Capturing carbon dioxide

Abstract

The invention relates to carbon dioxide capture. A packing sheet includes a leading edge and a trailing edge spaced apart by an air travel depth. In the mounted configuration, the leading edge is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The upper and lower edges of the filler sheet are spaced apart by a liquid travel dimension parallel to a direction in which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge. The mass transfer zone of the packing sheet includes a mass transfer microstructure having a microstructure height and configured to receive the CO2 capture solution and contact atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution. The reinforcing elements of the filler sheet extend outwardly and have an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension. The spacers of the packing sheets are disposed on the mass transfer zone and spaced apart along a liquid travel dimension. Related apparatus, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure describes systems, apparatus, and methods for capturing carbon dioxide. Background Art

[0002] Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is one way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. However, many technologies designed to capture CO2 from point emission sources (e.g., from flue gases of industrial facilities) are generally ineffective at capturing CO2 from the atmosphere due to the significantly lower CO2 concentrations and the large amounts of atmospheric air required for processing. In recent years, progress has been made in finding technologies that are more suitable for capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Some of these direct air capture (DAC) systems use solid adsorbents in which the active agent is attached to a substrate. These DAC systems typically employ a cyclic adsorption-desorption process in which, after the solid adsorbent is saturated with CO2, it releases the CO2 and regenerates using humidity or thermal swing (thermal swing adsorption).

[0003] Other DAC systems use liquid adsorbents (sometimes called solvents) to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. An example of such a DAC system is a DAC system that uses a fan to draw air through a high surface area packing wetted with a solution containing a liquid adsorbent. CO2 in the air reacts with the liquid adsorbent to produce a CO2-rich solution. The rich solution is processed to regenerate the lean solution and release a concentrated carbon stream, such as CO, CO2, or other carbon products. Summary of the invention

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, a packing sheet for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air to a CO2 capture solution includes: a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a leading edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to a vertical direction in a mounted configuration of the packing sheet; a trailing edge, the trailing edge being spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth, the air travel depth being parallel to a direction along which the atmospheric air travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge; a plurality of interconnected edges, a mass transfer zone, a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer zone and extending outwardly from the first side and the second side. The plurality of interconnected edges includes an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being spaced apart by a liquid travel dimension, the liquid travel dimension being parallel to a direction along which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge. A mass transfer zone is disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, and the mass transfer zone includes a plurality of mass transfer microstructures configured to receive the CO2 capture solution and contact the atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution, the plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height. Each of the plurality of reinforcing elements has an orientation parallel to a liquid travel dimension. A plurality of spacers are spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and have a spacer height greater than the microstructure height.

[0005] In aspects that can be combined with the exemplary embodiment, the filler sheet also includes a spacer alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the spacer alignment axis extending between at least two spacers of a plurality of spacers aligned along a liquid travel dimension, and the spacer alignment axis is substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installed configuration of the filler sheet.

[0006] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the packing sheet further comprises a reinforcing element alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the reinforcing element alignment axis extending between at least two of the plurality of reinforcing elements aligned along the liquid travel dimension, the reinforcing element alignment axis being substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the mounting configuration of the packing sheet.

[0007] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements comprises a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements comprising a plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to one another along a liquid travel dimension, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a reinforcing body height greater than a microstructure height.

[0008] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of intermediate reinforcements include a first group of intermediate reinforcements extending outwardly from the first side and a second group of intermediate reinforcements extending outwardly from the second side, the first group of intermediate reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side. The first group of intermediate reinforcements alternates with the second group of recesses on the first side along an axis, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements alternates with the first group of recesses on the second side along the axis.

[0009] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcements comprises a plurality of planar walls extending outward from one of the first side and the second side to the attachment wall; and a plurality of flow channels, each of the plurality of flow channels being disposed in a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls.

[0010] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of flow channels include at least one longitudinal flow channel parallel to a liquid travel dimension; and at least one lateral flow channel, wherein the at least one lateral flow channel includes an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being closer to the attachment wall than the outlet end.

[0011] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral ribs adjacent to at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, each of the plurality of peripheral ribs extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side and forming a corresponding recess in the other of the first side and the second side.

[0012] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include a plurality of leading edge ribs adjacent to the leading edge, the plurality of leading edge ribs including a group of innermost ribs extending outwardly from a first side and forming corresponding recesses in a second side; and a group of outermost ribs extending outwardly from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side, wherein along the air travel depth, the group of outermost ribs are spaced farther from the leading edge than the group of innermost ribs.

[0013] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include a plurality of trailing edge ribs adjacent to the trailing edge, the plurality of trailing edge ribs including a third group of ribs extending outward from the first side and forming corresponding recesses in the second side; and a fourth group of ribs extending outward from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side, wherein along the air travel depth, the fourth group of ribs are spaced farther from the trailing edge than the third group of ribs.

[0014] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one longitudinal rib pair having two peripheral ribs, wherein the two peripheral ribs are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the liquid travel dimension to define a longitudinal pairing gap, wherein some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the longitudinal pairing gap.

[0015] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one lateral rib pair having two peripheral ribs, wherein the two peripheral ribs are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the air travel depth to define a lateral pairing gap, and some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the lateral pairing gap.

[0016] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcement elements comprises a plurality of peripheral reinforcement bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid traveling dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcement bodies defining at least one of a trailing edge and a leading edge.

[0017] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of spacers comprises a plurality of spacer pairs spaced apart along a liquid travel dimension and along an air travel depth, the spacers in each of the plurality of spacer pairs being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the air travel depth.

[0018] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the spacers in each spacer pair include a first spacer extending outward from a first side and forming a corresponding recess in a second side, and a second spacer extending outward from the second side and forming a corresponding recess in the first side.

[0019] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least a plurality of the intermediate reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate ribs oriented parallel to a liquid travel dimension, the plurality of intermediate ribs including a first group of ribs, the first group of ribs being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and extending outward from a first side and forming corresponding recesses in a second side; and a second group of ribs, the second group of ribs being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and extending outward from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side, the second group of ribs being spaced apart from the first group of ribs in a direction parallel to the air travel depth.

[0020] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each rib in the first group of ribs includes a first rib end and a second rib end; and each rib in the second group of ribs includes a third rib end and a fourth rib end, and the third rib end of at least one rib in the second group of ribs is positioned between the first rib end and the second rib end of at least one rib in the first group of ribs.

[0021] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the filler sheet has a rectangular shape, the leading edge and the trailing edge are substantially parallel to a vertical line in the installed configuration of the filler sheet, the upper edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge, and the lower edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0022] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the liquid travel dimension is greater than the air travel depth.

[0023] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the air travel depth is 3 ft to 5 ft.

[0024] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, at least some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures include a first wall portion extending toward a first vertex on a first side; and a second wall portion extending from the first vertex to a second vertex on the second side, at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion including at least one wall feature extending from the at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0025] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the at least one wall feature comprises a first wall feature extending outwardly from the first wall portion on the first side and a second wall feature extending outwardly from the second wall portion on the second side.

[0026] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the filler sheet further comprises a centroid, the filler sheet having point symmetry about the centroid.

[0027] In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcement elements comprises a plurality of reinforcement bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the air travel depth and between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0028] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, a plurality of reinforcement bodies are disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge.

[0029] In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcement bodies define at least one of an upper edge and a lower edge.

[0030] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each reinforcement body of the plurality of reinforcement bodies extends outwardly from at least one of the first side or the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a body height greater than a microstructure height.

[0031] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcements include a first group of reinforcements extending outwardly from the first side and a second group of reinforcements extending outwardly from the second side. The first group of reinforcements form a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of reinforcements form a second group of recesses on the first side. The first group of reinforcements alternate with the second group of recesses on the first side along a horizontal axis, and the second group of reinforcements alternate with the first group of recesses on the second side along the horizontal axis.

[0032] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each of the plurality of reinforcements comprises: a plurality of planar walls extending outward from at least one of the first side or the second side to the attachment wall; and at least one flow channel extending on at least one of the first side or the second side into a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls, the at least one flow channel being parallel to the air travel depth.

[0033] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each of the plurality of reinforcing bodies comprises a plurality of planar walls extending outwardly from at least one of the first side or the second side to the attachment wall, the attachment wall having an attachment wall slope, and at least one of the plurality of planar walls comprises a step member. The step member comprises a first wall segment extending from the attachment wall and having a first slope different from the slope of the attachment wall, a second wall segment extending from the first wall segment and having a second slope different from the first slope, and a third wall segment extending from the second wall segment and having a third slope different from the second slope.

[0034] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, at least some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures include: a plurality of basic microstructures comprising first wall portions and second wall portions extending toward a first vertex on one of the first side and the second side; and a plurality of supplementary surrounding structures protruding outward from the first wall portions and the second wall portions of the plurality of basic microstructures.

[0035] In another exemplary embodiment, a structured packing for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air to a CO2 capture solution includes a plurality of packing sheets attached together. At least one packing sheet of the plurality of packing sheets includes a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a leading edge; a trailing edge, the trailing edge being spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth, the air travel depth being parallel to a direction in which the atmospheric air travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge, a plurality of interconnecting edges, a mass transfer zone, a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer zone and extending outwardly from the first side and the second side. In the mounted configuration of the at least one packing sheet, the leading edge of the at least one packing sheet is substantially parallel to a vertical direction. The plurality of interconnecting edges include an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being spaced apart by a liquid travel dimension, the liquid travel dimension being parallel to a direction in which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge. A mass transfer zone is disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height and configured to contact the CO2 capture solution with atmospheric air. Each of the plurality of reinforcing elements has an orientation parallel to a liquid travel dimension. A plurality of spacers are spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and have a spacer height greater than the microstructure height. Adjacent filler sheets of the plurality of filler sheets are attached along corresponding plurality of spacers and define an airflow channel through which atmospheric air travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

[0036] In aspects that may be combined with the exemplary embodiments, the gas flow channel has a rectangular channel shape defined in a plane perpendicular to the liquid travel dimension.

[0037] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements including a plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a reinforcing body height greater than the microstructure height. Adjacent filler sheets are attached along their attachment walls.

[0038] In another aspect that can be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcement bodies includes a plurality of planar walls and a plurality of flow channels, the plurality of planar walls extending outward from one of the first side and the second side to the attachment wall, each of the plurality of flow channels being arranged in a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls, the plurality of flow channels including at least one longitudinal flow channel, the at least one longitudinal flow channel being parallel to the liquid travel dimension and extending from the attached attachment wall of the adjacent filler sheet.

[0039] In another aspect that can be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the multiple intermediate reinforcements include a first group of reinforcements extending outward from the first side and a second group of reinforcements extending outward from the second side, the first group of reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side, the first group of reinforcements alternate with the second group of recesses on the first side along an axis, and the second group of reinforcements alternate with the first group of recesses on the second side along the axis, and the airflow channel between adjacent filler sheets extends through the first group of recesses and the second group of recesses.

[0040] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, a plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between a leading edge and a trailing edge, at least a plurality of the intermediate reinforcing elements including a plurality of intermediate ribs oriented parallel to a liquid travel dimension; the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral reinforcing elements disposed adjacent to at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing elements including a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge; and an intermediate rib height of the plurality of intermediate ribs is less than a peripheral reinforcing body height of the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies.

[0041] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies including a first group of reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from the first side and a second group of reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from the second side. The first group of reinforcing bodies forms a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of reinforcing bodies forms a second group of recesses on the first side, the first group of reinforcing bodies alternates along an axis with the second group of recesses on the first side, and the second group of reinforcing bodies alternates along the axis with the first group of recesses on the second side, the first group of reinforcing bodies of a first of the adjacent filler sheets being attached to the second group of reinforcing bodies of a second of the adjacent filler sheets, a reinforcing body flow path being formed between the first group of recesses and the second group of recesses of the adjacent filler sheets, the reinforcing body flow path being in fluid communication with the airflow channel.

[0042] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the structured packing further comprises a spacer alignment axis extending between an upper edge and a lower edge on the first side and the second side, the spacer alignment axis extending between at least two of a plurality of spacers aligned along a liquid travel dimension, the spacer alignment axis being substantially parallel to a vertical direction in the mounting configuration of the at least one packing sheet.

[0043] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the structured packing further comprises a reinforcing element alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the reinforcing element alignment axis extending between at least two of the plurality of reinforcing elements aligned along the liquid travel dimension, the reinforcing element alignment axis being substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installed configuration of the at least one packing sheet.

[0044] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements comprises a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least a plurality of the intermediate reinforcing elements comprising a plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to one another along a liquid travel dimension, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a reinforcing body height greater than a microstructure height.

[0045] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of intermediate reinforcements include a first group of intermediate reinforcements extending outwardly from the first side and a second group of intermediate reinforcements extending outwardly from the second side, the first group of intermediate reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side. The first group of intermediate reinforcements alternates with the second group of recesses on the first side along an axis, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements alternates with the first group of recesses on the second side along the axis.

[0046] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcements comprises a plurality of planar walls extending outward from one of the first side and the second side to the attachment wall, and a plurality of flow channels, each of the plurality of flow channels being arranged in a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls.

[0047] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of flow channels comprises at least one longitudinal flow channel parallel to the liquid travel dimension, and at least one lateral flow channel comprising an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being closer to the attachment wall than the outlet end.

[0048] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral ribs adjacent to at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, each of the plurality of peripheral ribs extending outward from one of the first side and the second side and forming a corresponding recess in the other of the first side and the second side.

[0049] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include a plurality of leading edge ribs adjacent to the leading edge, the plurality of leading edge ribs including a group of innermost ribs; and a group of outermost ribs, wherein along the air travel depth, the group of outermost ribs are spaced farther from the leading edge than the group of innermost ribs, the group of innermost ribs extending outward from the first side and forming corresponding recesses in the second side, and the group of outermost ribs extending outward from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side.

[0050] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include a plurality of trailing edge ribs adjacent to the trailing edge, the plurality of trailing edge ribs include a third group of ribs and a fourth group of ribs, along the air travel depth, the fourth group of ribs are spaced farther from the trailing edge than the third group of ribs, the third group of ribs extend outward from the first side and form corresponding recesses in the second side, and the fourth group of ribs extend outward from the second side and form corresponding recesses in the first side.

[0051] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one longitudinal rib pair having two peripheral ribs, wherein the two peripheral ribs are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the liquid travel dimension to define a longitudinal pairing gap, wherein some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the longitudinal pairing gap.

[0052] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one lateral rib pair having two peripheral ribs, wherein the two peripheral ribs are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the air travel depth to define a lateral pairing gap, and some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the lateral pairing gap.

[0053] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements comprises a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid traveling dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge.

[0054] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of spacers comprises a plurality of spacer pairs spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and along the air travel depth, the spacers in each spacer pair being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the air travel depth.

[0055] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the spacers in each spacer pair include a first spacer extending outward from a first side and forming a corresponding recess in a second side, and a second spacer extending outward from the second side and forming a corresponding recess in the first side.

[0056] In another aspect that can be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate ribs, the plurality of intermediate ribs having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of intermediate ribs including a first group of ribs, the first group of ribs being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and extending outward from the first side and forming corresponding recesses on the second side; and a second group of ribs, the second group of ribs being spaced apart on the liquid travel dimension, the second group of ribs being spaced apart from the first group of ribs in a direction parallel to the air travel depth, the first group of ribs extending outward from the first side and forming corresponding recesses in the second side, and the second group of ribs extending outward from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side.

[0057] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, each rib in the first group of ribs includes a first rib end and a second rib end; and each rib in the second group of ribs includes a third rib end and a fourth rib end, and the third rib end of at least one rib in the second group of ribs is positioned between the first rib end and the second rib end of at least one rib in the first group of ribs.

[0058] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the filler sheet has a rectangular shape, and in the installed configuration of at least one filler sheet, the leading edge and the trailing edge are substantially parallel to a vertical line; the upper edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge; and the lower edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0059] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the liquid travel dimension is greater than the air travel depth.

[0060] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the air travel depth is 3 ft to 5 ft.

[0061] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, at least one of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures comprises a first wall portion extending toward a first vertex on a first side, and a second wall portion extending from the first vertex to a second vertex on a second side, and at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion comprises at least one wall feature extending from at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0062] In another aspect which may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the at least one wall feature comprises a first wall feature extending outwardly from the first wall portion on the first side, and a second wall feature extending outwardly from the second wall portion on the second side.

[0063] In another aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the structured packing further comprises a centroid, and the at least one packing sheet has point symmetry about the centroid.

[0064] In another exemplary embodiment, a gas liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air comprises: at least one inlet; at least one outlet spaced apart from the at least one inlet; at least one packing section disposed between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, the at least one packing section comprising at least one structured packing, one or more liquid collection devices, the one or more liquid collection devices comprising a bottom liquid collection device at least partially located below the at least one packing section, the one or more liquid collection devices being configured to contain a CO2 capture solution; a fan operable to cause atmospheric air to flow (1) from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet, and (2) along an airflow channel of the at least one structured packing parallel to the air travel depth; and a liquid distribution system fluidly connected to the at least one packing section. The at least one structured packing comprises a plurality of packing sheets attached together. At least one of the plurality of filler sheets comprises: a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a leading edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to the vertical direction; a trailing edge, the trailing edge being spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth; a plurality of interconnected edges, the plurality of interconnected edges comprising an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being spaced apart by a liquid travel dimension; a mass transfer zone disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height; a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, each of the plurality of reinforcing elements having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer zone and extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart and having a spacer height greater than the microstructure height. Adjacent filler sheets of the plurality of filler sheets are attached along the respective plurality of spacers and define an airflow channel. The liquid distribution system is operable to flow the CO2 capture solution along the plurality of mass transfer microstructures in the liquid travel dimension to contact atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution and absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution.

[0065] In aspects that may be combined with the exemplary embodiments, the gas liquid contactor further comprises a shell defining an interior at least partially exposed to atmospheric air, the interior being disposed between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, the at least one structured packing comprising a plurality of structured packings disposed within the interior and forming at least one structured packing arrangement, the structured packings in the at least one structured packing arrangement being positioned vertically and laterally adjacent to each other.

[0066] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the at least one structured packing arrangement includes an upper arrangement of structured packing; a lower arrangement of structured packing, the lower arrangement of structured packing being vertically spaced below the upper arrangement of structured packing, and a redistribution interval defined between the upper and lower arrangements of the structured packing; and the one or more liquid collection devices include a redistribution trough, the redistribution trough being located in the redistribution interval between the upper and lower arrangements of the structured packing, the redistribution trough being configured to collect CO2 capture solution from the upper arrangement of the structured packing and redistribute the CO2 capture solution on the lower arrangement of the structured packing.

[0067] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the shell includes a plurality of interconnected structural members, and the plurality of structured packings are mounted to at least one of: an interconnected structural member of the plurality of interconnected structural members, and another structured packing of the plurality of structured packings.

[0068] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the liquid distribution system is operable to distribute the CO2 capture solution at a rate in the range of 0.5 L / m 2 s to 10L / m 2 s of liquid loading flow.

[0069] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the preceding aspects, the at least one packing section comprises a first packing section; and a second packing section, which is separated from the first packing portion by a gas collecting chamber; the fan is operable to cause the atmospheric air to flow into the first packing section and the second packing section at an air velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5 m / s, and flow through the first packing section and the second packing section in a horizontal flow direction and into the gas collecting chamber; and the liquid distribution system is operable to cause the CO2 capture solution to flow in a liquid travel dimension that is primarily vertically downward.

[0070] In another exemplary embodiment, a packing sheet for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air to a CO2 capture solution comprises: a first side; a second side opposite the first side; a leading edge; a trailing edge, the trailing edge being spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth, the air travel depth being parallel to a direction in which atmospheric air travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to a vertical direction in an installed configuration of the packing sheet; a plurality of interconnected edges, the plurality of interconnected edges comprising an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being spaced apart by a liquid travel dimension, the liquid travel dimension being parallel to a direction in which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge; a mass transfer zone, the mass transfer zone being disposed in the On the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone includes a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height, the plurality of mass transfer microstructures being configured to receive the CO2 capture solution and bring the atmospheric air into contact with the CO2 capture solution; at least one reinforcing element extending outward from one of the first side and the second side, the at least one reinforcing element having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension, one or more of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures being disposed on the at least one reinforcing element; and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer zone and extending outward from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and having a spacer height greater than the microstructure height.

[0071] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air includes: causing the atmospheric air to flow from leading edges of a plurality of filler sheets to trailing edges of the plurality of filler sheets along a first flow direction, the first flow direction being substantially perpendicular to the leading edges of the plurality of filler sheets; and causing a CO2 capture solution to flow through the plurality of filler sheets in a second flow direction to absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution, the second flow direction being substantially perpendicular to the first flow direction.

[0072] In another exemplary embodiment, a direct air capture (DAC) system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air comprises: at least one gas-liquid contactor, a liquid distribution system, and a regeneration system in fluid communication with the liquid distribution system. The at least one gas-liquid contactor comprises: at least one inlet; at least one outlet spaced apart from the at least one inlet; at least one packing section disposed between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, and a fan. The at least one packing section comprises at least one structured packing. The at least one structured packing comprises a plurality of packing sheets attached together. At least one of the plurality of filler sheets comprises: a first side, a second side opposite the first side; a leading edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to the vertical direction; a trailing edge, the trailing edge being spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth; a plurality of interconnected edges, the plurality of interconnected edges comprising an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being spaced apart by a liquid travel dimension; a mass transfer zone, the mass transfer zone being disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height; a plurality of reinforcing elements, the plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, each of the plurality of reinforcing elements having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer zone and extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart and having a spacer height greater than the microstructure height, adjacent filler sheets of the plurality of filler sheets being attached along the respective plurality of spacers and defining an airflow channel. The fan is operable to cause atmospheric air to (1) flow from at least one inlet to at least one outlet, and (2) flow along the airflow channels of at least one structured packing parallel to the air travel depth. The liquid distribution system is fluidly connected to at least one packing segment and is operable to cause a CO2 capture solution to flow through the mass transfer microstructures of the at least one packing segment, the CO2 capture solution being configured to absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air. The liquid distribution system includes one or more liquid collection devices, the one or more liquid collection devices including a bottom liquid collection device at least partially positioned below the at least one packing segment, the one or more liquid collection devices being configured to hold the CO2 capture solution. The regeneration system receives the CO2 capture solution and is configured to regenerate the CO2 capture solution and form a CO2-lean liquid for return to the at least one gas liquid contactor.

[0073] In aspects that may be combined with the exemplary embodiments, the regeneration system is configured to provide a CO 2 product stream for export or use.

[0074] Embodiments of the systems and methods for capturing carbon dioxide according to the present disclosure may include one, some, or all of the following features. For example, packing having the features described herein is specifically designed for commercial DAC applications and therefore has the ability to reduce at least one of air volume, packing depth, liquid flow, and air contactor footprint without significantly sacrificing CO2 absorption performance. Design criteria for DAC packing that reflect good performance include: low static pressure design, ability to evenly distribute liquid over the entire packing height, low fouling ability, improvement in air contact efficiency, lower material requirements, efficiency effects of larger packing sizes, and manufacturability.

[0075] The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Figure 1 An exemplary gas liquid contactor is shown.

[0077] Figure 2A Another exemplary gas liquid contactor is shown.

[0078] Figure 2B Another exemplary gas liquid contactor is shown.

[0079] Figure 3 An exemplary packing sheet for use in a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure is shown.

[0080] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of section IV-IV of the filler sheet.

[0081] Figure 4A is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4A-4A in FIG.

[0082] Figure 4B is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B in FIG.

[0083] Figure 4C is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4C-4C in FIG.

[0084] Figure 4D is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4D-4D in FIG.

[0085] Figure 4E is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4E-4E in FIG.

[0086] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Magnified view of portion VV.

[0087] Figure 5A is an enlarged view of a portion of an exemplary packing sheet for use in a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0088] Figure 6 An exemplary packing sheet for use in a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure is shown.

[0089] Figure 7 An exemplary packing sheet for use in a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure is shown.

[0090] Fig. 7A is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken along line 7A-7A in FIG.

[0091] Figure 8 An exemplary packing sheet for use in a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure is shown.

[0092] Fig. 8A yes Figure 8 8A-8A is an enlarged view of portion 8A-8A.

[0093] Fig.8A1 is along Fig. 8A A cross-sectional view taken along line 8A1-8A1 in FIG.

[0094] Figure 8A2 is along Fig. 8A A cross-sectional view taken along line 8A2-8A2 in FIG.

[0095] Figure 8B yes Figure 8 8B-8B is an enlarged view of portion 8B.

[0096] Figure 8B1 is along Figure 8B A cross-sectional view taken along line 8B1-8B1 in FIG.

[0097] Figure 8B2 is along Figure 8B A cross-sectional view taken along line 8B2-8B2 in FIG.

[0098] Figure 8C yes Figure 8 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of an exemplary filler sheet.

[0099] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary packing sheet for use in a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0100] Fig.10 An exemplary structured packing formed from filler sheets of the present disclosure is shown.

[0101] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Front view of the structured packing.

[0102] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 Top view of the structured packing.

[0103] Fig.13 An exemplary mass transfer microstructure of a packing sheet of the present disclosure is shown.

