System and method for adsorbent-based gas capture using heat pipes

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for sorbent-based gas capture using heat pipes. A system includes a gas capture system having an adsorber with an adsorbent material, where the adsorber is configured to adsorb an undesired gas from a gas stream into the adsorbent material in an adsorption mode and to desorb the undesired gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode. The gas capture system also includes at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat away from the sorbent material during the adsorption mode.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present application generally relates to a system and method for capturing undesirable gases associated with a combustion system, such as a combustion-driven power plant.

[0002] Industrial plants, such as combustion-driven power plants, may generate various gases, such as the exhaust gases of a combustion system. The combustion system may include a gas turbine engine, a reciprocating piston cylinder engine, a heating furnace, a boiler, or other industrial equipment. These exhaust gases may include one or more undesirable gases, such as acidic gases and / or greenhouse gases. For example, the undesirable gases may include carbon oxides (CO X ) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO X ) such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and / or sulfur oxides (SO X ) such as sulfur dioxide (SO2). CO2 is both an acidic gas and a greenhouse gas. Unfortunately, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has generally increased over thousands of years and is currently above about 420 parts per million by volume (ppmv) or about 643 parts per million by mass (ppmw) in the atmosphere. With various regulations and environmental concerns regarding global warming, it is desirable to reduce the output of undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) into the atmosphere, particularly for hydrocarbon fuel-consuming equipment, such as combustion systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Certain embodiments are outlined below that are commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments, but rather these embodiments are only intended to provide a brief overview of possible forms of the subject matter. In fact, the presently claimed embodiments may include various forms that may be similar or different from those set forth below.

[0004] In certain embodiments, a system includes a gas capture system having an adsorber with an adsorbent material, wherein the adsorber is configured to adsorb undesirable gases from a gas stream into the adsorbent material in an adsorption mode and desorb the undesirable gases from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode. The gas capture system further includes at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode.

[0005] In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller having a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to control a gas capture system having an adsorber to adsorb an undesired gas from a gas stream to an adsorbent material of the adsorber in an adsorption mode, wherein at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode. The processor is further configured to control the gas capture system to desorb the undesired gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode.

[0006] In certain embodiments, a method includes adsorbing an undesired gas from a gas stream to an adsorbent material of an adsorber of a gas capture system in an adsorption mode, wherein at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode. The method further includes desorbing the undesired gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a combined cycle system having one or more gas capture systems.

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a gas capture system of

[0010] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a gas capture system of Figure 2 further illustrating the adsorption mode of an adsorbent-based gas capture system having an adsorbent-based gas capture unit or an adsorber with a heat pipe array.

[0011] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a gas capture system of Figure 2 further illustrating the desorption mode of the adsorbent-based gas capture system of

[0012] Figure 5 is Figures 2 to 4 a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a heat pipe of an adsorbent-based gas capture system of

[0013] Figure 6is a process of using Figure 2 and Figure 3 in an adsorbent-based gas capture system to capture unwanted gases.

[0014] Figure 7 is a process of using Figure 2 and Figure 4 in an adsorbent-based gas capture system to capture unwanted gases. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] One or more specific embodiments of the presently disclosed systems and methods are described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the specification. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Additionally, it should be understood that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but would still be a routine task of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art who would benefit from the present disclosure.

[0016] When introducing elements of the various embodiments of the presently disclosed embodiments, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there is one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0017] The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for using a gas processing system having one or more gas capture systems to reduce the carbon footprint of combustion systems (such as combustion-driven power plants and / or combined cycle power plants). The gas capture system is configured to remove unwanted gases (e.g., CO2) from the exhaust gases of the combustion system. In the disclosed embodiments, the gas capture system includes heat pipes configured to assist in heat transfer during various operating modes.

[0018] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a combined cycle system 10 that has a gas turbine system 12, a steam turbine system 14, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) 16, a gas processing system 18 with one or more gas capture systems 20, and a controller 22 coupled to each of the systems 12, 14, 16, and 18. As described below, one or more gas capture systems 20 of the gas processing system 18 are configured to capture unwanted gases (e.g., CO2) from the exhaust gases and / or air (e.g., direct air capture), and one or more heat pipes are configured to improve the gas capture process.

