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A Fluid-Dynamic Framework for Carbon Dioxide Removal: Nonlinear Dynamics, Stability, and Optimal Operation
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Abstract
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are increasingly recognized as essential components of global climate mitigation strategies to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. The performance of many carbon dioxide removal systems is strongly influenced by fluid transport, mixing, and nonlinear flow interactions, making fluid mechanics a critical aspect of their design and operation. In this study, a reduced-order fluid-dynamic model for carbon dioxide removal is developed and analyzed using nonlinear dynamical systems techniques. The model consists of three coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations representing dominant transport modes and an external forcing parameter associated with system operation. Numerical continuation is performed to investigate the equilibrium structure and identify critical operating conditions. The analysis reveals a supercritical Hopf bifurcation and a limit point, indicating oscillatory dynamics and multiple operating regimes. A limit cycle emerging from the Hopf bifurcation is also computed and characterized. To improve system performance, an optimal control problem is formulated in which the forcing parameter is treated as a time-dependent control variable. A stability-aware penalty based on a learned stability indicator is incorporated into the objective function to discourage operation near unstable regions. Numerical results demonstrate that the bifurcation-aware control strategy significantly reduces the objective function and produces smoother control trajectories. The proposed framework provides new insights into the interactions among fluid dynamics, stability, and operational efficiency in carbon dioxide removal systems.
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A Fluid-Dynamic Framework for Carbon Dioxide Removal: Nonlinear Dynamics, Stability, and Optimal Operation. (2026). International Journal of Engineering, Science and Environment (IJESE), 1(2). https://ijese.in/journal/article/view/61
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