[0104] Fig.14 An exemplary mass transfer microstructure of a packing sheet of the present disclosure is shown.

[0105] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of a direct air capture system having a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0106] Fig.16 is a schematic flow diagram of a process for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

[0107] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of a control system (or controller) for a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0108] Fig.18A An exemplary mass transfer microstructure of a packing sheet of the present disclosure is shown.

[0109] Fig.18B yes Fig.18A An enlarged view of portion 18B-18B.

[0110] Fig.19 is a schematic diagram of another direct air capture system having a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0111] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of another direct air capture system having a gas liquid contactor of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0112] refer to Figure 1, the present disclosure describes systems and methods for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere (e.g., ambient air or atmospheric air) or from another fluid source containing a dilute concentration of CO2 using a gas liquid contactor 100. The concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere are dilute in that they are currently in the range of 400-420 parts per million ("ppm") or approximately 0.04-0.042% v / v, and less than 1% v / v. These atmospheric concentrations of CO2 are at least one order of magnitude lower than the concentrations of CO2 in point source emissions (such as flue gas), where point source emissions may have CO2 concentrations in the range of 5-15% v / v, depending on the emission source. In some embodiments, the gas liquid contactor 100 is operated to capture dilute CO2 present in ambient air by drawing in ambient air as a fluid containing CO2 air 101, and by treating the CO2 containing air 101 so as to transfer the CO2 present therein to a CO2 capture solution 114 (e.g., a CO2 adsorbent) via absorption. Some or all of the CO2 in the CO2-containing air 101 is removed, and the treated CO2-containing air 101 is then discharged as a stream of CO2-lean gas 105 (or low CO2 air) through the gas liquid contactor 100. In operation to treat atmospheric air in this manner, the gas liquid contactor 100 may sometimes be referred to herein as an "air contactor" because it facilitates the absorption of CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution 114. In contrast to a water cooling tower, which is primarily used to transfer heat between water and the atmosphere, the gas liquid contactor 100 is primarily used to achieve mass transfer of CO2 from the atmosphere to the CO2 capture solution 114. When operated in this manner, the gas liquid contactor 100 can be used as part of a direct air capture (DAC) system 1200, referred to below. Fig.15 Describe in more detail.

[0113] In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 1, the CO2 capture solution 114 is a caustic solution. In some embodiments, the CO2 capture solution 114 has a pH of 10 or higher. In some embodiments, the CO2 capture solution 114 has a pH of about 14. Non-limiting examples of CO2 capture solutions 114 include aqueous alkaline solutions (e.g., KOH, NaOH, or a combination thereof), aqueous amines, aqueous amino acid salt solutions, non-aqueous solutions of amines, non-aqueous organic liquids / solutions (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide or DMSO), aqueous carbonate and / or bicarbonate solutions, phenoxide / phenol salts, ionic liquids, non-aqueous solvents, diamines with aminocyclohexyl groups (e.g., IPDA), or a combination thereof. In some cases, the CO2 capture solution 114 may include a promoter and / or additive that increases the amount of CO2 absorbed. Non-limiting examples of promoters include carbonic anhydrase, amines (primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines), and boric acid. Non-limiting examples of additives include chlorides, sulfates, acetates, phosphates, surfactants, oxides, and metal oxides. For example, a surfactant may be added to the CO2 capture solution 114 to reduce the surface tension of the CO2 capture solution 114, thereby improving the ability of the CO2 capture solution 114 to wet the filler. Non-limiting examples of rate enhancing additives include carbonic anhydrase, piperazine, monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), zinc triazacycles, zinc tetraazacycles, copper glycinate, hydroxopentaaminecobaltperchlorate, formaldehyde hydrate, sucrose, fructose, glucose, phenol, phenolate, glycerol, arsenite, hypochlorite, hypobromite or other oxyanion species.

[0114] In some embodiments, at a given reference temperature, the density of the CO2 capture solution 114 is greater than the density of water at the same reference temperature. At a comparable reference temperature, in some embodiments, the density of the CO2 capture solution 114 is at least 10% greater than the density of water. In some embodiments, at a comparable reference temperature, the density of the CO2 capture solution 114 is approximately 10% greater than the density of water. The density and viscosity of the CO2 capture solution 114 may vary depending on the composition and temperature of the CO2 capture solution 114. For example, at a temperature of 0°C to 20°C, the CO2 capture solution 114 or the CO2-containing capture solution 111 may include 1M KOH and 0.5M K2CO3, and may have a viscosity in the range of 1115 kg / m 3 -1119kg / m 3In another example, the CO2 capture solution 114 or CO2-containing capture solution 111 may include 2M KOH and 1M K2CO3 at a temperature of 20°C to 0°C and may have a viscosity in the range of 1260 kg / m 3 -1266kg / m 3 The density of water at 20°C is 998 kg / m 3 , viscosity is 1mPa·s.

[0115] In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 1 , CO2 from CO2-containing air 101 is captured by contacting the CO2-containing air 101 with a CO2 capture solution 114 in a gas-liquid contactor 100. Reacting CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 with an alkaline CO2 capture solution 114 (for example) can form a CO2-containing capture solution 111. In some embodiments, the CO2 capture solution 114 contains an alkali metal hydroxide, and the CO2 is absorbed by reacting with the alkali metal hydroxide to form a carbonate-rich capture solution (e.g., K2CO3, Na2CO3, or a combination thereof). The CO2-containing capture solution 111 may include a carbonate-rich capture solution, and is therefore sometimes referred to herein as a "carbonate-rich capture solution 111". The CO2-containing capture solution 111 can be treated to recover the captured CO2 for downstream use and to regenerate the alkali metal hydroxide for use in the CO2 capture solution 114. In some embodiments, the recovered CO2 can be transported downhole and sealed in geological formations, underground reservoirs, carbon sinks, etc. In some embodiments, the recovered CO2 can be used to enhance oil recovery by injecting the recovered CO2 into one or more wellbores to increase the production of hydrocarbons from the reservoir. In some embodiments, the recovered CO2 can be fed to a downstream fuel synthesis system, which can include a syngas generation reactor.

[0116] The CO2-containing capture solution 111 may also include other components in smaller amounts, such as hydroxide ions, alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., KOH, NaOH), water, and impurities. For example, the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 may include 0.4M to 6M K2CO3 and 1M to 10M KOH. In another embodiment, the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 may include an aqueous Na2CO3-NaOH mixture. In some embodiments, the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 may include a mixture of K2CO3 and Na2CO3.

[0117] By introducing additives (such as promoter substances) into the CO2 capture solution 114, the capture kinetics of CO2 from CO2-containing air 101 to form carbonates can be improved. Non-limiting examples of promoters for improving the capture of CO2 by carbonates include carbonic anhydrase, amines (primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines), zwitterionic amino acids, and boric acid. The resulting carbonate-rich capture solution 111 produced by the gas-liquid contactor 100 includes carbonates and bicarbonates, and also includes promoters. Exemplary compositions of such carbonate-rich capture solutions 111 may include K2CO3 / KHCO3 and promoters. The carbonate-rich capture solution 111 produced by such a CO2 capture solution 114 may have a pH in the range of 11-13, and may have very little residual hydroxide from the CO2 capture solution 114. In some cases, additives that are not considered promoters may be used to improve the absorption of CO2 in the CO2 capture solution 114.

[0118] refer to Figure 1 , the gas liquid contactor 100 includes a shell 102. The shell 102 defines a portion of the body of the gas liquid contactor 100 and provides structure thereto. The shell 102 includes an external structure or wall that partially surrounds any combination of interconnected structural members 115. The structural members 115 provide structural support and stability for the gas liquid contactor 100, and provide a body for supporting the components of the gas liquid contactor 100 within the shell 102. The structural members 115 may include, but are not limited to, walls, panels, beams, frames, and the like. The shell 102 may also include other parts, such as cladding, panels, and the like, which help to enclose portions of the shell 102 and define the outer shell of the shell 102. The shell 102 at least partially surrounds and defines an interior 113 of the shell 102. The interior 113 of the shell 102 is the interior volume or interior space where the components of the gas liquid contactor 100 are located. The shell 102 also includes an opening 103 that allows gas to move in and out of the gas liquid contactor 100. For example, and with reference to Figure 1 The housing 102 has one or more inlets 1031. Figure 1 In the embodiment, one or more inlets 103I are formed by the opening 103, so that the inlet 103I may be referred to herein as one or more inlet openings 103I, through which the CO2-containing air 101 enters the interior 113 of the housing 102. The housing 102 has one or more outlets 103O. Figure 1 In the embodiment, one or more outlets 103O are formed by the opening 103, so that the outlet 103O may be referred to herein as one or more outlet openings 103O, through which the CO2-lean gas 105 exits the interior 113 of the housing 102. Figure 1In an exemplary embodiment of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1 , the housing 102 defines two inlets 103I and one outlet 103O. The outlet 103O may be defined by a component of the gas-liquid contactor 100. For example, in Figure 1 In an embodiment of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of the present invention, the gas-liquid contactor 100 has a fan duct 107 oriented upright. The fan duct 107 extends upward from the housing 102 and helps to discharge the CO2-lean gas 105. The outlet 103O is located along the fan duct 107. In such an embodiment, the CO2-containing air 101 enters the interior 113 of the housing 102 through one or both of the inlets 103I in a substantially horizontal direction, and the CO2-lean gas 105 leaves the interior 113 through the outlet 103O in a substantially vertical direction. The outlet 103O is located at the upper end of the fan duct 107. In an embodiment of the gas-liquid contactor 100 without the fan duct 107, the outlet 103O can be located elsewhere. Other configurations of the inlet 103I and the outlet 103O of the housing 102 are possible.

[0119] The housing 102 at least partially surrounds and protects the components of the gas liquid contactor 100 that are located in the interior 113 of the housing 102. One example of such a component is the packing section 106, which is protected from the surrounding atmosphere by the housing 102. Figure 1 As shown, one or more packing sections 106 (sometimes collectively referred to herein as "packing 106" or "packing 106") are located in the interior 113 at a position adjacent to the one or more inlets 103I. At this position, the one or more packing sections 106 receive the CO2-containing air 101 that enters the interior 113 via the one or more inlets 103I. The one or more packing sections 106 are used to increase the transfer of CO2 present in the CO2-containing air 101 to the flow of the capture solution 114, because the one or more packing sections 106 provide a large surface area for the capture solution 114 to spread thereon, thereby increasing the reaction area between the CO2-containing air 101 and the capture solution 114. The capture solution 114 converts the CO2-containing air 101 into a CO2-lean gas 105, which is discharged from one or more outlets 1030 of the gas liquid contactor 100. The packing section 106 receives the CO 2 capture solution 114 and facilitates absorption of CO 2 present in the CO 2 containing air 101 into the CO 2 capture solution 114 at the packing section 106 , as described in more detail below.

[0120] refer to Figure 1, one possible arrangement of the packing section 106 includes two or more packing sections 106A, 106B. Each packing section 106A, 106B is located downstream and near one of the inlets 103I. The packing sections 106A, 106B are spaced apart from each other in the shell 102. The direction in which the packing sections 106A, 106B are spaced apart is parallel to the direction in which the CO2-containing air 101 flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B. The space or volume defined between the packing sections 106A, 106B and / or one or more structural members of the shell 102 is a plenum 108. The sides of the plenum 108 are the packing sections 106A, 106B. The plenum 108 is a void or space within the shell 102 into which gas (e.g., CO2-lean gas 105) flows downstream of the packing sections 106A, 106B, and from which the CO2-lean gas 105 flows out of the shell 102 through the outlet 103O. The plenum 108 is a portion of the interior 113 of the shell 102. The volume of the plenum 108 is less than the volume of the interior 113. In some embodiments, the volume of the interior 113 of the shell 102 is approximately equal to the combined volume of the packing sections 106A, 106B and the plenum 108. Reference Figure 1 , the packing sections 106A, 106B are positioned along the same level as the plenum 108, or along the same lower level as the plenum 108. Figure 1 , the plenum 108 may include an upper plenum portion 108U as the uppermost portion of the plenum 108, and a lower plenum portion 108L as the lowermost portion of the plenum 108. The total height of the plenum 108 is defined as the height of the upper plenum portion 108U plus the height of the lower plenum portion 108L. A portion of the upper plenum portion 108U is defined by a housing plenum wall 102W of the housing 102, and the remainder of the upper plenum portion 108U is defined by a portion of the fan duct 107 located below the fan 212. The housing plenum wall 102W extends upward from the remainder of the housing 102. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 1 , the shell plenum wall 102W is the uppermost portion of the shell 102. The height of the upper plenum portion 108U includes a lower height portion defined by the shell plenum wall 102W and an upper height portion defined by a portion of the fan air duct 107 located below the fan 212. In some embodiments, the lower height portion defined by the shell plenum wall 102W is two-thirds of the height of the upper plenum portion 108U, and the upper height portion defined by a portion of the fan air duct 107 located below the fan 212 is one-third of the height of the upper plenum portion 108U. This configuration of the upper plenum portion 108U can reduce the re-inhalation of a portion of the CO2-lean gas 105 at the inlet 103I. Reference Figure 1, a portion of the upper plenum portion 108U and therefore a portion of the plenum 108 extends into the fan air duct 107 or fairing. After the CO2-containing air 101 flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B, the CO2-lean gas 105 flows through the plenum 108 before being discharged to the surrounding environment. In other embodiments of the gas-liquid contactor 100, there is no plenum. The gas-liquid contactor 100 may include one or more portions of a floating material eliminator to remove or reduce the CO2 capture solution 114 that may be entrained in the CO2-lean gas 105 flowing through the plenum 108.

[0121] exist Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment of the gas liquid contactor 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the CO2-containing air 101 enters the interior 113 of the shell 102 through two inlets 1031 in a substantially horizontal direction. The CO2-containing air 101 then flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B in a substantially horizontal direction, wherein the CO2 present in the CO2-containing air 101 contacts the CO2 capture solution 114 present on the packing sections 106A, 106B and / or flowing through the packing sections 106A, 106B in a substantially downward direction. The exposed surface of the liquid film on the packing sections 106A, 106B is the gas-liquid interface between the CO2-containing air 101 and the CO2 capture solution 114. The CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 is absorbed into the liquid film to form the CO2-containing capture solution 111 and the CO2-lean gas 105. The CO2-containing capture solution 111 flows downward out of the packing sections 106A, 106B in a mixed solution with the unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 and is collected. The CO2-containing air 101 treated by the packing sections 106A, 106B leaves the packing sections 106A, 106B as CO2-lean gas 105. The CO2-lean gas 105 from the two packing sections 106A, 106B is collected in the plenum 108 and then flows out of the plenum 108 in a vertically upward direction through the outlet 103O. Figure 1 The gas liquid contactor 100 can be considered a double unit (due to the two packing sections 106A, 106B) cross-flow air contactor. Other configurations of gas liquid contactors are possible, as described in more detail below.

[0122] Each packing section 106 defines a packing depth 106D, which represents the distance that the CO2-containing air 101 travels when flowing through the packing section 106. The packing depth 106D can be in the range of 2-10 meters. Each packing section 106 also defines a packing liquid travel dimension 106L (sometimes referred to herein as "packing LTD 106L"), which represents the distance that the capture solution 114 travels when flowing through the packing section 106. Figure 1 In the gas liquid contactor 100, the packing depth 106D is transverse to the packing LTD 106L. Figure 1In the gas liquid contactor 100 of the present invention, the packing depth 106D is defined in a substantially horizontal direction, and the packing LTD 106L is a vertical dimension. In some embodiments, the packing LTD 106L (e.g., the height of each packing section 106) is greater than 2 m. In some embodiments, the packing LTD 106L is greater than 5 m. In some embodiments, the packing LTD 106L is between 2 m and 20 m. In some embodiments, the packing depth 106D is greater than 3 m. In some embodiments, the packing depth 106D is greater than 5 m. In some embodiments, the packing depth 106D is between 3 m and 10 m. In other configurations of the gas liquid contactor 100, the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L can be defined differently, as described in more detail below.

[0123] refer to Figure 1 Each packing section 106 includes one or more structured packings 116. Figure 1 In embodiments of the packing segments 106 of the present invention, each packing segment 106 includes a plurality of structured packings 116. Within one of the packing segments 106, each structured packing 116 is arranged adjacent to another structured packing 116. The structured packings 116 of each packing segment 106 may be arranged adjacent to each other in one or more of a packing depth 106D, a packing LTD 106L, and a direction perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. Within one of the packing segments 106, in some embodiments, one structured packing 116 is attached to another structured packing 116. Within one of the packing segments 106, in some embodiments, the structured packings 116 of each packing segment 106 are arranged adjacent to each other with a minimum spacing or gap along one or more of a packing depth 106D, a packing LTD 106L, and a direction perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L.

[0124] refer to Figure 1 , some of the structured packings 116 of each packing section 106 are mounted to one or both of the following: 1) a structural member 115 of the housing 102, and 2) at least one other structured packing 116. Such support of the structured packings 116 reinforces their arrangement within each packing section 106, helps to rigidify each packing section 106, and may also help each structured packing 116 resist or support loads acting thereon during operation of the gas liquid contactor 100. For example, when the structured packings 116 are installed as described above, the structured packings 116 become constrained, which may result in an increase in the overall strength (e.g., crush strength) of each structured packing 116 and each packing section 106 compared to an unconstrained packing structure.

[0125] The structured packing 116 may be arranged to form any desired shape or configuration of packing segments 106. For example, Figure 1 , the structured packing 116 is arranged such that each packing section 106A, 106B includes at least one arrangement 118 of the structured packing 116. Figure 1 , each packing section 106A, 106B includes two arrangements 118 of structured packing 116 - an upper arrangement 118U and a lower arrangement 118L. The structured packings 116 of each arrangement 118 can be arranged adjacent to each other in one or more directions of the packing depth 106D, the packing LTD 106L, and directions perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. All of the structured packings 116 of each upper arrangement 118U are located above all of the structured packings 116 of each lower arrangement 118L. Each arrangement 118 can be considered a "slab" of packing. Other configurations of each arrangement 118 and other configurations of the positioning of the arrangements 118 of each packing section 106 are possible. Therefore, Figure 1 The packing sections 106A, 106B are divided vertically and include one or more arrangements 118 of structured packings 116 positioned one above the other.

[0126] exist Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment of the packing section 106 of the embodiment, each packing section 106A, 106B has a corresponding packing section height that is substantially equal to the height of the inlet 103I. Providing a packing section 106 having a height substantially equal to the height of the inlet 1031 can help prevent or reduce the ability of the CO2-containing air 101 to bypass the packing section 106 (e.g., flow around the packing section 106), thereby helping to ensure that the packing section 106 handles the maximum possible volume of CO2-containing air 101. For "substantially equal" or "substantially the same", it should be understood that the values ​​of the heights are approximately equal, and any differences are minimal compared to the overall height dimension, wherein the differences may be caused by manufacturing tolerances, packing installation requirements and / or sizing adjustments to allow for the presence of seals, baffles or other features. Other configurations of the packing section 106 are possible. For example, in another embodiment, the height of the packing sections 106A, 106B is less than the height of the inlet 103I, and any gaps between the packing sections 106A, 106B and the housing 102 are sealed using suitable techniques.

[0127] refer to Figure 1 , the gas liquid contactor 100 has a liquid distribution system 120, includes components of the liquid distribution system 120 or is functionally connected to the liquid distribution system 120. The liquid distribution system 120 operates to move, collect and distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CO2-containing capture solution 111. At least some features of the liquid distribution system 120 are supported by the housing 102. Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support provided by the housing 102 includes structural support in that the components of the liquid distribution system 120 are structurally supported by the housing 102, such as by the structural members 115, so that the loads generated by these components are supported by the housing 102. Some or all features of the liquid distribution system 120 can be part of the gas liquid contactor 100, or a DAC system (e.g., Fig.15 A portion of a DAC system 1200).

[0128] refer to Figure 1 , the liquid distribution system 120 includes one or more liquid collection devices 109. Each liquid collection device 109 is configured to receive one or both of the CO2 capture solution 114 and the CO2-containing capture solution 111, and to temporarily or for a longer duration maintain a certain volume thereof, thereby serving as a source of the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CO2-containing capture solution 111. Each liquid collection device 109 can have any structure or be made of any material suitable for achieving the functions described in the present specification. For example, one or more of the liquid collection devices 109 can be open at the top, or partially or completely covered. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, one or more liquid collection devices 109 include a basin or are in the form of a trough. Other configurations of the liquid collection device 109 are possible, such as a reservoir, a fluid bed, a sheet, a pipe, a container, a receiver, a network of pressurized pipes with openings or nozzles, or any other device capable of holding a liquid.

[0129] The liquid collection device 109 of the liquid distribution system 120 includes one or more top tanks 104 and one or more bottom tanks 110. The top tank 104 is supported by the housing 102. In some embodiments, the top tank 104 is formed by some parts of the housing 102. The top tank 104 is configured to at least partially enclose or store the CO2 capture solution 114. Figure 1 , each of the top troughs 104 is at least partially positioned above the filler section 106. Figure 1 , the top slot 104 is located above the inlet 1031. Figure 1, the top tank 104 is positioned below the upper plenum portion 108U. Thus, a portion of the plenum 108 (e.g., the upper plenum portion 108U) extends beyond or above the top tank 104. When stored (at least transiently) within the top tank 104, the CO2 capture solution 114 is positioned to circulate downward (e.g., by pumping, gravity flow, or both), through the packing section 106, and ultimately into the bottom tank 110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 circulates through the packing section 106, the CO2-containing air 101 circulates through the packing section 106 to contact the CO2 capture solution 114, through the plenum 108, and to the surrounding environment as CO2-lean gas 105. A process stream is formed by contacting the CO2-containing air 101 and the liquid CO2 capture solution 114, wherein the process stream is or includes the CO2-containing capture solution 111 having CO2 absorbed from the CO2-containing air 101 by the CO2 capture solution 114. The top tanks 104 may each have any suitable form or features for distributing the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing section 106. Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment of the gas-liquid contactor 100, the liquid collection device 109 includes two top tanks 104. Each top tank 104 is located above one of the packing sections 106A, 106B to distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 to the corresponding packing section 106A, 106B. Figure 1 The top tanks 104 are fluidly isolated from each other (e.g., there is no fluid communication between the two top tanks 104). Other configurations and numbers of top tanks 104 are possible. Other configurations for distributing the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing section 106 are possible. In one such possible configuration, the one or more liquid collection devices 109 include or are in the form of a pressurized piping network with openings or nozzles that distributes the CO2 capture solution 114 over the uppermost portion of the packing section 106.

[0130] refer to Figure 1 , one or more bottom tanks 110 are located at the bottom of the gas liquid contactor 100, opposite to the top tank 104. Figure 1As shown, the bottom tank 110 is located below the packing section 106. The bottom tank 110 is used as a collection tank for the process flow (e.g., the CO2-containing capture solution 111). The CO2-containing capture solution 111 including absorbed CO2 and the unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 are collected in the bottom tank 110 and can then be pumped or otherwise removed from the bottom tank 110 for further processing. For example, at least a portion of the liquid collected in the bottom tank 110 can be processed and then pumped for redistribution on the packing section 106 for CO2 capture. In another possible embodiment, some or all of the liquid collected in the bottom tank 110 is pumped to the top tank 104 without processing for redistribution on the packing section 106 for CO2 capture. In another possible embodiment, some or all of the liquid collected in the bottom tank 110 is pumped to a DAC system (e.g. Fig.15 DAC system 1200) for further processing, as described in more detail below. The bottom tank 110 can be compatible with the containing structure and prevent the loss of various CO2 capture solutions 114, many of which are corrosive, erosive or high pH properties. In some aspects, the bottom tank 110 can be lined with or coated with one or more materials resistant to caustic-induced corrosion or degradation. In some embodiments of the gas liquid contactor 100, the components can be kept outside the bottom tank 110 that holds the CO2 capture solution 114. In addition, the gas liquid contactor 100 can be designed to keep most or all structural components outside the wettable area of ​​the gas liquid contactor 100, for example, any part of the gas liquid contactor 100 that contacts the CO2 capture solution 114. Examples of wettable areas of the gas liquid contactor 100 include components that support the packing section 106. Figure 1 A single bottom slot 110 is depicted. However, other configurations and numbers of bottom slots 110 are possible.

[0131] In some embodiments, the gas liquid contactor 100 includes a vertically segmented packing section 106, wherein the CO2 capture solution 114 is redistributed between the vertically spaced packings. For example, and with reference to Figure 1 , the liquid collection device 109 of the liquid distribution system 120 includes one or more redistribution grooves 119. The one or more redistribution grooves 119 are each positioned in a redistribution interval, which is defined between the upper arrangement 118U and the lower arrangement 118L of each packing section 106A, 106B. The redistribution interval is a vertically extending gap defined between the upper arrangement 118U and the lower arrangement 118L of each packing section 106A, 106B. Each packing section 106A, 106B includes a redistribution groove 119, which is located in the redistribution interval of the packing section 106A, 106B. Therefore, in Figure 1In the configuration of the packing sections 106A, 106B of the structured packing 116, each redistribution tank 119 divides each packing section 106A, 106B into at least a top section (e.g., an upper arrangement 118U of the structured packing 116) and a bottom section (e.g., a lower arrangement 118L of the structured packing 116). Each redistribution tank 119 is vertically located between one or more top tanks 104 and the bottom tank 110. During operation of the gas liquid contactor 100, a process stream including a CO2 capture solution 111 containing absorbed CO2 and an unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 flows out of each upper arrangement 118U of the structured packing 116 and is collected in each redistribution tank 119. When stored (at least temporarily) in the redistribution tank 119, the process stream is positioned to be redistributed downward (e.g., by pumping, gravity flow, or both), passes through the remaining structured packing 116 of the lower arrangement 118L, and finally enters the bottom tank 110. In some embodiments, the process stream is pumped from the bottom tank 110 to the redistribution tank 119. The redistribution tanks 119 can each have any suitable form or features for redistributing the process stream on the structured packing 116 of the lower arrangement 118L. Non-limiting examples of features of the redistribution tank 119 include tank walls, redistribution holes, and redistribution nozzles. Therefore, in the gas liquid contactor 100, there can be a collector / distributor system between the vertical sections of the packing that collects the fluid flowing from above and redistributes it evenly to the packing below. The description of the features of the top tank 104 and the bottom tank 110 and one, some or all of the advantages and functions apply to the redistribution tank 119 after necessary modifications.

[0132] In an alternative embodiment where the CO2 capture solution 114 is redistributed between vertically spaced packings, the packing section 106 itself includes a redistribution feature. The redistribution feature can be a portion of a redistribution packing that is different from the structured packing 116. The redistribution packing can have a vertical extent and be located between the arrangements 118U, 118L of the structured packing 116, such as midway through the packing LTD106L. Alternatively, the redistribution packing can include a plurality of redistribution packing portions that alternate with the arrangements 118U, 118L of the structured packing 116. The redistribution feature promotes the redistribution of the CO2 capture solution 114 to the lower portion of the packing section 106. In an alternative embodiment of the gas liquid contactor 100, the gas liquid contactor 100 does not include a vertical cross-section packing or redistribution.

[0133] refer to Figure 1, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing section 106 in a direction substantially perpendicular or transverse to the average direction, also referred to as a "cross-flow flow" configuration, in which the CO2-containing air 101 circulates through the packing section 106 along the average direction. In another possible embodiment, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing section 106 in a direction opposite to the average direction, also referred to as a "countercurrent flow" configuration, in which the CO2-containing air 101 circulates through the packing section 106 along the average direction. In another possible embodiment, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing section 106 in a direction parallel to the direction in which the CO2-containing air 101 circulates through the packing section 106, also referred to as a "co-current flow" configuration. In another possible configuration, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing section 106 according to a configuration that is a combination of one or more of the cross-flow, counter-current, and co-current flow configurations.

[0134] The gas liquid contactor 100 can include supports within the packing section 106 between the top tank 104 and the bottom tank 110. For example, the packing section 106 can include additional supports, such as one or more structural members 115, for a particular portion of the packing section 106 (e.g., for an upper portion of the packing section 106) so that a load (e.g., the weight of that portion of the structured packing 116 when dry plus the weight of the liquid holding of the CO2 capture solution 114 on that portion of the structured packing 116) is not borne on another portion of the packing section 106 (e.g., the bottom of the packing section 106). In some aspects, the packing section 106 can include no supports. In some aspects, at least one structural support can be located between the structured packings 116 of the packing section 106.

[0135] The liquid dispensing system 120 may include any suitable components, such as conduits, choke(s), pump(s), valve(s), manifold(s), etc., fluidly coupled in any suitable arrangement to achieve the functions of the liquid dispensing system 120 as described herein. One non-limiting example of such a component is one or more pumps 122, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure 1. The pump 122 is used to move liquids (e.g., CO2 capture solution 114 and / or CO2-containing capture solution 111) under pressure from their sources to where they are used. Some non-limiting examples of possible functions of the pump 122 include moving the CO2 capture solution 114 to the top tank 104, moving the process stream from the bottom tank 110 to the redistribution tank 119, moving the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or CO2-containing capture solution 111 from the bottom tank 110 to the top tank 104 for redistribution on the packing section 106, moving the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or CO2-containing capture solution 111 from the bottom tank 110 to components of the DAC system 1200 for further processing, and any combination of the foregoing processes. Thus, the pump 122 can be used to move liquids to the gas-liquid contactor 100, to move liquids from the gas-liquid contactor 100, and to move liquids within the gas-liquid contactor 100.

[0136] Control systems (e.g. Figure 1 The control system 999 shown in FIG. 1 can be used to control the flow of fluid through the pump 122 of the liquid distribution system 120. For example, the control system can be used to control the pump 122 to pump the CO2 capture solution 114 from the bottom tank 110 to the top tank 104. The pump 122 can also be controlled to provide a constant flow rate to the liquid distribution system 120 regardless of changes in the liquid flow throughout the gas liquid contactor 100.

[0137] The pump 122 can help distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing section 106 at a relatively low liquid flow rate, which can help reduce costs associated with pumping or moving the CO2 capture solution 114. In addition, the low liquid flow rate of the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing section 106 can result in a lower pressure drop of the CO2-containing air 101 as it flows through the packing section 106, which reduces the energy requirements of the device (e.g., the fan 212 described below) used to move the CO2-containing air 101 through the packing section 106. The pump 122 can be configured to produce an intermittent or pulsed flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing section 106, which can allow the packing section 106 to be intermittently wetted using a relatively low liquid flow rate. The CO2 capture solution 114 sprayed, flowed, or otherwise distributed over the packing section 106 is collected in the bottom tank 110 and can then be moved back to the top tank 104 by the pump 122, or transmitted downstream for processing.

[0138] In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 1 The one or more pumps 122 of the liquid distribution system may be operated to distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 at a rate in the range of 0.5 L / m 2 s to 10L / m 2s of liquid loading flow rate flows through each packing section 106. In some embodiments, the liquid loading flow rate is 2 L / m 2 s and 6L / m 2 s. The unit of liquid loading flow is L / m 2 s refers to a given volume of CO2 capture solution 114 that covers a given area of ​​the packing section 106 per second. The given area of ​​the packing section 106 may refer to the planar area of ​​the top of the packing section 106, such as the area of ​​the packing section 106 below the top tank 104 (i.e., looking down from the top tank 104 at the top of the packing section 106). When the planar area is used for determination, 2L / m 2 A liquid loading flow rate of s means that the pump 122 is configured to flow the CO2 capture solution 114 through each packing section 106 such that each square meter of planar area of ​​the packing section 106 receives 2 L of CO2 capture solution 114 per second. The given area of ​​the liquid loading flow rate may not refer to the surface area of ​​the structured packing 116. The liquid loading flow rate may indicate or reflect the initial flow conditions when the CO2 capture solution 114 is applied to the top of the packing section 106. The liquid loading flow rate may not reflect the subsequent flow conditions that exist below the packing section 106.

[0139] One or more flow control systems (e.g., control system 999) can be used to flow the liquid process stream in the gas liquid contactor 100 and the process stream within any downstream process connected to the gas liquid contactor 100 fluid. The flow control system may include one or more flow pumps (including pump 122 or in addition to pump 122), fans, blowers, or solid conveyors to move the process stream, one or more flow pipes through which the process stream flows, and one or more valves that regulate the flow of the process stream through these pipes. Each configuration described herein may include at least one variable frequency drive (VFD) coupled to a corresponding pump that is capable of controlling at least one liquid flow rate. In some embodiments, the liquid flow rate is controlled by at least one flow control valve.

[0140] In some embodiments, the flow control system can be manually operated. For example, an operator can set the flow rate of each pump or transfer device and set the valve open or closed position to adjust the flow of the process flow through the pipeline in the flow control system. Once the operator has set the flow rate and valve open or closed position for all flow control systems distributed on the system, the flow control system can flow the process flow under constant flow conditions, such as constant volume flow or other flow conditions. In order to change the flow condition, the operator can manually operate the flow control system, for example, by changing the pump flow rate or valve open or closed position.

[0141] In some embodiments, the flow control system can be automatically operated. For example, the flow control system can be connected to a computer or control system (e.g., control system 999) to operate the flow control system. The control system may include a computer-readable medium that stores instructions (such as flow control instructions and other instructions) that can be executed by one or more processors to perform operations (such as flow control operations). The operator can use the control system to set the flow and valve opening or closing position for all flow control systems distributed on the facility. In such an embodiment, the operator can manually change the flow condition by providing input via the control system. In addition, in such an embodiment, the control system can, for example, automatically (i.e., without manual intervention) control one or more flow control systems using a feedback system connected to the control system. For example, a sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or other sensors) can be connected to a pipeline through which a process flow flows. The sensor can monitor the flow condition (e.g., pressure, temperature, or other flow condition) of the process flow and provide it to the control system. In response to the flow condition exceeding a threshold value (e.g., a threshold pressure value, a threshold temperature value, or other threshold values), the control system can automatically perform the operation. For example, if the pressure or temperature in the pipeline exceeds a threshold pressure value or a threshold temperature value, respectively, the control system can provide a signal to a pump to reduce flow, a signal to open a valve to relieve pressure, a signal to shut off flow of the process stream, or other signals.

[0142] The gas-liquid contactor 100 has a gas circulation device for moving or circulating the gas flow in and out of the gas-liquid contactor 100. Figure 1 In an embodiment of the gas-liquid contactor of the present invention, the gas circulation device of the gas-liquid contactor 100 is a fan 212. The fan 212 is used to circulate the gas (such as ambient air) so that the fan 212 causes the CO2-containing air 101 to flow into the gas-liquid contactor 100, and the fan 212 causes the CO2-lean gas 105 to be discharged from the gas-liquid contactor 100. Therefore, the fan 212 is used to circulate the CO2-containing air 101 and the CO2-lean gas 105 in the manner described herein. Reference Figure 1 , the fan 212 can rotate about a fan axis defined by the fan shaft. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the fan 212 depicted in FIG, the fan shaft has an upright or vertical orientation. Other orientations of the shaft and fan axis are possible, as described in more detail below. Figure 1 , the fan 212 is positioned upstream of the end of the fan air duct 107 defining the outlet 103O, and is used to make the CO2-lean gas 105 flow through the outlet 103O. In another possible configuration, the fan 212 is positioned between the vertically opposite ends of the fan air duct 107 and at other positions upstream of the outlet 103O, so that the fan 212 makes the CO2-lean gas 105 flow through the outlet 103O. Reference Figure 1, the fan 212 is positioned downstream and above the upper plenum portion 108U. The rotation of the fan 212 about the fan axis causes the gas to circulate into the inlet 103I and through the gas liquid contactor 100. For example, in Figure 1 In the embodiment of the gas-liquid contactor of the present invention, the rotation of the fan 212 causes the CO2-containing air 101 to be sucked into the gas-liquid contactor 100, and causes the CO2-lean gas 105 to be discharged from the gas-liquid contactor 100. The fan 212 can cause the CO2-containing air 101 to enter the packing section 106 at an air velocity of less than 5 m / s. The fan 212 can cause the CO2-containing air 101 to enter the packing section 106 at an air velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5 m / s.

[0143] Other configurations of the gas liquid contactor 100 are possible, some of which are now described in more detail.

[0144] In one such possible configuration, and with reference to Figure 2A , the gas liquid contactor 100a can have an upright body and an air inlet 2103 along the bottom through which the CO2-containing air 101 is allowed to enter the gas liquid contactor 100a. The fan 2112 rotates to draw the CO2-containing air 101 in an upward direction through the inlet 2103 to contact the packing section 2106. Figure 2A In the configuration, the gas liquid contactor 100a has only one packing section 2106 and can therefore be referred to as a "single cell" gas liquid contactor 100a. The CO2 capture solution 114 circulates downward within the packing 2106 by, for example, gravity flow, uniform or laminar flow, and ultimately flows into one or more bottom tanks 2110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 circulates through and on the packing 2106, the CO2-containing air 101 flows upward (e.g., by the action of a fan 2112) through the packing 2106 to contact the CO2 capture solution 114. Thus, the CO2 capture solution 114 passes through Figure 2A The flow of the packing 2106 in the gas liquid contactor 100a forms a countercurrent (or countercurrent) with the flow of the CO2-containing air 101 through the packing 2106. The packing liquid travel dimension along which the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing 2106 is defined in the vertical direction and is the same as the packing depth along which the CO2-containing air 101 flows upward through the packing 2106. A portion of the CO2 in the CO2-containing air 101 is transferred to the CO2 capture solution 114 (e.g., absorbed by it), and the fan 2112 removes the CO2-lean gas 105 from the gas liquid contactor 100a to the surrounding environment. The CO2-rich solution flows into at least one bottom tank 2110.

[0145] refer to Figure 2B, another possible configuration of the gas liquid contactor 100b has an upright main body and an inlet 3103 along an upright side through which the CO2-containing air 101 is allowed to enter the gas liquid contactor 100b. The fan 3112 rotates about a horizontal fan axis to draw the CO2-containing air 101 through the inlet 3103 in a substantially horizontal direction to contact the packing section 3106. In another possible embodiment of the gas liquid contactor 100b, the fan 3112 is upstream of the packing section 3106 relative to the flow direction of the CO2-containing air 101. In such an embodiment, the gas liquid contactor 100b employs forced ventilation, wherein the fan 3112 rotates about a horizontal fan axis to “push” the CO2-containing air 101 through the inlet 3103 in a substantially horizontal direction to contact the packing section 3106. Figure 2B In the configuration of , the gas liquid contactor 100b has only one section of the packing 3106, and thus can be referred to as a "single unit" gas liquid contactor 100b. The CO2 capture solution 114 circulates downward in the packing 3106 by, for example, gravity flow, uniform or laminar flow, and ultimately flows into one or more bottom tanks 3110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 circulates through the packing 3106, the CO2-containing air 101 flows substantially horizontally (e.g., by the action of a fan 3112) through the packing 3106, thereby contacting the CO2 capture solution 114. Therefore, the structure Figure 2B The flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 through the packing 3106 in the structured packing 3106 is substantially perpendicular to the flow of the CO2-containing air 101 through the structured packing 3106. This configuration of flow may be referred to as a "cross-flow" configuration. The packing liquid travel dimension along which the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing 2106 is defined in the vertical direction and is perpendicular to the packing depth along which the CO2-containing air 101 flows horizontally through the packing 2106. A portion of the CO2 within the CO2-containing air 101 is transferred to the CO2 capture solution 114, and a fan 3112 removes the CO2-lean gas 105 from the gas liquid contactor 100b into the surrounding environment. The CO2-rich solution flows into at least one bottom tank 3110.

[0146] Figure 2A and 2B As shown in Figure 1 The description of the features and one, some or all of the advantages and functions of the gas liquid contactor 100 applies mutatis mutandis to Figure 2A and 2B characteristics.

[0147] refer to Figure 1, each structured packing 116 includes or consists of a plurality of packing sheets 130 attached together to form a three-dimensional structured packing 116. The packing sheets 130 of each structured packing 116 can be made of any suitable material or have any suitable structure to achieve the function assigned by the packing segment 106 herein. Some or all of the packing sheets 130 can be made of PVC, which is relatively light, moldable, affordable, and resistant to degradation caused by many chemicals. The packing sheets 130 are arranged, constructed, treated or otherwise configured to promote the diffusion of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 into a thin film on the surface of the packing sheets 130, which can enable the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 to be exposed to the CO2 present in the CO2-containing air 101 to the greatest extent. For example, the liquid-gas interface surface of one or more packing sheets 130 can be treated with a coating, have a shape or structure, and / or be made of a material that can change the surface energy of some parts of the packing sheet 130 (e.g., increase the surface energy) and / or reduce the contact angle of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114. For example, the hydrophilicity of the liquid-gas interface surface of one or more packing sheets 130 may be increased by applying a coating to increase the surface free energy. The coating may be applied to some or all of the structured packing 116 to make the structured packing 116 even more suitable for 0.5 L / m 2 s to 2.5 L / m 2 s range. In this regard, reference is made to such surface treatments and modifications described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0176312, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such "membrane-type" packing sheets 130 are suitable for DAC systems because they have more efficient mass transfer capabilities per unit volume of fill space. For example, membrane-type packings provide a relatively high specific surface area to volume ratio, which is expressed in m 2 / m 3 A high specific surface area helps to expose more CO2 to the surface of the CO2 capture solution 114 and also has cost and structural impacts.

[0148] Figure 31 shows a possible embodiment of a packing sheet 130 of a structured packing 116. The packing sheet 130 supports and guides the CO2 capture solution 114 as the CO2 capture solution 114 flows along the packing sheet 130. The packing sheet 130 is shaped, sized, formed and configured to facilitate the transfer of CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114. Therefore, the packing sheet 130 is a medium that is intended to optimize the process of enabling CO2 from the flowing atmospheric air to be absorbed into the flowing CO2 capture solution 114. Other packing sheets, such as those used in water cooling tower applications, are primarily used to transfer heat between water and the atmosphere, with little or no mass transfer occurring between the constituent gases of the air flow and the water being cooled. By optimizing for CO2 mass transfer as disclosed herein, the packing sheet 130 is able to achieve a lower pressure loss of air flowing through the packing sheet 130 and a more optimized distribution of the CO2 capture solution 114 than attempting mass transfer of CO2 with a packing sheet optimized for heat transfer. The fill sheet 130 may be referred to using other terms similar to "sheet", such as panels, grids, plates, and layers. In some cross-flow embodiments, the fill sheet 130 is also shaped, sized, formed, and configured to accommodate the higher liquid loading flows (typically greater than 15 L / m3) of cross-flow water cooling tower applications. 2 s), compared with low liquid loading flow (e.g. 0.5 L / m 2 s to 2.5 L / m 2 s) helps transfer CO2 from CO2-containing air 101 to CO2 capture solution 114.

[0149] Reference Figure 3 , the filler sheet 130 has a body 132 that defines a portion of the body of the filler sheet 130 and provides structure thereto. Figure 4AAs shown, the body 132 has a first side 134A and a second side 134B that is blocked on the side of the body 132 opposite to the first side 134A. The body 132 has a leading edge 136A and a trailing edge 136B. When the filler sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, sometimes referred to herein as the "installation configuration" of the filler sheet 130, the leading edge 136A is the edge of the body 132 that first receives the CO2-containing air 101. The trailing edge 136B is the edge of the body 132 through which the CO2-containing air 101 depleted of some CO2 flows after passing through the body 132. Therefore, the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B are spaced apart so that they define an air travel depth 138D of the filler sheet 130 between them. The air travel depth 138D (sometimes referred to herein as "ATD 138D") is parallel to the primary direction in which the CO2-containing air 101 flows through the packing sheet 130 during operation of the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B. The ATD 138D represents the distance that the CO2-containing air 101 travels when flowing through the body 132 from the leading edge 136A to the trailing edge 136B. The ATD 138D is a dimension greater than zero. In the embodiment intended for use Figure 1 Cross-flow gas-liquid contactor 100 Figure 3 In the configuration of the fill sheet 130, the ATD 138D is a horizontal or lateral dimension such that the ATD 138D is associated with the horizontal flow direction of the CO2-containing air 101. The body 132 has a thickness defined along a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the body 132. The thickness of the body 132 may sometimes be referred to as its width.

[0150] refer to Figure 3 , the body 132 has a plurality of interconnected edges connected to each other and / or to the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. Figure 3 In the packing sheet 130 of FIG. 1 , the interconnecting edges include an upper edge 136U extending between a leading edge 136A and a trailing edge 136B, and a lower edge 136L also extending between the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. The edges 136A, 136B, 136U, 136L define or bound the body 132, and the boundary between the first side 134A and the second side 134B. The upper edge 136A and the lower edge 136B are spaced apart such that they define a liquid travel dimension 138L of the packing sheet 130 therebetween. The liquid travel dimension 138L (sometimes referred to herein as "LTD 138L") is parallel to the main direction along which the CO2 capture solution 114 flows along the packing sheet 130 during operation of the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B. LTD 138L represents the distance traveled by the CO2 capture solution 114 when flowing from the upper edge 136U through the body 132 to the lower edge 136L. LTD 138L is a dimension greater than zero. Figure 1 Cross-flow gas-liquid contactor 100 Figure 3 In the configuration of the filler sheet 130, LTD 138L is a vertical dimension such that the lower edge 136L is located below the upper edge 136U. Figure 3 In the configuration of the packing sheet 130, the packing sheet 130 is intended to be used Figure 1 In the cross-flow gas-liquid contactor 100 , LTD 138L represents the height of the packing sheet 130 .

[0151] refer to Figure 3 , LTD 138L is greater than ATD 138D. Therefore, when installed Figure 1 In an embodiment of the cross-flow gas liquid contactor 100, Figure 3 The packing sheet 130 can be taller than it is deep. In some embodiments, the ATD 138D is between 2 ft and 24 ft. In some embodiments, the ATD 138D is between 2 ft and 5 ft. In some embodiments, the ATD 138D is between 3 ft and 5 ft. In some embodiments, the LTD 138L (e.g., the height of the packing sheet 130 in some embodiments) is between 2 ft and 24 ft. In some embodiments, the LTD 138L is between 4 ft and 7 ft. In one possible embodiment of the packing sheet 130, the ATD 138D is between 3 ft and 5 ft and the LTD 138L is between 4 ft and 7 ft. Such relatively large packing sheets 130, together with other such large packing sheets 130 adjacent and attached thereto, provide a structured packing 116 that is capable of liquid film distribution on its surface and provides a relatively high specific surface area to volume ratio (measured in m 2 / m 3 The high specific surface area helps to expose more CO2 to the surface of the CO2 capture solution 114. In some embodiments, the thickness of the body 132 is one to two orders of magnitude smaller than one or both of the ATD 138D and LTD 138L of the body 132.

[0152] Other configurations of the filler sheet 130 are possible. Figure 2A In the countercurrent gas-liquid contactor 100A, the leading edge and the trailing edge have a horizontal orientation, and the upper edge and the lower edge are the same as the leading edge and the trailing edge, respectively. Figure 2A In the countercurrent gas-liquid contactor 100A, ATD and LTD may be equal and defined along the same axis. In another possible embodiment, when the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, LTD 138L is smaller than ATD 138D.

[0153] refer to Figure 3 , the main body 132 includes a mass transfer zone 131. Figure 3In the packing sheet 130, the mass transfer zone 131 is present or disposed on both the first side 134A and the second side 134B. The mass transfer zone 131 defines some surface area of ​​the body 132 between the leading edge 136A, the trailing edge 136B, the upper edge 136U, and the lower edge 136L. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the mass transfer zone 131 defines substantially all of the surface area of ​​the filler sheet 130. The mass transfer zone 131 includes or is defined by a plurality of mass transfer microstructures 133. The mass transfer microstructures 133 are surface formations or features present on the body 132 that are shaped, sized, and configured to facilitate the transfer of CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114. Figure 3 In an embodiment, the mass transfer microstructure 133 has a herringbone or V-shaped structure that allows the CO2 capture solution 114 to follow a serpentine or tortuous path as the CO2 capture solution 114 flows along the LTD 138L. The mass transfer microstructure 133 helps increase the "liquid retention" of the packing sheet 130 (i.e., the ability of the packing sheet 130 to retain the CO2 capture solution 114 for a longer period of time), and therefore helps increase the duration of CO2 transfer from the CO2-containing air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114. The mass transfer microstructure 133 is arranged, constructed, treated, or otherwise configured to promote diffusion of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 into a thin film on the surface of the packing sheet 130, which can enable the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 to be exposed to the CO2 present in the CO2-containing air 101 to the greatest extent. The mass transfer microstructures 133 may be arranged, constructed, treated, or otherwise configured to increase the mass transfer area (e.g., the surface area of ​​the mass transfer zone 131) of the body 132. For example, in embodiments where the mass transfer microstructures 133 include herringbone or V-shaped structures, one or more of the acute angle formed by the arms of the V-shaped structures, the magnitude of the V-shaped structures measured parallel to the LTD 138L, and their height measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the body 132 may be optimized to increase the mass transfer area (e.g., the surface area of ​​the mass transfer zone 131) of the body 132.

[0154] The term "microstructure" in mass transfer microstructure 133 is understood in the art to mean a plurality of different surface features integral to filler sheet 130, and is contrasted in the art with the term "macrostructure," which is larger in scale than the microstructure and generally affects the overall shape of the sheet. For example, a fill sheet may have a larger macrostructure to affect the flow of air through the fill sheet, and / or a fill sheet may have a microstructure on its surface to affect the properties of liquid flow, such as the liquid contact angle. The macrostructure may include patterns such as ripples and grooves that affect the tendency of air to move along the sheet depending on the air velocity and the stiffness of the sheet. Microstructures are smaller-scale patterns or structures that can reduce the apparent liquid contact angle and achieve film flow of the capture solution. Microstructures may be present on macrostructures, but macrostructures are generally not present on microstructures. The prefix "micro" is not understood in the art to mean features at the micrometer scale.

[0155] Different mass transfer microstructures 133 are possible. For example, refer to Fig.13 and 14 , the one or more mass transfer microstructures 833 may include a first wall portion 833A extending toward a first vertex 833B. Fig.13 and Fig.14 The mass transfer microstructures 833 are shown in a cross section perpendicular to the leading edge 136A of the body 132. The first vertex 833B is the farthest point of the mass transfer microstructure 833 on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132. Each mass transfer microstructure 833 has a second wall portion 833C that extends from the first vertex 833B to a second vertex 833D on the other side 134B, 134A of the body 132. The second vertex 833D is the farthest point of the mass transfer microstructure 833 on the other side 134B, 134A of the body 132. Fig.13 In the cross section of , an acute angle is formed between the first wall portion 833A and the second wall portion 833C joined at the first vertex 833B and the second vertex 833D.

[0156] refer to Fig.13, one or both of the first wall portion 833A and the second wall portion 833C include at least one wall feature 833E extending outwardly from the corresponding wall portion 833A, 833C. The wall feature 833E may include a first wall feature 835A, which extends outwardly from the first wall portion 833A on the first side 134A of the body 132 and forms a corresponding recess on the second side 134B. The second wall feature 835B extends outwardly from the second wall portion 833C on the second side 134B and forms a corresponding recess on the first side 134A. In some embodiments, the wall feature 833E may be a composite wall feature. In such an embodiment, and with reference to Fig.14 , each wall feature 933E includes a plurality of bumps or protrusions 935 to increase the surface area of ​​the wall feature 933E and the surface area of ​​the mass transfer microstructure 933. Regardless of their shape or configuration, the wall features 833E, 933E can increase the surface tension acting on the CO2 capture solution 114 as the CO2 capture solution 114 flows along the corresponding mass transfer microstructures 833, 933, which can increase the liquid holdup on the packing sheet 130 and the ability of the CO2 capture solution 114 to capture CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101. The wall features 833E, 933E can increase the specific surface area of ​​the structured packing 116 while having minimal effect (if any) on the pressure drop of the CO2-containing air 101 flowing through the structured packing 116. The wall features 833E, 933E can form a repeating pattern of surface protrusions along the ATD 138D. In alternative embodiments, wall features 833E, 933E may be present only on some mass transfer microstructures 833. Wall features 833E, 933E may be present along all or only a portion of wall portions 833A, 833C (which are defined along LTD 138L). The axes defined by each of first wall feature 835A and second wall feature 835B may be transverse to each other. In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig.13 and 14 Each wall feature 833E, 933E is located on a wall portion 833A, 833C of a mass transfer microstructure 833, 933 between its ends (e.g., between a first vertex 833B and a second vertex 833D). The wall features 833E, 933E may be understood to form a mass transfer microstructure 833, 933 or a microstructure on a mass transfer microstructure 833, 933. Thus, Fig.13 and 14 The mass transfer microstructures 833 , 933 can be considered as examples of microstructures present on other microstructures of the mass transfer zone 131 .

[0157] Different mass transfer microstructures 133 are possible. Fig.18A and 18BAnother example configuration of a mass transfer region 131 is provided that is formed of or includes microstructures that are present on other microstructures. Fig.18A The mass transfer microstructure 1833 includes a basic microstructure 1833B and a supplementary microstructure 1833S. The basic microstructure 1833B (one of which is Fig.18A The basic microstructures 1833B are arranged in a herringbone or V-shaped pattern (shown in dashed outline 1805 in FIG. 1 ). Each basic microstructure 1833B extends along a major axis parallel to LTD 138L. When viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the plane of body 132, the cross-sectional profile of basic microstructure 1833B is similar to that described in more detail below. Figure 4E The mass transfer microstructure 133 is shown in Figure 133. Fig.18A , the supplementary microstructure 1833S exists on the basic microstructure 1833B, and one of the supplementary microstructures is Fig.18A 1807, having a dotted line different from the dotted line 1805. Each supplemental microstructure 1833S extends along a major axis parallel to the LTD 138L. Each supplemental microstructure 1833S is arranged in a herringbone or V-shaped pattern, as shown by the dotted outline 1807. Fig.18A , there are multiple supplementary microstructures 1833S on each basic microstructure 1833B.

[0158] Reference Fig.18B , the supplementary microstructure 1833S protrudes from the basic microstructure 1833B on one of the first side 134A and the second side 134B of the body 132. In an exemplary embodiment, referring to Fig.18B, each supplementary microstructure 1833S undulates as it extends over an adjacent basic microstructure 1833B. Each basic microstructure 1833B includes a first wall portion 1833A extending toward a first vertex 1833C. The first vertex 1833C is the farthest point of the basic microstructure 1833B on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132. Each basic microstructure 1833B includes a second wall portion 1833D extending from the first vertex 1833C to a second vertex 1833E on the other side 134B, 134A of the body 132. The second vertex 1833E is the farthest point of the basic microstructure 1833B on the other side 134B, 134A of the body 132. In the above cross section, an acute angle is formed between the first wall portion 1833A and the second wall portion 1833D joined at the first vertex 1833C and the second vertex 1833E. Similar to each basic microstructure 1833B, each supplementary microstructure 1833S includes a first wall portion 1833SA and a second wall 1833SD connected at a first vertex 1833SC and a second vertex 1833SE on the same side surface 134B, 134A of the body 132. The first wall portion 1833SA of each supplementary microstructure 1833S protrudes from the first wall portion 1833A of the corresponding basic microstructure 1833B in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the first wall portion 1836A. The second wall portion 1833SD of each supplementary microstructure 1833S protrudes from the second wall portion 1833D of the corresponding basic microstructure 1833B in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the second wall portion 1833D. The height of the first vertex 1833SC of each supplementary microstructure 1833S is greater than the height of the first vertex 1833C of the underlying basic microstructure 1833B. The height of the first wall portion 1833SA and the second wall 1833SD of each supplemental microstructure 1833S is greater than the height of the first wall portion 1833A and the second wall portion 1833D of the underlying basic microstructure 1833B. In an exemplary embodiment, the height of each supplemental microstructure 1833S measured between its first vertex 1833SC and the second vertex 1833SE is less than the thickness of the corresponding basic microstructure 1833B measured between its first vertex 1833C and the second vertex 1833E. As described herein, all compared heights are measured from a common reference of the compared heights in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the body 132. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of each supplemental microstructure 1833S measured in a direction perpendicular to either the corresponding first wall portion 1833SA or the second wall portion 1833SD is less than the height of the corresponding basic microstructure 1833B measured between its first vertex 1833C and the second vertex 1833E. In an exemplary embodiment, referring to Fig.18BEach supplementary microstructure 1833S protrudes from the surrounding surface of the underlying basic microstructure 1833B on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132 and forms a corresponding depression or groove relative to the surrounding surface of the same basic microstructure 1833B on the other side 134A, 134B of the body 132. Fig.18B , as each supplemental microstructure 1833S extends over an adjacent basic microstructure 1833B, it undulates by transitioning between a first vertex 1833SC and a second vertex 1833SE, whereas the basic microstructures do not undulate by transitioning between their first vertex 1833C and second vertex 1833E. In an example embodiment, reference is made to Fig.18B , the mass transfer microstructure 1833 can be viewed as a transition surface having a raised portion (i.e., the supplementary microstructure 1833S) and a lower portion (i.e., the portion of the basic microstructure 1833B between two adjacent supplementary microstructures 1833S), rather than being viewed as consisting of a supplementary microstructure 1833S covering a basic microstructure 1833B.

[0159] Along the portion of the primary microstructure 1833B from which the supplemental microstructure 1836S protrudes, the primary microstructure 1833B may be oriented transversely to or nonparallel to the orientation of the supplemental microstructure 1833S. Fig.18A , a portion of one of the basic microstructures 1833B1 has a basic orientation axis 1850. The segments of the supplemental microstructure 1833S protruding from the same segment of the basic microstructure 1833B1 each have a supplemental orientation axis 1852. The segments of the supplemental microstructure 1833S are spaced apart from each other on the segment of the basic microstructure 1833B1 in a direction parallel to the basic orientation axis 1850. When viewed in a plane parallel to the body 132, each supplemental orientation axis 1852 is transverse to the basic orientation axis 1850. When viewed in a plane parallel to the body 132, each supplemental orientation axis 1852 forms an angle θ with the basic orientation axis 1850. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle θ is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle θ is approximately 90 degrees. Therefore, Fig.18A and 18B The mass transfer microstructure 1833 can be considered or include "opposing" microstructures 1833B, 1833S. Adjusting the angle θ at which the basic microstructure 1833B and the supplemental microstructure 1833S intersect can allow for adjustment of the liquid flow characteristics along the packing sheet 130. For example, if the value of the angle θ is reduced (e.g., closer to 0 degrees), the intersection of the basic and supplemental microstructures 1833B, 1833S can be allowed to "flatten", which can help slow the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 along the LTD 138L. In an exemplary embodiment, reference is made to Fig.18A , each segment of the basic microstructure 1833B has an orientation parallel to the orientation of the segments of the supplemental microstructure 1833S, and the segments of the supplemental microstructure 1836S do not protrude from the same segment of the basic microstructure 1833B.

[0160] The mass transfer microstructures 833 can promote the diffusion of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 into a thin film on the surface of the filler sheet 130 (sometimes referred to as a "wetting" phenomenon), which can maximize the exposure of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 to the CO2 present in the CO2-containing air 101. The opposing basic microstructures 1833B and supplementary microstructures 1833S can increase the liquid retention on the filler sheet 130 and the ability of the CO2 capture solution 114 to capture CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass transfer microstructures 833 are present along the entire mass transfer zone 131. In an alternative embodiment, the mass transfer microstructures 833 may be present only on a portion of the mass transfer zone 131.

[0161] In an alternative embodiment of the packing sheet 130, the mass transfer zone 131 is present or disposed only on one of the first side 134A and the second side 134B. In an alternative embodiment of the packing sheet 130, the mass transfer zone 131 is present or disposed only on some of one or both of the first side 134A and the second side 134B.

[0162] refer to Figure 3 The main body 132 has a plurality of reinforcing elements 140. Each reinforcing element 140 extends outward from one or both of the first side surface 134A and the second side surface 134B of the main body 132. Figure 3 In the filler sheet 130, the reinforcing element 140 extends outwardly from both the first side 134A and the second side 134B (see, for example, Figures 4A to 4E ).exist Figure 3 In the color scheme of FIG. 1, the darker gray shading on the reinforcing element 140 indicates that the shaded portion extends outward from the body 132 on the first side 134A, and the lighter gray shading on the reinforcing element 140 indicates that the shaded portion extends outward from the body 132 on the second side 134B. This color scheme is used throughout the drawings for the sole purpose of explaining the features of the drawings and does not limit the direction in which any feature extends. In some embodiments, the expression "extending outward" is used herein to indicate that a feature protrudes or extends from a plane defined by the body 132, typically in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

[0163] Each reinforcing element 140 is an elongated body having an orientation parallel to the LTD 138L. The reinforcing elements 140 reinforce the packing sheet 130 by supporting the packing sheet 130 against lateral or bending loads caused by the weight of the packing sheet 130 itself, liquid retention of the CO2 capture solution 114 on the packing sheet 130, any scaling present on the packing sheet 130, and / or other loads. Thus, the reinforcing elements 140 can be any structure that is elongated or extends parallel to the LTD 138L and can support the loads described herein. The reinforcing elements 140 can have any arrangement, number, location, form, shape, or size to achieve the functions attributed to them herein, and examples of possible configurations of the reinforcing elements 140 are described in more detail below. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 3 , reinforcing elements 140 are disposed on or adjacent to mass transfer zone 131 and its mass transfer microstructure 133. In some embodiments, reinforcing elements 140 contribute little or nothing to the transfer of CO2 from CO2-containing air 101 to CO2 capture solution 114. In alternative embodiments, filler sheet 130 is free of reinforcing elements 140 and derives its strength to resist loads from the material and dimensions of filler sheet 130 itself.

[0164] refer to Figure 3 The main body 132 has a plurality of spacers 150 disposed on the mass transfer region 131. Each spacer 150 extends outward from one or both of the first side surface 134A and the second side surface 134B of the main body 132. Figure 3 In the filler sheet 130, the spacer 150 extends outward from the first side surface 134A and the second side surface 134B. Figure 3 In the color scheme of FIG. 1 , the darker gray shading on the spacer 150 indicates that the shaded portion extends outward from the body 132 on the first side 134A, and the lighter gray shading on the spacer 150 indicates that the shaded portion extends outward from the body 132 on the second side 134B. The spacers 150 are spaced apart from each other on each side 134A, 134B of the body 132. Figure 3 , the spacers 150 are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. The filler sheet 130 may include a plurality of groups of spacers 150, wherein the spacers 150 of each group of spacers 150 are aligned parallel to the LTD 138L. Figure 3 , the spacers 150 are vertically spaced apart along the height of the filler sheet 130. Figure 3, the spacers 150 are also spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D. The spacers 150 help maintain separation between the mass transfer zones 131 of adjacent filler sheets 130 of the structured packing 116. The spacers 150 of one filler sheet 130 are aligned and abut against the spacers 150 of another filler sheet 130, thereby defining airflow channels or grooves between adjacent filler sheets 130, through which the CO2-containing air 101 can flow, as explained in more detail below. In some embodiments, adjacent spacers 150 of adjacent filler sheets 130 are glued or bonded together to form a structural connection between adjacent filler sheets 130. Reference Figure 3 , the abutment surfaces 152 of the spacers 150 have an elliptical or circular shape and are completely aligned with the abutment surfaces 152 of the spacers 150 of the adjacent filler sheets 130 to which they are bonded (see, e.g. Figure 5 ). The spacers 150 may have any arrangement, number, location, form, shape, or size to achieve the functions attributed to them herein, and examples of possible configurations of the spacers 150 are described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the spacers 150 contribute little or no to the transfer of CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114.

[0165] Reference Figure 3 , the spacers 150 are arranged in spacer pairings 150P. Each spacer pair 150P is spaced apart from another spacer pair 150P along both the LTD 138L and the ATD 138D. Figure 3 , the spacer pair 150P is aligned along LTD138L. Figure 3 , the spacer pairs 150P are aligned along the ATD 138D. In alternative embodiments, the spacer pairs 150P are not aligned, staggered, or offset on the body 132 of the filler sheet 130. The spacers 150 in each spacer pair 150P are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D. The distance between the spacers 150 of each spacer pair 150P is parallel to the ATD 138D. In some embodiments, the distance is less than one-third of the ATD 138D. In some embodiments, the distance is less than a diameter or size of one of the spacers 150. Reference Figure 3 , the mass transfer microstructure 133 exists between the spacers 150 of each spacer pair 150P and on the body 132 between the spacer pairs 150P. Figure 3 Each pair of spacers 150P includes a first spacer 150 extending outwardly from the first side 134A of the body 132 (at Figure 3 150) and a second spacer 150 extending outwardly from the second side 134B (shown as a spacer 150 having a darker gray shading in FIG. Figure 3 The spacer 150 is shown as having a lighter grey shade in FIG. 1 , see also Figure 4B ). Each spacer 150 is a hollow body (see, for example, Figure 4B ), so that they form corresponding recesses on the other side of the body 132, from which they extend. Therefore, each spacer 150 forms a protrusion on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132, and forms a recess on the other side 134B, 134A.

[0166] The packing sheets 130 are optimized to maximize their surface area available for CO2 transfer from the CO2-containing air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114. When the packing sheets 130 are assembled into a structured packing 116 and the structured packing 116 forms a portion of a packing section 106 installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, the leading edge 136A of each packing sheet 130 of the structured packing 116 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135 or plumb line. Thus, the leading edge 136A has a substantially vertical orientation in the installed configuration of the packing sheets 130. In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 , the leading edge 136A is substantially perpendicular to the ATD 138D of the packing sheet 130 and the packing depth 106D of each packing segment 106. The inlet side edge (e.g., leading edge 136A) of each packing sheet 130 is substantially perpendicular to the primary direction in which the CO2-containing air 101 flows through the packing sheet 130. In some embodiments, the term "substantially" means that the packing sheets 130 can be positioned so that when installed as part of each packing segment 106, their leading edges 136A are parallel to the vertical axis 135, it being understood that slight deviations from the vertical direction may exist due to the following non-exhaustive list of factors: manufacturing tolerances during the production of the packing sheets 130, minor misalignments during the assembly of the packing sheets 130 into the structured packing 116, minor misalignments during the assembly of the structured packing 116 into the arrangement 118 of the structured packing 116. And damage to the packing sheets 130 during transportation, assembly, and installation. In some embodiments, the term "substantially" means that the filler sheets 130 are designed so that, when installed, their leading edges 136A are parallel to the vertical axis 135 within a tolerance of less than 2 degrees from being strictly parallel.

[0167] The alignment of leading edge 136A of fill sheet 130 with vertical axis 135 in its installed configuration is in contrast to some fill sheets used in water cooling towers, which are primarily used to transfer heat between water and the atmosphere. These cooling tower fill sheets are oriented in the cooling tower so that their leading edges have an offset angle Δ relative to vertical axis 135. The offset angle Δ is sometimes referred to as the "stack angle," or the stacking of the fill sheets is sometimes referred to as having a "forward tilt." For comparison purposes, the offset leading edge of such cooling tower fill sheets is oriented at Figure 3Schematically shown as a dashed leading edge 137 in FIG. The offset angle Δ of such a cooling tower fill sheet can be about five to ten (5-10) degrees. Such a cooling tower fill sheet forms such an offset angle Δ with the vertical axis 135 so as to offset the effect of higher velocity lateral airflow on the vertically flowing water on the surface of the fill sheet during operation. As the water flows down the sheet, generally parallel to the vertical axis 135, the higher velocity air tends to push the water toward the outlet side or trailing edge of the fill sheet due to friction at the air-water interface, particularly along the lower leading edge portion of the fill sheet. This may cause such lower leading edge portion to dry out and therefore be less available for heat transfer. In order to eliminate such dry areas, such cooling tower fill sheets eliminate these lower leading edge portions by "tilting" into the direction of air flow, so that the top corner of the fill sheet near the intersection of the leading edge 137 and the top edge is positioned closest to the air inlet of the cooling tower. The lower leading angle of these cooling tower fill sheets near the intersection of the leading edge 137 and the bottom edge is the portion of the air intake side located farthest from the air inlet of the cooling tower.

[0168] In DAC applications, the packing sheet 130 is installed in a cross-flow gas liquid contactor 100, which operates at lower air velocities (e.g., between 0.1 m / s and 5 m / s) than typical water cooling tower applications, and there is no similar problem of dry areas formed by air pushing liquid horizontally along the lower portion of the packing sheet 130 adjacent to the leading edge 136A. Therefore, in such DAC applications, the offset angle Δ of the cooling tower packing sheet is detrimental to performance because it results in a lack of surface area adjacent to the leading edge that would otherwise be available to promote the transfer of CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114. This missing surface area at the leading edge can result in a reduction in the overall efficiency of each packing section 106.

[0169] Figure 3 The fill sheet 130 does not have the "forward tilt" associated with the cooling tower fill sheets described above. In other words, Figure 3 The offset angle Δ of the filler sheet 130 is approximately zero degrees. Figure 3 As shown, the filler sheet 130 has an additional leading edge surface area 139 near its leading edge 136A, which is defined between the leading edge 136A, the imaginary leading edge 137, and a portion of the lower edge 136L between the imaginary leading edge 137 and the leading edge 136A. Figure 3130. Additional leading edge surface area 139 represents surface area present in fill sheet 130 that is missing near the leading edge of some cooling tower fill sheets having similar dimensions but whose leading edges 137 form an offset angle Δ relative to vertical axis 135. Such cooling tower fill sheets can compensate for the missing surface area along their leading edges by providing a leading trailing edge that increases the missing surface area along the trailing edge.

[0170] Considering the relatively large number of packing sheets 130 in the gas liquid contactor 100, the additional leading edge surface area 139 available at the leading edge 136A of each packing sheet 130 is equivalent to a larger additional mass transfer surface along the leading edge 136A at the level of the gas liquid contactor 100. This can be seen more clearly with reference to Table 1 below, for offset angles Δ of 5 degrees and 10 degrees. Table 1 calculates the additional leading edge surface area 139 adjacent to the leading edge 136A. The additional leading edge surface area 139 is calculated for each packing sheet 130, each structured packing 116, each packing section 106, and the gas liquid contactor 100. The following example sizes and configurations of the packing sheets 130, structured packing 116, and packing sections 106 are provided only for the purpose of explaining Table 1, and it should be understood that other sizes and configurations are also possible:

[0171] 1) The ATD 138D and LTD 138L of each filler sheet 130 is 1 m (e.g., each filler sheet 130 is 1 m deep x 1 m high);

[0172] 2) Each filler sheet 130 has a mass transfer zone 131 present on all first side 134A and second side 134B thereof;

[0173] 3) There are ten packing sheets 130 in each structured packing 116;

[0174] 4) 10 structured packings 116 in each packing section 106; and

[0175] 5) There are two packing sections 106 in the gas liquid contactor 100.

[0176]

[0177] Table 1: Comparison of additional surface area for two offset angles

[0178] Thus, Table 1 shows that because the leading edge 136A is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135, in cross-flow applications at relatively low air velocities, the additional leading edge surface area 139 available along the leading edge 136A of each packing sheet 130 extends through each structured packing 116, each packing section 106, and ultimately to the cross-flow gas liquid contactor 100. The additional leading edge surface area 139 includes additional wettable mass transfer surface area, which can result in more CO2 being absorbed in the CO2 capture solution 114 for each packing sheet 130, each structured packing 116, and each packing section 106. Due to the increased surface area, this additional mass transfer surface can increase the specific surface area to volume ratio (in m / s) of each packing section 106. 2 / m 3 ), where a higher specific surface area is understood to result in more CO 2 being exposed to the surface of the CO 2 capture solution 114.

[0179] A fill sheet 130 having no offset angle Δ along its leading edge 136A may be designed and implemented based on performance characteristics associated with transferring CO2 from atmospheric air to a liquid capture solution in a cross-flow configuration with relatively low air velocities (liquid loading, mass transfer capture efficiency, mechanical strength at maximum size, etc.) These performance characteristics may differ from the performance characteristics of some cooling tower fill sheets that are optimized to transfer heat from water to air.

[0180] Compared to a packing sheet having a non-zero offset angle Δ, the leading edge 136A being substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135 can result in a packing sheet 130 that is more rigid in the vertical direction. When such a packing sheet 130 is assembled into a structured packing 116, the structured packing 116 can therefore withstand greater loads than a packing sheet having a non-zero offset angle Δ.

[0181] In some embodiments, when the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, in addition to the leading edge 136A, other features of the packing sheet 130 are also substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the filler sheet 130 has one or more spacer alignment axes 150A. Each spacer alignment axis 150A extends between the upper edge 136U and the lower edge 136L on one or both of the first side 134A and the second side 134B of the filler sheet 130. Each spacer alignment axis 150A also extends between the spacers 150 that are aligned with each other along the LTD 138L. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each spacer has a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the axis 150A. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each spacer alignment axis 150A is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each spacer alignment axis 150A is substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. Therefore, and with reference to Figure 3 , each set of spacers 150 aligned along LTD 138L is also aligned with vertical axis 135. For simplicity, Figure 3 Only one spacer alignment axis 150A is shown, but the filler sheet 130 may include a plurality of spacer alignment axes 150A, each spacer alignment axis 150A being substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135, wherein each spacer alignment axis 150A is spaced apart from adjacent spacer alignment axes 150A in the direction of the ATD 138D.

[0182] The reinforcing element 140 is an additional feature of the packing sheet 130, and when the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, the reinforcing element 140 can be substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. Figure 3 , the filler sheet 130 has one or more reinforcing element alignment axes 140A. Each reinforcing element alignment axis 140A extends between an upper edge 136U and a lower edge 136L on one or both of the first side 134A and the second side 134B of the filler sheet 130. Each reinforcing element alignment axis 140A also extends between reinforcing elements 140 that are aligned with each other along LTD 138L. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each reinforcing element has a substantially vertical orientation to the axis 140A. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each reinforcing element alignment axis 140A is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each reinforcing element alignment axis 140A is substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. Therefore, and with reference to Figure 3 , each group of reinforcing elements 140 aligned along LTD 138L is also aligned with vertical axis 135. For simplicity, Figure 3 Only one reinforcement element alignment axis 140A is shown, but the filler sheet 130 may include multiple reinforcement element alignment axes 140A, each reinforcement element alignment axis 140A is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135, wherein each reinforcement element alignment axis 140A is spaced apart from adjacent reinforcement element alignment axes 140A along the direction of the ATD 138D.

[0183] The mass transfer microstructure 133 is an additional feature of the packing sheet 130, and when the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, the mass transfer microstructure 133 can be substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. Figure 3, the filler sheet 130 has one or more microstructures aligned with the axis 133A. Figure 3 In a configuration where the mass transfer microstructures 133 are V-shaped structures extending along LTD 138L, each microstructure alignment axis 133A extends between a maximum or minimum of the V-shaped structure on one or both of the first side 134A and the second side 134B of the filler sheet 130. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each microstructure has a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the alignment axis 133A. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each microstructure alignment axis 133A is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 is installed in the gas liquid contactor 100, each microstructure alignment axis 133A is substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. For simplicity, Figure 3 Only one microstructure alignment axis 133A is shown, but the filler sheet 130 may include a plurality of microstructure alignment axes 133A, each microstructure alignment axis 133A being substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135, wherein each microstructure alignment axis 133A is spaced apart from adjacent microstructure alignment axes 133A along the direction of the ATD 138D.

[0184] Figure 3 The filler sheet 130 has a rectangular shape. Similar to the leading edge 136A, the trailing edge 136B is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. The upper edge 136U and the lower edge 136L are substantially perpendicular to the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. Figure 3 When the packing sheet 130 of the embodiment of the present invention is installed in the cross-flow gas liquid contactor 100, the leading edge and the trailing edge 136B have a substantially vertical orientation, and the upper edge and the lower edge 136U, 136L have a substantially horizontal orientation. In other configurations of the body 132, the packing sheet 130 may have a substantially horizontal orientation. Figure 3 In such a configuration, the edges 136 of the body 132 may intersect at a non-zero, non-right angle.

[0185] In view of the foregoing, Figure 3 In at least one embodiment of the filler sheet 130, one or more of the reinforcement element alignment axis 140A, the spacer alignment axis 150A, the microstructure alignment axis 133A, and the trailing edge 136B are aligned with the leading edge 136A in any combination and are substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. The expression "substantially parallel" means that the filler sheet 130 can be positioned so that when installed as part of each filler segment 106, these features are parallel to the vertical axis 135, it being understood that, as described above, there may be slight deviations from parallel.

[0186] refer to Figure 3 , the body 132 has or defines a center of mass 132C. The center of mass 132C is also referred to as Figure 3 The geometric center of the body 132 in a two-dimensional plane is shown. Figure 3 The filler sheet 130 has a rectangular shape, and the centroid 132C is the point where the diagonals of the body 132 intersect. The filler sheet 130 and / or its features have point symmetry about the centroid 132C. When rotated 180 degrees around the centroid 132C, the filler sheet 130 and its features appear the same. The point symmetry of the filler sheet 130 about its centroid 132C can be generated by the zero degree offset angle Δ of the filler sheet 130. The point symmetry of the filler sheet 130 about its centroid 132C can allow the attachment features of adjacent filler sheets 130 (e.g., the adjacent surfaces of the spacer 150 and the reinforcing element 140) to abut each other, which can facilitate the formation of a structured packing 116 by assembling multiple filler sheets 130. The point symmetry of the filler sheet 130 about its centroid 132C can allow the use of a single tool (e.g., a mold) to manufacture the common filler sheets 130 of the packing section 106, wherein adjacent attached filler sheets 130 of the structured packing 116 are point-symmetrical translations of each other. This is in contrast to forward-sloping packing in some crossflow water cooling tower applications that consists of two or more types of filler sheets (e.g., "A" filler sheets and "B" filler sheets). In an alternative embodiment, the filler sheets 130 are asymmetric about their centroid 132C. In an alternative embodiment, each structured packing 116 includes one or more types of filler sheets 130.

[0187] The filler sheet 130 may have any number, shape, and / or arrangement of features to achieve the functions of the filler sheet 130 herein. For example, and with reference to Figure 4 , the reinforcing element 140 includes an intermediate reinforcing element 142. The intermediate reinforcing element 142 reinforces or strengthens the main body 132 along the middle portion of the filler sheet 130. The intermediate reinforcing element 142 reinforces or strengthens the main body 132 along the middle portion by supporting the main body 132 against lateral or bending loads and / or other loads described above. The intermediate reinforcing element 142 includes an intermediate reinforcing body 142A. The intermediate reinforcing body 142A is located on the main body 132 between the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. For Figure 4 For the filler sheet 130, the intermediate reinforcement body 142A is located between the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B in the middle of the main body 132, at a position half the distance from the leading edge 136A to the ATD 138D. Figure 4The intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A are located between the spacers 150 on either side of the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A in the ATD 138D along the middle of the body 132. The intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A are located adjacent to each other along the LTD 138L to form the intermediate reinforcement element 142. The intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A are located vertically adjacent to each other along the middle of the filler sheet 130. Figure 4 The filler sheet 130 has one intermediate reinforcing element 142. In an alternative embodiment, the filler sheet 130 has two or more intermediate reinforcing elements 142.

[0188] The filler sheet 130 may be cut or segmented through the lateral midpoint of the intermediate reinforcement element 142 (measured along the ATD 138D) to form a filler sheet 130 of a desired size that may be laterally aligned with the leading edge 136A or trailing edge 136B of an adjacent filler sheet 130 (e.g., so that one filler sheet 130 abuts against another filler sheet along their abutting edges 136A, 136B). Figure 3 In an exemplary embodiment where a filler sheet 130 has a width of 4 ft measured from a vertical reference in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D, and the intermediate reinforcing element 142 is 2 ft measured from a vertical reference, the filler sheet 130 can be vertically sectioned through the lateral midpoint of the intermediate reinforcing element 142 to produce two filler sheets 130, each of which has a width of 2 ft. The intermediate reinforcing element 142 is divided to form a leading edge or a trailing edge 136A, 136B, so that the resulting two filler sheets 130 are free of the intermediate reinforcing element 142. Each of the two 2 ft filler sheets 130 can be joined to a similarly sized filler sheet 130 to form a structured packing 116 having a width of 2 ft.

[0189] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4C and Figure 4D , each intermediate reinforcement 142A extends outwardly from one of the first side 134A and the second side 134B. Each intermediate reinforcement 142A extends outwardly to a local maximum, shown as an attachment wall 142B. Each attachment wall 142B defines a surface of the intermediate reinforcement 142A that is positioned further away from the plane of the body 132 than other portions of the intermediate reinforcement 142A. Each attachment wall 142B defines a surface of the intermediate reinforcement 142A that is further away from the mass transfer microstructure 133 than other portions of the intermediate reinforcement 142A. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the color scheme of FIG. 1 , a darker gray shading on the reinforcing element 140 indicates that the shaded portion extends outwardly from the body 132 on the first side 134A, and a lighter gray shading on the reinforcing element 140 indicates that the shaded portion extends outwardly from the body 132 on the second side 134B.

[0190] In some embodiments, one or more attachment walls 142B in adjacent packing sheets 130 are glued or bonded together to form a structural connection between adjacent packing sheets 130. Such attached attachment walls 142B of the intermediate reinforcement body 142A also help to space adjacent packing sheets 130 from each other, thereby helping to define a gas flow channel between adjacent packing sheets 130, through which the CO2-containing air 101 can flow, as described in more detail below. When adjacent packing sheets 130 are attached together in this manner, the attached intermediate reinforcement element 140 helps to strengthen or reinforce the structured packing 116 along the middle portion of the structured packing 116, which can be helpful if each packing sheet 130 has a relatively large ATD 138D (e.g., between 4 ft and 7 ft) and is configured for installation in a crossflow gas liquid contactor 100.

[0191] refer to Figure 4 , the intermediate reinforcement element 142 has an orientation substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. The intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A of the intermediate reinforcement element 142 are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. In some embodiments, the axis of the attachment wall 142B extending through the intermediate reinforcement body 142A is substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A of the filler sheet 130. In some embodiments, the axis of the attachment wall 142B extending through the intermediate reinforcement body 142A is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135.

[0192] The filler sheet 130 has features having a height defined in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the body 132, such as a reference plane 132D. The reference plane 132D is parallel to both the ATD 138D and the LTD 138L. Figure 4B and 4D , each attachment wall 142B defines a reinforcement height 142H, each mass transfer microstructure 133 defines a microstructure height 133H, and each spacer 150 defines a spacer height 150H. The reference plane 132D can be defined relative to any suitable common reference from which measurements are taken. In some embodiments, the reference plane 132D corresponds to the sheet plane of the body 132 and is located at the midpoint of the distance measured between the opposing peaks of the mass transfer microstructures 133 on opposite sides of the body 132.

[0193] The smallest of the reinforcement height 142H, the microstructure height 133H, and the spacer height 150H is the microstructure height 133H. Figure 4B , the microstructure height 133H is measured relative to the reference plane 132D, and the reference plane 132D can be located on the first side 134A or the second side 134B of the body 132. Figure 4BIn the configuration of , the microstructure height 133H is defined between the peaks and valleys of each V-shaped structure. Figure 4D , the reinforcement height 142H is measured relative to a reference plane 132D on the sides 134A, 134B of the body 132, which are opposite to the sides 134A, 134B of the body 132 where the attachment wall 142B of the intermediate reinforcement 142A is located. Figure 4D , the reinforcement height 142H is measured relative to the reference plane 132D on the first side 134A of the main body 132 because the attachment wall 142B of the intermediate reinforcement 142A is shown on the second side 134B of the main body 132. Figure 4B , the spacer height 150H is measured relative to a reference plane 132D on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132, the side 134A, 134B being opposite to the side 134A, 134B where the abutment surface 152 of the spacer 150 is located. Figure 4B In the figure, one of the spacers 150 has a spacer height 150H measured relative to the reference plane 132D on the first side 134A of the body 132 because its adjacent surface 152 is on the second side 134B of the body 132, and the other illustrated spacer 150 has a spacer height 150H measured relative to the reference plane 132D on the second side 134B of the body 132 because its adjacent surface 152 is on the first side 134A of the body 132.

[0194] The reinforcement height 142H, microstructure height 133H, and spacer height 150H are different so that each packing sheet 130 can be connected to and spaced apart from adjacent packing sheets 130 of the structured packing 116. Figure 4B , when both heights are measured from the same reference plane 132D, the spacer height 150H is greater than the microstructure height 133H. Figure 4B and Figure 4D , when both heights are measured from the same reference plane 132D, the reinforcement height 142H is greater than the microstructure height 133H. In some implementations, and see Figure 4B and Figure 4D , when all heights are measured from the same reference plane 132D, the reinforcement height 142H is greater than the microstructure height 133H and equal to the spacer height 150H. The height difference between the microstructure height 133H, the reinforcement height 142H, and the spacer height 150H allows adjacent filler sheets 130 to be sufficiently spaced apart from each other so that when adjacent filler sheets 130 are bonded together along their spacers 150 and their reinforcements 142, both the CO2 capture solution 114 and the CO2-containing air 101 can flow between adjacent filler sheets 130. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figures 4 to 4E , each reinforcement 142A has the same reinforcement height 142H, each mass transfer microstructure 133 has the same microstructure height 133H, and each spacer 150 has the same spacer height 150H. In alternative embodiments, in any combination, the reinforcements 142A can have varying reinforcement heights 142H, the mass transfer microstructures 133 can have varying microstructure heights 133H, and / or the spacers 150 can have varying spacer heights 150H.

[0195] In one possible embodiment of the intermediate reinforcing element 142, and with reference to Figure 4 , Figure 4C and Figure 4D The intermediate reinforcing bodies 142A constituting the intermediate reinforcing element 142 are arranged into a first group 142C and a second group 142D of the intermediate reinforcing bodies 142A. Figure 4 134A and extends outwardly from the first side 134A of the body 132. Figure 4C The middle reinforcement body 142A of the second group 142D is Figure 4 134B and extends outwardly from the second side 134B of the body 132. Figure 4D The intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A of the first group 142C and the second group 142D are hollow bodies so that they form corresponding recesses on the other side of the main body 132 from which they extend. For example, and with reference to Figure 4C , the first group 142C of intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A extending outward from the first side 134A forms a first group of recesses 144A on the second side 134B. Similarly, and with reference to Figure 4 and 4D , the second group 142D of intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A extending outward from the second side 134B forms a second group of recesses 144B on the first side 134A. The first group of recesses 144A and the second group of recesses 144B are grooves or recesses extending into the body 132 in an extension direction transverse to the reference plane 132D. The first group of recesses 144A and the second group of recesses 144B have a height or dimension defined between the attachment wall 142B of the corresponding intermediate reinforcement body 142A and the reference plane 132D on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132 opposite to the side 134B, 134A where the attachment wall 142B is located. Figure 4 In the configuration of the intermediate reinforcing element 142, the first set of recesses 144A and the second set of recesses 144B alternate with each other in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. Figure 4On the first side 134A of the main body 132, the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142 of the first group 142C protrude outward on the first side 134A, and adjacent recesses in the second group of recesses 144B exist on the second side 134B. Figure 4 On the second side 134B of the main body 132, the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142 of the second group 142D protrude outward on the second side 134B, and adjacent recesses in the first group of recesses 144A exist on the first side 134A. Figure 4 In the configuration of the intermediate reinforcing elements 142, each reinforcing body 142A is adjacent to one or both of its negative indentations in the LTD 138L. In particular, on the first side 134A, the intermediate reinforcing bodies 142 of the first group 142C alternate with the second group of depressions 144B along the axis 403. Similarly, on the second side 134B, the intermediate reinforcing bodies 142 of the second group 142D alternate with the first group of depressions 144A along the axis 403.

[0196] The intermediate reinforcement 142A may have any suitable shape. Figure 4C and Figure 5 Each intermediate reinforcement body 142A is a polygonal object defined by a plurality of planar walls 142P extending outward from one of the first side surface 134A and the second side surface 134B to the attachment wall 142B. Figure 5 Each intermediate reinforcement body 142A may be formed as a planar body in which four planar walls 142P extend outwardly from one of the first side surface 134A and the second side surface 134B to an attachment wall 142B on the same side surface 134A, 134B. Figure 5 Each plane wall 142P in has a trapezoidal shape and is defined by four edges. Other shapes of the plane wall 142P and other shapes of each intermediate reinforcement body 142A are possible. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A of the intermediate reinforcement elements 142 have the same shape and size. In other possible embodiments, the shape and / or size of the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A of the intermediate reinforcement elements 142 may vary. For example, in one such other possible embodiment, the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A include one or more curved walls, which in a cross-sectional view (such as in FIG. Figure 4C ) forms a sinusoidal shape.

[0197] refer to Figure 5Each intermediate reinforcement 142A has one or more longitudinal flow channels 142F. Each longitudinal flow channel 142F is a groove or elongated depression extending into each planar wall 142P. Each longitudinal flow channel 142F has an orientation parallel to the LTD 138L. When the CO2 capture solution 114 flows along the intermediate reinforcement 142A and / or flows between the intermediate reinforcements 142A, each longitudinal flow channel 142F helps guide the CO2 capture solution 114 to flow along the LTD 138L. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the intermediate reinforcement body 142A, each intermediate reinforcement body 142A has two longitudinal flow channels 142F on opposite sides of the attachment wall 142B. Figure 5 In an embodiment of the intermediate reinforcement body 142A, each intermediate reinforcement body 142A has two longitudinal flow channels 142F, and each longitudinal flow channel 142F is located in the lateral middle of its planar wall 142P. When the CO2 capture solution 114 flows along the filler sheet 130, it can enter each longitudinal flow channel 142F at its inlet and flow to the outlet of the longitudinal flow channel 142F in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. In some embodiments, the CO2 capture solution 114 can flow through each longitudinal flow channel 142F in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135.

[0198] Each intermediate reinforcement 142A may have fewer, more, or differently configured flow guides for guiding the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 along the intermediate reinforcement 142A. Figure 5 , one or more of the intermediate reinforcements 142A have one or more lateral flow channels 142L. Each lateral flow channel 142L is used to transfer or guide the CO2 capture solution 114 from the intermediate reinforcement 142A toward the mass transfer microstructure 133 adjacent to the intermediate reinforcement 142A in a direction transverse to the LTD 138L. Therefore, each lateral flow channel 142L has an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the inlet end is closer to the attachment wall 142B than the outlet end (e.g., relative to a direction parallel to the ATD 138D). Each lateral flow channel 142L can have any shape, orientation, or arrangement on the intermediate reinforcement 142A to achieve this function. For example, and with reference to Figure 5 , the lateral flow channel 142L extends along the common edge between the two planar walls 142P from an inlet end adjacent to the attachment wall 142B to an outlet end adjacent to the mass transfer microstructure 133. Figure 5The lateral flow channel 142L forms a non-zero angle with both the LTD 138L and the ATD 138D. In another possible embodiment of the one or more lateral flow channels 142L, the lateral flow channel 142L extends along a planar wall 142P in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D from an inlet end adjacent to the attachment wall 142B to an outlet end adjacent to the mass transfer microstructure 133. In another possible embodiment of the one or more lateral flow channels 142L, and with reference to Figure 5A , the inclined plane wall 142P on the opposite side of the attachment wall 142B in the LTD 138L has a plurality of lateral flow channels 142LA. Figure 5A Each lateral flow channel 142LA forms a non-zero angle with both LTD 138L and ATD 138D. Figure 5A The lateral flow channels 1421a intersect each other on the same planar wall 142P of one of the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A and form an "X" shaped microstructure. The X shape formed by the lateral flow channels 1421a allows the filler sheet 130 to be oriented or inserted with either the upper edge 136U or the lower edge 136L while still retaining the functionality of the lateral flow channels 1421a.

[0199] Each lateral flow channel 142L, 142LA can help reduce or prevent channeling of the CO2 capture solution 114 as it flows along the intermediate reinforcement 142A, thereby helping to better distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 to the mass transfer microstructures 133 and improving the ability of the CO2 capture solution 114 to capture CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101. The CO2 capture solution 114 flowing in the LTD 138L can encounter flow obstacles at the connected attachment walls 142B of adjacent filler sheets 130, and the lateral flow channels 142L, 142LA can help minimize channeling or trickling of the CO2 capture solution 114 in this location throughout the LTD 138L of the filler sheet 130 by helping to divert at least some of the CO2 capture solution 114 away from the connected attachment walls 142B and back to the mass transfer microstructures 133. Other features of the packing sheet 130 may have flow channels 142F, 142L. For example, in some embodiments, one or more flow channels 142F, 142L may be present in the reinforcing ribs. The flow channels 142F, 142L, 142LA of the present disclosure form grooves or elongated depressions on one of the first side 134A and the second side 134B of the packing sheet 130, and form corresponding ridges or protrusions on the other of the first side 134A and the second side 134B. In some embodiments, other features of the packing sheet 130 have flow channels 142F, 142L, 142LA of the present disclosure. For example, in one such embodiment, one or more spacers 150 have one or more flow channels 142F, 142L, 142LA to help transfer at least some of the CO2 capture solution 114 away from the connected spacers 150 and back to the mass transfer microstructure 133.

[0200] The reinforcing element 140 may include other reinforcing bodies. For example, and with reference to Figure 4 , the reinforcement element 140 includes one or more peripheral reinforcement bodies 148. The peripheral reinforcement bodies 148 can exist adjacent to each other along the LTD 138L to form a peripheral reinforcement element. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 4 , the peripheral reinforcement body 148 is similar to the intermediate reinforcement body 142A, such that the description, features, and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the intermediate reinforcement body 142A apply mutatis mutandis to the peripheral reinforcement body 148.

[0201] The peripheral reinforcement 148 strengthens or reinforces the main body 132 along the peripheral portion and may be used to attach adjacent filler sheets 130 together along the attachment wall of the peripheral reinforcement 148 . Figure 4The peripheral reinforcement 148 of the body 132 defines some or all of both the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. In an alternative embodiment, the peripheral reinforcement 148 defines some or all of one of the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. In an alternative embodiment, the filler sheet 130 has no peripheral reinforcement 148 along its leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B.

[0202] In some embodiments, the peripheral reinforcement 148 includes longitudinal and / or lateral flow channels 142F, 142L (such as Figure 5 ). In some embodiments, the packing sheets 130 are positioned adjacent to each other along the packing depth 106D to form the packing section 106, and these packing sheets 130 are joined along their respective peripheral reinforcements 148. In such embodiments, the presence of the longitudinal and / or lateral flow channels 142F, 142L in the peripheral reinforcements 148 can help reduce or eliminate the CO2 capture solution 114 reaching these interface points of the packing section 106, wherein the CO2 capture solution 114 can bypass the reactive surface area of ​​the packing section 106 and, therefore, be less effective in capturing CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101. The presence of the longitudinal and / or lateral flow channels 142F, 142L in the peripheral reinforcements 148 of these embodiments can also help reduce liquid pooling along the peripheral reinforcements 148 and / or along the interfaces, which can help reduce the pressure drop of the CO2-containing air 101 flowing along the packing depth 106D.

[0203] refer to Figure 4 , the reinforcing element 140 includes one or more peripheral ribs 146. The peripheral ribs 146 are located on the body 132 adjacent to one or both of the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B. The peripheral ribs 146 are reinforcements that strengthen or reinforce the body 132 along the sides of the filler sheet 130. Figure 4 In the filler sheet 130 of the embodiment, the peripheral ribs 146 are located adjacent to one or both of the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B, and are spaced a distance from the corresponding leading edge 136A or trailing edge 136B. The distance may be less than one-third of ATD 138D. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the peripheral ribs 146 are located inwardly on the body 132 from the leading edge 136A or the trailing edge 136B and exceed the distance. Figure 4 The filler sheet 130 includes a peripheral reinforcement body 148 and a peripheral rib 146, and the peripheral rib 146 is located more inwardly than the peripheral reinforcement body 148 from the leading edge 136A and the trailing edge 136B on the main body 132. Figure 4, the peripheral ribs 146 can be positioned adjacent to each other along the LTD 138L, and can be positioned adjacent to each other along the ATD 138D, as described in more detail below. Each peripheral rib 146 is an elongated body extending in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4E , each peripheral rib 146 has an arcuate or semi-circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the cross-sectional shape is defined in a plane transverse to the LTD 138L.

[0204] refer to Figure 4 , each peripheral rib 146 has an orientation substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. In some embodiments, the axis extends through the plurality of peripheral ribs 146 aligned along the LTD 138L, and the axis is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135. In some embodiments, the axis is substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A of the filler sheet 130.

[0205] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4E , each peripheral rib 146 extends outwardly from one of the first side 134A and the second side 134B. Each peripheral rib 146 extends outwardly to a local maximum that defines a surface of the peripheral rib 146 that is further away from the plane of the body 132 than other portions of the peripheral rib 146. Each local maximum defines a surface of the peripheral rib 146 that is further away from the mass transfer microstructure 133 than other portions of the peripheral rib 146. Figure 4 In the color scheme of FIG. 1 , the darker gray shading on the peripheral rib 146 indicates that the shaded portion extends outward from the body 132 on the first side 134A, and the lighter gray shading on the peripheral rib 146 indicates that the shaded portion extends outward from the body 132 on the second side 134B.

[0206] The peripheral ribs 146 are hollow so that they form corresponding recesses on the other side of the body 132 from which they extend. Figure 4A and 4E , the peripheral ribs 146 extending outwardly from the first side 134A form a first set of recesses 146A on the second side 134B. Similarly, and with reference to Figure 4A, the peripheral ribs 146 extending outward from the second side 134B form a second set of recesses 146B on the first side 134A. The first set of recesses 146A and the second set of recesses 146B are grooves or recesses extending into the body 132 in an extending direction transverse to the reference plane 132D. The first set of recesses 146A and the second set of recesses 146B have a thickness or height defined between a local maximum of the corresponding peripheral rib 146 and the reference plane 132D, which is on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132 opposite to the side 134B, 134A where the local maximum is located. Therefore, each peripheral rib 146 forms a protrusion on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132 and forms a notch on the other side 134B, 134A.

[0207] refer to Figure 4B Each peripheral rib 146 has a rib height 146H defined in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane 132D. The rib height 146H is measured relative to the reference plane 132D on the side 134A, 134B of the body 132, and the side 134A, 134B is opposite to the side 134A, 134B where the local maximum of the peripheral rib 146 is located. Figure 4B , the rib height 146H is measured relative to the reference plane 132D on the first side 134A of the body 132 because the local maximum of the peripheral rib 146 is on the second side 134B of the body 132. Figure 4B , when both heights are measured from the same reference plane 132D, the rib height 146H is greater than the microstructure height 133H. Figure 4B , when both heights are measured from the same reference plane 132D, the rib height 146H is less than the spacer height 150H. Figure 4B and Figure 4D , when both heights are measured from the same reference plane 132D, the rib height 146H is less than the reinforcement height 142H. The height differences between the rib height 146H, the microstructure height 133H, the reinforcement height 142H, and the spacer height 150H allow adjacent filler sheets 130 to be sufficiently spaced apart from one another so that when adjacent filler sheets 130 are bonded together along their spacers 150 and / or their reinforcements 142, both the CO2 capture solution 114 and the CO2-containing air 101 can flow between the adjacent filler sheets 130. The peripheral ribs 146 protrude through the mass transfer microstructures 133 into the flow of the CO2-containing air 101.

[0208] The peripheral ribs 146 may be arranged on the filler sheet 130 in any desired configuration to achieve the functions attributed to the peripheral ribs 146 in the present disclosure. Figure 4, the peripheral ribs 146 include a plurality of leading edge ribs 146L, which are located near the leading edge 136A of the body 132. The leading edge ribs 146L are arranged in two different groups of leading edge ribs 146L. The leading edge ribs 146L of the first group include innermost ribs 146L1, and the leading edge ribs 146L of the second group include outermost ribs 146L2. Along ATD 138D, the outermost ribs 146L2 are spaced farther from the leading edge 136A than the innermost ribs 146L1. The innermost ribs 146L1 are aligned with each other along LTD 138L. The innermost ribs 146L1 have an orientation substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. The outermost ribs 146L2 are aligned with each other along LTD 138L. The outermost ribs 146L2 have an orientation substantially parallel to the leading edge 136A. Reference Figure 4 and Figure 4A , the innermost rib 146L1 extends outward from the first side 134A of the body 132 and forms a corresponding recess 146A in the second side 134B. Figure 4 and Figure 4A , the outermost rib 146L2 extends outward from the second side 134B of the body 132 and forms a corresponding recess 146B in the first side 134A. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 4 , the innermost rib 146L1 and the outermost rib 146L2 are offset from each other in LTD 138L. Figure 4 When the packing sheet 130 is a part of the structured packing 116 for the cross-flow structure, the upper end and the lower end of each innermost rib 146L1 and the outermost rib 146L2 are not aligned in the vertical direction. Figure 4 When the packing sheet 130 is part of a structured packing 116 for a cross-flow configuration, portions of the innermost / outermost ribs 146L1, 146L2 vertically overlap the upper and lower ends of the outermost / innermost ribs 146L2, 146L1.