[0019] Before discussing the details of the gas processing system 18, various aspects of the combined cycle system 10 are discussed in further detail. For the purpose of orientation in the drawings, reference may be made to an axial direction or axis 40, a radial direction or axis 42 that extends radially away from the axial direction or axis 40, and a circumferential direction or axis 44 that extends circumferentially around the axial direction or axis 40. For example, the directions or axes 40, 42, and 44 may be referenced to the rotational axis 36 of the gas turbine system 12.

[0020] The gas turbine system 12 includes an air inlet 50, a compressor 52 having one or more compressor stages, one or more burners 54, a turbine 56 having one or more turbine stages, and a load 58 (e.g., a generator) driven by the turbine 56. In certain embodiments, the gas turbine system 12 also includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system 60 that is configured to recirculate exhaust gas 62 into the air inlet 50. The recirculated exhaust gas 62 helps to reduce the temperature and reduce the formation of certain emissions (e.g., nitrogen oxides (NO X )) associated with combustion in the burner 54. In operation, the compressor 52 receives air (and also exhaust gas 62 if the EGR system 60 is active) from the air inlet 50 and compresses the air and / or exhaust gas 62 in one or more compressor stages (e.g., a rotary compressor blade stage). The burner 54 then combusts fuel from a fuel supply system with the compressed air and / or exhaust gas and generates hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases expand and drive one or more turbine stages (e.g., a rotary turbine blade stage) in the turbine 56, thereby driving the rotation of the compressor 52 and the load 58 via a shaft. The turbine 56 then outputs the hot combustion gases as exhaust gas 62.

[0021] The HRSG 16 recovers waste heat from the exhaust gas 62 to generate steam for driving the steam turbine system 14. The HRSG 16 includes a high-pressure (HP) steam section 70, an intermediate-pressure (IP) steam section 72, and a low-pressure (LP) steam section 74, which are configured to generate HP steam 76, IP steam 78, and LP steam 80. The steam turbine system 14 may include an HP steam turbine 82 driven by the HP steam 76, an IP steam turbine 84 driven by the IP steam 78, and an LP steam turbine 86 driven by the LP steam 80. In addition to the steam provided by the HRSG 16, the HP steam turbine 82 supplies IP steam to the IP steam turbine 84, and the IP steam turbine 84 supplies LP steam to the LP steam turbine 86. Then, the LP steam turbine 86 outputs any remaining steam / water to a condensate line 88 coupled to the LP steam section 74 of the HRSG 16. The condensate line 88 may include a condenser 90 configured to condense any remaining steam to form condensate, and a pump 92 configured to pump the condensate back to the LP steam section 74. In operation, the steam turbine system 14 drives a load 94 (e.g., a generator) via a shaft. In certain embodiments, the steam turbine system 14 and / or the HRSG 16 may supply hot water and / or steam (e.g., HP steam 76, IP steam 78, and / or LP steam 80) to the gas treatment system 18 to support the desorption mode of one or more gas capture systems 20. For example, the gas capture system 20 may receive hot water and / or steam in a temperature range of 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius, 110 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius, 120 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius, or 130 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius.

[0022] After the HRSG 16, the exhaust gas 62 may flow to the EGR system 60 and / or the gas treatment system 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the exhaust gas 62 flows through one or more gas capture systems 20, which are configured to capture undesirable gases. The undesirable gases may include carbon oxides (CO X )(e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO)), nitrogen oxides (NO X )(e.g., nitrogen dioxide (NO2)), sulfur oxides (SO X)(e.g., sulfur dioxide (SO2)) or any combination thereof. In the following discussion, CO2 may be used as an example of an undesired gas; however, the gas capture system 20 may be designed to capture any of the aforementioned undesired gases. For example, the gas capture system 20 includes one or more carbon capture systems 100 (e.g., a CO2 capture system). The gas capture system 20 (e.g., the carbon capture system 100) may include an adsorbent-based gas capture system, a solvent-based gas capture system, a cryogenic gas capture system, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove and capture the undesired gas. The carbon capture system 100 may include components 102, 104, 106, and 108 that are configured to effect gas capture of the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) from the exhaust gas 62, thereby outputting a treated gas 110 and a captured gas 112 (e.g., CO2). The treated gas 110 may be substantially free of the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) and may be discharged through an exhaust pipe. The captured gas 112 (e.g., CO2) may be compressed by a compression system 114 and stored and / or transported by a storage and / or pipeline system 116.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the carbon capture system 100 is an adsorbent-based carbon capture system, and the components 102, 104, 106, and / or 108 include a plurality of adsorbent-based carbon capture units (e.g., adsorbers). For example, the adsorbent-based carbon capture unit may include a temperature swing adsorption (TSA) unit or adsorber, where temperature fluctuations or changes are used to operate in adsorption mode, desorption mode, and cooling mode sequentially at different temperatures. In the adsorption mode, the adsorber is configured to adsorb the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) into the adsorbent material at a first temperature. In the desorption mode, the adsorber is configured to desorb the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) from the adsorbent material, for example, by heating the adsorbent material from the first temperature to a higher second temperature using a heat source. The heat source may include a heated fluid, such as a heated gas and / or liquid (e.g., steam). In the cooling mode, the adsorber is cooled to prepare for the next adsorption mode.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the carbon capture system 100 is a solvent-based carbon capture system, and the components 102, 104, 106, and / or 108 include one or more adsorbers, strippers, and associated equipment. For example, the adsorber is configured to adsorb the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) into the solvent, thereby outputting the treated gas 110 and the CO2-rich solvent through an exhaust pipe to the stripper. The stripper is configured to apply heat to the CO2-rich solvent to strip the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) from the solvent to produce the captured gas 112 and the CO2-lean solvent. The stripper may receive heat from a heat source such as a heated gas and / or liquid (e.g., steam). The stripper returns the CO2-lean solvent to the adsorber to repeat the cycle.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 22 is configured to control all aspects of the combined cycle system 10. The controller 22 includes one or more processors 120, a memory 122, instructions 124 stored on the memory 122 and executable by the processor 120, and a communication circuit 126 configured to communicate with sensors and various equipment of the combined cycle system 10. For example, the controller 22 is configured to receive sensor feedback from sensors coupled to the gas turbine system 12, the steam turbine system 14, the HRSG 16, and the gas processing system 18 (e.g., the gas capture system 20), and to control the same equipment based on the sensor feedback, operating mode, user input, computer model, or any combination thereof. The sensors may include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow rate sensors, gas composition sensors, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the controller 22 is configured to control the operation of the gas capture system 20 (e.g., the carbon capture system 100), such as by controlling the operating mode (e.g., adsorption mode, desorption mode, and cooling mode), controlling the heat source for supplying a heating fluid (e.g., steam) to the gas capture system 20, controlling the cooling source for supplying a cooling fluid to the gas capture system 20, or any combination thereof.

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1Schematic of an embodiment of a gas capture system 20 (e.g., carbon capture system 100), which further illustrates the adsorption mode of an adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 having an adsorbent-based gas capture unit or an adsorber 152 with a heat pipe array 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the adsorber 152 has a housing 156 surrounding an inner cavity 158, a fluid inlet 160, a fluid outlet 162, and a contactor assembly 164 disposed within the inner cavity 158. The contactor assembly 164 includes a plurality of contactor plates 166 (e.g., parallel plates), each contactor plate having an adsorbent material 168. The contactor plates 166 can be made of a thermally conductive material such as metal. The adsorbent material 168 can be disposed on the outer surface and / or the internal volume of the contactor plates 166, where the contactor plates 166 can have a porous surface and / or walls (e.g., perforated walls) to facilitate fluid flow in contact with the adsorbent material 168. The adsorbent material 168 can include a porous solid-phase material, including mesoporous silica, zeolites (e.g., aluminosilicates), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). In the illustrated adsorption mode, the adsorber 152 is configured to receive untreated gas 170 (e.g., untreated exhaust gas 62 and / or air) from an untreated gas supply 172 (e.g., gas turbine system 12 and / or HRSG 16), adsorb undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) in the untreated gas 170 into the adsorbent material 168, and discharge treated gas 174 (e.g., treated exhaust gas 62 and / or air) through a treated gas discharge device 176 (e.g., exhaust pipe), where the undesirable gases are significantly reduced. Unfortunately, the adsorption process generates heat, which may reduce the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material 168. Therefore, during the adsorption mode, the heat pipe array 154 cools the adsorber 152, particularly the adsorbent material 168 of the contactor assembly 164, to help maintain and / or increase the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material 168.

