Gas separation contactor module assembly and method for producing gas separation contactor module assembly

Abstract

A method of forming a gas separation contactor module assembly may include stacking and connecting a plurality of contactor modules, each contactor module formed by providing a sorbent material on a membrane, heat treating the combined sorbent material and membrane, forming a first frame, and forming a second frame. The treated sorbent material and membrane are sized to correspond to the first frame to form sized sorbent units, and exposed modules are formed by placing the sorbent units on the top and bottom of the first frame. The method further comprises the steps that at least one of a two-way pipe and a four-way pipe is arranged at the corner of the exposure module; wherein at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is configured to convey gas to be treated and / or heated gas to the gas separation contactor module assembly. The exposed modules may be stacked vertically and / or horizontally, and the contactor module assembly may also be such.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to gas separation contactor modules. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a direct air capture module and a method for manufacturing a direct air capture module for adsorptive gas separation, as well as a system including the module. Background Art

[0002] Adsorptive gas separation processes and systems, such as temperature swing adsorption and pressure swing adsorption processes and separators, are well known in the art for their application in adsorptive gas separation of industrial processes. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a technique for separating some gaseous substances from a gas mixture (usually air) under pressure based on the molecular characteristics of the substances and their affinity for the adsorbent material. PSA operates at near ambient temperature and is significantly different from cryogenic distillation commonly used for gas separation. Selective adsorbent materials (e.g., zeolites (also known as molecular sieves), activated carbon, etc.) are used as capture materials to preferentially adsorb the target gaseous substances under high pressure. Then, the process is switched to low pressure to desorb the adsorbed gas.

[0003] The temperature-vacuum swing (TVS) cycle process is used to separate some gaseous substances from a gas mixture (usually air). TVS can be applied to amine-functionalized nanofibrillated cellulose adsorbents to simultaneously extract CO2 and water vapor from a fluid. The promoting effect of relative humidity on CO2 capture capacity and co-adsorbed water amount is quantified.

[0004] Traditional temperature swing adsorptive gas separation processes typically can employ two basic steps, an adsorption step and a regeneration or desorption step. During a typical adsorption step, a feed stream (such as a multi-component gas mixture) can be allowed to enter an adsorptive separator and contactor containing an adsorbent material, where the adsorbent material can adsorb the components of the feed stream, separating the adsorbed components from the remaining components of the feed stream. During a typical subsequent regeneration step, a regeneration or desorption fluid stream (e.g., a heated air or steam stream) can be allowed to enter the adsorptive separator and contactor to increase the temperature of the adsorbent material, thereby releasing or desorbing at least a portion of the adsorbed components from the adsorbent material to provide desorbed components and allowing the recycling of the adsorbent material. Traditional adsorptive gas separators typically employ a single composition of one or more adsorbent materials, such as in traditional bead-shaped adsorbent beds or adsorbent contactors.

[0005] One type of industrial process that may require gas separation includes combustion processes, for example, where an oxidizer and a carbon-containing fuel are burned, thereby generating at least heat and a combustion gas stream (also known as a combustion flue gas stream). Separating at least one component from the combustion gas stream may be desirable, including, for example, post-combustion flue gas treatment systems.

[0006] In the past decade, adsorbents have been used as a class of porous materials for separation, air purification, catalysis, and sensing. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a class of adsorbents for separation, air purification, catalysis, and sensing. The ability to tune the functionality and pore structure of MOFs allows for unprecedented control at the nanoscale level, which translates into new properties at the macroscopic level. The development of MOF-based technologies depends not only on scale-related issues but also on the ability to incorporate these highly active assemblies into industrially relevant engineered constructs (such as, but not limited to, particles and thin films). Active fillers for filtration and separation can include zeolites, metal oxides, and carbon. Summary of the Invention

[0007] All aspects, examples, and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming a gas separation contactor module assembly, the method comprising disposing an adsorbent material on a membrane; heat-treating the adsorbent material on the membrane; sizing the adsorbent material on the membrane to correspond to the dimensions of a first frame to form an adsorbent unit; disposing the adsorbent unit on the first frame to form a first exposed module; forming second, third, and fourth exposed modules; attaching at least one of a two-way pipe and a four-way pipe to corners of the first exposed module, the second exposed module, the third exposed module, and the fourth exposed module (with a vertical partition therebetween), the first exposed module being a top-exposed module and the fourth exposed module being a bottom-exposed module, wherein at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is disposed at corners of the gas separation contactor module assembly.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects and further includes stacking gas separation contactor module assemblies such that they are connected to at least one other gas separation contactor module assembly to form a connected gas separation contactor module assembly.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects and the gas separation contactor module assemblies are connected at their corresponding corners.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects and the gas separation contactor module assemblies share at least one of a two-way pipe and a four-way pipe disposed at corners of the exposed modules.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and the stack includes at least two gas separation contactor module assemblies vertically connected, and one of the top exposure module of the lower gas separation contactor module assembly and the bottom exposure module of the higher gas separation contactor module assembly in the gas separation contactor module assemblies is omitted.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and the stack includes at least two connected gas separation contactor module assemblies horizontally connected.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and at least one of at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is configured to transport at least one of the gas to be processed and the heating gas to the gas separation contactor module assembly.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and at least one of at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is configured to alternately transport the gas to be processed and the heating gas and deliver them to the adsorbent material layer.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a gas separation contactor module assembly, which includes a first adsorbent unit and a second adsorbent unit, each adsorbent unit includes an adsorbent material disposed on a membrane; at least three exposure modules, each exposure module includes a first frame having a perimeter corresponding to the perimeter of each of the adsorbent unit of the first size and the adsorbent unit of the second size, and the first adsorbent unit and the second adsorbent unit are disposed on the first frame, wherein the corresponding membrane layers face each other; and at least one of a two-way pipe and a four-way pipe, which is disposed at the corresponding corners of at least three exposure modules, and the at least three exposure modules are vertically spaced apart, wherein the at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is disposed at the corner of the gas separation contactor module assembly.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and at least one gas separation contactor module assembly is configured to be connected to at least one other gas separation contactor module assembly to form a connected gas separation contactor module assembly.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and the gas separation contactor module assemblies are connected at the corners of the gas separation contactor module assemblies.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the foregoing aspects, and the gas separation contactor module assemblies share at least one of a two-way pipe and a four-way pipe disposed at the corners of the exposure modules of the gas separation contactor module assemblies.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and the connected gas separation contactor module assembly includes at least two vertically connected gas separation contactor module assemblies.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and the connected gas separation contactor module assembly includes at least two horizontally connected gas separation contactor module assemblies.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and the connected gas separation contactor module assembly further includes at least two vertically connected gas separation contactor module assemblies.

