Background
Carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from the atmosphere is a critical factor in mitigating climate change. There are many current technologies being used for CO2 capture, including CO2 removal technologies from ambient air. These technologies typically use sorbent materials or mechanisms that involve laminar flow of air, which can sometimes provide greater adsorption capabilities. However, there is research currently being done in the area of turbulent air flow and its impact on CO2 capture capabilities. There are well-known mechanical applications that create turbulence, including irregular terrain or obstacles in the flow path, but have not yet been applied for CO2 capture applications.
Invention Description
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel device to extract CO2 from the atmosphere using turbulence to provide advantageous exposure of CO2 from ambient air. The turbulence is created on the sorbent, which is developed in various configurations and spacing to maximize exposure to ambient air. This mechanism can be combined with mechanical devices to accomplish greater turbulence for larger-scale applications. Multiple direct air capture devices can be used together as a system capable of providing a continuous product stream.
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages