Carbon dioxide recovery device

Abstract

A carbon dioxide recovery device for recovering carbon dioxide in a gas is provided with: a plurality of carbon dioxide recovery modules provided with an adsorption material for adsorbing and desorbing carbon dioxide in a housing, the carbon dioxide recovery modules performing an adsorption step in which carbon dioxide is adsorbed on the adsorption material and a desorption step in which carbon dioxide is desorbed from the adsorption material; in the desorption process, the adsorbed carbon dioxide is desorbed; an adsorption device that participates in the adsorption step of the carbon dioxide recovery module; and a control unit that controls the operations thereof. The control unit drives the plurality of carbon dioxide recovery modules such that at least one carbon dioxide recovery module performs the desorption step at an arbitrary point in time at the time of driving by shifting the phases of the operation cycles in which the adsorption step and the desorption step are alternately performed. The carbon dioxide recovery module is provided with: a plurality of suction ports for sucking a gas containing carbon dioxide into the interior of the housing; and a plurality of exhaust ports for exhausting the gas, which has passed through the adsorption material, to the outside of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide recovery device. Background Art

[0002] Hitherto, measures have been taken with the aim of mitigating climate change or its impact. To achieve this goal, research and development related to reducing carbon dioxide emissions have been underway. As one of the measures, the following technologies have been proposed: capturing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and storing the captured carbon dioxide in the ground in the form of gas or liquid; and converting the captured carbon dioxide into valuable substances such as fuels or chemicals as a carbon source and utilizing them.

[0003] Among them, the use of direct air capture technology (DAC) to capture carbon dioxide has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes the following method, that is, when recovering carbon dioxide adsorbed by an adsorbent, water vapor is brought into contact with the adsorbent to release carbon dioxide.

[0004] [Prior Art Documents]

[0005] (Patent Documents)

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-528318 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0008] In such a carbon dioxide recovery device, an adsorption step of adsorbing carbon dioxide onto a solid adsorbent material and a desorption step of desorbing carbon dioxide from the adsorbent material are performed. In the adsorption step, in order to supply a large amount of gas to the adsorbent material, it is necessary to operate an adsorption device related to the adsorption step, such as a large fan.

[0009] In a carbon dioxide recovery device having a plurality of modules each having an adsorbent material, when an adsorption device such as a suction fan is provided in each module, the production cost of the carbon dioxide recovery device increases, which is not good. In addition, in a carbon dioxide recovery device having a plurality of modules each having an adsorbent material, when the operation cycles of the adsorption steps and desorption steps of each module are driven in the same phase, not only the maximum output of the adsorption device becomes larger, but also the operation becomes intermittent, and the drive efficiency may decrease.

[0010] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the above problems, provide a carbon dioxide recovery device that can improve the drive efficiency of the adsorption device and can achieve low cost. And further contribute to mitigating climate change or its impact.

[0011] [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0012] (1) The carbon dioxide recovery device recovers carbon dioxide in the gas and includes: a plurality of carbon dioxide recovery modules, which have an adsorbent for adsorbing and desorbing carbon dioxide in a housing, and perform an adsorption process and a desorption process. The adsorption process is to adsorb carbon dioxide onto the adsorbent, and the desorption process is to desorb the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent; an adsorption device that participates in the adsorption process of the carbon dioxide recovery module; and a control unit that controls the operations of the carbon dioxide recovery module and the adsorption device. The control unit drives the carbon dioxide recovery module with an operation cycle that alternately performs the adsorption process and the desorption process, and offsets the phases of the operation cycles of the plurality of carbon dioxide recovery modules so that at least one of the carbon dioxide recovery modules performs the desorption process at any time point when the carbon dioxide recovery device is driven. The carbon dioxide recovery module includes: a plurality of suction ports for sucking the gas containing carbon dioxide into the interior of the housing; and a plurality of exhaust ports for exhausting the gas that has passed through the adsorbent to the outside of the housing.

[0013] (2) Preferably, the adsorption device includes a fan that supplies gas to the carbon dioxide recovery module, and a plurality of the carbon dioxide recovery modules are connected in parallel.

[0014] (3) Preferably, when the time required for the adsorption process is set as x seconds and the time required for the desorption process is set as y seconds, the number N1 of the carbon dioxide recovery modules satisfies the following (Equation 1).

[0015] [Equation 1]

[0016] 。

[0017] (Advantages of the Invention)

[0018] (1) According to the present invention, a carbon dioxide recovery device can be provided, which can improve the driving efficiency of the adsorption device and can achieve low cost. In addition, according to the present invention, since at least one of the carbon dioxide recovery modules performs the desorption process, the maximum output of the adsorption device can be reduced, and since the adsorption device is continuously driven, the decrease in driving efficiency caused by intermittent operation can be reduced. Furthermore, since there are a plurality of suction ports and exhaust ports for the gas in the housing, the pressure loss caused by the change in the gas flow path can be reduced.

[0019] (2) Since the adsorption device described above includes a fan that supplies gas to the carbon dioxide recovery module described above, and a plurality of the carbon dioxide recovery modules are connected in parallel, it is possible to suck air from a plurality of the carbon dioxide recovery modules using a single large-flow fan, and drive them with high efficiency.

[0020] (3) Since the number N1 of the carbon dioxide recovery modules described above satisfies the above (Equation 1), the carbon dioxide recovery device can optimize the number of the carbon dioxide recovery modules, and can achieve more stable driving of the adsorption device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the module unit 10 according to the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the module 11 according to the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the operating states and output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device in the case where there is one module 11 in the module unit 10.

[0025] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the operating states and output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device in the case where there are two modules 11 in the module unit 10.

[0026] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the operating states and output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device in the case where there are sixteen modules 11 in the module unit 10.

[0027] Figure 7 is a diagram showing Figures 4 to 6 in an example of the operation cycle shown, the relationship between the output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device, the difference between the upper and lower limits of the output ratios of the operation of each device, that is, the variation range, and the number of modules.

[0028] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the recovery and supply of heat energy between two modules 11.

[0029] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the time error Z0 and the number of modules.

[0030] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the number of modules and the operation of each module.

[0031] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 in the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80.

[0034] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an example of the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 when the number of modules is set to N×2.

[0035] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the heat transfer medium in the heat exchange section 16. Detailed Embodiment

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and the like. In addition, including Figure 1 the following figures are schematically drawn, and for easy understanding, the sizes and shapes of each part are appropriately exaggerated.

[0037] (Embodiment)

[0038] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0039] The carbon dioxide recovery device 1 is applied, for example, in a direct air capture (DAC) technology for recovering carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in order to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide recovered by the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 is stored underground or reused as fuel or materials.

[0040] The carbon dioxide recovery device 1 includes a module unit 10, a fan 61, a vacuum pump 62, a compressor 63, a tank 64, a heat pump 80, a control unit 50, an exhaust pipeline 71, a carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72, etc. The carbon dioxide recovery device 1 adsorbs carbon dioxide in the inhaled gas such as air to recover it in the adsorption material 20 in the module 11. And the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 desorbs the recovered carbon dioxide and stores it in the tank 64, and discharges the gas other than carbon dioxide to the outside of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1.

