Star-Shaped Adsorber Structure for Direct Air Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct air capture (DAC) technologies using low temperature (LT) solid sorbents face inefficiencies and high costs due to suboptimal reactor designs and sorbent utilization.
Innovation Solution
The proposed adsorber structure features a cylindrical center portion with star-shaped holders at each end, optimized sorbent element placement, and a modular design to enhance gas flow and sorbent utilization, thereby improving efficiency and output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rectangular or square vacuum chamber with circular openings is used, then the chamber can enclose the adsorber structure, but the transition from circular openings to rectangular chamber creates high flow resistance and low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using a cylindrical chamber design instead of rectangular or square chambers with circular openings. The cylindrical shape eliminates abrupt transitions and corners that create high flow resistance, providing smooth gas flow paths from inlet to outlet, thereby reducing pressure losses and improving overall chamber efficiency.
2Productivity
If conventional reactor designs are used, then the reactor can perform adsorption and desorption cycles, but the sorbent utilization is suboptimal leading to high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorber structure is segmented into multiple adsorption zones arranged in series within the cylindrical chamber. Each zone contains sorbent material and is equipped with distribution elements that divide the gas flow into multiple streams. This segmentation increases the effective contact between gas and sorbent, improving sorbent utilization and captured component output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a radial dimension to the gas flow by using distribution elements that create radially outward flowing gas streams from the central inlet. This multi-dimensional flow pattern maximizes the utilization of sorbent material distributed on the chamber walls, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If gas flow is not optimized, then the reactor structure is simple, but sorbent utilization is suboptimal resulting in high DAC process costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by designing distribution elements that utilize gas pressure to create optimized flow patterns. The gas flow is distributed radially outward through strategically positioned openings, creating efficient contact with the sorbent material. This pneumatic optimization improves sorbent utilization efficiency without requiring complex mechanical systems, keeping manufacturing costs reasonable.
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 design achieves improved efficiency and increased output of captured gaseous components by optimizing gas flow and sorbent utilization, reducing costs associated with DAC processes.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorber structure for capturing gaseous components from a gas mixture
Implementation Method 2
The star shaped holders are rotated relative to one another such that each arm of the first star shaped holder is positioned between two adjacent arms of the second star shaped holder
Implementation Method 3
A gap between adjacent sorbent elements extending from two circumferentially adjacent arms of the first star shaped holder tapers towards the corresponding arm of the second star shaped holder such that a gas mixture streaming from the first end to the second end of the center portion penetrates the adjacent sorbent elements
Data Source
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AI summary
An adsorber structure (6) for capturing gaseous components from a gas mixture comprises a cylindrical center portion (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (13) from a first end (14) to a second end (15). The adsorber structure (6) further comprises a first star shaped holder (16) arranged at the first end (14), and a second star shaped holder (17) arranged at the second end (15) of the center portion (12). Each of the star shaped holders (16, 17) comprises the same number of multiple arms (18) which extend at a constant angular distance from the center portion (12) in different radial outward directions. The star shaped holders (16, 17) are rotated relative to one another such that each arm (18) of the first star shaped holder (16) is positioned between two adjacent arms (18) of the second star shaped holder (17) when looking along the longitudinal axis (13) from the first end (14) toward the second end (15) of the center portion (12). The adsorber structure (6) further comprises sorbent elements (21) for adsorbing the gaseous components from the gas mixture. Two sorbent elements (21) extend from each arm (18) of the first star shaped holder (16) to the respective two adjacent arms (18) of the second star shaped holder (17) along the longitudinal axis (12) of the center portion (12). A gap (22) between adjacent sorbent elements (21) extending from two circumferentially adjacent arms (18) of the first star shaped holder (16) tapers towards the corresponding arm (18) of the second star shaped holder (17) such that a gas mixture streaming from the first end (14) to the second end (15) of the center portion (12) penetrates the adjacent sorbent elements (21).