Sorbent-Coated Gas Conduits With Integrated Heat Exchange for CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation systems face difficulties in effectively removing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, from gas streams due to challenging reaction conditions typically present within the structures, making it difficult to adjust temperatures for efficient adsorption.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a heat exchanger and sorbent-coated source gas conduits that allow for the adsorption of carbon dioxide by controlling temperature through a heat exchange medium, enabling continuous adsorption regardless of operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional separate pressure vessels are used for CO2 adsorption, then adsorption capacity is sufficient, but device volume and weight become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger and CO2 adsorption reactor into a single integrated structure. The heat exchanger channels are positioned within or adjacent to the sorbent coating area, allowing thermal management and adsorption functions to occupy the same spatial envelope. This merging eliminates the need for separate pressure vessels while maintaining adequate CO2 adsorption capacity through the integrated sorbent-coated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The design nests the heat exchanger channels within the reactor structure, with heat exchange conduits positioned inside or concentric with the sorbent-containing reactor chamber. This nested arrangement allows the heat exchanger to occupy the central core space while the sorbent coating occupies the peripheral surface area, maximizing functional density without increasing overall reactor volume.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional separate pressure vessels are used for CO2 adsorption, then adsorption function is complete, but system weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger and adsorption reactor into a single integrated structure, eliminating the weight of separate pressure vessels. The combined structure uses shared walls and supports, reducing overall material requirements while maintaining both thermal exchange and CO2 adsorption functions at scales appropriate for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated reactor structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the outer shell provides structural containment for the sorbent, the internal channels provide heat exchange pathways, and the sorbent-coated surfaces provide CO2 adsorption. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated vessels for each function, significantly reducing system weight.
3Productivity
If high power is supplied to create reaction conditions for CO2 removal, then CO2 extraction efficiency improves, but power consumption increases by up to 30 megawatts
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the waste heat already present in the exhaust gas stream to provide the thermal energy needed for CO2 adsorption and desorption cycles. The heat exchanger recovers thermal energy from the hot exhaust gas and uses it to regenerate the sorbent material, eliminating the need for external high-power heating systems and reducing power consumption by up to 30 megawatts while maintaining CO2 removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temperature swing adsorption, changing the temperature parameter of the sorbent to control CO2 adsorption and desorption. During the adsorption phase, the sorbent is cooled to favor CO2 uptake; during the desorption phase, the sorbent is heated to release captured CO2. This parameter change approach enables efficient CO2 removal using moderate thermal energy inputs rather than continuous high-power consumption.
4Productivity
If reaction conditions are adjusted for efficient CO2 adsorption, then CO2 removal effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger and adsorption reactor into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate control systems, valves, and piping for independent temperature control of the sorbent. The integrated design uses the exhaust gas flow itself as the heat transfer medium, simplifying the system architecture while maintaining the ability to adjust reaction conditions for effective CO2 removal.
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 significantly reduces the volume and weight of reactors by up to 50% and 80%, respectively, while lowering power requirements by up to 30 megawatts, achieving efficient carbon dioxide removal without the need for separate pressure vessels.
Implementation Method 1
a sorbent coating on an interior sidewall of each of the plurality of source gas conduits, wherein the sorbent coating adsorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the gas stream within the plurality of source gas conduits
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger having an interior configured to transmit a heat exchange medium therethrough; a plurality of source gas conduits in thermal communication with the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an apparatus having a source gas conduit with a sorbent coating to adsorb compounds from a gas stream, and related methods. An apparatus of the disclosure includes a heat exchanger having an interior configured to transmit a heat exchange medium. A plurality of source gas conduits is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger and configured to transmit a gas stream therethrough. Each of the plurality of source gas conduits is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger. A sorbent coating is on an interior sidewall of each of the plurality of source gas conduits.