[0041] In the following description, Figure 1 the flow of the gas from "suction" to "exhaust" shown (i.e., Figure 1 the flow of the gas from left to right in the plane of the paper) is defined as the flow from upstream to downstream.

[0042] The control unit 50 controls the operations of each part of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1. For example, the control unit 50 controls the opening and closing operations of the valves 12, 13, and 14 provided in each module 11, as well as the driving and stopping of devices such as the fan 61, the vacuum pump 62, and the heat pump 80 used in the adsorption or desorption of carbon dioxide. The control unit 50 has, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), and the like.

[0043] The module unit 10 is formed by arranging a plurality of modules 11 in parallel. In the present embodiment, as an example, an example in which the module unit 10 includes 16 modules 11 will be described. In Figure 1 the modules 11 within the module unit 10 are sequentially numbered in the order of "(#1)", "(#2)", etc. after the symbols starting from the upper side inside the paper surface.

[0044] The module 11 is a carbon dioxide recovery module having an adsorbent 20 for adsorbing carbon dioxide inside. The module 11 has a valve 12 located on the upstream side of the adsorbent 20, and valves 13 and 14 provided on the downstream side of the adsorbent 20.

[0045] The valve 12 is an inlet for sucking in the atmosphere or the like into the inside of the module 11, and the valve 13 is an outlet for discharging gas to the outside of the module 11. The valve 13 is connected to an exhaust gas pipeline 71 for discharging the gas passing through the module 11 to the outside of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1.

[0046] The valve 14 is an outlet for discharging gas to the outside of the module 11 and is connected to a carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72 provided with a tank 64 or the like for storing the recovered carbon dioxide.

[0047] The plurality of modules 11 of the module unit 10 are connected in parallel to the exhaust gas pipeline 71 via the valve 13, and are also connected in parallel to the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72 via the valve 14.

[0048] In addition, regarding the valve 12 and the valve 13, in Figure 1 for ease of understanding, an example in which one is provided in each module 11 is shown. However, in the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 of the present embodiment, actually, as shown in Figure 2 etc. described later, two are respectively provided in each module 11.

[0049] Details regarding the shape and the like of the module 11 will be described below.

[0050] The fan 61 is driven to generate a gas flow in the module unit 10 from "suction" to "exhaust". Thereby, the atmosphere is supplied into the module 11.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1 , one fan 61 is provided on the exhaust pipe line 71 on the downstream side of the module unit 10. In addition, not limited thereto, regarding the fan 61, an intake pipe line (not shown) that is connected to the valve 12 of each module 11 to supply gas to the module 11 may be provided on the upstream side of the module unit 10, and one fan 61 may be provided on this intake pipe line. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which one fan 61 is provided on each of the intake pipe line on the upstream side and the exhaust pipe line 71 on the downstream side of the module unit 10.

[0052] The vacuum pump 62 is located on the downstream side of the module unit 10 and is provided in the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72. The vacuum pump 62 sucks the gas inside the module 11 to make the surroundings of the adsorption material 20 vacuum. In addition, the vacuum pump 62 sucks the carbon dioxide desorbed from the adsorption material 20 and guides it to the compressor 63 located further downstream in the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72.

[0053] The compressor 63 is located on the downstream side of the vacuum pump 62 and is provided in the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72. The compressor 63 is a compressor that compresses the carbon dioxide desorbed from the adsorption material 20 at a specified pressure.

[0054] The tank 64 is located on the downstream side of the compressor 63 and is connected to the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72. The tank 64 stores the carbon dioxide compressed by the compressor 63 in a specified state (gas or liquid state).

[0055] When the desorption process is performed in each module 11 of the module unit 10, the heat pump 80 supplies thermal energy for heating the inside of the module 11 to a specified temperature. In addition, the heat pump 80 recovers the thermal energy that is not required when the adsorption process is performed in each module 11. This heat pump 80 is a so-called waste heat recovery type heat pump.

[0056] The heat pump 80 includes a pipe 82 (see the following Figure 11 ) in which a heat transfer medium (not shown) is enclosed. The pipe 82 is a flow path through which the heat transfer medium flows. The heat pump 80 supplies thermal energy to each module 11 or recovers the unnecessary thermal energy through the heat transfer medium that has passed through the pipe 82.

[0057] Details of the heat transfer medium circuit of this heat pump 80 will be described below.

[0058] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the module unit 10 of the present embodiment. In Figure 2 , the module 11, the pipe as the exhaust pipe line 71, and the fan 61 are shown.

[0059] Figure 3 is a perspective view of Module 11 of the present embodiment. In Figure 3 a part of the interior of Module 11 is also shown.

[0060] Figure 2 In the shown module unit 10, on two opposing surfaces in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction (long side direction) of the pipe that is the exhaust pipe line 71, there are 8 each on each surface, and a total of 16 Modules 11 are provided. Among these Modules 11, valves 13 are connected to the exhaust pipe line 71 and are arranged side by side with respect to the exhaust pipe line 71.

[0061] Figure 2 The configuration of the shown Module 11 with respect to the exhaust pipe line 71 is an example, and other configurations may also be adopted.

[0062] As Figure 3 shown, Module 11 includes a box-shaped frame 15, a heat exchange part 16 disposed inside the frame 15, and valves 12 and 13 provided on two opposing surfaces of the frame 15. Module 11 also includes a valve 14 not shown in Figure 3 . This valve 14 is provided, for example, on the inner side of the frame 15 closer to the interior than the butterfly valve of valve 12 or on the inner side of the frame 15 closer to the interior than the unshown butterfly valve of valve 13 via unshown branches and pipes, etc. The valve 14 and these branches, etc. are omitted from the description in Figure 2 , Figure 3 from the perspective of easy understanding.

[0063] The frame 15 is a box-shaped component and has a heat exchange part 16 inside. In the present embodiment, as an example, an example where the frame 15 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped is described.

[0064] Valves 12, 13, and 14 are valves that control the inflow of gas into the frame 15 of Module 11 and the discharge of gas out of the frame 15. Valve 12 is the inlet of gas into the frame 15, and valves 13 and 14 are the outlets of gas from the frame 15.

[0065] Regarding valves 12 and 13, by opening them, a gas containing carbon dioxide (such as the atmosphere) is supplied to the adsorbent 20 inside the frame 15 of Module 11, and the gas that has passed through the adsorbent 20 is exhausted to the exhaust pipe line 71.

[0066] Valve 14 (refer to Figure 1 ) is connected to the carbon dioxide recovery pipe line 72. By opening valve 14, the carbon dioxide released from the adsorbent 20 goes to the downstream side vacuum pump 62, etc.