[0209] Another possible configuration of the peripheral rib 146 is Figure 4 . The peripheral ribs 146 include a plurality of trailing edge ribs 146T, which are located near the trailing edge 136B of the body 132. The trailing edge ribs 146T are arranged into two different groups of trailing edge ribs 146T. The trailing edge ribs 146T include a third group of ribs 146T3 and a fourth group of ribs 146T4. Along ATD 138D, the fourth group of ribs 146T4 are spaced farther from the trailing edge 136B than the third group of ribs 146T3. The third group of ribs 146T3 are aligned with each other along LTD 138L. The third group of ribs 146T3 have an orientation substantially parallel to the trailing edge 136B. The fourth group of ribs 146T4 are aligned with each other along LTD 138L. The fourth group of ribs 146T4 have an orientation substantially parallel to the trailing edge 136B. Reference Figure 4The third set of ribs 146T3 (the trailing edge ribs 146T closest to the trailing edge 136B) extend outwardly from the first side 134A of the body 132 and form corresponding recesses 146A in the second side 134B, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The fourth set of ribs 146T4 (the trailing edge ribs 146T farthest from the trailing edge 136B) extend outwardly from the second side 134B of the body 132 and form corresponding recesses 146B in the first side 134A, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 4 , the third group of ribs 146T3 and the fourth group of ribs 146T4 are offset from each other in LTD 138L. Figure 4 When the packing sheet 130 is part of a structured packing 116 for a cross-flow structure, the upper end and the lower end of each of the third set of ribs 146T3 and the fourth set of ribs 146T4 are not aligned in the vertical direction. Figure 4 When the packing sheet 130 is part of a structured packing 116 for a cross-flow configuration, portions of the third / fourth set of ribs 146T3, 146T4 vertically overlap the upper and lower ends of the fourth / third set of ribs 146T4, 146T3.

[0210] The peripheral ribs 146 may be spaced apart from one another to optimize the surface area of ​​the mass transfer zone 131 that is available for absorbing CO2 into the CO2 capture solution 114. For example, and with reference to Figure 4 The peripheral ribs 146 include one or more longitudinal rib pairs 146C. The two peripheral ribs 146 in each longitudinal rib pair 146C are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. A longitudinal pairing gap 146G1 is defined between the two peripheral ribs 146 in each longitudinal rib pair 146C. Figure 4 , the mass transfer microstructure 133 exists in the longitudinal pairing gap 146G1. For simplicity, the mass transfer microstructure 133 in the longitudinal pairing gap 146G1 is only relative to Figure 4 As shown in the third set of ribs 146T3 in FIG. 1 , it should be understood that the filler sheet 130 may have a plurality of longitudinal paired gaps 146G1 . Figure 4 The peripheral ribs 146 of the packing sheet 130 are discontinuous in the liquid travel dimension LTD138L. Figure 4 The peripheral ribs 146 of the packing sheet 130 are separated by the mass transfer microstructures 133 in the liquid travel dimension LTD 138L. The longitudinal mating gap 146G1 is Figure 4 In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal mating gap 146G1 is Figure 4 The same filler sheet 130 has different sizes.

[0211] The peripheral ribs 146 may also be spaced apart in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D to optimize the surface area of ​​the mass transfer zone 131 that is available for absorbing CO2 into the CO2 capture solution 114. For example, and with reference to Figure 4 , the peripheral ribs 146 include one or more lateral rib pairs 146D. The two peripheral ribs 146 in each lateral rib pair 146D are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D. A lateral mating gap 146G2 is defined between the two peripheral ribs 146 in each lateral rib pair 146D. Figure 4 , the mass transfer microstructure 133 exists in the lateral pairing gap 146G2. For simplicity, Figure 4 Only the mass transfer microstructures 133 in the lateral pairing gaps 146G2 are shown for two trailing edge ribs 146T, and it should be understood that the filler sheet 130 may have a plurality of lateral pairing gaps 146G2. The lateral pairing gaps 146G2 have a longitudinal extent defined along the LTD 138L. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the same mass transfer microstructure 133 exists in both the longitudinal pairing gap 146G1 and the lateral pairing gap 146G2. In alternative embodiments, the mass transfer microstructure 133 may be different in the longitudinal pairing gap 146G1 and the lateral pairing gap 146G2. In some embodiments, the mass transfer microstructure 133 may be different between the longitudinal pairing gaps 146G1 of the same filler sheet 130 or between the lateral pairing gaps 146G2 of the same filler sheet 130.

[0212] Figure 6Another possible embodiment of the filler sheet 630 is shown in FIG. The reinforcing element 640 of the filler sheet 630 includes an intermediate rib 646. The intermediate rib 646 is located on the body 632 between the leading edge 636A and the trailing edge 636B. The intermediate rib 646 is located between the leading edge 636A and the trailing edge 636B along the middle of the body 632, at a position half the distance of the ATD 138D from the leading edge 636A. On either side of the intermediate rib 646 in the ATD 138D, the intermediate rib 646 is located between the spacers 150 along the middle of the body 632. The first group of intermediate ribs 646A are spaced apart from each other and aligned in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. The second group of intermediate ribs 646B are also spaced apart from each other and aligned in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. The second group of intermediate ribs 646B are spaced apart from the first group of intermediate ribs 646A in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D. The mass transfer microstructures 133 exist in the spaces between the intermediate ribs 646. A first set of intermediate ribs 646A extend outwardly from the first side 634A of the body 632 and form corresponding depressions in the second side 634B. A second set of intermediate ribs 646B extend outwardly from the second side 634B and form corresponding depressions in the first side 634A. These protrusions and depressions of the intermediate ribs 646 are used to Figure 6 A grey shaded color scheme is shown.

[0213] when Figure 6When the packing sheet 630 is part of a structured packing 116 for a cross-flow structure, some portions of the first and second groups of intermediate ribs 646A, 646B overlap vertically. Each intermediate rib 646 in the first group of intermediate ribs 646A has a first rib end 647A and a second rib end 647B, and the second rib end 647B is spaced apart from the first rib end 647A in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. The first rib end 647A is closer to the upper edge 636U of the body 632 than the second rib end 647B. Each intermediate rib 646 in the second group of intermediate ribs 646B has a third rib end 647C and a fourth rib end 647D, and the fourth rib end 647D is spaced apart from the third rib end 647C in a direction parallel to the LTD 138L. The third rib end 647C is closer to the upper edge 636U of the body 632 than the fourth rib end 647D. A third rib end 647C of one or more ribs in the second set of ribs 646B is vertically positioned between a first rib end 647A and a second rib end 647B of a rib in the first set of ribs 646A. A fourth rib end 647D of one or more ribs in the second set of ribs 646B is vertically positioned between a first rib end 647A and a second rib end 647b of a rib in the first set of ribs 646A. In at least some embodiments, the intermediate ribs 646 are reinforcing elements 640 that overlap at the middle of the depth of the filler sheet 630, which can help strengthen or reinforce the filler sheet 630 to resist loads. The description, features, and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the filler sheet 130 of the aforementioned figures apply mutatis mutandis to Figure 6 For example, the height of the intermediate rib 646, measured similarly to the heights 133H, 142H, 150H described above, may be less than the height of the peripheral reinforcement 148. The description, features, and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the peripheral rib 146 apply mutatis mutandis to Figure 6 The middle rib 646.

[0214] The spacers 150 and reinforcing elements 140 , 640 of the packing sheets 130 , 630 described above and shown in the accompanying figures may be present or absent in any combination to provide any desired configuration of packing sheets 130 , 630 , structured packing 116 , and / or packing segments 106 .

[0215] Figure 7 and 7A Another possible configuration of a packing sheet having a deflection angle Δ of approximately zero degrees is shown in FIG. Figure 7 and 7A The filler sheet 730 includes one or more reinforcing elements 740. Unlike the reinforcing elements 140, 640 described above (which protrude from the surface of the body 132, 632 of the filler sheet 130, 630), the reinforcing elements 740 of the filler sheet 730 themselves form the body 732. Figure 7 and Fig. 7A , each reinforcing element 740 is a local deviation from a plane defined by the remainder of the body 732 excluding the reinforcing element 740. The out-of-plane reinforcing element 740 is Fig. 7A 730 in a cross-sectional view. The mass transfer zone 131 and the mass transfer microstructure 133 extend along all or some of the extent of the reinforcing element 740, such that the reinforcing element 740 defines a portion of the reactive surface area of ​​the packing sheet 730 that facilitates capturing CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101. The reinforcing element 740 facilitates reinforcing or reinforcing the body 732 to resist the expected loads on the packing sheet 730. By forming the body 732 of the packing sheet 730, the reinforcing element 740 facilitates reinforcing the packing sheet 730 while having minimal effect (if any) on the pressure drop of the CO2-containing air 101 flowing through the structured packing 116 formed by the packing sheet 730. In some embodiments, the packing sheet 730 may be further reinforced by the material of construction (MOC) of the packing sheet 730. The description, features, and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the packing sheets 130, 630 of the aforementioned figures apply mutatis mutandis to Figure 7 Filling sheet 730.

[0216] Figures 8 to 8C Another possible configuration of a packing sheet with a deflection angle Δ of approximately zero degrees is shown in FIG. Figures 8 to 8C The filler sheet 830 includes a reinforcement body 842. The reinforcement body 842 is another embodiment of the reinforcement element 140, 640 of the present disclosure and can be present on the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 in any combination with the reinforcement element 140, 640 of the present disclosure. The reinforcement body 842 extends outward from the first side 834A and the second side 834B of the filler sheet 830. Figures 8 to 8B In the color scheme of , the darker gray shading on the reinforcement body 842 indicates that the shaded portion of the reinforcement body 842 extends outward from the main body 832 of the filler sheet 830 on the first side 834A, and the lighter gray shading on the reinforcement body 842 indicates that the shaded portion of the reinforcement body 842 extends outward from the main body 832 on the second side 834B. Figures 8 to 8C The reinforcement body 842 is formed with Figure 5 The intermediate reinforcement body 142A of the embodiment of the present invention has a similar structure, wherein each structure has four planar walls 842P extending outwardly from one of the first side 834A and the second side 834B to the attachment wall 842B on the same side 834A, 834B (see, for example, FIG. 8A to FIG. 8B2 The description, features, reference numerals and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the intermediate reinforcement body 142A apply mutatis mutandis to Figures 8 to 8CFor example, similar to the intermediate reinforcement body 142A, the reinforcement body 842 is hollow and forms a corresponding recess on the other side (eg, the opposite side) of the main body 832, and the reinforcement body 842 extends from the recess. Figure 8 In the configuration of the reinforcement body 842, the depressions and extensions on one side of the body 832 alternate with each other in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D. In an alternative embodiment, the reinforcement body 842 has a different shape, geometry and / or configuration than the intermediate reinforcement body 142A.

[0217] Each reinforcement 842 is an elongated body having a major dimension defined parallel to the ATD 138D. Each reinforcement 842 has a width defined parallel to the ATD 138D, which is longer than the length of the reinforcement body defined parallel to the LTD 138L. The reinforcements 842 are positioned adjacent to each other along the ATD 138D. The reinforcements 842 are located between the leading edge 836A and the trailing edge 836B of the packing sheet 830 to form a row of reinforcements 842 parallel to the ATD 138D. The reinforcements 842 help strengthen the packing sheet 830 by supporting the packing sheet 830 and resisting lateral or bending loads caused by the weight of the packing sheet 830 itself or other packing sheets 830 combined therewith, liquid retention of the CO2 capture solution 114 on the packing sheet 830, any fouling and / or other loads present on the packing sheet 830. As described in more detail below, when two filler sheets 830 are attached together, portions of the reinforcement 842 are joined to corresponding portions of the reinforcement 842 of an adjacent filler sheet 830, which can help strengthen the joined filler sheets 830 and help prevent them from collapsing toward each other in areas of the filler sheets 830 where there is a relatively large distance between the joined supports. Thus, the reinforcement 842 can be any structure that can support the loads described herein. The reinforcement 842 can have any arrangement, number, location, form, shape, or size to achieve the functions attributed to them herein. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 8 The reinforcement body 842 is disposed on or adjacent to the mass transfer zone 831 and its mass transfer microstructure 133. Figure 8 , the reinforcement 842 forms a continuous or uninterrupted row of reinforcements 842 that extends completely between the leading edge 836A and the trailing edge 836B. In alternative embodiments, the reinforcement 842 forms a discontinuous or interrupted row of reinforcements 842 between the leading edge 836A and the trailing edge 836B. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 8 , the reinforcement body 842 does not contain the mass transfer microstructure 133.

[0218] The reinforcements 842 may be present in any arrangement along the filler sheet 830. For example, referring to Figure 8, the reinforcement body 842 includes an intermediate reinforcement body 842M forming an intermediate row 844M, and an edge reinforcement body 842E forming an upper row 844U and a lower row 844L. The intermediate row 844M, the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L are different arrangements of the reinforcement body 842, and are separated from each other along the LTD 138L. The edge reinforcement body 842E of the upper row 844U defines some or all of the upper edge 836U. The edge reinforcement body 842E of the lower row 844L defines some or all of the lower edge 836L. When the adjacent filler sheets 830 are linked together along the edge reinforcement body 842E of the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L, the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L extending horizontally help to maintain the stability of the sheet along the upper edge 836U and the lower edge 836L of the filler sheet 830. The horizontal honeycomb features at the top and bottom of the filler sheets 830 in their installed configuration can help provide a more stable upper edge 836U and lower edge 836L of the structured packing 116 formed by the connected filler sheets 830, and can help better transfer the load of the bottom support to the filler sheets 830 of the structured packing 116.

[0219] The middle reinforcement 842M of the middle row 844M is disposed between the upper edge 836U and the lower edge 836L of the filler sheet 830. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 8 , the middle reinforcement 842M of the middle row 844M extends through the vertical middle position of the filler sheet 830, wherein the vertical middle position is defined as half the distance between the upper edge 836U and the lower edge 836L. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 8 , the intermediate reinforcements 842M of the intermediate row 844M extend through the centroid 132C of the filler sheet 830. In some embodiments, the intermediate reinforcements 842M of the intermediate row 844M are offset from the vertical middle position and positioned between the upper edge 836U and the lower edge 836L. In some embodiments, the filler sheet 830 includes a plurality of intermediate rows 844M of intermediate reinforcements 842M extending parallel to the ATD 138D and positioned between the upper edge 836U and the lower edge 836L. The intermediate reinforcements 842M of the intermediate row 844M each have a length greater than the length of each edge reinforcement 842E of both the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L, wherein the lengths of the intermediate reinforcements 842M and the edge reinforcements 842E are parallel to the LTD 138L. In some embodiments, the length of the intermediate reinforcements 842M is twice the length of the edge reinforcements 842E. In some embodiments, removing a vertical half of one of the intermediate reinforcements 842M provides a shape corresponding to the shape of one of the edge reinforcements 842E. The similarity in shape between the intermediate reinforcements 842M and the edge reinforcements 842E may be caused by the indexing interval of the tool used to form the filler sheet 830. In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 8, the filler sheet 830 has the middle reinforcements 842M in the middle row 844M and the edge reinforcements 842E on the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L. In an alternative embodiment, the filler sheet 830 does not have the middle reinforcements 842M in the middle row 844M, but still includes the edge reinforcements 842E in the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L. In an alternative embodiment, the filler sheet 830 does not have the middle reinforcements 842M in the middle row 844M, but still includes the edge reinforcements 842E in one of the upper row 844U and the lower row 844L.

[0220] The filler sheet 830 may be cut or segmented through the vertical midpoint of the middle reinforcement body 842M of the middle row 844M to form a filler sheet 830 of a desired size that may be vertically aligned with the upper edge 836U or lower edge 836L of an adjacent filler sheet 830 (e.g., stacking one filler sheet 830 on top of another along their abutting edges 836U, 836L). Figure 8 In an exemplary embodiment where a filler sheet 830 has a length of 4 feet measured from a horizontal reference in a direction parallel to LTD 138L, and the middle row 844M has a length of feet measured from a horizontal reference, the filler sheet 830 can be cut along the middle row 844M to produce two filler sheets 830, each having a length of feet. The intermediate reinforcements 842M of the middle row 844M are divided to form an upper row 844U or a lower row 844L of edge reinforcements 842E, so that the resulting two filler sheets 830 do not have the intermediate reinforcements 842M of the middle row 844M. Each of the two 2ft filler sheets 830 can be connected to a similarly sized filler sheet 830 along the attachment wall 842B of the edge reinforcement 842E to form a structured packing 116 having a length of 2 feet. Therefore, in some embodiments, the filler sheets are Figure 8 A segmented version of the filler sheet 830 and without the intermediate reinforcement bodies 842M of the intermediate row 844M.

[0221] In addition to their structural functions, the reinforcements 842 disposed across the ATD 138D may also help redistribute (or may have features that facilitate the above effects) some of the CO2 capture solution 114 that flows along the packing sheets 830 in the LTD 138L or between adjacent packing sheets 830 along the LTD 138L. The reinforcements 842 may help intercept and disrupt streams or rivulets of CO2 capture solution 114 that may form in the LTD 138L, thereby helping to prevent such rivulets from forming, from transmitting along the packing sheets 830, or from flowing between vertically adjacent packing sheets 830. The reinforcements 842 may help to disperse the CO2 capture solution 114 into the mass transfer zones 831 and their mass transfer microstructures 133.

[0222] Reference now FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C Some features of the reinforcement body 842 that may disrupt or divert the trickle of CO2 capture solution 114 are described in more detail. For example, Fig. 8A Shows Figure 8 An enlarged view of one of the intermediate reinforcing bodies 842M in the region 8A-8A in FIG. Fig. 8A and Fig.8A1 , the intermediate reinforcement body 842M has one or more lateral flow channels 842L. Each lateral flow channel 842L is used to transfer or guide the CO2 capture solution 114 in a direction transverse to the LTD 138L and away from the attachment wall 842B. Therefore, each lateral flow channel 842L has an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the inlet end (e.g., relative to a direction parallel to the ATD 138D) is closer to the attachment wall 842B than the outlet end. Each lateral flow channel 842L can have any shape, orientation or arrangement on the intermediate reinforcement body 842M to achieve this function. For example, and with reference to Fig. 8A , the lateral flow channels 842L extend on some planar walls 842P of the intermediate reinforcement body 842M in a direction parallel to the ATD 138D. Fig. 8A , two planar walls 842P of the intermediate reinforcement body 842M separated from each other by the attachment wall 842B in the ATD 138D have lateral flow channels 842L. Each of these planar walls 842P has two lateral flow channels 842L spaced apart from each other in the LTD 138L. The other two planar walls 842P of the intermediate reinforcement body 842M do not have lateral flow channels 842L.

[0223] Figure 8B Shows Figure 8 An enlarged view of one of the edge reinforcements 842E in region 8B-8B in FIG. Figure 8B , Figure 8B1 and Figure 8C , two planar walls 842P of edge reinforcement 842E are separated from each other by attachment wall 842B in ATD 138D, and the two planar walls 842P have lateral flow channels 842L. Each of these planar walls 842P has one lateral flow channel 842L. The other two planar walls 842P of edge reinforcement 842E do not have lateral flow channels 842L. In some embodiments, there are more than two flow channels 842L on the planar wall 842P having flow channels 842L.

[0224] refer to Fig. 8A , 8A1, 8B, 8B1 and 8C, each lateral flow channel 842L extends into its planar wall 842P, forming a groove on one side of the body 832 of the filler sheet 830 (e.g., on the first side 834A), and forming a protrusion on the other side of the body 832 (e.g., on the second side 834B). Figure 8C Each lateral flow channel 842L is connected to the attachment wall 842B of the laterally adjacent reinforcement body 842 (see Figure 8C ) extend between the inclined planar walls 842P. In some embodiments, the height or thickness of the lateral flow channels 842L is measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the corresponding planar wall 842P. The CO2 capture solution 114 flowing in the LTD 138L encounters a flow obstacle at the connected attachment wall 842B of the adjacent filler sheet 830, and the lateral flow channels 842L can help minimize channeling, trickle formation and / or flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 in this location by diverting at least some of the CO2 capture solution 114 away from the connected attachment wall 842B and along the inclined planar wall 842P. The description, features, and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the lateral flow channels 142L, 142LA of the aforementioned figures apply mutatis mutandis to the present invention. Figures 8 to 8C lateral flow channel 842L.

[0225] One or both of the intermediate reinforcement 842M and the edge reinforcement 842E may include other features to help divert the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 around the joined attachment walls 842B of adjacent filler sheets 830. For example, and with reference to Fig. 8A , Figure 8A2 , Figure 8B , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8C , one or more of the planar walls 842P may include a stepped member 850. The stepped member 850 may form a broken and segmented rib along the edge of the mass transfer zone 831 to help guide the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 around the attached attachment wall 842B and minimize trickle flow of the CO2 capture solution 114. Fig. 8A and Figure 8A2, two planar walls 842P of the intermediate reinforcement body 842M have a step member 850, and the two planar walls 842P are separated from each other by the attachment wall 842B in the LTD 138L. Each of these planar walls 842P has a step feature 850. The other two planar walls 842P of the intermediate reinforcement body 842M do not have a step member 850. The step member 850 includes a plurality of inclined sections. The step member 850 includes a first wall section 852, which extends from the attachment wall 842B and has a first slope different from the slope of the attachment wall. The step member 850 includes a second wall section 854, which extends from the first wall section 852 and has a second slope different from the first slope of the first wall section 852. The step member 850 includes a third wall section 856, which extends from the second wall section 854 and has a third slope different from the second slope of the second wall section 854. The attachment slope and the first slope, the second slope, and the third slope are defined in the same cross-sectional plane and are Figure 8A2 In Figure 8A2 In an embodiment of the step member 850, the second slope of the second wall segment 854 is less than both the first slope and the third slope, and greater than the slope of the attachment wall 842B. In another embodiment, one or more of the first wall segment 852, the second wall segment 854, and the third wall segment 856 have a curved inclined form. Figure 8B , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8C The step member 850 of the edge reinforcement 842E is similarly described, mutatis mutandis. In some embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C , the intermediate reinforcement 842M and / or the edge reinforcement 842E include both a stepped member 850 and at least one lateral flow channel 842L to help divert the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 around the connected attachment wall 842B of the adjacent filler sheet 830. In another embodiment, the intermediate reinforcement 842M and / or the edge reinforcement 842E include one of the stepped member 850 and at least one lateral flow channel 842L to help divert the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 around the connected attachment wall 842B.

[0226] The description, features and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the filler sheets 130, 630, 730 of the preceding figures apply mutatis mutandis to the Figures 8 to 8C Filling sheet 830.

[0227] Fig. 91 is a perspective view of a recessed body 960 of a filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 of the present disclosure. The recessed body 960 is an elongated body having a major dimension defined parallel to the LTD 138L. The recessed body 960 has a length defined substantially parallel to the LTD 138L that is longer than its width defined parallel to the ATD 138D. The recessed body 960 is located below one of the laterally intermediate edge reinforcements 842E of the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830, near the upper edge 136U, 636U, 836U of the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830. The recessed body 960 can help form the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830, for example by assisting indexing when using a forming tool such as a stamping die. The height of the recessed body 960 is greater than the microstructure height 133H and less than the spacer height 150H. The recessed body 960 has a height that is less than the height of the reinforcement body 142H. The height of the recessed body 960, the microstructure height 133H, the spacer height 150H, and the reinforcement body height 142H described herein are measured from the same reference. When two filler sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 are connected to each other and define an airflow channel or slot between a pair of connected filler sheets 130, 630, 730, 830, the recessed bodies 960 of the two filler sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 are spaced apart from each other and define a portion of the airflow channel or slot. In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig. 9 , the recessed body 960 is free of mass transfer microstructures 133. In some embodiments, the recessed body 960 has a smooth planar surface.

[0228] The packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 may be arranged to form a structured packing 116 having any shape, such as a block, column, cube, or other suitable shape. Each structured packing 116 may sometimes be referred to as a "fill pack". In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig.10 , the packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 (hereinafter referred to as "packing sheets 130" or "plurality of packing sheets 130" for simplicity) are attached together to form a self-supporting structured packing 116, so that the structured packing 116 has the ability to remain upright and assembled without being supported by anything else. One or more packing sheets 130 in each structured packing 116 can be mounted to or supported by one or both of the following: 1) a structural member 115 of the housing 102, and 2) at least one other packing sheet 130 of another structured packing 116. Fig.10In the structured packing 116 of FIG. 1 , all the packing sheets 130 are identical. In an alternative embodiment, one or more packing sheets 130 of the structured packing 116 are different from another packing sheet 130 of the structured packing 116. In one example of such an alternative embodiment of the structured packing 116, one or more packing sheets 130 do not have reinforcing elements 140, 640, 740 and are optimized for minimum pressure drop, while another packing sheet 130 has one or more reinforcing elements 140, 640, 740 to reinforce the structured packing 116. Assembling the packing sheets 130 into the structured packing 116 helps the structured packing 116 meet load requirements, such as crush strength requirements, wherein the structured packing 116 is exposed to a crush test, the purpose of which is to simulate different loads (e.g., liquid load, liquid holdup, scaling / scaling, weight of the structured packing 116 itself) that the structured packing 116 may be exposed to during operation of the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B.