[0023] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is configured to transport at least one of the gas to be processed and the heating gas.

[0024] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and at least one gas separation contactor module assembly is a direct contactor gas separation contactor module assembly, wherein at least one of at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is configured to transport at least one of the gas to be processed and the heating gas, and the gas to be processed and the heating gas flow through the corresponding adsorbent material alternately.

[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and at least one gas separation contactor module assembly is an indirect contactor gas separation contactor module assembly, wherein only the gas to be processed flows through the corresponding adsorbent material.

[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the foregoing aspects, and the first frame includes a top portion and a bottom portion, and the peripheral regions of the membranes of both the first adsorbent unit and the second adsorbent unit are held between the top portion and the bottom portion.

[0027] Two or more aspects described in the present disclosure (including those described in this summary section) may be combined to form specific implementations not specifically described herein.

[0028] Details of one or more specific implementations are set forth in the following drawings and description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] These and other features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the present disclosure in conjunction with the drawings depicting the various embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 shows a method for forming a gas separation contactor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2A and Figure 2B shows a method for forming a scalable gas separation contactor module sub - assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram of another gas separation contactor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4A and Figure 4B shows a schematic diagram of another gas separation contactor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of components of another implementation for forming a gas separation contactor gas separation contactor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 7 is a schematic front view of a prior - art direct - contact gas separation contactor module assembly;

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic front view of an indirect - contact gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 9 is a schematic front view of a tube - integrated direct - contact gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 10 is a schematic front view of a tube - integrated indirect - contact gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 11 shows an elevated front view of a gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 12 shows a schematic elevated front view of an embodiment of a plurality of connected gas separation contactor module assemblies according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 13 shows an elevated front view of an embodiment of a direct - contact gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 14 Shows an elevated side view of a direct contact gas separation contactor module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 15 Shows an elevated front view of an embodiment of a plurality of connected indirect contact gas separation modules;

[0045] Figure 16 Shows an elevated front view of an embodiment of a plurality of connected direct contact gas separation module assemblies; and

[0046] Figure 17 Shows an elevated front view of an embodiment of a plurality of connected indirect contact gas separation modules.

[0047] It should be noted that the drawings of the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the present disclosure and should not therefore be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, like numbers represent like elements between the drawings. Detailed Description

[0048] First, in order to clearly describe the subject matter of the present disclosure, when referring to and describing the relevant components of the gas separation contactor module, its components, and the processes for manufacturing the gas separation contactor module and its components, it will be necessary to select certain terms as embodied in the present disclosure. To the extent possible, general industry terms will be used and adopted in a manner consistent with their accepted meanings. Unless otherwise indicated, such terms should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of the present application and the scope of the appended claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that several different or overlapping terms may typically be used to refer to a particular component. An object that may be described herein as a single part may include multiple components and be referred to in another context as being composed of multiple components. Alternatively, an object that may be described herein as including multiple components may elsewhere be referred to as a single part.

[0049] In addition, several descriptive terms may be regularly used herein, and it should prove helpful to define these terms at the beginning of this section. Unless otherwise indicated, these terms and their definitions are as follows. As used herein, "downstream" and "upstream" are terms indicating directions relative to the direction of fluid flow. The term "downstream" corresponds to the direction of fluid flow, and the term "upstream" refers to the direction opposite to the flow (i.e., the direction from which the flow emanates). In the absence of any additional particularity, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to directions, where "front" or "forward" refers to the front, and "backward" or "rear" refers to the rear.

[0050] In addition, several descriptive terms may be used regularly herein, as described below. The terms "first", "second", and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to denote the position or importance of individual components.

[0051] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in the specification, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequent described event or circumstance may or may not occur, or that the subsequent described component or element may or may not be present, and the description includes instances where the event occurs or the component is present and instances where the event does not occur or the component is not present.

[0052] In cases where an element or layer is referred to as "on another element or layer", "bonded to another element or layer", "connected to another element or layer", or "coupled to another element or layer", it can be directly on, bonded to, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on", "directly bonded to", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, intervening elements or layers may not be present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are organic-inorganic hybrid crystalline porous materials that include a regular array of positively charged metal ions surrounded by organic "linker" molecules. The metal ions form nodes that bind the "arms" of the linker molecules together, thus forming a repeating cage-like structure. This cage-like structure forms or includes voids, which results in MOFs having a very large internal surface area. Synthetic MOFs can include an internal surface area greater than 7800 square meters per gram. For a more intuitive understanding, assume that the available surface area of a teaspoon (about one gram of solid) of this material is unfolded, and it would cover an entire football field.