[0067] The heat exchange unit 16 allows the refrigerant supplied from the heat pump 80 and the heat transfer medium serving as the heat source to flow, and adjusts the surrounding temperature through heat exchange. In the present embodiment, in the heat exchange unit 16, a plurality of layers 17 are arranged in a corrugated manner in the height direction of the housing 15 by means of jigs (not shown) or the like.

[0068] The layer 17 includes a plurality of thin plate-like fins (not shown) and a hose (pipe) (not shown). Between the fins, particulate adsorbent 20 is filled. The hose is a pipe through which the heat transfer medium for heat exchange flows.

[0069] The layer 17 is as Figure 3 shown, arranged such that the peaks of the corrugations of the layers 17 stacked in a corrugated shape are located on the valve 12 side and the valve 13 side. By arranging the layer 17 in this way, the contact area with the inhaled gas (atmosphere) can be greatly increased, and the adsorbent can adsorb carbon dioxide with high efficiency.

[0070] The module 11 of the present embodiment includes two valves 12 and two valves 13 for one housing 15. In addition, without being limited thereto, a configuration in which three or more valves 12 and valves 13 are provided respectively may also be adopted.

[0071] In addition, the number of valves 14 provided in the module 11 can also be appropriately set according to the installation position in the housing 15 and the like. In the case of the module 11 of the present embodiment, for example, the number of valves 14 provided for one module 11 can also be appropriately set between 1 and 16.

[0072] By providing a plurality of valves 12 and 13 as gas inlets (suction ports) and outlets (exhaust ports) on the housing 15 of one module 11, the pressure loss of the gas when flowing into the housing 15 of the module 11 and when flowing out of the housing 15 can be reduced. If only one valve 12 and one valve 13 are provided on the housing 15 respectively, the change in the diameter of the gas flow path becomes large, and the pressure loss becomes large. In contrast, by providing a plurality of inlets and outlets, the change in the diameter of the flow path becomes small, and such pressure loss can be reduced. In addition, from the viewpoint of arranging a plurality of modules 11 each having a plurality of valves 12 and 13, etc., the housing 15 is preferably in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0073] The adsorbent 20 is a particulate component, having the property of adsorbing carbon dioxide in a low temperature state (-30°C to 50°C) and desorbing (releasing) carbon dioxide in a high temperature state (50°C to 110°C) and when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the surroundings is low. As such an adsorbent 20, for example, a carbon dioxide adsorbent formed of solid amine can be cited.

[0074] In this embodiment, as an example, an example will be described in which the temperature at which the adsorbent 20 adsorbs carbon dioxide is set to 25°C, which is normal temperature, and the temperature at which the adsorbent 20 desorbs carbon dioxide is set to 90°C.

[0075] (Regarding carbon dioxide recovery)

[0076] The carbon dioxide recovery device 1 alternately performs an adsorption process in which carbon dioxide in the inhaled gas such as air is adsorbed onto the adsorbent 20 in the module 11, and a desorption process in which the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent 20 is desorbed, and compresses the desorbed carbon dioxide and stores it in the tank 64, thereby removing and recovering carbon dioxide from the air.

[0077] The adsorption process is a process in which carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto the adsorbent 20 in the module 11. In the adsorption process, the valves 12 and 13 of the module 11 are opened, and the valve 14 is closed. The fan 61 is driven, and a gas flow from the upstream to the downstream occurs, and a gas containing carbon dioxide (for example, air) is inhaled through the valve 12.

[0078] The inhaled gas passes through the adsorbent 20 in the module 11. At this time, the inside of the module 11 is at normal temperature (25°C), and the carbon dioxide in the gas is adsorbed onto the adsorbent 20. Gases other than carbon dioxide, such as nitrogen or oxygen, pass through the valve 13 and the exhaust pipe line 71 and are discharged to the outside of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1.

[0079] The desorption process is a process in which the carbon dioxide of the adsorbent 20 in the module 11 is desorbed. In the desorption process, the valves 12 and 13 of the module 11 are closed, and the valve 14 is opened. The vacuum pump 62 operates to suck air inside the housing 15 of the module 11 to reduce the pressure. At the same time, by means of the heat pump 80, a heat transfer medium serving as a heat source flows through the heat exchange portion 16 in the module 11 to supply heat energy, and the heat exchange portion 16 is heated. As a result, the adsorbent 20 is also heated to a prescribed temperature (90°C) sufficient for the desorption process, and the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent 20 is desorbed.

[0080] The desorbed carbon dioxide is sucked by the vacuum pump 62, flows through the carbon dioxide recovery pipe line 72 from the valve 14, and goes to the compressor 63. At this time, a carbon dioxide sensor and a flow meter (not shown) may be arranged on the carbon dioxide recovery pipe line 72 to grasp the amount and concentration of the desorbed carbon dioxide.

[0081] Furthermore, the desorbed carbon dioxide is compressed by the compressor 63, filled in the tank 64 in a prescribed state (liquid or gas), and buried underground or the like. Thus, the carbon dioxide in the gas such as air is recovered by the carbon dioxide recovery device 1.

[0082] In addition, as Figure 1As shown, in the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72, a configuration can also be adopted in which a switching valve 65 is provided between the vacuum pump 62 and the compressor 63. The switching valve 65 is configured to be able to selectively switch between a state where the port 65c communicates with the port 65b and a state where the port 65a communicates with the port 65c. This switching is performed by the control unit 50.

[0083] The port 65c is connected to the vacuum pump 62 side of the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72, and the port 65b is connected to the compressor 63 side of the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72. The port 65a is connected to the second exhaust pipeline 73 connected to the exhaust pipeline 71.

[0084] For example, the following configuration can also be adopted: at the initial stage of driving the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 or the like, before the amount and concentration of carbon dioxide flowing in the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72 reach a specified value, the switching valve 65 is used to direct the gas flowing through the carbon dioxide recovery pipeline 72 to the second exhaust pipeline 73 and discharge it to the outside of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 through the exhaust pipeline 71. Thus, when the concentration of carbon dioxide is low and other gases are mixed in, exhaust can be performed without leading to the compressor 63.

[0085] (Regarding the number of modules 11 in the module unit 10)

[0086] As described above, during the driving of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1, the module 11 alternately performs the adsorption process and the desorption process under the instruction of the control unit 50.

[0087] In the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 of the present embodiment, the 16 modules 11 included in the module unit 10 are driven in such a way that the phases of the operation cycles in each module 11 are evenly staggered. Therefore, at any point in time during the operation of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1, at least one module 11 performs the desorption process, and the other modules 11 perform the adsorption process.

[0088] (Regarding the setting of the number of modules 11)

[0089] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the operation states and output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device when there is 1 module 11 in the module unit 10.

[0090] Here, the adsorption device refers to the adsorption device participating in the adsorption process of the module 11, which is the fan 61 in the present embodiment. The desorption device refers to the desorption device participating in the desorption process of the module 11. In the present embodiment, it includes the vacuum pump 62, and more specifically, the compressor 63 and the heat pump 80.