[0229] Reference Fig.11 , the leading edge 136A of the packing sheet 130 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 135, thereby providing the structured packing 116 with the additional leading edge surface area 139 and the associated advantages discussed above. Fig.12 Attached filler sheets 130 are shown adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the ATD 138D and LTD 138L. The adjacent filler sheets 130 are attached along the abutment surfaces 152 of their spacers 150. Adjacent filler sheets 130 may also be attached together using other features, such as one or more reinforcing elements 140, 640. For example, referring to Fig.12 , the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A of one or more filler sheets 130 are attached to the intermediate reinforcement bodies 142A of other filler sheets 130 through their adjacent attachment walls 142B. Fig.12 , the attachment wall 142B on the first side 134A of the filler sheet 130 abuts against the attachment wall 142B on the second side 134B of the adjacent filler sheet 130. These features space the adjacent filler sheets 130 apart so that an airflow channel 160 or channel is defined between a pair of adjacent filler sheets 130. Therefore, the airflow channel 160 can be defined by the contact points between adjacent filler sheets 130. Each airflow channel 160 is defined by the surfaces and features of adjacent filler sheets 130 and defines a space extending in the ATD 138D and the LTD 138L. The CO2-containing air 101 flows through each airflow channel 160 from the leading edge 136A to the trailing edge 136B of the adjacent filler sheet 130. Reference Fig.12, each airflow channel 160 is continuous or uninterrupted from the leading edge 136A to the trailing edge 136B of the adjacent filler sheet 130 along the ATD 138D and along the LTD 138L. In some embodiments, one or more of the airflow channels 160 have a channel shape 160S. The channel shape 160S is defined in a plane perpendicular to the LTD 138L. In some embodiments, the channel shape 160S is rectangular along the entire extent of the airflow channel 160, such as Fig.12 In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig.12 , the structured packing 116 is composed of flat or straight packing sheets 130. In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig.12 , the structured packing 116 has no undulations in its packing sheets 130 and no undulations or corrugated channel shapes 160S between its packing sheets 130 .

[0230] refer to Fig.12 , the inter-sheet spacing 160H of the packing sheets 130 of the structured packing 116 can be defined. The inter-sheet spacing 160H also defines the "width" or range of each airflow channel 160. The inter-sheet spacing 160H is defined as the range between a pair of adjacent packing sheets 130 and is measured in a plane perpendicular to the LTD 138L. Due to the presence of features of adjacent packing sheets 130 (e.g., reinforcement elements 140 and spacers 150), the inter-sheet spacing 160H can vary along the ATD 138B and along the LTD 138L. In some embodiments, the inter-sheet spacing 160H is defined along a portion of the ATD 138B and / or the LTD 138L between the mass transfer microstructures 133 of adjacent packing sheets 130. In some embodiments, the inter-sheet spacing 160H is greater than each of the microstructure height 133H, the spacer height 150H, and the reinforcement height 142H of one of the packing sheets 130 in a pair of packing sheets 130 that define the airflow channel 160. In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig.12 , the sheet spacing 160H is substantially uniform between all pairs of adjacent packing sheets 130 that make up the structured packing 116. In alternative embodiments, the sheet spacing 160H between a first pair of packing sheets 130 of a structured packing 116 may be different from the sheet spacing 160H between at least another pair of packing sheets 130 of the same structured packing 116. Some possible and non-limiting examples of the size of the sheet spacing 160H include 5 / 8 inches (1.587 cm) to 1.5 inches (3.81 cm). The number of packing sheets 130 within each structured packing 116 and their sheet spacing 160H within the structured packing 116 can be varied to provide a structured packing 116 with a desired sheet density and performance characteristics.

[0231] When a pair of adjacent filler sheets 130 are attached along the attachment walls 142B of their intermediate reinforcements 142A to form a joint, the joint may impede the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 in the LTD 138L. Therefore, the planar wall 142P of the intermediate reinforcement 142A may have one or more flow channels, such as the longitudinal or lateral flow channels 142F, 142L described above. The flow channels may extend from the joined attachment walls 142B and help reduce liquid pooling along the joint between adjacent filler sheets 130. The description, features, and advantages of the present disclosure associated with the longitudinal or lateral flow channels 142F, 142L of the peripheral reinforcement 148 apply mutatis mutandis to the flow channels of the intermediate reinforcement 142A.

[0232] The airflow channel 160 can extend around the planar walls 142P and the attachment walls 142B of some of the intermediate reinforcements 142A. The intermediate reinforcements 142A of the first group 142C extend outwardly from the first side 134A of the main body 132, and thus form corresponding recesses 144A on the second side 134B. The intermediate reinforcements 142A of the second group 142D extend outwardly from the second side 134B of the main body 132, and thus form corresponding recesses 144B on the first side 134A. The recesses 144A, 144B of the attached filler sheet 130 face each other across the sheet spacing 160H and are aligned along the LTD 138L. The airflow channel 160 extends through the space between the facing recesses 144A, 144B of a pair of attached filler sheets 130 and is partially defined by the space. The airflow channel 160 meanders around the attached attachment walls 142B of the intermediate reinforcement 142A.

[0233] The peripheral reinforcement 148 can similarly contribute to the size, shape, and configuration of the airflow channel 160. For example, referring to Fig.11, the peripheral reinforcement 148 of each packing sheet 130 extends outward from one of the first side 134A and the second side 134B and forms a corresponding recess 148D in the other of the first side 134A and the second side 134B. In some embodiments, the first group of peripheral reinforcements 148 alternates with the second group of recesses on the first side 134A along an axis, and the second group of peripheral reinforcements 148 alternates with the first group of recesses on the second side 134B along the axis. Adjacent packing sheets 130 are connected along the connecting wall of their peripheral reinforcements 148, and the attachment wall on the first side 134A of one packing sheet 130 is connected to the attachment wall on the second side 134B of the adjacent packing sheet 130. The peripheral reinforcement flow passage 148F is formed between the aligned recesses 148D of adjacent packing sheets 130. The peripheral reinforcement flow passage 148F is in fluid communication with the airflow channel 160, so that the CO2-containing air 101 first enters the structured packing 116 via the peripheral reinforcement flow passage 148F and then flows through the airflow channel 160. The peripheral reinforcement flow passage 148F can be defined or bounded by adjacent peripheral reinforcements 148. In some embodiments, adjacent packing sheets 130 are joined only along their peripheral reinforcements 148.

[0234] When adjacent filler sheets 130 are joined along the attachment walls 142B of their intermediate reinforcements 142A and / or their peripheral reinforcements 148, the joined reinforcements 142A, 148 form a honeycomb or hexagonal shape when the adjacent filler sheets 130 are viewed from one of the edges 136A, 136B, 136L, 136U, as shown in FIG. Figures 10 to 12 In other embodiments of joined reinforcements 142A, 148, wherein the joined reinforcements 142A, 148 have one or more curved walls that form a sinusoidal shape in a cross-sectional view, as described above, the reinforcements 142A, 148 may be joined along the attachment points of the curved slopes so that when the adjacent filler sheet 130 is viewed from one of the edges 136A, 136B, 136L, 136U, the joined reinforcements 142A, 148 form a non-planar shape. In one possible embodiment of reinforcements 142A, 148 having one or more curved walls that form a sinusoidal shape, the reinforcements 142A, 148 may be joined along some or all of the extent of the curved walls. Figures 10 to 12 The reinforcement bodies 142A, 148 are connected so that their "peaks" (e.g., their attachment walls 142B) are aligned with the peaks of the adjacent filler sheets 130. In other possible embodiments, the reinforcement bodies 142A, 148 are connected so that their maximum and minimum values ​​are not aligned with the maximum and minimum values ​​of the adjacent filler sheets 130. This paragraph applies mutatis mutandis to Figures 8 to 8C Reinforced body 842.

[0235] The features of the packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 can allow for improved mass transfer capture efficiency. The features of the packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 can reduce the pressure drop experienced by the CO2-containing air 101 flowing through the packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830. For a given pressure drop tolerance across the packing section 106, the features of the packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 can allow for improved overall performance, such that the ATD 138D can be reduced, which can allow for one or more of the following advantages: a shorter gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B with reduced pumping requirements for the CO2 capture solution 114, a smaller footprint for the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, a lower energy requirement for operating the fan 212, and / or adding additional drift elimination (if desired) without significant pressure drop penalties.

[0236] Any of the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 features described herein or shown in the figures may be present or absent in any combination to provide any desired configuration of the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830, the structured packing 116, and / or the packing segment 106. For example, the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 may be free of the reinforcing element 140, 640, 740, 842 in the middle of the filler sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 along the ATD 138D. According to another example, features that facilitate diverting or dispersing the CO2 capture solution 114 to the mass transfer microstructure 133 may be present or absent in any combination on one or more of the reinforcing elements 140, 640, 740, 842.

[0237] refer to Fig.15 According to one possible and non-limiting example for the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B having the structured packing 116 and its packing sheets 130, 630, 730, 830 disclosed herein is part of a direct air capture (DAC) system 1200 for capturing CO2 directly from atmospheric air. One or more gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B absorb some CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 using a CO2 capture solution 114 to form a CO2-containing capture solution 111. The CO2 capture solution 114 may need to be regenerated from the CO2-containing capture solution 111, which can be performed in a regeneration system 1230 of the DAC system 1200. The regeneration system 1230 is used to treat the CO 2 containing capture solution 111 (eg, spent capture solution) to recover and / or concentrate the CO 2 content contained in the CO 2 containing capture solution 111 .

[0238] The CO2-containing capture solution 111 flows from the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B to the pellet reactor 1210 of the DAC system 1200. A slurry of calcium hydroxide 1224 is injected into the pellet reactor 1210. The reaction between the CO2-containing capture solution 111 and the calcium hydroxide 1224 occurs in the pellet reactor. 2+ In the pellet reactor 1210, CO3 2- React to form calcium carbonate solid and alkaline aqueous solution as CO2 capture solution 114 (e.g., hydroxide), thereby regenerating CO2 capture solution 114. For example, potassium carbonate in CO2-containing capture solution 111 can react with calcium hydroxide to form calcium carbonate and potassium hydroxide, thereby regenerating CO2 capture solution 114 containing potassium hydroxide.

[0239] The reaction of the capture solution 111 containing CO2 with Ca(OH)2 results in the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) onto the calcium carbonate particles in the pellet reactor 1210. Further processing of the calcium carbonate solids, including but not limited to filtering, dehydrating or drying, may be performed before the calcium carbonate solids are sent to downstream processing units. The calcium carbonate solid stream 1214 is conveyed from the pellet reactor 1210 to the calciner 1216 of the DAC system 1200. The calciner 1216 calcines the calcium carbonate in the stream 1214 from the pellet reactor 1210, thereby generating a gaseous CO2 stream 1218 and a calcium oxide (CaO) 1220 stream by oxygen combustion of a fuel source in the calciner 1216. The gaseous CO2 stream 1218 is treated for isolation or other purposes, thereby removing some CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101 treated in the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B. The gaseous CO2 stream 1218, directly or after processing, can be provided as a product stream for use or for export as desired. The stream of calcium oxide (CaO) 1220 is slaked with water in the slaker 1222 of the DAC system 1200 to produce a slurry of calcium hydroxide 1224, which is provided to the pellet reactor 1210. The DAC system 1200 may include a plurality of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, wherein each gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B forms a unit of a series / assembly of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B.

[0240] The calcium carbonate solid stream 1214 calcined in the calciner 1216 of the DAC system 1200 can be generated according to other technologies for capturing CO2 from the CO2-containing air 101. For example, in one possible embodiment, the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B of the DAC system 1200 use a liquid sorbent, and the carbonate formation reactor that receives the CO2-containing capture solution 111 includes one or more reactors similar to those used in the Kraft pulping process to form calcium carbonate solids. In some examples, the DAC system 1200 does not have a causticization process, and the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B of the DAC system 1200 use a liquid sorbent (such as a calcium hydroxide slurry) and contact it with air to form a stream 1214 of calcium carbonate solids, which is then calcined.

[0241] In some embodiments, the CO2 capture solution 114 can be regenerated using a different regeneration system. The regeneration system 1230 can be part of the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B or separate therefrom. Fig.15 In an exemplary alternative regeneration system 1235, the CO2-containing capture solution 111 may flow to an electrochemical system including a cell stack, which may include one or more membranes and a set of electrodes in a group (e.g., see Fig. 20 ). The electrochemical system can regenerate the CO2 capture solution 114 from the CO2-containing capture solution 111 by applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte comprising the CO2-containing capture solution 111. The potential difference causes ion exchange, thereby forming recovered CO2 1218 and regenerating the CO2 capture solution 114.

[0242] In another possible embodiment of an alternative regeneration system 1235, the CO2-containing capture solution 111 can flow to a hot stripper, which uses steam to desorb CO2 from the CO2-containing capture solution 111, thereby forming a recovered CO2 stream 1218 and regenerating the CO2 capture solution 114 (e.g., a CO2-lean liquid). For example, Fig.19 The DAC system 1900 includes one or more gas liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B and a regeneration subsystem 1980. The regeneration subsystem 1980 is configured to regenerate a CO2 capture solution (eg, CO2 capture solution 114).

[0243] In an embodiment where the CO2 capture solution 114 includes an amine capture material, the CO2 in the CO2-containing air 101 reacts with the amine capture material to form a CO2-containing capture solution 111 including a carbamate. Non-limiting examples of amine capture materials for the CO2 capture solution 114 include furan-bis(iminoguanidine): FuBIG, isophorone diamine (IPDA), hindered amine groups having alkanolamines and alcoholic hydroxyl groups, which can be used. Examples of alkanolamines include monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine, triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, and diglycolamine. Examples of hindered amines having alcoholic hydroxyl groups include 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-(ethylamino)-ethanol (EAE), and 2-(methylamino)-ethanol (MAE).

[0244] The regeneration subsystem 1980 includes at least a concentrator 505, a heat exchanger 509, and a regeneration reactor 507. The CO2 capture solution 111 may include solids (e.g., carbamate solids) and is in the form of a slurry. The slurry flows to the concentrator 505, which is used to increase the concentration of solids by separating solids from liquids. The concentrator 505 produces a solid slurry stream 521. The solid slurry stream 521 includes a higher solid concentration than the solid concentration in the CO2 capture solution 111. At least some of the liquid separated from the CO2 capture solution 111 by the concentrator 505 forms a separated liquid stream 523, which may include unreacted CO2 capture solution 114. The separated liquid stream 523 flows back to any suitable component or unit of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B.

[0245] refer to Fig.19, the solid slurry stream 521 flows to the heat exchanger 509, wherein the heat energy from the regenerated lean CO2 capture solution 511 is transferred to the solid slurry stream 521, as described below. The heated solid slurry stream 521 flows from the heat exchanger 509 to the regeneration reactor 507. The heat exchanger 509 can be considered a preheating heat exchanger that integrates the concentrated slurry (e.g., the solid slurry stream 521) with the higher temperature regenerated capture solution (e.g., the lean CO2 capture solution 511). In an exemplary embodiment, the solids in the heated solid slurry stream 521 are at least partially regenerated at or downstream of the heat exchanger 509 before entering the regeneration reactor 507, releasing CO2. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanger 509 is upstream of the concentrator 505 relative to the flow direction of the CO2 capture solution 111 from the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B to the concentrator 505. In such an embodiment, the heat exchanger 509 is used to transfer heat energy from the lean CO2 capture solution 511 to the CO2 containing capture solution 111 prior to solid-liquid separation in the concentrator 505. In transferring the heat energy to the stream entering the regeneration reactor 507, the heat exchanger 509 helps reduce the load on the regeneration reactor 507 in embodiments where the regeneration reactor 507 uses the heat to regenerate the CO2 containing capture solution 111. In other embodiments, the regeneration subsystem 1980 is devoid of a heat exchanger.

[0246] In an embodiment where the regeneration reactor 507 is or includes a packed column, the heated solid slurry stream 521 flows through the packing 503 within the regeneration reactor 507. The regeneration heater 506 provides a heat source, such as a heated gas stream 517 (e.g., steam), which contacts the heated solid slurry stream 521 flowing along the packing 503. In an exemplary embodiment, the regeneration reactor 507 includes one or more nozzles for causing the heated solid slurry stream 521 to flow onto the packing 503. In an alternative embodiment, the regeneration reactor 507 includes a tower with trays instead of or in addition to a packed tower. In an exemplary embodiment, the packing 503 is non-regular (e.g., random packing).

[0247] By contacting the heated solid slurry stream 521 and its carbamate solids with the heated gas stream 517, a lean CO2 capture solution 511 (eg, regenerated CO2 capture solution 114) is produced and CO2 gas 519 is desorbed. The lean CO2 capture solution 511 is collected at the bottom of the regeneration reactor 507. Fig.19, the lean CO2 capture solution 511 is at a relatively high temperature and flows to the heat exchanger 509 to transfer at least a portion of its thermal energy to the solid slurry stream 521 flowing out of the concentrator 505, as described above. In an embodiment where the regeneration subsystem 1980 does not have a heat exchanger, the lean CO2 capture solution 511 flows directly to one or more components of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B and is reused for CO2 capture in the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B.

[0248] CO2 gas 519 is released from the regeneration reactor 507 along with water vapor 518 through a gas discharge line. The mixed gas stream (CO2 gas 519 and water vapor 518) flows from the regeneration reactor 507 to the condenser 508. Depending on the capture material of the CO2 capture solution 114, the mixed gas stream may also include volatile amines / organics. The condenser 508 condenses the water vapor 518 (and volatile amines / organics) to form a water stream 1920 (which may have condensable amines / organics) and separates the CO2 gas 519 from the water stream 1920. The CO2 gas 519 is released from the condenser 508 as a CO2 product stream 525. The CO2 product stream 525 can be treated or processed as needed, such as by compression. The compressed CO2 product stream 525, either directly or after treatment, can be provided as needed for use or for export. In the exemplary embodiment, the condensed water stream 1920 flows from the condenser 508 to the regeneration heater 506 for use in producing the heated gas stream 517 in the regeneration reactor 507. In the exemplary embodiment, the condensed water stream 1920 flows directly to the heat exchanger 509.

[0249] Other configurations of the regeneration reactor 507 are also possible. For example, in some configurations, the regeneration reactor 507 does not include a packed tower and therefore has no packing. In this configuration, the regeneration reactor 507 can be or can include any of the following non-limiting examples of reaction vessels: a tubular reactor, a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), in which reagents, reactants, and solvents flow into the reactor and the reaction products simultaneously leave the container, or a fluidized bed reactor. In embodiments where the regeneration reactor 507 is or includes a tubular reactor, the tubular reactor can have an internal heating device (e.g., an electric heating element) and / or an external heating device (e.g., a heating jacket), an inlet and an outlet, and a phase separator or other suitable outlet to allow CO2 to be degassed from the tubular reactor. In embodiments where the regeneration reactor 507 is or includes a CSTR, the CSTR can have an internal heating device (e.g., an electric heating element) and / or an external heating device (e.g., a heating jacket), a mixing element (e.g., a rotor and / or a baffle), an inlet and an outlet, and a phase separator or other suitable outlet to allow CO2 to be degassed from the CSTR. In an embodiment where the regeneration reactor 507 is or includes a fluidized bed reactor, the solid slurry stream 521 can enter the fluidized bed reactor from the top of the reactor, and a heating medium (e.g., steam) can be heated from the outside and flow to the fluidized bed reactor to fluidize the bed of solids and transfer heat to it. The fluidized bed reactor can have a distribution plate or mesh at its bottom to support the fluidized solids. The fluidized bed reactor can also have an inlet and an outlet, as well as a phase separator or other suitable outlet to allow CO2 to be degassed from the fluidized bed reactor.

[0250] In another possible embodiment of the alternative regeneration system 1235, Fig. 20 The DAC system 2000 includes a regeneration subsystem 2080. The regeneration subsystem 2080 is configured to regenerate a CO2-containing sorbent (e.g., a CO2-containing capture solution 111) received from one or more gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B. The gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B are fluidly connected to the product generation subsystem 606 via the carbonate separation subsystem 604. The gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B provide the CO2-containing capture solution 111 to the carbonate separation subsystem 604.

[0251] The CO2 capture solution 111 may be an aqueous mixture mainly comprising carbonate ions, alkali metal carbonates (e.g., K2CO3, Na2CO3), or a combination thereof. The CO2 capture solution 111 may also include smaller amounts of other components, such as hydroxide ions, alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., KOH, NaOH), water, and impurities. For example, the CO2 capture solution 111 may include 0.4M to 6M K2CO3 and 1M to 10M KOH. In an exemplary embodiment, the CO2 capture solution 111 may include an aqueous Na2CO3-NaOH mixture. In an exemplary embodiment, the CO2 capture solution 111 may include a mixture of K2CO3 and Na2CO3.

[0252] In an exemplary embodiment, the carbonate separation subsystem 604 may include a caustic evaporator or a crystallizer (or both). In an exemplary embodiment, the carbonate separation subsystem 604 may include a nanofiltration unit or a crystallizer (or both). The carbonate separation subsystem 604 produces a crystallized carbonate hydrate 614. The crystallized carbonate hydrate 614 may include a carbonate 1.5 hydrate (M2CO3 · 1.5H2O) or anhydrous carbonate. For example, the crystallized carbonate hydrate 614 may include a 1.5 hydrate potassium carbonate (K2CO3 · 1.5H2O). In some examples, the crystallized carbonate hydrate 614 may include sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3 · 10H2O). In some examples, the crystallized carbonate hydrate 614 may include potassium sodium carbonate hexahydrate (KNaCO3 · 6H2O). In an exemplary embodiment, the crystallized carbonate hydrate 614 may include water molecules of different stoichiometric amounts per unit carbonate in the crystallized carbonate (e.g., M2CO3 · n H2O, where M is an alkali metal and n is an integer or fractional value).

[0253] The product generation subsystem 606 receives the crystallized carbonate hydrate 614. In an exemplary embodiment, the product generation subsystem 606 includes a dissolution tank 608 fluidly coupled to an electrochemical cell 610. In an example embodiment, the product generation subsystem 606 may include a caustic evaporator.

[0254] The dissolution tank 608 can receive the crystallized carbonate hydrate 614, the water stream 620, and the brine stream 622 from the carbonate separation subsystem 604. In an exemplary embodiment, a polished aqueous solution can be used instead of the water stream 620 or in addition to the water stream 620. The purified aqueous solution can be substantially free of particulates and dissolved contaminants. The crystallized carbonate hydrate 614 dissolves in the water and reacts with the bicarbonate HCO3 in the brine stream 622. - Combined to form feed solution 616. Feed solution 616 may include bicarbonate-rich HCO3- A solution having a mixture of other ingredients such as carbonates and water.

[0255] The electrochemical cell 610 receives a feed solution 616 and a water stream 620. The electrochemical cell 610 produces at least two product streams, including a first product stream 626 comprising hydroxide (regenerated CO2 capture solution 114) and returns to the gas liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B for reuse. The second product stream 628 is sent to the flash tank 612, wherein the gaseous CO2 product stream 624 is partially or completely released from the flash tank 612 and sent to one or more downstream processing units (e.g., a compression unit, an electro-reduction subsystem, a carbon product manufacturing system, a syngas generation reactor). For further details and alternative embodiments, reference is made to the patent application entitled "Systems and methods for capturing carbon dioxide and regenerating a capturesolution", which has the publication number US2022 / 0362707 A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0256] The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 may include a liquid distribution pipeline, a solids conveying device, a filtration system, intermediate components (such as storage vessels), and / or an assembly of components that work together to regenerate the CO2 capture solution 114. The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 also includes a pump that allows liquid to flow into and out of the regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080.

[0257] refer to Fig.16 , a method 1400 for capturing CO2 from atmospheric air is disclosed. At 1402, the method 1400 includes flowing atmospheric air (e.g., CO2-containing air 101) from a leading edge 136A to a trailing edge 136B of a fill sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 in a first flow direction (e.g., ATD 138D). The first flow direction is substantially perpendicular to the leading edge 136A. At 1404, the method 1400 includes flowing a CO2 capture solution 114 through the fill sheet 130, 630, 730, 830 in a second flow direction (e.g., LTD 138L) to absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution 114. The second flow direction is substantially perpendicular to the first flow direction.

[0258] Fig.171 is a schematic diagram of a control system (or controller) 1600 for a gas liquid contactor (e.g., the gas liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B disclosed herein). The system 1600 can be used for operations described in association with any computer-implemented method previously described, for example as a control system 999 or other controllers described herein or as part of a control system 999 or other controllers described herein.

[0259] System 1600 is intended to include various forms of digital computers, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other suitable computers. System 1600 may also include mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular phones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices. In addition, the system may include portable storage media, such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive. For example, a USB flash drive may store an operating system and other applications. A USB flash drive may include an input / output component, such as a wireless transmitter or a USB connector that may be inserted into a USB port of another computing device.

[0260] The system 1600 includes a processor 510, a memory 520, a storage device 530, and an input / output device 540. Each of the components 510, 520, 530, and 540 are interconnected using a system bus 550. The processor 510 is capable of processing instructions for execution within the system 1600. The processor 510 can be designed using any of a variety of architectures. For example, the processor 510 can be a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) processor, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor, or a MISC (Minimum Instruction Set Computer) processor.