[0027] The heat pipe array 154 includes a plurality of heat pipes 180 (e.g., equal to or greater than 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 heat pipes 180), which are thermally and mechanically coupled to a contactor assembly 164 inside the housing 156 and a fin assembly 182 outside the housing 156. The fin assembly 182 includes a plurality of fins 184 (e.g., parallel fins) made of a thermally conductive material such as metal, and these fins are joined to the heat pipes by methods such as welding, brazing, or mechanical joining. The heat pipes 180 extend through the wall 186 of the housing 156 such that an end 188 of the heat pipe 180 is located inside the housing 156 and an end 190 is located outside the housing 156. In some embodiments, the heat pipes 180 are configured to transfer heat between the ends 188 and 190. For example, in the illustrated adsorption mode, the heat pipes 180 are configured to transfer heat from the end 188 coupled to the contactor assembly 164 to the end 190 coupled to the fin assembly 182. One or more cooling systems 192 and 194 are configured to force a cooling fluid flow 196 to flow through the fin assembly 182 around the ends 190 of the heat pipes 180 of the heat pipe array 154. In some embodiments, the cooling systems 192 and 194 may include electric fans (e.g., electric motor-driven fans), and the cooling fluid flow 196 may include an air flow (or other gas flow). In some embodiments, the cooling systems 192 and 194 may include electric pumps (e.g., electric motor-driven pumps), and the cooling fluid flow 196 may include a liquid coolant flow (e.g., a water flow). In some embodiments, the cooling systems 192 and / or 194 may be excluded, and the fin assembly 182 may passively transfer heat from the heat pipes 180 to the ambient air by natural convection heat transfer.

[0028] As discussed in further detail below, the heat pipes 180 can be designed to operate within a temperature range suitable for the adsorption mode. For example, during the adsorption mode, the temperature of the untreated gas 170 can be about 30 degrees Celsius, the heat pipes 180 can be heated to about 40 degrees Celsius due to the adsorption process, and the cooling systems 192 and 194 can provide cooling of about 20 degrees Celsius (e.g., air cooling). However, the temperature may vary depending on the specific untreated gas supply 172, adsorbent material 168, unwanted gases, cooling systems 192 and 194, and other aspects of the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150. Once the adsorbent material 168 is loaded with unwanted gas (e.g., CO2), the controller 22 can be configured to change the operating mode of the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 from Figure 2 the adsorption mode to Figure 3 or Figure 4 the desorption mode, as discussed in detail below.