[0091] Figure 4(a) The figure shows the operation cycles of the adsorption device and the desorption device when there is 1 module 11 in the module unit 10. Figure 4 (b) The figure shown in (b) represents Figure 4 (a) The relationship between the operation state and the output ratio of the adsorption device during the operation cycle shown in (a). Figure 4 (c) The figure shown in (c) represents Figure 4 (a) The relationship between the operation state and the output ratio of the desorption device during the operation cycle shown in (a). In Figure 4 (a), the vertical axis represents the cycle, 1 represents the adsorption process, 2 represents the desorption process, and the horizontal axis represents time. In Figure 4 (b) and (c), the vertical axis represents the output ratio, and the horizontal axis represents time. In the output ratio on the vertical axis, the total output during the drive of each device in each process of 1 module 11 is 1.

[0092] Module 11 performs the adsorption process for x seconds and the desorption process for y seconds. In Figure 4 and the following shown Figure 5 , Figure 6 As an example, an example of x = 5669 seconds and y = 967 seconds is shown.

[0093] When the module unit 10 has 1 module 11, during the adsorption process of module 11, the fan 61 is driven, while the vacuum pump 62, the compressor 63, and the heat pump 80 are not driven. Therefore, as Figure 4 (b) and (c) show, the output ratio of the adsorption device during the adsorption process is 1, and the output ratio of the desorption device is 0.

[0094] In addition, in the module unit 10 with 1 module 11, during the desorption process of module 11, the vacuum pump 62, the compressor 63, and the heat pump 80 are driven, while the fan 61 is not driven. Therefore, as Figure 4 (b) and (c) show, the output ratio of the adsorption device during the desorption process is 0, and the output ratio of the desorption device is 1.

[0095] That is, when there is 1 module 11 in the module unit 10, the adsorption device (fan 61) and the desorption device (vacuum pump 62, compressor 63, and heat pump 80) are repeatedly driven and stopped every time the process is switched, and the operation is intermittent. Therefore, there may be a decrease in the drive efficiency caused by the drive / stop of the adsorption device and the desorption device, as well as a decrease in the durability of each device.

[0096] Figure 5 It is a figure for explaining the operation states and output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device when there are 2 modules 11 in the module unit 10.

[0097] Figure 5(a) The figure shows the operation cycles of the adsorption device and the desorption device when there are two modules 11 in the module unit 10. Figure 5 (b) The figure shown in (b) shows Figure 5 The relationship between the operation state and the output ratio of the adsorption device in the operation cycle shown in (a). Figure 5 (c) The figure shown in (c) shows Figure 5 The relationship between the operation state and the output ratio of the desorption device in the operation cycle shown in (a). In Figure 5 (a), the vertical axis represents the cycle, 1 represents the adsorption process, 2 represents the desorption process, and the horizontal axis represents time. In Figure 5 (b) and (c), the vertical axis represents the output ratio, and the horizontal axis represents time. In the output ratio on the vertical axis, when the adsorption process is carried out for all two modules 11, the total output of each device in the case of carrying out the desorption process is 1.

[0098] As Figure 5 (a) shows, the two modules 11 are driven with a phase shift of 1 / 2 in the operation cycle.

[0099] As Figure 5 (b) and (c) show that during the period when both two modules 11 carry out the adsorption process, the output ratio of the adsorption device is 1, and the output ratio of the desorption device is 0. During the period when one module 11 (for example, module 11 of No. 1 (#1)) carries out the desorption process and the other (for example, module 11 of No. 2 (#2)) carries out the adsorption process, the output ratio of the adsorption device is 0.5, and the output ratio of the desorption device is 0.5.

[0100] Therefore, compared with the case where there is one module 11 in the module unit 10, when there are two modules 11, the variation range of the output of each device caused by the switching of the operation states of each module is smaller. In addition, although there is a variation in the output ratio of the adsorption device, it is continuously driven. On the other hand, the desorption device is driven intermittently.

[0101] Figure 6 It is a figure for explaining the operation states and output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device when there are 16 modules 11 in the module unit 10.

[0102] Figure 6 (a) The figure shows the operation cycles of the adsorption device and the desorption device when there are 16 modules 11 in the module unit 10. Figure 6 (b) The figure shown in (b) shows Figure 6 The relationship between the operation state and the output ratio of the adsorption device in the operation cycle shown in (a). Figure 6 (c) The figure shown in (c) shows Figure 6 The relationship between the operation state and the output ratio of the desorption device in the operation cycle shown in (a). In Figure 6In (a), the vertical axis represents the cycle, 1 represents the adsorption process, 2 represents the desorption process, and the horizontal axis represents time. In Figure 6 In (b) and (c), the vertical axis represents the output ratio and the horizontal axis represents time. In the output ratio on the vertical axis, the total output of the adsorption device when all 16 modules 11 perform the adsorption process simultaneously and the total output of the desorption device when performing the desorption process are 1.

[0103] In Figure 6 the example shown, as Figure 6 shown in (a), among the 16 modules 11, the state where 2 modules 11 perform the desorption process and the state where 3 modules 11 perform the desorption process temporarily during the process switching of the modules 11 alternate repeatedly. As Figure 6 shown in (b) and (c), during the period when 2 modules 11 perform the desorption process, the output ratio of the adsorption device becomes 0.875 and the output ratio of the desorption device becomes 0.125. In addition, during the period when 3 modules 11 perform the desorption process, the output ratio of the adsorption device is 0.8125 and the output ratio of the desorption process is 0.1875.

[0104] At this time, both the adsorption device and the desorption device are continuously driven even though there are fluctuations in the output ratio. Therefore, the driving of the adsorption device and the desorption device is more stable. In addition, at this time, the maximum output ratio of the adsorption device and the desorption device is smaller than the maximum output ratio when all 16 modules 11 are driven in the same phase, and the performance required for each device becomes lower. As a result, the cost of each device can be suppressed, and the manufacturing cost of the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 can be suppressed.

[0105] Furthermore, at this time, the amplitude of the change in the output of the adsorption device and the desorption device caused by the switching of the operation states of each module 11 becomes even smaller, and each device can be driven more stably.

[0106] In this way, by making the number of modules 11 included in the module unit 10 equal to or more than a specified number and equally staggering the phases of the operation cycles of each module 11, the adsorption device and the desorption device can be continuously driven.

[0107] In the carbon dioxide recovery device 1, when the time required for the adsorption process is set to x seconds and the time required for the desorption process is set to y seconds, and when driving while equally staggering the phases of multiple modules 11 in one module unit 10, at any time point in the operation cycle, the number N1 of modules in which at least one module 11 performs the desorption process is obtained by the following (Equation 1).

[0108] [Equation 2]

[0109]

[0110] By setting the number of modules 11 in the module unit 10 to N1 or more that satisfies the (Equation 1), the adsorption device (fan 61) and the desorption device (vacuum pump 62, compressor 63, heat pump 80) can be continuously driven, and the driving efficiency and durability of each device under intermittent driving can be improved.