[0054] Compared with other porous materials, MOFs offer unique structural diversity, including at least: a uniform pore structure; atomic-level structural uniformity; adjustable porosity; numerous variants; good mechanical and thermal stability; and flexibility in network topology, geometry, size, and chemical functionality. This unique structural diversity allows for the control of MOF framework topology, porosity, and functionality. The unique structural design and tunability of MOFs can be attributed to their crystalline porous materials, which include organic and inorganic components in a rigid periodic network structure.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 and Figures 2A - 2B , a method 100 of forming a contactor module (such as heating module 250) as embodied in the present disclosure will be described. "Contactor module" is used herein as a shorthand for "gas separation contactor module" to reduce verbiage. A membrane 110 is provided, on which a source of a porous adsorbent material 120 including an adsorbent material (including, for example, MOF), an additive, and at least one solvent can be placed. The membrane 110 can include any suitable material. A polymeric membrane is an illustrative membrane, and other membranes known now or developed later are also within the scope of the embodiments. For example, aspects of the embodiments include a membrane 110 that includes a metallic component, a fabric component, a synthetic component, a man-made component, a naturally occurring component, and combinations thereof.

[0056] As described above, as embodied in the present disclosure, the adsorbent material 120 can be any porous adsorbent material, including MOF materials, such as iron-based MOFs, zirconium-based MOFs (e.g., MOF-808, such as MOF-808-Gly), aluminum-based MOFs (e.g., MOF-303), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), amine-containing MOFs, combinations, and at least one of other MOFs capable of adsorbing fluids and / or other materials from a fluid as described herein, including those known now or developed later. In certain embodiments, the adsorbent material 120 can include a polymer resin, silica, zeolite, amine, or combinations thereof, and those known now or developed later.

[0057] The fluids used in the embodiments include a gas to be processed that carries the material to be adsorbed, and a heating gas for regenerating the adsorbent material 120. Generally, the gas to be processed is air, and the material to be adsorbed will be carbon dioxide, but other gases and materials can be used, with corresponding changes made to the specific adsorbent material 120 used. Additionally, the heating gas is typically steam or hot air, but other heating gases can be used as needed and / or appropriately. For convenience, "air" will be used to describe the gas to be processed, and "steam" will be used to describe the heating gas, but it should be understood that these specific gases are merely non-limiting examples, and other fluids can be used as needed and / or appropriately. Further, although "carbon dioxide" is used for convenience to describe the material to be adsorbed, it should be understood that this is a non-limiting example, and other materials can be adsorbed by making appropriate changes to the specific adsorbent material 120 used in the embodiments.

[0058] After the adsorbent material 120 is disposed on the membrane, the membrane 110 and the adsorbent material 120 then proceed to the heat treatment assembly 130. At the heat treatment assembly 130, the adsorbent material 120 has any liquid, such as moisture or solvent, which can have reduced or even eliminated liquid, resulting in a drier form of the adsorbent material 120 that contains less liquid than when the adsorbent material 120 was initially disposed on the membrane 110. Additionally, at the heat treatment assembly 130, the membrane 110 and the adsorbent material 120 can be heated to improve the adhesion of the adsorbent material 120 to the membrane 110.

[0059] Then, the adsorbent material 120 on the membrane 110 can be separated and formed into an adsorbent unit 150. The adsorbent unit 150 can be separated at station 160, where, as described herein, by cutting the membrane 110, for example, the perimeter of the adsorbent unit 150 corresponds to the perimeter of the unit frame 220. As Figure 1 shown, the adsorbent unit 150 can include an edge 111 of the membrane 110 that does not include the adsorbent material 120. As described below with respect to the unit frame 220, the edge 111 can allow the unit frame 220 to adhere to the adsorbent unit 150.

[0060] The perimeter of the adsorbent unit 150 and the perimeter of the unit frame 220 can be formed to have substantially the same configuration. Additionally, as embodied in the present disclosure, the perimeter of the unit frame 220 and the perimeter of the adsorbent unit 150 can be formed into a polygonal configuration. Further, in another aspect of the present disclosure, the perimeter of the unit frame 220 and the perimeter of the adsorbent unit 150 can be formed into a rectangular configuration.

[0061] Method 100 also includes forming a unit frame 220 for fluid flow, as described below. The unit frame 220 includes a perforated tube 200. Sections of the perforated tube 200 may be connected to form the unit frame 220, where corner pieces 221 connect the sections of the perforated tube 200. Thus, the unit frame 220 includes a perimeter corresponding to the adsorbent unit 150. The corner pieces 221 are tubes that transport fluid (air or steam) to the perforated tube 200 for moving the fluid through the unit frame 220 and into a chamber 240 defined by the unit frame 220 and two adsorbent units 150 through perforations 225, as described below. As embodied in the present disclosure, the unit frame 220 may be formed in a polygonal configuration. Additionally, as embodied in the present disclosure, the perimeter of the unit frame 220 may be formed in a rectangular configuration to align with the perimeter of the adsorbent unit 150. The perforated tube 200 for the unit frame 220 may include a plastic perforated tube 200, a polymer perforated tube 200, a metal perforated tube 200, a composite perforated tube 200, and other materials now known or later developed. As described herein, the perforations 225 in the unit frame 220 and the tube 200 allow fluid to flow into and out of the tube 200 and the unit frame 220. Although a perforated tube is used in this example, it should be noted that an unperforated tube or even a solid member may be used as long as the gas to be treated and / or the heating gas can be transported as needed in the embodiment.

[0062] Next, method 100 positions and aligns the unit frame 220 with the adsorbent unit 150. As embodied in the present disclosure, the unit frame 220 may be positioned on and within the edge 111 of the adsorbent unit 150. Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the present disclosure, the unit frame 220 may be adhered to the adsorbent unit 150 at the edge 111 in a permanent or removable manner. The unit frame 220 may be adhered to the adsorbent unit 150 at the edge 111 by any suitable adhesion method, including adhesives, thermal bonding, welding, mechanical connections, removable fasteners, or any other fasteners now known or later developed.