[0029] Figure 3 is Figure 1Schematic of an embodiment of a gas capture system 20 (e.g., carbon capture system 100), which further illustrates Figure 2 the desorption mode of the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150. The adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 is the same as described above with reference to Figure 2 In the illustrated desorption mode, the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 includes a steam supply 210 fluidly coupled to a fluid inlet 160 of an adsorber 152 and a steam / CO2 capture system 212 coupled to a fluid outlet 162 of the adsorber 152. During the desorption mode, the steam supply 210 is configured to supply a steam stream 214 through the adsorber 152 in contact with the adsorbent material 168, thereby heating the adsorbent material 168 to a sufficient temperature range to cause undesired gases (e.g., CO2) to desorb from the adsorbent material 168 into the steam stream 214. For example, the steam stream 214 may have a temperature range of 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius, such that the adsorbent material 168 is heated to a temperature range of 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius. The steam stream 214 carries away the desorbed gas (e.g., CO2), such that the adsorber 152 discharges a steam / CO2 stream 216 to the steam / CO2 capture system 212. In certain embodiments, the steam / CO2 capture system 212 may include a heat exchanger (e.g., a condenser) configured to cool and condense the steam, thereby facilitating separation of the CO2 from the steam. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the steam / CO2 capture system 212 may include a vacuum system configured to assist in extracting the steam / CO2 stream 216.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the steam supply 210 is configured to directly heat the adsorbent material 168 of the contactor assembly 164, rather than indirectly heating the adsorbent material 168 via the heat pipe array 154. Additionally, the heat pipe array 154 is Figure 3 in an inactive state in the illustrated embodiment. For example, the controller 22 may control the cooling systems 192 and 194 to change from Figure 2 the "on mode" to Figure 3"Closed mode". Additionally, the heat pipe array 154 can be configured to switch from an "active mode" to an "inactive mode" when heat is applied via the steam supply 210 by exceeding the operating temperature range of the heat pipes 180 (i.e., exceeding the designed heat transfer limit at the operating temperature in the desorption mode). For example, when a steam stream 214 is supplied directly through the adsorber 152 within a temperature range suitable for desorption (e.g., 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius), the steam stream 214 may overheat and cause the heat pipe 180 wick to dry out (e.g., a recoverable failure), thereby causing the internal heat pipe circulation (e.g., evaporation and condensation between ends 188 and 190) to stop working until the temperature is later reduced to an acceptable operating temperature range for normal heat pipe operation (e.g., less than 50 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Celsius, 70 degrees Celsius, 80 degrees Celsius, or 90 degrees Celsius). By further example, if the steam stream 214 is about 150 degrees Celsius, the heat pipe 180 may reach about 120 degrees Celsius, dry out, and stop working. Thus, in Figure 3 the desorption mode, the heat pipes 180 do not transfer heat away from the contactor assembly 164. Subsequently, after completing Figure 3 the desorption mode, the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 is configured to cool the heat pipe array 154 and the adsorbent material 168 in order to prepare for another adsorption mode.

[0031] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a gas capture system 20 (e.g., a carbon capture system 100), which further illustrates Figure 2 the desorption mode of the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150. The adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 is related to that referred to above with reference to Figure 2The same as described above. In the illustrated desorption mode, the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 includes a purge gas supply 230 fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet 160 of the adsorber 152 and a purge gas / CO2 capture system 232 coupled to the fluid outlet 162 of the adsorber 152. Additionally, the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 includes a steam supply 234 (e.g., upstream) and a steam return 236 (e.g., downstream) fluidly coupled to the fin assembly 152 and the end 190 of the heat pipe 180. In the illustrated desorption mode, the steam supply 234 is configured to force a steam flow 238 through the fin assembly 182 around the end 190 of the heat pipes 180 of the heat pipe array 154, thereby transferring heat from the end 190 to the end 188 coupled to the contactor assembly 164 through the heat pipe 180. In other words, the steam flow 238 indirectly heats the contactor assembly 164 including the adsorbent material 168 through the heat pipe array 154. For example, the steam flow 238 may have a temperature range of 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius such that the adsorbent material 168 is heated to a temperature range of 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius. When heat is transferred through the heat pipe 180, the adsorbent material 168 is heated to a sufficient temperature range (e.g., 100 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius) to cause the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) to desorb from the adsorbent material 168. Thus, the heat pipe 180 is active in the Figure 4 desorption mode, while the heat pipe 180 is intentionally inactive in the Figure 3 desorption mode.