[0111] In the present embodiment, as described above, the time x required for the adsorption process is 5669 seconds, and the time y required for the desorption process is 967 seconds. If substituted into the above (Equation 1), then N1 > 6.8. Since the number of modules 11 is a positive integer, the number of modules 11 in the module unit 10 is preferably set to 7 or more. In the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 of the present embodiment, the module unit 10 includes 16 modules 11, which satisfies the above (Equation 1).

[0112] Figure 7 It shows Figures 4 to 6 a chart showing the relationship between the output ratios of the adsorption device and the desorption device, the difference between the output ratios of the upper and lower limits of the operation of each device, that is, the variation range, and the number of modules in an example of the operation cycle shown in

[0113] Figure 7 (a) shows the relationship between the output ratio of the adsorption device and the number of modules (the number of modules 11 included in the module unit 10), and the relationship between the difference between the output ratios of the upper and lower limits of the operation of the adsorption device, that is, the variation range, and the number of modules. Figure 7 (b) shows the relationship between the output ratio of the desorption device and the number of modules, and the relationship between the difference between the output ratios of the upper and lower limits of the operation of the desorption device, that is, the variation range, and the number of modules. In Figure 7 (a) and (b) in the shown chart, the left vertical axis is the output ratio, the horizontal axis is the number of modules, and the right vertical axis is the difference between the output ratios.

[0114] The so-called upper limit of operation corresponds to the total output of each device at each number of modules, and the so-called lower limit of operation corresponds to the minimum output of each device at each number of modules.

[0115] As Figure 7 shown, when the number of modules 11 is 1 for the adsorption device and the desorption device, the difference between the output ratios of the upper and lower limits of the operation, that is, the variation range, is large, but as the number of modules 11 increases, the variation range shows a tendency to decrease.

[0116] In Figure 7In the diagram shown, when the number of modules 11 is 7, the output ratio of the upper and lower limits of the operation of the adsorption device decreases. This is because in the above (Equation 1), N1 > 6.8. When the number of modules 11 is set to 7, at any point in the operation cycle, at least one module 11 is in the state of performing the desorption process. In addition, when the number of modules 11 is 7, the output ratio of the upper and lower limits of the operation of the desorption device increases. This is because when the number of modules 11 is set to 7, since N1 > 6.8, strictly speaking, during the operation cycle, there is a part of the time when 2 modules 11 perform the desorption process.

[0117] In summary, from the viewpoints of stable driving of the adsorption device and the desorption device, improvement of driving efficiency and durability, and reduction of the cost of each device, the number of modules 11 included in the module unit 10 is preferably set to N1 or more.

[0118] In addition, since the fan as the adsorption device can be continuously operated, and each module 11 is connected in parallel to the exhaust pipeline 71, a fan with an appropriate flow rate can be used, and the driving efficiency can be improved. In addition, a vacuum pump or the like as the desorption device can also be continuously driven, and the driving efficiency can be improved.

[0119] In addition, as described above, by setting the number of modules to N1 or more, in the module unit 10, at least one module 11 performs the desorption process. Thereby, the maximum output of each device can be reduced. For example, when the number of modules is set to N (N ≧ N1, N is an integer), and the number of modules 11 performing the desorption process is set to m (m ≧ 1, m is an integer), regarding the fan as the adsorption device, if the maximum output when all N modules perform the adsorption process is set to 1, the output in the output ratio can be reduced by the amount of m×1 / N.

[0120] In summary, as in the present embodiment, when the module unit 10 includes 16 modules 11 and they are driven with the phases of the operation cycle equally shifted, it is preferably controlled such that at any point in time, any 2 modules 11 perform the desorption process. At this time, it is preferably controlled such that the phases of the operation cycles of 8 modules 11 are equally shifted, and among the 8 modules 11, at any point in time, any 1 module 11 performs the desorption process, and as the module unit 10 as a whole, it is controlled such that among the 16 modules 11, at any point in time, any 2 modules 11 perform the desorption process. In addition, there may be a state where 2 modules 11 among the 8 modules 11 perform the desorption process, and thus, as in the example described above among the 16 modules 11 of the module unit 10 Figure 6 shown, there may be a state where 3 modules 11 perform the desorption process.

[0121] (Regarding waste heat recovery by a heat pump)

[0122] Next, a case where heat energy is transferred between a plurality of modules 11 by a heat pump 80 in a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus based on a direct air capture (DAC) technology will be described.

[0123] Generally, a large amount of heat energy is required for the desorption process of the module 11. Therefore, it is desirable to supply heat energy to the module 11 with less power.

[0124] Thus, in the carbon dioxide recovery apparatus 1, a plurality of modules 11 are provided, and the phases of the operation cycles of the respective modules 11 are equally shifted and driven, and a module in the front of the desorption process that requires heat energy or in the first half of the desorption process and a module in the second half of the desorption process that does not require heat energy or in the first half of the adsorption process are combined in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80, and the number of modules 11 is set so that heat energy can be recovered and supplied with high efficiency.

[0125] Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining the recovery and supply of heat energy between two modules 11.

[0126] In Figure 8 the graphs shown in (a) to (c), the vertical axis represents temperature and the horizontal axis represents time. Figure 8 (a) shows the relationship between the operation of the #1 module 11 and temperature, Figure 8 (b) shows the relationship between the operation of the #2 module 11 and temperature, Figure 8 (c) shows the relationship between the operation of the #n module 11 and temperature. In addition, in Figure 8 it, the adsorption process is shown as S1 and the desorption process is shown as S2.

[0127] In Figure 8 it, the first half of the adsorption process of the #1 module 11 corresponds to and pairs with the first half of the desorption process of the #2 module 11. However, the #n module does not pair with either the #1 or #2 module 11.

[0128] In the carbon dioxide recovery apparatus 1, the time required for the adsorption process of the module 11 is set to x seconds, the time required for the desorption process is set to y seconds, and when the allowable time difference between the start time of the adsorption process of the module (the #1 module in Figure 8 ) that starts the adsorption process among the paired modules and the start time of the desorption process of the module (the #2 module in Figure 8 ) that starts the desorption process is set to z seconds, the number N2 of modules having one or more pairs of such paired modules 11 is a positive integer multiple of the number N0 obtained by the following (Equation 2). In addition, this number N2 is 2 or more, preferably 3 or more.

[0129] [Equation 3]

[0130]

[0131] By satisfying the above (Equation 2), the heat energy of the module (Module No. 1) 11 that has completed the desorption process and started the adsorption process can be recovered by the heat pump 80, and the heat energy can be supplied to the module (Module No. 2) that has started the desorption process, and the electricity required for the heat energy supply can be reduced.

[0132] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the relationship between the time error Z0 and the number of modules. In Figure 9 , the vertical axis is the time error Z0 (seconds), and the horizontal axis is the number N0 (pieces) of the modules 11 of (Equation 2). In Figure 9 , the curve shown by the solid line is the left side Z0 = |(x + y) / N0 - y| of (Equation 2) in the case of x = 5669 seconds and y = 967 seconds.