[0261] In one embodiment, the processor 510 is a single-threaded processor. In some embodiments, the processor 510 is a multi-threaded processor. The processor 510 is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory 520 or on the storage device 530 to display graphical information of the user interface on the input / output device 540.

[0262] Memory 520 stores information within system 1600. In one embodiment, memory 520 is a computer readable medium. In one embodiment, memory 520 is a volatile memory unit. In some embodiments, memory 520 is a non-volatile memory unit.

[0263] The storage device 530 can provide mass storage for the system 1600. In one embodiment, the storage device 530 is a computer-readable medium. In various embodiments, the storage device 530 can be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device.

[0264] The input / output device 540 provides input / output operations for the system 1600. In one embodiment, the input / output device 540 includes a keyboard and / or a pointing device. In some embodiments, the input / output device 540 includes a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface.

[0265] Certain features described may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The apparatus may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, for example, in a machine-readable storage device executed by a programmable processor; and the method steps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform the functions of the described embodiments by operating on input data and generating output. The described features may advantageously be implemented in one or more computer programs executable on a programmable system, the programmable system comprising at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used directly or indirectly in a computer to perform some activity or produce some result. A computer program may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

[0266] As examples, suitable processors for executing a program of instructions include both general and special purpose microprocessors, as well as the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any type of computer. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files, or be operably coupled to communicate with it; such devices include disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated into an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0267] To provide interaction with a user, these features may be implemented on a computer having a display device (such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and pointing device (such as a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. In addition, such activities may be implemented via a touch screen flat panel display and other appropriate mechanisms.

[0268] These features can be implemented in a control system that includes a back-end component (such as a data server), or includes a middleware component (such as an application server or an Internet server), or includes a front-end component (such as a client computer with a graphical user interface or an Internet browser), or any combination thereof. The components of the system can be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication (such as a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), a peer-to-peer network (with self-organizing or static members), a grid computing infrastructure, and the Internet.

[0269] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In view of this specification, further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this description should be interpreted as being merely illustrative. It should be understood that the forms shown and described herein should be regarded as examples of embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those shown and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features may be used independently, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of this specification. Changes may be made to the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A packing sheet for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air to a CO2 capture solution, the packing sheet comprising: first side; a second side surface, opposite to the first side surface; a leading edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to a vertical direction in an installed configuration of the filler sheet; a trailing edge spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth parallel to a direction along which the atmospheric air travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge; Multiple interconnected edges, including: an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being separated by a liquid travel dimension, the liquid travel dimension being parallel to a direction along which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge; a mass transfer zone disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures configured to receive the CO2 capture solution and contact the atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution, the plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height; a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, each reinforcing element of the plurality of reinforcing elements having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and A plurality of spacers are disposed on the mass transfer zone and extend outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and having a spacer height greater than the microstructure height.

2. The filler sheet according to claim 1 further includes a spacer alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the spacer alignment axis extending between at least two of the multiple spacers aligned along the liquid travel dimension, and the spacer alignment axis is substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installation configuration of the filler sheet.

3. The filler sheet according to claim 1 or 2 further includes a reinforcing element alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the reinforcing element alignment axis extending between at least two of the plurality of reinforcing elements aligned along the liquid travel dimension, and the reinforcing element alignment axis being substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installation configuration of the filler sheet.

4. A filler sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a reinforcing body height that is greater than the microstructure height.

5. The packing sheet according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of intermediate reinforcements include a first group of intermediate reinforcements extending outward from the first side and a second group of intermediate reinforcements extending outward from the second side, the first group of intermediate reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, the second group of intermediate reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side, the first group of intermediate reinforcements alternating with the second group of recesses on the first side along an axis, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements alternating with the first group of recesses on the second side along the axis.

6. The packing sheet according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcement bodies comprises a plurality of planar walls extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to the attachment wall; as well as A plurality of flow channels, each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels is disposed in a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls.

7. The packing sheet according to claim 6, wherein: The plurality of flow channels includes at least one longitudinal flow channel parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and At least one lateral flow channel includes an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being closer to the attachment wall than the outlet end.

8. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral ribs adjacent at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, each of the plurality of peripheral ribs extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side and forming a corresponding recess in the other of the first side and the second side.

9. The packing sheet according to claim 8, wherein: the plurality of peripheral ribs including a plurality of leading edge ribs adjacent the leading edge, the plurality of leading edge ribs including a set of innermost ribs extending outwardly from the first side and forming corresponding depressions in the second side; as well as A set of outermost ribs extend outwardly from the second side and form respective recesses in the first side, the set of outermost ribs being spaced farther from the leading edge along the air travel depth than the set of innermost ribs.

10. The packing sheet according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: the plurality of peripheral ribs including a plurality of trailing edge ribs adjacent the trailing edge, the plurality of trailing edge ribs including a third group of ribs extending outwardly from the first side and forming corresponding depressions in the second side; as well as A fourth set of ribs extends outwardly from the second side and forms a corresponding depression in the first side, the fourth set of ribs being spaced farther from the trailing edge along the air travel depth than the third set of ribs.

11. A packing sheet according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one longitudinal rib pair having two peripheral ribs, the two peripheral ribs being spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the liquid travel dimension to define a longitudinal pairing gap, wherein some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the longitudinal pairing gap.

12. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one lateral rib pair having two peripheral ribs, the two peripheral ribs being spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the air travel depth to define a lateral pairing gap, and some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the lateral pairing gap.

13. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The plurality of reinforcing elements includes a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to one another along the liquid traveling dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge.

14. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The plurality of spacers includes a plurality of spacer pairs spaced apart along a liquid travel dimension and along an air travel depth, the spacers in each of the plurality of spacer pairs being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the air travel depth.

15. The packing sheet according to claim 14, wherein: The spacers in each spacer pair include a first spacer extending outward from the first side and forming a corresponding recess on the second side, and a second spacer extending outward from the second side and forming a corresponding recess on the first side.

16. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate ribs, the plurality of intermediate ribs having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of intermediate ribs including a first group of ribs, the first group of ribs being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and extending outwardly from the first side and forming corresponding depressions on the second side; as well as A second set of ribs are spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and extend outwardly from the second side and form corresponding depressions in the first side, the second set of ribs being spaced apart from the first set of ribs in a direction parallel to the air travel depth.

17. A packing sheet according to claim 16, wherein: Each rib in the first set of ribs includes a first rib end and a second rib end; and Each rib in the second set of ribs includes a third rib end and a fourth rib end, and the third rib end of at least one rib in the second set of ribs is positioned between the first rib end and the second rib end of at least one rib in the first set of ribs.

18. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The filler sheet has a rectangular shape, the leading edge and the trailing edge are substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installed configuration of the filler sheet, the upper edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge, and the lower edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge.

19. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: The liquid travel dimension is greater than the air travel depth.

20. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: The air travel depth is 3ft to 5ft.

21. The filler sheet of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures include a first wall portion extending toward a first vertex on a first side; and A second wall portion extends from the first vertex to a second vertex on the second side, at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion including at least one wall feature extending from the at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

22. The packing sheet according to claim 21, wherein: The at least one wall feature includes a first wall feature extending outwardly from a first wall portion on the first side; as well as A second wall feature extends outwardly from the second wall portion on the second side.

23. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 22, further comprising a centroid, the packing sheet having point symmetry about the centroid.

24. The packing sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The plurality of reinforcement elements include a plurality of reinforcement bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the air travel depth and between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

25. The packing sheet according to claim 24, wherein: The plurality of reinforcement bodies are disposed between the upper edge and the lower edge.

26. The packing sheet according to claim 24, wherein: The plurality of reinforcement bodies define at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge.

27. The filler sheet of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein each of the plurality of reinforcements extends outwardly from at least one of the first side or the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a body height greater than the microstructure height.

28. The packing sheet according to claim 27, wherein: The multiple reinforcements include a first group of reinforcements extending outward from the first side and a second group of reinforcements extending outward from the second side, the first group of reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, the second group of reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side, the first group of reinforcements alternating with the second group of recesses on the first side along a horizontal axis, and the second group of reinforcements alternating with the first group of recesses on the second side along the horizontal axis.

29. The packing sheet according to claim 27 or 28, wherein: Each of the plurality of reinforcement bodies comprises: a plurality of planar walls extending outwardly from at least one of the first side or the second side to the attachment wall; and At least one flow channel extends into a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls on at least one of the first side or the second side, the at least one flow channel being parallel to the air travel depth.

30. The packing sheet according to claim 27 or 28, wherein: Each of the plurality of reinforcing bodies comprises a plurality of planar walls extending outwardly from at least one of the first side or the second side to the attachment wall, the attachment wall having an attachment wall slope, at least one of the plurality of planar walls comprising a step member, the step member comprising: a first wall segment extending from the attachment wall and having a first slope different from the slope of the attachment wall; a second wall segment extending from the first wall segment and having a second slope different from the first slope; and A third wall segment extends from the second wall segment and has a third slope different from the second slope.

31. The packing sheet according to claim 1, wherein: At least some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures include: a plurality of elementary microstructures including a first wall portion and a second wall portion extending toward a first vertex on one of the first side and the second side; as well as A plurality of supplementary microstructures protrude outwardly from the first wall portion and the second wall portion of the plurality of basic microstructures.

32. A structured packing for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air to a CO2 capture solution, the structured packing comprising: A plurality of filler sheets attached together, at least one filler sheet of the plurality of filler sheets comprising: first side; a second side surface opposite to the first side surface; leading edge; a trailing edge spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth, the air travel depth being parallel to a direction of atmospheric air travel from the leading edge to the trailing edge, the leading edge of the at least one filler sheet being substantially parallel to a vertical direction in the mounted configuration of the at least one filler sheet; A plurality of interconnected edges, the plurality of interconnected edges comprising: an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being separated by a liquid travel dimension, the liquid travel dimension being parallel to a direction along which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge; a mass transfer zone disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height and configured to contact the CO2 capture solution with the atmospheric air; a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, each reinforcing element of the plurality of reinforcing elements having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and A plurality of spacers are disposed on the mass transfer zone and extend outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers are spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and have a spacer height greater than the microstructure height, and adjacent filler sheets among the plurality of filler sheets are attached along corresponding plurality of spacers and define airflow channels through which atmospheric air travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

33. The structured packing of claim 32, wherein the gas flow channels have a rectangular channel shape defined in a plane perpendicular to the liquid travel dimension.

34. A structured packing according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the plurality of reinforcing elements includes a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements including a plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a reinforcement body height, the reinforcement body height being greater than the microstructure height, and adjacent packing sheets are attached along their attachment walls.

35. The structured packing according to claim 34, wherein: Each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcement bodies includes a plurality of planar walls and a plurality of flow channels, the plurality of planar walls extending outward from one of the first side and the second side to the attachment wall, each of the plurality of flow channels being arranged in a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls, the plurality of flow channels including at least one longitudinal flow channel, the at least one longitudinal flow channel being parallel to the liquid travel dimension and extending from the attached attachment wall of the adjacent filler sheet.

36. The structured packing according to claim 34 or 35, wherein: The multiple intermediate reinforcements include a first group of reinforcements extending outward from the first side and a second group of reinforcements extending outward from the second side, the first group of reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side, the first group of reinforcements alternating with the second group of recesses on the first side along an axis, and the second group of reinforcements alternating with the first group of recesses on the second side along the axis, and the airflow channel between adjacent filler sheets extends through the first group of recesses and the second group of recesses.

37. A structured packing according to claim 32 or 33, wherein: the plurality of reinforcing elements comprising a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements comprising a plurality of intermediate ribs having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; The plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral reinforcing elements disposed adjacent to at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing elements including a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to one another along the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge; and The intermediate rib heights of the plurality of intermediate ribs are smaller than the peripheral reinforcement body heights of the plurality of peripheral reinforcement bodies.

38. The structured packing according to claim 32 or 33, wherein: The plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies including a first group of reinforcing bodies extending outward from the first side surface and a second group of reinforcing bodies extending outward from the second side surface, the first group of reinforcing bodies forming a first group of recesses on the second side surface, and the second group of reinforcing bodies forming a second group of recesses on the first side surface, the first group of reinforcing bodies alternating with the second group of recesses on the first side surface along an axis, and the second group of reinforcing bodies alternating with the first group of recesses on the second side surface along the axis, the first group of reinforcing bodies of a first filler sheet among the adjacent filler sheets being attached to the second group of reinforcing bodies of a second filler sheet among the adjacent filler sheets, a reinforcing body flow path being formed between the first group of recesses and the second group of recesses of the adjacent filler sheets, and the reinforcing body flow path being fluidly connected to the airflow channel.

39. The structured packing according to any one of claims 32 to 38 further includes a spacer alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the spacer alignment axis extending between at least two of the multiple spacers aligned along the liquid travel dimension, and the spacer alignment axis is substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installation configuration of at least one packing sheet.

40. The structured packing according to claim 39 further includes a reinforcing element alignment axis extending between the upper edge and the lower edge on the first side and the second side, the reinforcing element alignment axis extending between at least two of the plurality of reinforcing elements aligned along the liquid travel dimension, and the reinforcing element alignment axis is substantially parallel to the vertical direction in the installation configuration of the at least one packing sheet.

41. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 40, wherein The plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements including a plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to each other along the liquid travel dimension, each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcing bodies extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side to an attachment wall, the attachment wall defining a reinforcing body height greater than the microstructure height.

42. The structured packing according to claim 41, wherein The plurality of intermediate reinforcements include a first group of intermediate reinforcements extending outward from the first side and a second group of intermediate reinforcements extending outward from the second side, the first group of intermediate reinforcements forming a first group of recesses on the second side, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements forming a second group of recesses on the first side, the first group of intermediate reinforcements alternating with the second group of recesses on the first side along an axis, and the second group of intermediate reinforcements alternating with the first group of recesses on the second side along the axis.

43. The structured packing according to claim 41 or 42, wherein: Each of the plurality of intermediate reinforcement bodies includes a plurality of planar walls and a plurality of flow channels, the plurality of planar walls extending outward from one of the first side surface and the second side surface to the attachment wall, and each of the plurality of flow channels being disposed in a planar wall of the plurality of planar walls.

44. The structured packing of claim 43, wherein the plurality of flow channels comprises at least one longitudinal flow channel parallel to the liquid travel dimension, and at least one lateral flow channel comprising an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being closer to the attachment wall than the outlet end.

45. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 44, wherein The plurality of reinforcing elements include a plurality of peripheral ribs adjacent at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge, each of the plurality of peripheral ribs extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side and forming a corresponding recess in the other of the first side and the second side.

46. ​​The structured packing according to claim 45, wherein: the plurality of peripheral ribs comprising a plurality of leading edge ribs adjacent the leading edge, the plurality of leading edge ribs comprising a set of innermost ribs; as well as and a set of outermost ribs that are spaced farther from the leading edge along the air travel depth than the set of innermost ribs that extend outwardly from the first side and form corresponding recesses in the second side and the set of outermost ribs that extend outwardly from the second side and form corresponding recesses in the first side.

47. A structured packing according to claim 45 or 46, wherein: the plurality of peripheral ribs comprising a plurality of trailing edge ribs adjacent the trailing edge, the plurality of trailing edge ribs comprising a third group of ribs; as well as and a fourth set of ribs, which are spaced farther from the trailing edge along the air travel depth than the third set of ribs, the third set of ribs extending outwardly from the first side and forming corresponding recesses in the second side, and the fourth set of ribs extending outwardly from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side.

48. A structured packing according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein the plurality of peripheral ribs comprises at least one longitudinal rib pair having two peripheral ribs, the two peripheral ribs being spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the liquid travel dimension to define a longitudinal pairing gap, wherein some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the longitudinal pairing gap.

49. A structured packing according to any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein The plurality of peripheral ribs include at least one lateral rib pair having two peripheral ribs, the two peripheral ribs being spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the air travel depth to define a lateral pairing gap, and some of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures are present in the lateral pairing gap.

50. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 49, wherein The plurality of reinforcing elements includes a plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies positioned adjacent to one another along the liquid traveling dimension, the plurality of peripheral reinforcing bodies defining at least one of the trailing edge and the leading edge.

51. The structured packing of any one of claims 39 to 50, wherein the plurality of spacers comprises a plurality of spacer pairs spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and along the air travel depth, the spacers in each spacer pair being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the air travel depth.

52. The structured packing of claim 51, wherein the spacers in each spacer pair include a first spacer extending outwardly from the first side and forming a corresponding recess in the second side; and A second spacing portion extends outwardly from the second side surface and forms a corresponding recess in the first side surface.

53. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 52, wherein the plurality of reinforcing elements comprising a plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least the plurality of intermediate reinforcing elements comprising a plurality of intermediate ribs, the plurality of intermediate ribs having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension, the plurality of intermediate ribs comprising a first set of ribs, the first set of ribs being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and extending outwardly from the first side and forming corresponding depressions on the second side; as well as a second set of ribs, the second set of ribs being spaced apart in the liquid travel dimension, the second set of ribs being spaced apart from the first set of ribs in a direction parallel to the air travel depth, the first set of ribs extending outwardly from the first side and forming corresponding recesses in the second side, and the second set of ribs extending outwardly from the second side and forming corresponding recesses in the first side.

54. The structured packing according to claim 53, wherein: Each rib in the first set of ribs includes a first rib end and a second rib end; and Each rib in the second set of ribs includes a third rib end and a fourth rib end, and the third rib end of at least one rib in the second set of ribs is positioned between the first rib end and the second rib end of at least one rib in the first set of ribs.

55. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 54, wherein: The filler sheet has a rectangular shape, the leading edge and the trailing edge being substantially parallel to a vertical line in the installed configuration of the at least one filler sheet; The upper edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge; and The lower edge is perpendicular to the leading edge and the trailing edge.

56. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 55, wherein the liquid travel dimension is greater than the air travel depth.

57. A structured packing according to any one of claims 39 to 56, wherein The air travel depth is 3ft to 5ft.

58. The structured packing of any one of claims 39 to 57, wherein at least one mass transfer microstructure of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures comprises a first wall portion extending toward a first vertex on a first side; and A second wall portion extends from the first vertex to a second vertex on the second side, at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion including at least one wall feature extending from the at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

59. The structured packing according to claim 58, wherein: the at least one wall feature comprising a first wall feature extending outwardly from the first wall portion on the first side; as well as A second wall feature extends outwardly from the second wall portion on the second side.

60. The structured packing of any one of claims 39 to 59, further comprising a centroid, the at least one packing sheet having point symmetry about the centroid.

61. A gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, the gas-liquid contactor comprising: at least one entrance; at least one outlet spaced from the at least one inlet; at least one packing section disposed between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, the at least one packing section comprising at least one structured packing, the at least one structured packing comprising a plurality of packing sheets attached together, at least one packing sheet of the plurality of packing sheets comprising: first side; a second side surface, opposite to the first side surface; a leading edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to a vertical direction; a trailing edge spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth; a plurality of interconnected edges including an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being separated by a liquid travel dimension; a mass transfer zone disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height; a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, each reinforcing element of the plurality of reinforcing elements having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer region and extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart and having a spacer height greater than a microstructure height, adjacent ones of the plurality of filler sheets being attached along respective ones of the plurality of spacers and defining airflow channels; one or more liquid collection devices, the one or more liquid collection devices including a bottom liquid collection device positioned at least partially below the at least one packing section, the one or more liquid collection devices configured to hold a CO2 capture solution; a fan operable to cause atmospheric air to flow (1) from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet, and (2) along the airflow passages of the at least one structured packing parallel to the air travel depth; and a liquid distribution system fluidly coupled to the at least one packing segment and operable to flow the CO2 capture solution along the plurality of mass transfer microstructures along the liquid travel dimension to contact the atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution and absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution.

62. The gas liquid contactor according to claim 61, further comprising a shell defining an interior at least partially exposed to atmospheric air, the interior being disposed between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, the at least one structured packing comprising a plurality of structured packings disposed within the interior and forming at least one structured packing arrangement, the structured packings in the at least one structured packing arrangement being positioned vertically and laterally adjacent to each other.

63. The gas liquid contactor according to claim 62, wherein: The at least one structured packing arrangement comprises an upper arrangement of structured packing; a lower arrangement of structured packing spaced vertically below the upper arrangement of structured packing, and a redistribution space defined between an upper arrangement and a lower arrangement of the structured packing; as well as The one or more liquid collection devices include a redistribution trough located in a redistribution interval between an upper arrangement and a lower arrangement of the structured packing, the redistribution trough being configured to collect CO2 capture solution from the upper arrangement of the structured packing and redistribute the CO2 capture solution onto the lower arrangement of the structured packing.

64. The gas liquid contactor according to claim 62 or 63, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of interconnected structural members, and the plurality of structured packings are mounted to at least one of: an interconnected structural member in the plurality of interconnected structural members, and another structured packing in the plurality of structured packings.

65. The gas liquid contactor according to any one of claims 61 to 64, wherein the liquid distribution system is operable to distribute the CO2 capture solution at a rate in the range of 0.5 L / m 2 s to 10L / m 2 s of liquid loading flow.

66. The gas liquid contactor according to any one of claims 61 to 65, wherein: The at least one packing section comprises a first packing section; and a second packing section spaced apart from the first packing section by a plenum; The fan is operable to cause the atmospheric air to flow into the first packing section and the second packing section at an air velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5 m / s, and to flow through the first packing section and the second packing section in a horizontal flow direction and into the plenum; as well as The liquid distribution system is operable to flow the CO2 capture solution with a predominantly vertical downward liquid travel dimension.

67. A packing sheet for transferring carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air to a CO2 capture solution, the packing sheet comprising: first side; a second side surface, opposite to the first side surface; leading edge; a trailing edge spaced from the leading edge by an air travel depth parallel to a direction of atmospheric air travel from the leading edge to the trailing edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to a vertical direction in the installed configuration of the filler piece; a plurality of interconnected edges, the plurality of interconnected edges including an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; as well as a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being separated by a liquid travel dimension, the liquid travel dimension being parallel to a direction along which the CO2 capture solution travels from the upper edge to the lower edge; a mass transfer zone disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height, the plurality of mass transfer microstructures being configured to receive the CO2 capture solution and bring the atmospheric air into contact with the CO2 capture solution; at least one reinforcing element extending outwardly from one of the first side and the second side, the at least one reinforcing element having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension, one or more mass transfer microstructures of the plurality of mass transfer microstructures being disposed on the at least one reinforcing element; as well as A plurality of spacers are disposed on the mass transfer zone and extend outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart along the liquid travel dimension and having a spacer height greater than the microstructure height.

68. A method for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, the method comprising: causing atmospheric air to flow from leading edges of the plurality of fill sheets to trailing edges of the plurality of fill sheets in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being substantially perpendicular to the leading edges of the plurality of fill sheets; as well as A CO 2 capture solution is flowed through the plurality of packing sheets in a second flow direction substantially perpendicular to the first flow direction to absorb CO 2 from the atmospheric air into the CO 2 capture solution.

69. A direct air capture (DAC) system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, the DAC system comprising: At least one gas liquid contactor comprising: at least one entrance; at least one outlet spaced from the at least one inlet; and at least one packing section disposed between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, the at least one packing section comprising at least one structured packing, the at least one structured packing comprising a plurality of packing sheets attached together, at least one packing sheet of the plurality of packing sheets comprising: first side; a second side surface, opposite to the first side surface; a leading edge, the leading edge being substantially parallel to the vertical direction; a trailing edge spaced apart from the leading edge by an air travel depth; a plurality of interconnected edges including an upper edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a lower edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being separated by a liquid travel dimension; a mass transfer zone disposed on the first side and the second side between the leading edge, the trailing edge, the upper edge, and the lower edge, the mass transfer zone comprising a plurality of mass transfer microstructures having a microstructure height; a plurality of reinforcing elements extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, each reinforcing element of the plurality of reinforcing elements having an orientation parallel to the liquid travel dimension; and a plurality of spacers disposed on the mass transfer zone and extending outwardly from the first side and the second side, the plurality of spacers being spaced apart and having a spacer height greater than a microstructure height, adjacent ones of the plurality of filler sheets being attached along respective ones of the plurality of spacers and defining an airflow channel; a fan operable to cause atmospheric air to flow (1) from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet, and (2) along the airflow passages of the at least one structured packing parallel to the air travel depth; and a liquid distribution system fluidly connected to the at least one packing section and operable to flow a CO2 capture solution through the mass transfer microstructures of the at least one packing section, the CO2 capture solution being configured to absorb CO2 from atmospheric air, the liquid distribution system comprising one or more liquid collection devices, the one or more liquid collection devices comprising a bottom liquid collection device at least partially located below the at least one packing section, the one or more liquid collection devices being configured to contain the CO2 capture solution; and A regeneration system is in fluid communication with the liquid distribution system to receive the CO2 capture solution, the regeneration system being configured to regenerate the CO2 capture solution and form a CO2-lean liquid to return to the at least one gas liquid contactor.

70. The DAC system of claim 69, wherein the regeneration system is configured to provide a CO2 product stream for export or use.

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