[0063] The unit frame 220 includes a top side 202 and a bottom side 204 ( Figure 1 ). As embodied in the present disclosure, method 100 also includes forming a contactor module 250 ( Figure 1)。The formation of the contactor module 250 includes attaching a sized adsorbent unit 150 to the top side 202 of the unit frame 220 and attaching another sized adsorbent 150 to the bottom side 204 of the unit frame 220, with one adsorbent unit 150 disposed on each of the two sides 202, 204, wherein a layer of the membrane 110 contacts the unit frame 110 and defines a chamber 240 therewith. By disposing the adsorbent material layer 124 as the outermost layer as shown, the contactor module 250 can be used as a heating module through which steam or another hot gas can pass via the unit frame 220 to heat the adsorbent material layer 124, thereby releasing the adsorbed carbon dioxide and, in so doing, "regenerating" the adsorbent material 120 in the adsorbent material layer 124. Thus, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the contactor module 250 includes a layer of a first adsorbent unit 150 attached to the top side 202 of the unit frame 220 and a second adsorbent unit 150 attached to the bottom side 204 of the unit frame 220, whereby the unit frame 220 and the two adsorbent units 150 form the contactor module 250 with a frame chamber 240 therebetween. It should be understood that by alternatively disposing the adsorbent material layers 124 facing each other in the chamber 240, the contactor module 250 can be used as an exposure module through which a gas carrying carbon dioxide can pass for adsorption of carbon dioxide by the adsorbent material layer 124. When the adsorbent material layers 124 become "full" or saturated, they can be heated as needed to release the adsorbed carbon dioxide, thereby regenerating the adsorbent material 120 in the adsorbent material layers 124 for further adsorption of carbon dioxide.

[0064] Method 100 further includes forming a scalable gas separation contactor module assembly 500( Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B ). As described above, for simplicity, the gas separation contactor module assembly will be referred to herein as the "contactor module assembly". The scalable contactor module assembly 500 includes a plurality of contactor modules 250 (configured herein as heating modules) and an air frame 400. The air frame 400 includes perforated tubes 410. Sections of the perforated tubes 410 can be connected to form the air frame 400, wherein the perimeter corresponds to the perimeter of the heating module 250. Corner pieces 421 connect the perforated tubes 410. Thus, the air frame 400 includes corner pieces 421 that transport a fluid (air or steam) to the perforated tubes 410 for moving the fluid in the air frame 400, as described below. As embodied in the present disclosure, in the scalable contactor module assembly, adjacent ones of the plurality of heating modules 250 and the air frame 400 can share the corner pieces 221 and 421 that are adjacent to the sides of the scalable contactor module assembly 500.

[0065] As embodied in the present disclosure, the air frame 400 can be formed in a polygonal configuration. Additionally, as embodied in the present disclosure, the perimeter of the air frame 400 can be formed in a rectangular configuration to align with the contactor module 250. The perforated tubes 410 for the air frame 400 can include plastic perforated tubes 410, polymer perforated tubes 410, metal perforated tubes 410, composite perforated tubes 410, and other materials now known or later developed. The perforations 415 in the air frame 400 and the tubes 410 allow fluid to flow into and out of the tubes 410 and the air frame 400, as described below. As described above, portions of the air frame 400 can use other components in place of the perforated tubes 410, such as unperforated tubes or even solid components, as long as the gas to be processed and / or the heated gas can be conveyed as needed.

[0066] The expandable contactor module assembly 500( Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B ) includes an air frame 400 disposed between two heating modules 250. The expandable contactor module assembly 500 includes one heating module 250 disposed on either side of the air frame 400. When so arranged, the heating modules 250 and the air frame 400 define an exposure chamber 420 therebetween, where the adsorbent material layers 124 are at the top and bottom of the exposure chamber 420. The expandable contactor module assembly 500 is configured for the flow of steam in the heating modules 250 and the flow of carbon dioxide-laden gas (such as air) in the air frame 400 and through the exposure chamber 420. Examples of operation can include passing air through the air frame 400 and the exposure chamber 420 until the adsorbent material layers 124 are "filled" or saturated. Then, a hot gas (such as steam) can be passed through the heating modules 250 to heat the adsorbent material layers 124, thereby releasing the stored carbon dioxide. Then carbon dioxide adsorption can be resumed.

[0067] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The construction of only shows one aspect of the embodiment. As embodied in the present disclosure, the expandable contactor module assembly 500 can include a plurality of stacked expandable contactor module assemblies 500. In this aspect of the present disclosure, additional air frames 400 can be connected to one or two heating modules 250, with another heating module 250 connected to each added air frame 400, resulting in an arrangement with alternating heating modules 250 and air frames 400. This arrangement can be repeated and can include as many heating modules 250 and air frames 400 as required for a given usage. Having a heating module 250 at the ends of such an arrangement can be advantageous, and in an embodiment, if needed, the outermost heating module 250 can have a membrane 110 on its outer side and, if needed, its adsorbent material layer 124 can also be omitted.

[0068] In addition, Figure 2A and Figure 2B additional aspects of the expandable contactor module assembly 500 will include placing a second expandable contactor module assembly 500 on one "side" of the expandable contactor module assembly 500. With respect to Figure 2B , an additional expandable contactor module assembly 500 can be connected to the leftmost 510 or the rightmost 511 of the expandable contactor module assembly 500 (as Figure 2A and Figure 2B shown), although the additional module assembly 500 can also be placed on the "closer to the observer" side and / or "farther from the observer" side of the expandable contactor module assembly 500. In this configuration, the added heating modules 250 of the added expandable contactor module assemblies 500 are aligned with each other, and the additional airframes 400 of the added expandable contactor module assemblies 500 are also aligned with the airframe 400. Thus, "layers" of the scalable contactor module assembly 500 can be formed from left to right and toward and away from the observer. This arrangement can be combined with the stacking described above to form a three-dimensional structure of the expandable contactor module assembly 500, which includes as many heating modules 250 and airframes 400 as may be desired and / or suitable for a particular application.