[0032] As Figure 4 further illustrated, the purge gas supply 230 may be configured to supply a purge gas flow 240 through the adsorber 152 to purge the desorbed gas (e.g., CO2) upward such that the mixture of the purge gas flow 240 and the desorbed gas is discharged as a purge gas / CO2 flow 242 to the purge gas / CO2 capture system 232. In certain embodiments, the purge gas flow 240 may include an inert gas such as nitrogen. The purge gas / CO2 capture system 232 may be configured to separate the purge gas from the CO2, thereby enabling gas capture of the CO2 as the captured gas 112. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the purge gas / CO2 capture system 232 may include a vacuum system configured to assist in extracting the purge gas / CO2 flow 242. Subsequently, after completing the Figure 4 desorption mode, the adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 is configured to cool the heat pipe array 154 and the adsorbent material 168 in order to prepare for another adsorption mode.

[0033] Figure 5 is Figures 2 to 4Schematic illustration of an embodiment of a heat pipe 180 in a heat pipe array 154 of an adsorbent-based gas capture system 150, which further illustrates the operating cycle of the heat pipe 180. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat pipe 180 includes a hollow body 260 (e.g., a hollow annular body) having an outer wall 262, a wick or wick layer 264 (e.g., a heat pipe wick) disposed inside the hollow body 260 along the inner surface of the outer wall 262, and a central channel 266 disposed inside the wick layer 264. The heat pipe 180 also includes an evaporator section 268 and a condenser section 270 located at opposite ends 272 and 274 of the hollow body 260. The heat pipe 180 also contains a working fluid 276 that changes between a liquid phase and a gas phase during the cycle of the heat pipe 180. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the evaporator section 268 transfers heat from the exterior of the heat pipe 180 to the working fluid 276, as shown by arrow 278, causing the working fluid 276 to evaporate to produce a vapor flow 280 along the central channel 266 from the evaporator section 268 at end 272 to the condenser section 270 at end 274. Upon reaching end 274, the condenser section 270 condenses the vapor flow 280 to produce a liquid flow 282 through heat transfer from the working fluid 276 to the exterior of the heat pipe 180 (as shown by arrow 284). The liquid flow 282 then flows along the wick layer 264 from the condenser section 270 at end 274 to the evaporator section 268 at end 272. The cycle is then repeated in the heat pipe 180.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the heat pipe 180 can be designed to have an operating temperature range suitable for Figure 2 an adsorption mode and suitable for Figure 3 and Figure 4 a desorption mode, as discussed above. For example, for Figure 2 and Figure 3 an embodiment, the heat pipe 180 can be designed to have a heat pipe operating limit at appropriate temperatures for the adsorption mode and the desorption mode such that the heat pipe is active for the adsorption mode and inactive for the desorption mode. This can be achieved, for example, by designing the heat pipe to dry out the heat pipe wick layer 264 when outside a threshold temperature range. For example, when the temperature is equal to or greater than 120 degrees Celsius, 130 degrees Celsius, 140 degrees Celsius, or 150 degrees Celsius, the heat pipe 180 can dry out (e.g., can recover from a failure) and become inactive. By further example, for Figure 2 and Figure 4 an embodiment, the heat pipe 180 can be designed to have an operating temperature range that is active for the adsorption mode (e.g., heat transfer in a first direction) and also active for the desorption mode (e.g., heat transfer in a second direction opposite the first direction). The working fluid 276 can include a variety of fluids, depending on the specific embodiment, such asFigure 2 and Figure 3 embodiments of, or Figure 2 and Figure 4 embodiments. For example, the working fluid 276 may include water, a mixture of water and one or more additives, an organic solvent (such as methanol or acetone), or other refrigerants (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) refrigerants). The heat pipes 180 may include various sizes, such as a diameter of 1 centimeter to 5 centimeters or 2 centimeters to 3 centimeters and a length of 5 meters to 12 meters or 7 meters to 10 meters. Additionally, each heat pipe 180 in the heat pipe array 154 may be configured in multiple orientations relative to gravity, including horizontal, near-horizontal, vertical, or near-vertical.

