Solvent-linked Covalent Organic Polymers for Natural Gas Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for natural gas transportation and storage, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), face challenges due to high pressure requirements, safety concerns, and energy-intensive cryogenic conditions, while adsorbed natural gas (ANG) systems require materials that become porous at high pressures, limiting their application.
Innovation Solution
Development of solvent-linked porous covalent organic polymers (COPs) synthesized through Friedel-Crafts alkylation polymerization using an aromatic monomer and a chlorinated solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, which form a flexible porous network structure suitable for high-pressure natural gas storage without the need for heating or purification, enabling efficient methane adsorption at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compressed natural gas is stored in high-pressure tanks, then storage density is improved, but safety problems and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous covalent organic framework materials with high surface area and controlled pore structures to adsorb natural gas molecules. The porous structure provides extensive surface area for gas adsorption, achieving high storage density without requiring high pressure containment, thus resolving the safety issue associated with compressed natural gas storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the storage mechanism from pressure-based (CNG) to adsorption-based using porous materials. By altering the physical and chemical parameters of the storage system—using materials with specific surface areas, pore volumes, and adsorption energies—the patent achieves efficient natural gas storage at much lower pressures, improving safety while maintaining storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If liquefied natural gas is stored, then storage density is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous covalent organic frameworks that provide high surface area and tailored pore structures for natural gas adsorption. This adsorption mechanism enables dense storage without cryogenic temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive cooling systems and insulation required by LNG storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temperature-based storage (LNG at -162°C) to adsorption-based storage using porous materials. By changing the storage parameter from thermal to adsorptive, the system achieves high storage density without the continuous energy input needed to maintain cryogenic conditions, significantly reducing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If adsorbed natural gas systems use conventional porous adsorbents, then storage safety is improved, but storage capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops covalent organic framework materials with composite-like structures combining high surface area, optimized pore sizes, and specific functional groups that enhance methane adsorption. These advanced porous materials provide both the safety of low-pressure storage and the high capacity needed to meet DOE targets, overcoming the limitations of conventional porous adsorbents.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes key parameters of the porous material including surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and adsorption energy through controlled synthesis. By adjusting these parameters, the material achieves both high storage capacity and maintained safety characteristics, resolving the trade-off between capacity and safety in ANG systems.
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 solvent-linked COPs demonstrate a high natural gas storage capacity, exceeding the US Department of Energy's targets, with a flexible structure that is safe, lightweight, and cost-effective, making them suitable for ANG systems and addressing the limitations of existing storage methods.
Implementation Method 1
conducting alkylation polymerization using an aromatic monomer and a chlorinated solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst
Implementation Method 2
enabling efficient methane adsorption at room temperature and atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Solvent-linked porous covalent organic polymers (COPs) and a method of preparing the same are described. The porous covalent organic polymers are linked by a solvent and are thus suitable for the transportation and storage of natural gas. A method of preparing the porous covalent organic polymers by conducting alkylation polymerization between an aromatic monomer and a chlorine-based solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst is described. Porous stretchable covalent organic polymers having pores with various sizes can be synthesized simply and quickly at room temperature and atmospheric pressure without a heating or purification step. The covalent organic polymers have very high natural gas storage capacity due to the flexible porous network structure thereof and thus are suitable for storage and transportation of natural gas and useful as a natural gas adsorbent.