Magnetic Inductive Heating for Sorbent Regeneration Using Magnetic Nanoparticles

Carbon capture from the air is a key component of reversing climate change and achieving the nation’s energy goals. Various technologies have been employed to aid in this, including basic solutions, solid sorbents, membranes, and others. But these have challenges, including high energy consumption during regeneration of the sorbents. Regeneration of sorbents is so energy intensive that it is a limiting factor. This invention is a magnetic-induced sorbent regeneration technology for carbon capture that is efficient and low cost. Magnetic nanoparticles generate heat under a magnetic field and release the carbon dioxide, resulting in regeneration. 

Description

This invention is a magnetic-induced sorbent regeneration technology for carbon capture. This technology incorporates magnetic nanoparticles, which can generate heat under magnetic fields, into solid or liquid sorbent systems. It then exposes the sorbent systems to alternating current magnetic fields for regeneration. This is a very effective regeneration method, that reaches 90 percent in 10 minutes (lab scale), whereas conventional heating takes hours or days to reach that capacity of regeneration. Another challenge for sorbent regeneration is the low thermal conductivity, which makes heat transfer efficiency low when thermal heating is used for regeneration. Magnetic heating solves these problems, enabling rapid and uniform heat transfer. This drastically reduces the energy cost of sorbent regeneration. Further, electromagnetic waves make this easily adoptable and scalable. It can be combined with other conventional approaches, such as temperature or pressure swing, and can be used to augment the entire process. 

Applications and Industries

• Energy conservation 
• Carbon capture 
• Sorbent regeneration 
• HVAC and power generator suppliers, vendors 
• Dehumidification 
• Material companies 

Benefits

• Magnetic heating fosters sorbent regeneration 
• Allows rapid and uniform heat transfer 
• Reduce energy costs  
• Scalable technology 
• Can be combined with other conventional technologies 
• Augments carbon capture processes