[0133] In the case of x = 5669 seconds and y = 967 seconds, assuming that the allowable time difference z = 60 seconds, the number N0 of the modules 11 that satisfy (Equation 2) is also as Figure 9 shown, N0 = 7, and the optimal number of modules of the module unit 10 is set to a multiple of 7.

[0134] In addition, in the case of x = 5669 seconds and y = 967 seconds, when N0 = 7, the time error Z0 is the smallest. Therefore, depending on the allowable time difference z, the number of modules N0 is preferably 7 to 9, and the number of modules N2 is preferably set to an integer multiple thereof, that is, 7 to 9, 14 to 18, 21 to 27, etc.

[0135] In the present embodiment, N0 = 8 and N2 = N0 × 2, and 16 modules 11 are provided. Therefore, in this case, the allowable time difference z is z ≥ 137.5 seconds.

[0136] The smaller the allowable time difference z, the shorter the operation cycle time of the entire carbon dioxide recovery device 1 can be, so it is preferred. The allowable time difference z can also be appropriately preset to a specified value according to the number of modules 11 and their usage environment, etc., to drive the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 efficiently.

[0137] Figure 10 It is a graph showing the number of modules and the operation of each module. In Figure 10 (a) and (b), the vertical axis is the cycle, and the horizontal axis is the time. Figure 10 (a) shows an example in which the number of modules 11 in the module unit 10 is 3, Figure 10(b) shows an example where the number of modules 11 in the module unit 10 is 7. Additionally, in Figure 10 , the time x required for the adsorption process is shown as 5669 seconds, and the time y required for the desorption process is 967 seconds.

[0138] As Figure 10 (a) shows, when there are 3 modules 11 and they are driven with the phases of the operation cycles of each module equally shifted, there are no modules where the first half of the adsorption process in a module corresponds and pairs with the first half of the desorption process in another module. Thus, the recovered thermal energy cannot be transferred to the module 11 in the first half of the desorption process that requires thermal energy.

[0139] In contrast, as Figure 10 (b) shows, when there are 7 modules 11 and they are driven with the phases of the operation cycles of each module equally shifted, for example, the first half of the adsorption process in the No. 1 (#1) module 11 corresponds to the first half of the desorption process in the No. 2 (#2) module 11, and the first half of the adsorption process in the No. 2 (#2) module 11 corresponds to the first half of the desorption process in the No. 3 (#3) module.

[0140] By adopting such a configuration, unnecessary thermal energy can be recovered from the module 11 starting the adsorption process and efficiently supplied to the module 11 starting the desorption process, which requires thermal energy. Thus, the heat pump 80 can be driven with a higher coefficient of performance (COP), and the power consumed in the supply of thermal energy can be reduced. Additionally, COP is the ratio of the heat output to the input heat, which is equivalent to the total heat received by the module that has started the desorption process divided by the power of the compressor of the heat pump 80. COP represents the efficiency of the heat pump 80, and the higher the value of COP, the more output can be obtained with less input.

[0141] The heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 for achieving the high-efficiency recovery and supply of thermal energy as described above is as follows Figure 11 shown.

[0142] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 in this embodiment.

[0143] In Figure 11 , for easy understanding, the shape of the module etc. is simplified and only the heat exchange part 16 (adsorbent 20) is shown. The heat pump 80 includes a compressor 81, a plurality of pipes 82, switching valves 83 (83-1 to 83-4), etc. The pipes 82 are appropriately connected to the switching valves 83.

[0144] In Figure 11In the following description, for the sake of easy understanding, the same symbols are attached to the structures common to each module, and numbers such as No. 1 (#1) and No. 2 (#2) are appropriately attached for explanation.

[0145] This heat transfer medium circuit is a circuit provided in the heat pump in the carbon dioxide recovery device 1. The carbon dioxide recovery device 1 includes a plurality of modules 11 for carbon dioxide recovery. The plurality of modules 11 for carbon dioxide recovery include an adsorbent 20 for adsorbing and desorbing carbon dioxide, and perform an adsorption process of adsorbing carbon dioxide to the adsorbent 20 and a desorption process of desorbing the adsorbed carbon dioxide; the heat pump supplies heat energy to the module 11. This heat transfer medium circuit includes: a plurality of heat exchange parts 16; a compressor 81 for compressing the heat transfer medium flowing in the heat exchange part 16; a main path that serially connects the compressor 81 and the plurality of heat exchange parts 16 to circulate the heat transfer medium; and a reversing mechanism that switches the heat transfer medium flowing in the main path in the first direction to the second direction opposite to the first direction. The heat exchange part 16 is respectively arranged in the module 11, and the heat transfer medium circuit 16 can move at least a part of the heat energy absorbed by the heat transfer medium in one heat exchange part 16 to the other heat exchange part 16 between the two heat exchange parts 16.

[0146] In addition, this heat transfer medium circuit is a circuit provided in the heat pump that supplies heat energy to the module 11 in the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 including the above-mentioned plurality of modules 11 for carbon dioxide recovery. It includes more than 3 heat exchange parts 16, a compressor (i.e., a compressor 81) for compressing the heat transfer medium flowing in the heat exchange part 16, and a main path that serially connects the compressor 81 and the plurality of heat exchange parts 16 to circulate the heat transfer medium. The heat exchange part 16 is respectively arranged in the module 11, and each heat exchange part 16 is provided with a bypass part that selectively bypasses the inflow of the heat transfer medium to the heat exchange part 16 that does not perform heat energy transfer. Between the two heat exchange parts 16, at least a part of the heat energy absorbed by the heat transfer medium in one heat exchange part 16 is moved to the other heat exchange part 16.

[0147] In each module, there are provided a hose 88 for the heat transfer medium to flow in the heat exchange part 16, an expansion valve 86 provided on the hose 88, a switching valve 85 for switching the inflow of the heat transfer medium to the heat exchange part 16, a bypass 87 connecting the port 85b of the switching valve 85 and the pipe 82, a branch 89 connecting the bypass 87 and the pipes 82 and 88, etc. In addition, only in the Nth (#N) module, the expansion valve 86 is located on the hose 88 on the port 85c side of the switching valve 85, and in other modules, it is provided on the hose 88 on the branch 89 side.

[0148] The pipe 82 connected to the compressor 81 is connected to a plurality of switching valves 83, and is designed such that by switching the communication of the switching valves 83, the traveling direction and the flow path of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit can be changed.

[0149] The pipe 82 forms a main path for the heat transfer medium to flow. In addition, the switching valve 83 and a part of the pipe 82-2 connected to the pipe 82 as the main path via the switching valve 83 are a reverse mechanism for reversing the flow path.

[0150] The opening and closing of the switching valves 83, 85, the opening and closing of the expansion valve 86, and the control of branching, etc. are performed by the control unit 50.