[0069] Thus, as embodied in the present disclosure, a contactor module 250 (such as a heating module) includes a first adsorbent unit 150 and a second adsorbent unit 150, each adsorbent unit 150 including an adsorbent material layer 124 disposed on a membrane 110; and a unit frame 220, wherein the unit frame 220 includes a top side 202 and a bottom side 204. The unit frame 220 having the membrane 110 forms a chamber 240 for fluid flow. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the chamber 240 is configured for the flow of steam to heat the adsorbent material layer 124 to release the captured material.

[0070] Figure 3A and 3B show alternative forms of the contactor module of the embodiment, herein referred to as the exposed module 260, where the adsorbent unit 150 can be attached to a solid frame 180. In an embodiment, two adsorbent units 150 can be attached to the solid frame 180, where the layers of the membrane 110 face each other. In either case, the membrane 110 of the adsorbent unit 150 can be attached to the solid frame 180 in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to the attachment of the adsorbent unit 150 to the unit frame 220 ( Figure 1 ). Alternatively, as Figure 4A and 4BAs can be seen, the frame 180 of the exposure module 260 may include a top portion 181 and a bottom portion 182, which may be placed on either side of the membrane 110 of the adsorbent unit 150 to hold the membrane 110 therebetween. For example, the top portion 181 and the bottom portion 182 may include features that interlock when assembled and a force is applied, thereby clamping the membrane 110 therebetween. Such a multi-part frame may be used with or without an adhesive or other suitable and / or desired attachment means. It should also be noted that, if desired and / or appropriate, two adsorbent units 150 may be used with the multi-part frame 180. Additionally, while a four-sided solid frame 180 is shown as an example, some embodiments may alternatively use two opposing members, including in the Figure 4A and Figure 4B example shown, in which case each of the two opposing members would be a two-part member.

[0071] Figure 5A and Figure 5B FIG. schematically shows an example of the construction of the stacked air frame 400, adsorbent unit 150, and unit frame 220 and the fluid flow therein. In Figure 5A and Figure 5B , the opposing corners are the source and discharge of the gas for each chamber. Thus, as Figure 5B shown, particularly for the top air frame 400 shown, a gas carrying carbon dioxide, such as air, may be supplied at the first corner 431 such that the gas flows in a first direction into each air chamber 420, such as through the perforations 415, through the chamber 420 to reach and exit the opposing second corner 432. Similarly, as Figure 5A shown, particularly for the top unit frame 220 shown, a hot gas such as steam may be supplied at the third corner 433 such that the steam flows in a second direction into each chamber 240, such as via the perforations 225, through the chamber 240 to reach and exit the opposing fourth corner 434. In this configuration, the main flow direction through each chamber is diagonal such that the steam and air flow substantially orthogonally to each other. The stacked and layered arrangement described above with respect to the examples shown in Figure 2A and 2B may be applied to the examples of Figure 5A and Figure 5B to form a structure including as many air frames 400, adsorbent units 150, and unit frames 220 as may be appropriate and / or desired.

[0072] Figure 6 and Figures 8 - 11 show additional embodiments of the construction of the contactor module assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 6Illustrates components that form a contactor module (referred to herein as the exposure module 260) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 Shows a front view of a representative prior art direct contactor module assembly 290. Figure 8 Shows a front view of a representative indirect contact tube heating contactor module assembly 625 as embodied in the present disclosure. Figure 9 Is a front view of a tube integrated direct contact / heating contactor module assembly 650 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 Shows a front view of a tube integrated indirect contact / heating contactor module assembly 675 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 Shows Figure 8 An elevated front view of the indirect contact tube heating contactor module assembly 625. Figure 12 Shows an elevated side view of two stacked pluralities of tube integrated indirect heating contactor module assemblies 625 arranged and connected adjacent to each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 And Figure 14 Shows an embodiment of the direct contact module assembly 625. Figures 15 - 17 Shows embodiments of the contact module assemblies 625, 650, 675 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] As embodied in the present disclosure, the contactor module assembly includes an adsorbent material, such as a MOF, which is arranged to be in direct contact with a fluid containing a material to be captured. The adsorbent material and the fluid "touch" or engage. The direct contactor module assembly brings a heat source (such as steam or another hot fluid) into direct contact with the adsorbent material to facilitate desorption and regeneration of the adsorbent material so that the adsorbent material can be reused for further capture. In contrast, the indirect contactor module assembly has an intermediate element that separates the direct contact of the adsorbent material from a heat source (such as steam or another hot fluid). For example, and as illustrated and embodied in the present disclosure, a polymer material can be provided between the adsorbent material and the carrier of heat to facilitate desorption to regenerate the adsorbent material for further capture.

[0074] Regarding Figure 6 , an adsorbent unit 150 is provided, such as mounted on a frame 610, and the frame can be as Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A And Figure 4BThe frame 180 shown to form the exposed module 260. As described above, some embodiments may use a frame 180 including at least two opposing members, while other embodiments may use a four-sided frame of four members, and each member may be a single part or may have two parts. As embodied in the present disclosure, the adsorbent unit 150 may be any suitable adsorbent unit. For purposes of discussion, Figures 6 - 10 the description will refer to the adsorbent unit 150 as described and provided with respect to the above embodiments and as Figure 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Accordingly, the formation and construction of the adsorbent unit 150 and the exposed module 260 are discussed with reference to the above description of the adsorbent unit 150.