[0035] Figure 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process 300 for capturing an undesired gas using an adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 that uses Figure 2 and Figure 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the process 300 may be controlled, in part or in whole, by a Figure 1 controller 22. The process 300 includes adsorbing an undesired gas (e.g., CO2) into the adsorbent material 168 of the adsorber 152 in an adsorption mode (block 302). The process 300 also cools the adsorbent material 168 with one or more heat pipes 180 and cooling systems 192, 194 during a desorption mode (block 304). The cooling provided by the heat pipes 180 and cooling systems 192, 194 helps maintain or increase the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material 168. Then, the process 300 desorbs the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) from the adsorbent material 168 of the adsorber 152 in a desorption mode using a heating fluid (e.g., steam) flowing through the adsorber 152 (block 306). The process 300 also disables the heat pipes 180 during the desorption mode (block 308). For example, the heating fluid (e.g., steam) may overheat and dry out the heat pipes 180 (e.g., a recoverable failure), rendering the heat pipes 180 inactive and unable to transfer heat using the conventional cycle inside the heat pipes 180. Then, before another adsorption mode, the process 300 cools the heat pipes 180 and the adsorbent material 168 of the adsorber 152 in a cooling mode (block 310).

[0036] Figure 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process 320 for capturing an undesired gas using an adsorbent-based gas capture system 150 that uses Figure 2 and Figure 4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the process 320 may be controlled, in part or in whole, by a Figure 1The controller 22 controls. Process 320 includes adsorbing an undesired gas (e.g., CO2) into the adsorbent material 168 of the adsorber 152 in the adsorption mode (block 322). Process 320 also cools the adsorbent material 168 with one or more heat pipes 180 and cooling systems 192, 194 during the desorption mode (block 324). The cooling provided by the heat pipes 180 and cooling systems 192, 194 helps maintain or improve the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material 168. Then, process 320 desorbs the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) from the adsorbent material 168 of the adsorber 152 in the desorption mode using the heat transferred through one or more heat pipes 180 (block 326). For example, the heat pipes 180 can be heated outside the adsorber 152 (e.g., via the steam supply 234), such that the heat is transferred through the heat pipes 180 to the adsorbent material 168 inside the adsorber 152. Process 320 also purges the desorbed gas (e.g., CO2) with a purge gas to capture the desorbed gas in the desorption mode (block 328). Then, before another adsorption mode, process 320 cools the heat pipes 180 and the adsorbent material 168 of the adsorber 152 in the cooling mode (block 330).

[0037] The technical effects of the disclosed embodiments enable the use of heat pipes for adsorbent-based gas capture (e.g., carbon capture of CO2) to support the adsorption mode and / or the desorption mode. For example, the heat pipes can transfer heat away from the adsorbent material of an adsorbent-based gas capture unit or adsorber during the adsorption stage, thus helping to maintain or improve the adsorption capacity of the adsorber while heat is generated during the adsorption process. By further example, the heat pipes can be deactivated or transfer heat to the adsorbent material during the desorption mode to facilitate the desorption process. For example, if a heating fluid (e.g., steam) is directly applied to heat the adsorbent material during the desorption mode, the heat pipes may overheat and dry out (e.g., a recoverable failure) to avoid any cooling of the adsorbent material. By further example, if a heating fluid (e.g., steam) is applied to heat the heat pipes outside the adsorber, the heat pipes transfer the heat to the adsorbent material inside the adsorber. Thus, the heat pipes can support only the desorption mode or both the adsorption mode and the desorption mode simultaneously.

[0038] As set forth below, the subject matter described in detail above can be defined by one or more clauses.

[0039] A system includes a gas capture system having an adsorber with an adsorbent material, wherein the adsorber is configured to adsorb an undesired gas from a gas stream into the adsorbent material in an adsorption mode and desorb the undesired gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode. The gas capture system further includes at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode.

[0040] The system according to the preceding clause, wherein the at least one heat pipe includes a plurality of heat pipes.

[0041] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one heat pipe includes a working fluid, and the working fluid includes water, an organic solvent, or a refrigerant.

[0042] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, the system includes a cooling system configured to cool a first end of the at least one heat pipe during the adsorption mode, and a second end of the at least one heat pipe is configured to cool the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode.

[0043] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cooling system includes one or more fans.

[0044] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a fin assembly is coupled to the first end of the at least one heat pipe.

