Solid Amine DAC Desorption Using Microwave and RF Excitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide capture technologies, such as post-combustion carbon capture and storage, are costly and challenging to scale up, while direct air capture (DAC) methods face high energy costs due to desorption and sorbent regeneration, limiting their application to larger-scale embodiments.
Innovation Solution
The use of polyamine sorbents, such as polyethylenimine (PEI), grafted onto solid supports like cellulose acetate or gamma alumina, combined with microwave or radio frequency irradiation for efficient desorption, optimizing energy consumption and regeneration time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional desorption methods are used for sorbent regeneration, then carbon dioxide can be released, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal desorption (heat-based) with electromagnetic radiation desorption using microwaves or radio frequency waves. This substitution allows direct excitation of the sorbent material, enabling CO2 release at lower overall energy consumption while maintaining capture productivity through resonant frequency targeting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the desorption parameter from thermal energy to electromagnetic energy, specifically using microwave or radio frequency radiation at resonant frequencies to excite the sorbent. This parameter change enables more efficient energy transfer and reduced energy consumption during the desorption process.
2Productivity
If sorbent regeneration is performed frequently, then capture efficiency is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electromagnetic radiation pulses at resonant frequencies to achieve rapid sorbent regeneration. This periodic action at optimized frequencies enables faster desorption cycles, reducing regeneration time while maintaining capture efficiency through repeated cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing slow thermal diffusion-based desorption with rapid electromagnetic field excitation, the patent significantly reduces regeneration time. The electromagnetic method allows for quicker energy transfer and faster CO2 release, enabling more frequent cycling without excessive time loss.
3Quantity of substance
If polyamine sorbents are used for carbon dioxide capture, then capture capacity increases, but desorption energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-energy thermal desorption with lower-energy electromagnetic radiation desorption. This substitution enables the release of strongly bound CO2 from polyamine sorbents without requiring the high temperatures traditionally needed, thus reducing desorption energy requirements while maintaining high capture capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite polyamine sorbent materials that are specifically designed to respond to electromagnetic radiation. These composite materials combine high CO2 affinity with electromagnetic responsiveness, allowing simultaneous achievement of high capture capacity and low desorption energy through resonant frequency excitation.
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 approach achieves up to 80% carbon dioxide capture with reduced energy costs and improved sorbent efficiency, making DAC more viable for large-scale applications.
Implementation Method 1
removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is carried out using DAC with a poly amine sorbent
Implementation Method 2
release of the carbon dioxide using microwave (MW) irradiation to regenerate the poly amine sorbent
Implementation Method 3
electromagnetic excitation radiation desorption of solid amine sorbents to release carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method, device and system to capture carbon dioxide in air using solid amine sorbents and using a radio frequency and/or microwave generator to desorb the carbon dioxide by directly exciting the amine-carbon bond thereby significantly reducing the energy cost of releasing the carbon dioxide.