[0075] In Figure 6 , components of the forming members for forming the contactor module assembly are shown. In Figure 6 , a frame 610 for the adsorbent unit 150, such as the frame 180, is provided. In an embodiment, the frame 610 surrounds the adsorbent unit 150 and is attached to the membrane 110. As with the above embodiments, the perimeters of the frame 610 and the adsorbent unit 150 may be formed in a polygonal configuration. Additionally, in another aspect of the present disclosure, the perimeters of the frame 610 and the adsorbent unit 150 may be formed in a rectangular configuration. It should be noted that while two layers of adsorbent material 124 are shown, either layer of adsorbent material 124 may be omitted, such as for the top or bottom of the exposed module 260 at the top or bottom of the assembly. Advantageously, two layers of adsorbent material 124 are provided by mounting two adsorbent units 150, wherein their membrane layers 110 are joined to each other.

[0076] It is noted that the contactor module 250 ( Figure 1 ) and the exposed module 260 have some operational differences. For example, the contactor module 250 ( Figure 1 ) defines a chamber 240 through which fluid passes for heating or for treating a gas for adsorption, depending on the particular orientation of the adsorbent unit 150. In contrast, the exposed module 260 is configured for fluid to pass over its exterior.

[0077] Figure 7Shows a direct contact contactor assembly of the prior art, in which a plurality of contactor modules 292 are arranged between side walls 294 and have a support layer 296 on which an adsorbent material 298 is present. During operation, the gas to be treated passes through the assembly 290 and through the adsorbent material 298 of the contactor module 290 into or out of the page until the adsorbent material 298 is saturated, at which time a heating gas passes through the assembly 290 out of or into the layer to regenerate the adsorbent material 298. When the adsorbent material 298 is regenerated, the gas to be treated then passes through the assembly 290 into or out of the page, and the cycle is repeated as needed.

[0078] Figures 8 - 11 Shows an example of contactor module assemblies 625, 650, 675, which can be constructed using exposed modules 260, dipipes 612, and cross pipes 614. In Figures 8 - 10 the embodiment, the frame 610 does not convey fluid to the adsorbent material layer 124. Instead, the gas to be treated carrying the material to be adsorbed enters or leaves the page through the ends (not shown) of the assembly, and a heating fluid or heating gas (such as steam and / or hot air) is carried to the contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 through one or more of the dipipes 612 and cross pipes 614. The dipipe 612 allows flow in two directions, and as Figures 8 - 11 shown, the two directions are perpendicular to the drawing. The cross pipe 614 allows flow in four directions. As Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, the four directions are perpendicular and horizontal with respect to the drawing. In other words, the four flow directions in the cross pipe 614 are orthogonal to each other on the x-axis and y-axis.

[0079] Figure 13 and Figure 14 Schematically shows an embodiment of the contactor module assembly 625 in the capture device 700. Figure 13 Shows an elevated end view, while Figure 14 shows an elevated side view. The capture device 700 includes a restraint 702 for the contactor module assembly 625. The restraint 702 has side walls 704 and top and bottom walls 705, and the side walls engage and / or support the frame 610 of the contactor module 625. A first gas chamber 706 and a second gas chamber 708 can be attached to opposite ends of the restraint 702, each gas chamber having a first valve 710 and a second valve 712 ( Figure 14One of (not shown in the figure) is used to switch between the corresponding conduits. For example, during the capture cycle, the first valve 710 can be opened to the first source conduit 714 (such as a gas source to be processed), and the second valve 712 can be opened to the first discharge conduit 720. With this configuration, the gas to be processed can enter the first gas chamber 706, pass through the contactor module assembly 625, and leave via the second gas chamber 708. Similarly, during the regeneration cycle, the second valve 712 can be opened to the second source conduit 716 (such as a heated gas source), and the first valve 710 can be opened to the second discharge conduit. With this configuration, the heated gas can enter the second gas chamber 708, pass through the contactor module assembly 625, and leave via the first gas chamber 706. The flow direction is specifically shown in Figure 14 where the exemplary gas to be processed is air, and the exemplary heated gas is steam.

[0080] Figures 8 - 11 Embodiments also include the ability to form scalable contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675. The scalable contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 include a plurality of contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675, which are positioned side by side horizontally and / or one vertically on top of the other according to design requirements, as Figure 12 and Figures 15 - 17 schematically shown. The scalable contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 can be stacked and combined vertically or horizontally with at least one other contactor module assembly 625, 650, and 675 to form a stacked contactor module assembly 625, 650, and 675.

[0081] In certain aspects of the embodiments, as Figures 15 - 17 shown, adjacent side-by-side contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 can share the two-way pipe 612 of adjacent scalable contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675, or share the four-way pipe 614 of adjacent scalable contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675, where the shared pipe, the two-way pipe 612 or the four-way pipe 614, is located at the corner of adjacent scalable contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675. By positioning the two-way pipe 612 or the four-way pipe 614 at the corner of adjacent scalable contactor module assemblies 650 and 675, the air and / or steam flow represented by the arrow F in the two-way pipe 612 or the four-way pipe 614 can be effectively delivered to one or more of the adjacent scalable contactor module assemblies 650 and 675.

[0082] In addition, in some aspects of the embodiments, one vertical direct contactor module assembly on top of another vertical direct contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 may share the dipipes 612 of the bottom or top extensible contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675, or share the cross pipes 614 of the bottom or top extensible contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675. Further, in some embodiments, by positioning the dipipe 612 or the cross pipe 614 at the corner of adjacent extensible contactor module assemblies 650 and 675, the air and / or vapor flow represented by arrow F in the dipipe 612 or the cross pipe 614 can be effectively delivered to one or more of the vertically oriented and / or stacked extensible contactor module assemblies 650 and 675.

