Solid Amine Bed CO2 Capture Device for Local Greenhouse Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture technologies for greenhouses and industrial applications face challenges such as high costs, increased CO2 footprint, and limited deployable radius due to reliance on CO2 bottles or expensive combustion engine sources, while existing methods for atmospheric CO2 removal are not scalable or efficient for agricultural and industrial use.
Innovation Solution
A capture device utilizing solid amine material beds operable in adsorption and desorption modes, connected to production sites for local CO2 supply or utilization, allowing for continuous, scalable CO2 capture and utilization in greenhouses and industrial processes, with options for thermal and pressure swing desorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 bottles are used for greenhouse CO2 supply, then CO2 can be provided to greenhouses, but transport costs, handling effort and CO2 footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables greenhouses to produce their own CO2 on-site through combustion engines, eliminating the need for external CO2 bottle deliveries. The combustion engine converts fuel into CO2 and heat, with the CO2 being directly utilized in the greenhouse, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating transport-related CO2 footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion engine acts as an intermediary device that converts chemical energy from fuel into CO2 gas, which is then directly supplied to the greenhouse. This intermediary process eliminates the need for storing and transporting CO2 in bottles, as the CO2 is generated locally whenever needed.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 from power plants is utilized, then CO2 supply is available, but the deployable radius of the greenhouse is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from centralized CO2 supply (power plants) to localized CO2 generation (combustion engines at greenhouse sites). Each greenhouse becomes its own CO2 source, allowing greenhouses to be located anywhere without being constrained by proximity to CO2 emission sources like power plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized CO2 supply system is segmented into individual distributed combustion engines at each greenhouse location. This segmentation allows each greenhouse to independently generate its own CO2, eliminating the need for long-distance CO2 transport and enabling flexible location choices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If atmospheric CO2 is removed using existing methods, then CO2 removal is achieved, but the methods are not scalable or efficient for agricultural and industrial use
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of viewing combustion engine emissions as purely harmful waste that needs expensive removal, the system converts this harmful CO2 output into a beneficial resource for greenhouse plant growth. The CO2 that would otherwise be wasted is directly utilized to enhance photosynthesis and agricultural productivity, turning an environmental problem into an economic benefit.
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
This solution provides a continuous, scalable local CO2 supply without transport needs, increases greenhouse location flexibility, offers CO2 lean air for working environments, and captures agricultural CO2 for chemical industry use, effectively reducing climate change impact and enhancing food supply sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a bed (11, 12) connected to the gas inlet (18) and comprising solid amine material, wherein the bed (11, 12) is operable in an adsorption mode (A) in which CO2 contained in the air or gas flow is adsorbed by the solid amine material
Implementation Method 2
in a desorption mode (B) in which CO2 is removed from the solid amine material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a method and a system for removing CO2 from air, the air is supplied to a capture device (10) comprising at least one bed (11,12) comprising solid amine material (13), and an air or gas flow (F1, F2) through the bed (11, 12) is generated. The bed (11, 12) is operated in an adsorption mode (A) in which CO2 contained in the air is adsorbed by the solid amine material (13). The bed (11, 12) may also be operating in a desorption mode (B) in which CO2 is removed from the solid amine material (13). CO2 obtained in the desorption mode (B) is locally supplied to a production site (30a) that consumes CO2. CO2 lean air obtained in the adsorption mode is locally supplied to a production site (30b) that produces CO2. The production sites (30a, 30b) may comprise food production, farming, breweries etc., as well as other applications.