[0045] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat to the adsorbent material during the desorption mode.

[0046] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, the system includes a heat supply configured to heat a first end of the at least one heat pipe during the desorption mode, and a second end of the at least one heat pipe is configured to heat the adsorbent material during the desorption mode.

[0047] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the heat supply includes a steam supply.

[0048] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one heat pipe is configured to be deactivated during the desorption mode.

[0049] The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, the system includes a heat supply configured to heat the adsorbent material and overheat and deactivate the at least one heat pipe during the desorption mode, wherein the heat is configured to desorb the undesired gas from the adsorbent material.

[0050] The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the heat supply includes steam supply.

[0051] The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the undesired gas includes carbon dioxide.

[0052] The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the gas stream includes exhaust gas from a combustion system.

[0053] The system according to any of the preceding clauses, the system includes a gas turbine system, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) or a combination thereof located upstream of the gas capture system, wherein the system further includes a controller having a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to control the operating modes of the gas capture system sequentially including the adsorption mode, the desorption mode, and the cooling mode.

[0054] A system includes a controller having a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to control a gas capture system having an adsorber to adsorb an undesired gas from a gas stream into an adsorbent material of the adsorber in an adsorption mode, wherein at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode. The processor is further configured to control the gas capture system to desorb the undesired gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode.

[0055] The system according to the preceding clause, wherein the at least one heat pipe is configured to be deactivated during the desorption mode while the heat supply heats the adsorbent material, or the at least one heat pipe transfers heat to the adsorbent material during the desorption mode.

[0056] A method includes adsorbing an undesired gas from a gas stream into an adsorbent material of an adsorber of a gas capture system in an adsorption mode, wherein at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode. The method further includes desorbing the undesired gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode.

[0057] The method according to the preceding clause, the method includes: applying heat to the adsorbent material using a heat supply during the desorption mode; and overheating the at least one heat pipe using heat from the heat supply such that the at least one heat pipe is deactivated during the desorption mode.

[0058] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, the method comprising applying heat to a first end of the at least one heat pipe using a heat supply during the desorption mode; and during the desorption mode, transferring heat from the first end to a second end through the at least one heat pipe to heat the adsorbent material.

[0059] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If such other examples have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not materially different from the literal language of the claims, then such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: A gas capture system, the gas capture system comprising: an adsorber having an adsorbent material, wherein the adsorber is configured to adsorb an undesirable gas from a gas stream into the adsorbent material in an adsorption mode and to desorb the undesirable gas from the adsorbent material in a desorption mode; At least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat away from the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode. 2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one heat pipe comprises a plurality of heat pipes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat pipe comprises a working fluid comprising water, an organic solvent, or a refrigerant.

4. The system of claim 1 , comprising a cooling system configured to cool a first end of the at least one heat pipe during the adsorption mode, and a second end of the at least one heat pipe configured to cool the adsorbent material during the adsorption mode.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cooling system comprises one or more fans. The system of claim 4 , wherein a fin assembly is coupled to the first end of the at least one heat pipe.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat to the adsorbent material during the desorption mode.

8. The system of claim 7, comprising a heat supply configured to heat a first end of the at least one heat pipe during the desorption mode, and a second end of the at least one heat pipe configured to heat the adsorbent material during the desorption mode.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the heat supply comprises a steam supply.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat pipe is configured to be deactivated during the desorption mode.

11. The system of claim 10, comprising a heat supply configured to heat the adsorbent material and overheat and deactivate the at least one heat pipe during the desorption mode, wherein the heat is configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the adsorbent material.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the heat supply comprises a steam supply.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the undesirable gas comprises carbon dioxide.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas stream comprises exhaust gas from a combustion system.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the system includes a gas turbine system, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), or a combination thereof located upstream of the gas capture system, wherein the system further includes a controller having a processor, a memory, and instructions, wherein the instructions are stored on the memory and can be executed by the processor to control the operating modes of the gas capture system, which include the adsorption mode, the desorption mode, and the cooling mode in sequence.

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