[0083] In the embodiments showing the extensible contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 Figures 8 - 10 , the heating gas flow, such as hot air and / or vapor flow, is represented by arrow F in the dipipe 612 or the cross pipe 614. Further, the gas flow (such as the gas flow of the gas to be treated (such as air)) in the extensible contactor module assemblies 625, 650, and 675 enters the page, specified by the end of the arrow as "x" in the circle, and exits the page, specified by the tip of the arrow as a circle with a dot in its center.

[0084] Thus, in Figure 8 the heating gas is delivered by the pipe 612, and the gas to be treated is shown as entering the page. For example, air can pass between the exposure modules 260 and through the adsorbent material layer 124 such that the adsorbent material layer 124 can adsorb carbon dioxide. When the adsorbent material layer 124 becomes saturated with carbon dioxide, the air flow can be stopped, and hot gas (such as steam) can be delivered through the dipipe 612 to heat and regenerate the adsorbent material layer 124. When the adsorbent material layer 124 is sufficiently regenerated, the air flow can be resumed, and air can pass over the adsorbent material layer 124, for example, entering the page as shown in Figure 8 to capture more carbon dioxide. These steps can be repeated as needed. It should be understood that during regeneration, carbon dioxide is released into the remaining air between the exposure modules 260, and this air can be directed to a carbon dioxide storage system known in the art. In an embodiment, the air flow can continue during regeneration, where the air leaving the exposure modules 260 is directed to a carbon dioxide reservoir.

[0085] Similarly, in Figure 9In this case, during the regeneration cycle, the heating gas is conveyed by the tubes 614 and is conveyed between the exposure modules 260, and the gas to be processed is shown to flow into the page during the capture cycle. In this way, for example, air can pass between the exposure modules 260 and through the adsorbent material layer 124, such that the adsorbent material layer 124 can adsorb carbon dioxide. When the adsorbent material layer 124 becomes saturated with carbon dioxide, the air flow can be stopped, and steam can be passed between the exposure modules 260 via the tubes 614 to heat and regenerate the adsorbent material layer and carry the released carbon dioxide out of the contactor module assembly 650. When the adsorbent material layer 124 is sufficiently regenerated, the steam flow can be stopped, and the air flow can be resumed until the adsorbent material layer 124 is saturated, and the cycle can be repeated as needed. It should be understood that during regeneration, carbon dioxide is released into the steam flowing between the exposure modules 260, and the steam can be directed to a carbon dioxide storage system known in the art.

[0086] Similarly, in Figure 10 this case, the heating gas passes through the tubes 612 and 614 and passes between the top two and bottom two exposure modules 260 of the contactor module assembly 675, and the gas to be processed enters the page between the middle two exposure modules 260. For example, during capture, air can pass between the middle two exposure modules 260 and across the adsorbent material layer 124, such that carbon dioxide can be adsorbed by the adsorbent material layer 124. When the adsorbent material layer 124 becomes saturated with carbon dioxide, the air flow can be stopped, and steam can be passed via the tube 614 between the top two and bottom two exposure modules 260 to heat and regenerate the adsorbent material layer 124. When the adsorbent material layer 124 is sufficiently regenerated, the steam flow can be stopped and the air flow can be resumed until the adsorbent material layer 124 is saturated, and these steps can be repeated as needed. It should be understood that during regeneration, carbon dioxide is released into the air retained between the middle two exposure modules 260, and the air can be directed to a carbon dioxide storage system known in the art. In an embodiment, the air flow can continue during regeneration, wherein the air leaving the exposure module 260 is directed to a carbon dioxide reservoir.

[0087] Now turning to Figure 15 this, an embodiment of the capture device 700 includes a container 702 that houses a plurality of indirect contactor module assemblies 625. As shown, the indirect contactor module assemblies 625 can be stacked and placed side by side, and can share the tubes 612 at their corners. As Figure 13 and 14As shown, the container 700 can include sidewalls 704 and top and bottom walls 705. The first gas chamber 706 and the second gas chamber 708 can be mounted on the ends of the container 702, but here, each gas chamber only processes the gas to be processed via the first source conduit 714 and the first discharge conduit 720 respectively. The second source conduit 716 can be connected to one or more tubes 612, 614( Figure 6 , 8 -11), which can convey heated gas between the components 625 and convey it to the second discharge conduit 718. Additional tubes can be added as appropriate or as needed to enhance steam distribution. In such a configuration, for example, air can pass through the contactor module assembly 625 to capture carbon dioxide, and steam can pass through the tubes to heat and regenerate the adsorbent material in the contactor module assembly 625. In an embodiment, the flow of air can be continuous, where the air leaving the device 700 during regeneration is transferred to a reservoir.

[0088] In Figure 16 , the capture device 700 uses a plurality of connected contactor module assemblies 650, which are tube-integrated direct contact module assemblies. Figure 16 The body of the example of Figure 15 is the same as the body shown in

[0089] In Figure 17 , the capture device uses a plurality of connected contactor module assemblies 675, which are tube-integrated indirect contactor module assemblies. Similarly, this structure is very similar to the structures of Figure 15 and Figure 16 , but here the two-way tube 612 and the four-way tube 614 are constructed as in Figure 10 , where alternating heating chambers and capture chambers are defined between the exposed modules of the contactor module assembly 675. Additionally, a baffle 722 can be included to prevent air from entering the heated exposed modules of the contactor module assembly 675. In a specific illustration, six contactor module assemblies 675 are shown as two adjacent stacks of three that share corner tubes. Similar to the illustrations of Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the chambers defined by the top two and bottom two exposed modules and by every other (vertical) pair of exposed modules are heating chambers, and the four-way tube 614 allows steam to pass through it during regeneration. Here, the air flow can be allowed to continue during regeneration, where the air leaving the second gas chamber 708 during regeneration is directed to a carbon dioxide reservoir.

