Vacuum Wig Membrane for Low-Energy Air CO2 and O2 Enrichment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for carbon dioxide and oxygen enrichment from atmospheric air are energy-intensive and costly, often requiring high capital and operational expenses, and pose operational risks due to high pressures and sub-freezing temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A membrane configuration utilizing a 'wig' design that operates under vacuum, allowing for direct air capture and enrichment of carbon dioxide and oxygen by pulling a vacuum on the permeate stream, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for pressurization, while using materials like cellulose acetate-based membranes to enhance separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional membrane systems operate under high pressure to achieve gas separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by applying vacuum on the permeate side rather than pressurizing the feed side. This reversal allows gas molecules to be drawn through the membrane by suction, achieving separation without high-pressure compression, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter from high-pressure feed operation to low-pressure vacuum permeation operation. By operating under vacuum conditions (negative pressure) on the permeate side instead of positive pressure on the feed side, the system achieves the same separation effect with significantly lower energy input
2Productivity
If conventional systems use high pressure operation to maintain flow rates, then productivity is improved, but operational safety and reliability deteriorate due to high pressure risks
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the pressure application from positive (feed side pressurization) to negative (permeate side vacuum), the system maintains productive gas flow rates through the membrane while operating under inherently safer low-pressure conditions, eliminating high-pressure operational hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical compression approach with a vacuum suction approach. Instead of using compressors to force gas through the membrane under high pressure, the system uses vacuum pumps to draw gas through the membrane under low pressure, achieving the same throughput with improved safety
3Strength
If conventional membrane systems require complex support structures and shells to contain pressurized gas, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity and capital cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex outer shell and support structure from conventional membrane systems. By operating under vacuum rather than pressure, the system removes the need for heavy containment structures, resulting in a simpler, more open membrane configuration with reduced capital cost
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs thin-film membrane structures without heavy external shells. The vacuum operation allows the use of lightweight, flexible membrane configurations that would not be suitable for high-pressure applications, thereby reducing structural complexity and material requirements
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional systems pressurize the feed stream to achieve sufficient driving force, then separation performance is improved, but energy demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the driving force mechanism from pressure-driven (feed side) to vacuum-driven (permeate side). This inversion achieves the necessary driving force for separation by creating a pressure differential through vacuum suction rather than pressure compression, significantly reducing energy demand
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter from high feed pressure to low permeate pressure (vacuum). This parameter change maintains the pressure differential needed for separation performance while reducing the absolute pressure levels and associated energy requirements
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 'wig' membrane configuration achieves higher performance and lower energy consumption, enabling significant reductions in non-renewable fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, with enhanced oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations, and allows for cost-effective integration with existing flue gas generators and sequestration facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum applied to the open end or ends of each membrane tube at the outlet tube sheet(s)
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum applied to the permeate side of the membrane, creating a pressure differential that drives gas permeation through the membrane
Implementation Method 3
Carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapor is separated from nitrogen in the air feed stream by the disclosed membrane configuration
Implementation Method 4
a vacuum applied to the permeate side of the membrane, creating a pressure differential that drives gas permeation through the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus utilizes a membrane unit to capture components from atmospheric air, including oxygen and carbon dioxide, resulting in a permeate stream having an enriched concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the membrane unit may be utilized to form a permeate stream having a permeate of enriched fast gas components. The permeate stream is thereafter directed to a permeate processing facility which may include a second stage of permeate enrichment, a flue gas generator, or a carbon dioxide sequestration facility for processing of an enriched stream of carbon dioxide. Among other carbon dioxide sequestration facilities, the carbon dioxide may be biologically sequestered by a facility of photosynthetic organisms, such as trees in an orchard, crops, or the like. The membrane unit may be shell-less and utilize a vacuum or positive pressure to facilitate the flow of fast gas components through a selective barrier of the membrane.