[0151] Hereinafter, the movement of thermal energy caused by the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, for the sake of easy understanding, as an example, the following example is cited for description: when the No. 1 (#1) module finishes the desorption process and starts the adsorption process, the No. 2 (#2) module starts the desorption process, and when the No. 2 (#2) module finishes the desorption process and starts the adsorption process, the No. 3 (#3) module starts the desorption process. In this way, the desorption process is sequentially performed starting from the module with a small number, and the thermal energy mainly moves between two adjacent modules, such as from the nth to the (n + 1)th. In addition, the two modules for heat energy transfer are not limited to adjacent positions in the heat transfer medium circuit.

[0152] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80. Figure 12 (a) is a graph showing the temperature and time of the adsorbent 20 of the No. 2 (#2) and No. 3 (#3) modules, with the vertical axis being the temperature and the horizontal axis being the time. In Figure 12 (a), the first half of the adsorption process of the No. 2 (#2) adsorbent 20 corresponds to the first half of the desorption process of the No. 3 (#3) adsorbent 20. Figure 12 (b) shows the flow path and direction of the heat transfer medium in the corresponding time period. For the sake of easy understanding, the pipes through which the heat transfer medium flows are shown as solid lines, and the pipes through which the heat transfer medium does not flow are shown as dashed lines. It is assumed that the modules other than the No. 2 (#2) and No. 3 (#3) modules perform the adsorption process.

[0153] In addition, in Figure 12 and the following Figure 13 , an example in which N modules are arranged in one module unit 10 is cited for description. It is assumed that N is a positive integer and satisfies the aforementioned (Equation 2) (N = N2).

[0154] As Figure 12As shown, in the first half of the adsorption process for Module 2 (#2) and in the first half of the desorption process for Module 3 (#3), the heat transfer medium that has been compressed by the compressor 81 of the heat pump 80 to become high-temperature passes through the pipe 82 and the switching valve 83 and flows in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, that is, the first flow direction.

[0155] The heat transfer medium first reaches Module N (#N). The heat transfer medium flows from the branch 89 to the bypass 87, from the port 85b of the switching valve 85 to the port 85a, goes to the pipe 82, and goes to the next unillustrated Module N - 1.

[0156] Therefore, it does not flow within the heat exchange section 16 of Module N (#N), and the adsorbent 20 in Module N (#N) is not heated and remains at room temperature.

[0157] The flow path of the heat transfer medium in the unillustrated Modules N - 1 to 4 is the same as that in Module N (#N).

[0158] The heat transfer medium that has reached Module 3 (#3) goes from the branch 89 to the hose 88, flows within the heat exchange section 16 to heat the adsorbent 20. And it flows from the port 85c of the switching valve 85 to the port 85a, passes through the pipe 82 and goes to Module 2 (#2). At this time, the temperature of the heat transfer medium drops compared to before reaching Module 3 (#3).

[0159] The heat transfer medium that has reached Module 2 (#2) expands due to the opening of the expansion valve 86 and flows in the hose 88 within the heat exchange section 16 in a state where the temperature has dropped. At this time, the adsorbent 20 in Module 2 (#2) becomes high-temperature due to the heat energy supplied during the desorption process. The heat transfer medium flowing in the hose 88 of the heat exchange section 16 in Module 2 (#2) absorbs the surrounding heat, and the temperature of the adsorbent 20 drops. Since the heat transfer medium continuously flows within the heat exchange section 16 while absorbing heat, the adsorbent 20 drops to the room temperature (25°C) suitable for the adsorption process. And the heat transfer medium whose temperature has risen due to heat absorption flows from the port 85c of the switching valve 85 to the port 85a, passes through the pipe 82 and goes to Module 1 (#1).

[0160] In Module 1 (#1), similar to Module N, the heat transfer medium passes through the bypass 87 from the branch 89 and flows to the switching valve 85, flows from the port 85b of the switching valve 85 to the port 85a, and goes to the pipe 82. And it returns to the compressor 81 through the pipe 82 and the switching valve 83, etc.

[0161] As described above, since the heat transfer medium flows in the heat transfer medium circuit, the adsorbent 20 in Module 2 (#2) is cooled to the temperature suitable for the adsorption process, and the adsorbent 20 in Module 3 (#3) is heated to the temperature suitable for the desorption process (90°C). In addition, in modules other than Modules 2 and 3, the adsorbent 20 is not heated and remains at room temperature.

[0162] This kind of heat energy transfer also occurs between other adjacent modules such as between Module No. 3 (#3) and Module No. 4 (#4), not just between the aforementioned Module No. 2 (#2) and Module No. 3 (#3).

[0163] The recovery and supply of heat energy between adjacent modules 11 are carried out as described above. Next, the recovery and supply of heat energy between non - adjacent modules 11 are carried out as follows.

[0164] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80. Figure 13 (a) is a graph showing the temperature and time of the adsorbent 20 of Module No. N (#N) and Module No. 1 (#1). The vertical axis represents temperature and the horizontal axis represents time. In Figure 13 (a), the first half of the adsorption process of the adsorbent 20 of Module No. N (#N) corresponds to the first half of the desorption process of the adsorbent 20 of Module No. 1 (#1). Figure 13 (b) shows the flow path and direction of the heat transfer medium during the corresponding time period. For easy understanding, the pipes through which the heat transfer medium flows are shown as solid lines, and the pipes through which the heat transfer medium does not flow are shown as dashed lines. In addition, it is assumed that modules other than Module No. N (#N) and Module No. 1 (#1) are performing the adsorption process.

[0165] At the time point when the adsorption process starts in Module No. N (#N), the control unit 70 switches the connection state of the switching valves 83 (83 - 1 to 83 - 4) provided on the pipe 82 of the heat pump 80, and temporarily makes the flow path and the flow direction of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit opposite to the previous direction, that is, the second flow direction.

[0166] As Figure 13 (b) shows, first, the heat transfer medium compressed by the compressor 81 and becoming high - temperature flows from the pipe 82 from the port 83b of the switching valve 83 - 1 to the port 83a, passes through the pipe 82 - 2, flows from the port 83a of the switching valve 83 - 3 to the port 83b, and passes through the pipe 82 - 2 to go to Module No. 1 (#1).

[0167] The heat transfer medium flows from the port 85a of the switching valve 85 of Module No. 1 (#1) to the port 85c and flows in the hose 88 in the heat exchange part 16. Thereby, the adsorbent 20 is heated to a temperature suitable for the desorption process (90 °C). At this time, the temperature of the heat transfer medium drops compared to before reaching Module No. 1 (#1).

[0168] The heat transfer medium travels from the hose 88 through the branch 89 to the pipe 82 and exits the No. 1 (#1) module. Then, the heat transfer medium passes through the pipe 82 and reaches the No. 2 (#2) module. The heat transfer medium flows from the port 85a of the switching valve 85 in the No. 2 (#2) module to the port 85b, passes through the bypass 87, flows through the branch 89 to the pipe 82, and goes to the No. 3 (#3) module. That is, the heat transfer medium does not flow within the heat exchange section 16 of the No. 2 (#2) module, and the adsorbent 20 remains at room temperature.