[0090] As will be appreciated, the technical effect of the embodiments herein is to implement relatively inexpensive and highly scalable modular components for capturing airborne materials, such as carbon dioxide in the air. By using less expensive materials, such as plastic pipes or frames, etc., a lower cost is achieved. Scalability is achieved through the modular nature of the components themselves. Although Figure 12 and Figures 15 - 17 illustrate the construction of six components, it should be understood that the stack can be higher and wider, and the rows can also be higher and wider. In other words, by making appropriate changes to the constraints, Figures 15 - 17 the connecting components themselves can be replicated and connected on three axes to achieve a huge capture capacity.

[0091] As used throughout the specification and claims, approximating language may be used to modify any quantitative representation that can permit variation without resulting in a change in the basic function associated therewith. Accordingly, values modified by one or more terms, such as "about", "approximately", and "substantially", are not limited to the precise values specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Herein and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged; unless the context or language indicates otherwise, these ranges are recognized and include all subranges subsumed therein. "About" applied to a particular value of a range applies to both end values thereof and, unless otherwise dependent on the precision of the instrument measuring the value, may indicate + / −10% of that value.

[0092] All structural, material, act, and equivalents of the means or step plus function elements in the following claims are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been given for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure with various modifications suitable for the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A method of forming a gas separation contactor module assembly (675, 650, and 675), the method comprising: Disposing an adsorbent material (120) on a membrane (110); Thermally treating (130) the adsorbent material (120) on the membrane (110); Sizing the adsorbent material (120) on the membrane (110) to correspond to the size of a first frame (610) to form an adsorbent unit (150); Disposing the adsorbent unit (150) on the first frame (610) to form a first exposed module (260); Forming a second exposed module, a third exposed module, and a fourth exposed module; And Attaching at least one of two-way pipes (612, 625, 675) and four-way pipes (614, 650, 675) to a corner between a first exposed module, a second exposed module, a third exposed module, and a fourth exposed module (260) having a vertical partition therebetween, the first exposed module (260) being a top exposed module (260), and the fourth exposed module being a bottom exposed module (260), wherein at least one of the two-way pipe (612) and the four-way pipe (614) is disposed at a corner of the gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising stacking the gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675) such that they are connected to at least one other gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) to form a connected gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675) are connected at their corresponding corners.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675) share at least one of the two-way pipe (612) and the four-way pipe (614) disposed at the corners of the exposed modules (260).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The stacking includes vertically connecting at least two of the gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675), and omitting one of the top exposed module (260) of the lower gas separation contactor module assembly and the bottom exposed module (260) of the higher gas separation contactor module assembly among the gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675).

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein The stacking includes horizontally connecting at least two of the connected gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of at least one of the two-way pipe and the four-way pipe is configured to transport at least one of a gas to be treated and a heating gas to the gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, At least one of at least one of the two-way pipe (612) and the four-way pipe (614) is configured to alternately transport the gas to be treated and the heating gas and deliver them to the adsorbent material layer (124).

9. A gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675), comprising: a first adsorbent unit (150) and a second adsorbent unit (150), each adsorbent unit (150) including an adsorbent material (120) disposed on a membrane (110); at least three exposure modules (260), each exposure module including a first frame (610) having a perimeter corresponding to the perimeter of each of the first adsorbent unit and the second adsorbent unit (150), and the first adsorbent unit and the second adsorbent unit (150) being disposed on the first frame, wherein corresponding membrane layers (110) face each other; and at least one of a two-way pipe (612) and a four-way pipe (614), which is disposed at a corresponding corner of the at least three exposure modules (260), the at least three exposure modules (260) being vertically spaced apart, wherein at least one of the two-way pipe (612) and the four-way pipe (614) is disposed at a corner of the gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

10. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650 and 675) according to claim 9, wherein, At least one gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) is configured to be connected to at least one other gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) to form a connected gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

11. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to claim 10, wherein, The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) is connected at a corner of the gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

12. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to claim 9, wherein, The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) shares at least one of a two-way pipe (612) and a four-way pipe (614) disposed at a corner of an exposure module (260) of the gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675).

13. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to claim 12, wherein, The connected gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) includes at least two vertically connected gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675).

14. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to claim 12, wherein, The connected gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) includes at least two horizontally connected gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675).

15. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to claim 14, wherein, The connected gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) further includes at least two vertically connected gas separation contactor module assemblies (625, 650, and 675).

16. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of at least one of the two-way pipe (612) and the four-way pipe (614) is configured to transport at least one of a gas to be processed and a heating gas.

17. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, 675) according to claim 9, wherein, At least one gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) is a direct contactor gas separation contactor module assembly, wherein at least one of at least one of the dipipes (612) and the quadripipes (614) is configured to transport at least one of the gas to be treated and the heating gas, and the gas to be treated and the heating gas alternately flow through the corresponding adsorbent material (120).

18. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) according to claim 9, wherein, At least one gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, and 675) is an indirect contactor gas separation contactor module assembly, wherein only the gas to be treated flows through the corresponding adsorbent material (120).

19. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, 675) according to claim 9, wherein, The first frame (610) includes a top portion (181) and a bottom portion (182), and the peripheral regions of the membranes (110) of both the first adsorbent unit and the second adsorbent unit (150) are held between the top portion and the bottom portion.

20. The gas separation contactor module assembly (625, 650, 675) according to claim 1, wherein, The first frame (610) includes a top portion (181) and a bottom portion (182), and the peripheral regions of the membranes (110) of both the first adsorbent unit and the second adsorbent unit (150) are held between the top portion and the bottom portion.

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