rather than relying solely on thermal swing at high temperatures, the system reduces the energy penalty while maintaining effective CO2 removal.
2Power
If solar updraft towers are scaled up to generate significant power, then electricity production increases, but initial capital expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar updraft tower system is divided into modular components including segmented collector sections and modular turbine units. This segmentation allows for incremental deployment and reduces initial capital expenditure by enabling phased construction, while still achieving significant power generation through scaling of modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar updraft tower structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: electricity generation through the turbine, carbon dioxide capture through integrated sorbent systems, and water condensation/collection. This multi-functionality increases the value proposition and competitiveness of the system, offsetting the high initial capital expenditure through diverse revenue streams.
3Use of energy by moving object
If geothermal energy is used for direct air capture, then energy availability is improved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase from dissolved CO2 in surfaced water
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the CO2 that would otherwise be emitted from geothermal surfaced water through integrated direct air capture sorbent systems. By converting the harmful CO2 emission into a capture opportunity, the system neutralizes the negative impact while maintaining the energy benefits of geothermal utilization. The sorbents specifically target and remove CO2 from the atmosphere, compensating for the source emissions.
4Power
If sloped solar updraft towers are designed to improve efficiency, then solar power density increases, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar collector is designed with asymmetric sloped geometry optimized for solar radiation capture at specific latitudes. The slope angle and orientation are asymmetrically configured to maximize solar incidence throughout the day and year, thereby increasing power density. This asymmetric design, while more complex than symmetric alternatives, is optimized to deliver superior energy capture performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped surface incorporates locally optimized features including variable slope angles, differentiated collector zones, and location-specific orientation adjustments. These local quality variations maximize solar energy capture at each position on the structure, improving overall power density while managing construction complexity through standardized modular components adapted to local geometric requirements.
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 provides renewable energy, captures carbon dioxide and water efficiently, reduces land and water usage, and enhances solar power density, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale carbon capture and water production.
Implementation Method 1
The sorbent material has a porous structure selective towards carbon dioxide (CO2)... carbon dioxide (CO2) capture... concentrated carbon dioxide (CO2)
Implementation Method 2
solar collector design that optimizes solar radiation... solar updraft tower and power plant (SSUPP) is provided that produces renewable energy
Implementation Method 3
The resulting convection causes a hot air updraft by the 'chimney effect' that drives wind turbines to produce electricity
Implementation Method 4
drives wind turbines to produce electricity... directed airflows to run wind turbines in the tower or at the air inlets
Implementation Method 5
water is captured... Water content of air is considerable... provides through capture more than 10 times as much water (H2O) as carbon dioxide (CO2)
Data Source
AI summary
A solar updraft tower having elements for direct air capture of carbon dioxide. The solar updraft tower includes a chimney; a solar collector feeding into the chimney, and a contactor to an opening of the solar collector having a plurality of fins coated with a layer of sorbent material. The sorbent material absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).