[0169] In the No. 3 (#3) to the unillustrated No. N - 1 modules and the like, the heat transfer medium also does not flow within the heat exchange section 16, passes through the switching valve 85 and the bypass 87, and goes to the next module. Therefore, in the No. 3 (#3) to No. N - 1 modules, the adsorbent 20 remains at room temperature.

[0170] The heat transfer medium reaching the No. N (#N) module expands and its temperature drops due to the opening and pressure reduction of the expansion valve 86 provided on the hose 88. The heat transfer medium flows in the hose 88 within the heat exchange section 16 of the No. N (#N) module in a low - temperature state, absorbs heat from the surroundings, and causes the temperature of the adsorbent 20 to drop. The heat transfer medium whose temperature has risen due to heat absorption flows from the hose 88 through the branch 89 to the pipe 82 and goes to the compressor 81. Then, it flows from the port 83b of the switching valve 83 - 2 to the port 83a, passes through the pipe 82 and goes to the switching valve 83 - 4. And it flows from the port 83a of the switching valve 83 - 4 to the port 83b, passes through the pipe 82 and enters the compressor 81.

[0171] As described above, the control unit 50 switches the connection and the like of the switching valves 83, 85 provided on the pipe 82 of the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80. Thereby, in the heat transfer medium circuit, the heat transfer medium can be made to flow reversely temporarily, and the recovery and supply of thermal energy between non - adjacent modules 11 can be performed efficiently.

[0172] In addition, when the No. 1 (#1) module 11 finishes the desorption process, by the control of the control unit 50, the connection and the like of the switching valve 83 are switched, and the flow direction of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 returns to the original direction, that is, the first flow direction. And the thermal energy of the No. 1 (#1) module is recovered by the heat transfer medium and supplied to the thermal energy of the No. 2 module.

[0173] In summary, by adopting the heat transfer medium circuit of the present embodiment and the waste heat recovery type heat pump 80 equipped with this heat transfer medium circuit, the thermal energy that is not needed in a certain module 11 can be efficiently transferred to the module 11 that needs thermal energy. In addition, according to the carbon dioxide recovery device 1 of the present embodiment, the unnecessary heat can be recovered by the waste heat recovery type heat pump 80, and the power consumption in the supply of thermal energy during the desorption process of each module 11 can be reduced.

[0174] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the heat pump can be driven with a higher COP, and the power consumed in the supply of thermal energy can be reduced.

[0175] (Modified form)

[0176] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications or changes can be made, and they are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0177] Regarding the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80, the following form can also be adopted.

[0178] Figure 14 FIG. is an example of a heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 when the number of modules is set to N×2.

[0179] When the number of modules is set to N×2, as Figure 14 shown, the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80 adopts a form having a bank 1 and a bank 2. The bank 1 includes N modules 11, and the bank 2 includes N modules 11. In addition, in the heat transfer medium circuit of the heat pump 80, the n-th (#n - 1) module 11 of the bank 1 and the n-th (#n - 2) module 11 of the bank 2 operate in the same phase.

[0180] The number N is an integer multiple of the number N0 obtained by using the aforementioned (Equation 2). In addition, it is preferably to satisfy the aforementioned (Equation 1).

[0181] In addition, a plurality of switching valves 83 (83 - 1 to 83 - 4) and pipes 82 - 2 are provided on the heat transfer medium circuit. By controlling the switching of the connection of these switching valves 83, as described above Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, the direction of the flow of the heat transfer medium can be switched, etc.

[0182] By adopting such a configuration, even when the number of modules 11 increases, heat energy can be recovered and supplied efficiently by using one compressor 81, and the power consumption required for the supply of heat energy in the desorption process of the module 11 can be suppressed.

[0183] In addition, regarding the flow path (hose) of the heat transfer medium flowing in the heat exchange part 16 of the module 11, the following form is preferably adopted.

[0184] Figure 15 FIG. is an example of the flow of the heat transfer medium in the heat exchange part 16.

[0185] In Figure 15 as an example, the case where the high-temperature heat transfer medium flows into the compressor 81 of the heat pump 80 is shown.

[0186] The high-temperature heat transfer medium flows from port 85a of switching valve 85 to port 85b, and flows into a hose (not shown) inside layer 17 from the inflow section 17a provided on one side 171 of layer 17. And, as Figure 15 shown, it depicts a U-shape, flows out from the outflow section 17b provided on the same side 171, and passes through pipe 82 to go to the next module. In this way, by setting the inlet and outlet of the heat transfer medium and arranging the hose so that the heat transfer medium flows in a U-shape in layer 17, the length of the bypass 87 connecting from port 85b of switching valve 85 to pipe 82 can be minimized. Thereby, the structure of the heat transfer medium can be simplified, and the loss of the thermal energy of the heat transfer medium caused by flowing in a long flow path can be suppressed.

[0187] In addition, the present embodiment and the modified forms can also be used in appropriate combination, but the detailed description is omitted. Additionally, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described above and the like.

[0188] Reference Numerals

[0189] 1 Carbon dioxide recovery device

[0190] 10 Module unit

[0191] 11 Module

[0192] 12 Valve

[0193] 13 Valve

[0194] 14 Valve

[0195] 16 Heat exchange section

[0196] 20 Adsorbent

[0197] 50 Control section

[0198] 61 Fan

[0199] 62 Vacuum pump

[0200] 63 Compressor

[0201] 64 Tank

[0202] 80 Heat pump

[0203] 81 Compressor

[0204] 82 Pipe

[0205] 83 Switching valve

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide recovery device for recovering carbon dioxide in a gas, comprising: A plurality of carbon dioxide recovery modules, each having an adsorbent material for adsorbing and desorbing carbon dioxide in a housing, and performing an adsorption process and a desorption process. The adsorption process is to adsorb carbon dioxide onto the adsorbent material, and the desorption process is to desorb the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent material; An adsorption device participating in the adsorption process of the carbon dioxide recovery module; and, A control unit for controlling the operations of the carbon dioxide recovery module and the adsorption device; The control unit Drives the carbon dioxide recovery module with an operation cycle of alternately performing the adsorption process and the desorption process, and, Staggers the phases of the operation cycles of the plurality of carbon dioxide recovery modules so that at least one of the carbon dioxide recovery modules performs the desorption process at any time point during the drive of the carbon dioxide recovery device, and drives the carbon dioxide recovery module in this way, The carbon dioxide recovery module includes: a plurality of suction ports for sucking the gas containing carbon dioxide into the interior of the housing; and a plurality of exhaust ports for exhausting the gas that has passed through the adsorbent material to the outside of the housing.

2. The carbon dioxide recovery device according to claim 1, wherein, The adsorption device described above includes a fan that supplies gas to the carbon dioxide recovery module described above, and a plurality of the carbon dioxide recovery modules are connected in parallel.

3. The carbon dioxide recovery device according to claim 1, wherein, When the time required for the adsorption process described above is set to x seconds and the time required for the desorption process described above is set to y seconds, the number N1 of the carbon dioxide recovery modules described above satisfies the following (Equation 1). [Mathematical formula 1] 。

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