Low pressure drop structure of particulate sorbent bed for improved adsorptive gas separation process

Abstract

A gas separation unit is disclosed for separating a first gas from a mixture comprising the first gas and other gases by a cyclic adsorption / desorption process for gas adsorption using a loose particulate adsorbent material. A plurality of particulate active material constructions are disposed in at least two stacked layers mounted on a rigid rectangular circumferential frame. Each layer of the particulate active material construction includes two sheets of flexible fabric material that is hydrophobic and gas permeable but impermeable to loose particulate active material for gas adsorption. A plurality of tubes for heat exchange fluid are provided within the frame. The frame structure is provided with a plurality of holes through which a plurality of tubes pass.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 432,299, filed December 13, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to adsorbent bed structures for gas separation processes and the use of such structures for gas separation, such as for separating / capturing CO2 from a gas stream. Background Art

[0003] Gas separation by adsorption has many different applications in industry, such as removing specific components from a gas stream, where the desired product can be either the component removed from the stream, the remaining depleted stream, or both. Therefore, both trace and major components in a gas stream can be the target of an adsorption process.

[0004] One important application is the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas streams, such as flue gases, exhaust gases, industrial waste gases, biogas or atmospheric air.

[0005] Direct capture of CO₂ from the atmosphere, known as direct air capture (DAC), is one of several means of reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and holds attractive economic promise as a non-fossil, location-independent source of CO₂ for commodity markets and synthetic fuel production. Specific advantages of capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere include: (i) DAC can address emissions from decentralized sources (e.g., cars, airplanes), which account for a large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions and are currently not economically feasible to capture at the point of emission; (ii) DAC can address past emissions and thus can result in true negative emissions; (iii) DAC systems do not need to be attached to emission sources but can instead be location-independent and can be located at the site where the CO₂ is further processed; and (iv) if the CO₂ captured from the atmosphere is used to produce synthetic hydrocarbon fuels made from renewable energy sources, a truly non-fossil fuel for the transportation sector can be obtained that produces no or very little net CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere.

[0006] Recently, several DAC methods have been developed based on various technical approaches. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,163,066 B2 (Eisenberger) discloses a carbon dioxide capture / regeneration structure and technology; US 2009 / 0120288 A1 (Lackner et al.) discloses a method for removing carbon dioxide from air; US 2012 / 0174778 A1 (Eisenberger) discloses a carbon dioxide capture / regeneration method using a vertical lift; and WO 2010 / 022339 A2 (Alberta Ltd.) discloses a carbon dioxide capture method and facility.

[0007] One specific method is based on a cyclic adsorption / desorption process on a solid, chemically functionalized adsorbent material. For example, WO 2010 / 091831 A1 (ETH Zurich) discloses a structure based on an amine-functionalized solid adsorbent material and a cyclic adsorption / desorption process for extracting carbon dioxide from ambient air using this material. The adsorption process is carried out under the following ambient conditions: air flows through the adsorbent material, and a portion of the CO2 contained in the air chemically binds to the amine-functionalized surface of the adsorbent. During the subsequent desorption, the material is heated to approximately 50-110°C. The partial pressure of the carbon dioxide surrounding the adsorbent is then reduced by applying a vacuum or exposing the adsorbent to a purge gas stream. As a result, the previously captured carbon dioxide is removed from the adsorbent material and obtained in concentrated form.

[0008] In WO 2012 / 168346 A1 (Empa In Materialprüfungs-Und Forschungsanstalt)), an adsorbent material based on amine-functionalized cellulose is disclosed, which can be used in the above-mentioned process.

[0009] Typically, for adsorption-based gas separation processes, it is desirable to construct an adsorbent material that imposes a very small pressure drop on the gas stream to minimize the energy required for gas pumping while achieving maximum contact between the adsorbent and the gas stream, thereby maximizing the mass transfer rate of the component to be removed from the gas stream. Typical configurations include packed bed columns or fluidized beds, which are typically tens of centimeters to several meters in length and typically impose a pressure drop of several kilopascals to several bars on the gas stream. For example, such a structure is disclosed in WO 2014 / 170184 A1 (Climeworks AG).

[0010] If trace components are removed from the gas stream, the pressure drop requirements become even more stringent. In particular, all DAC methods face a common major challenge, namely the very large amount of air (volume) that must pass through any capture system to extract a certain amount of CO2 from the air. The reason for this is that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is very low, currently between 390 and 400 ppm, or about 0.04%. Therefore, in order to extract one metric ton of CO2 from the atmosphere, at least about 1,400,000 cubic meters of air must pass through the capture system. This in turn means that economically viable capture systems must have a very low pressure drop over the air stream passing through them. Otherwise, the energy requirements for air pumping will make the system uneconomical. However, any low pressure drop configuration should not compromise the mass transfer characteristics of the system.

[0011] Although many materials with good properties for DAC processes are typically in granular form, their arrangement in fluidized beds or conventional packed bed columns, which are typically tens of centimeters to several meters in length, will generally not be feasible because the resulting pressure drop will exceed tolerable limits by one or several orders of magnitude.

[0012] On the other hand, in the field of particle filters for gas streams, in particular soot particle filters for exhaust gases, channel filter structures have been developed, often referred to as "wall flow" filters, see, for example, EP 0766993 A2 (Toyota Motor Corporation). In these structures, the gas flow enters the structure through inlet channels, passes through porous walls, and leaves the structure through outlet channels, where the soot particles are trapped.

[0013] Monolithic structures comprising adsorbent materials have also been developed in the context of gas separation and adsorption, for example, WO 2010 / 027929 A1 (Alstom Technology Ltd), US Pat. No. 8,202,350 B2 (SRI International). Summary of the Invention

[0014] U.S. Patent No. 11,007,470 B2, assigned to Climeworks Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the "'470 Climeworks Publication"), provides an improved gas separation unit for separating at least one first gas from a mixture comprising the first gas and a gas other than the first gas using a cyclic adsorption / desorption process by using a loose granular adsorbent material for gas adsorption. Typically, the loose granular adsorbent material used for gas adsorption is a granular material functionalized at least on its surface with an amine, such as a weakly basic ion exchange resin, for capturing the first gas, particularly when the first gas is carbon dioxide. Examples of such materials are disclosed, for example, in WO 2010 / 091831 A1 or WO 2016 / 005226 A1 (Climeworks Inc.). The loose particulate adsorbent material can be, for example, a specific amine-modified material, preferably based on a weakly basic ion exchange resin, in particular a polystyrene matrix material modified with amine groups, in particular primary amine groups, or based on cellulose, more preferably based on an amine-modified nanofibrillated cellulose, preferably having an average particle size in the range of 60 to 1200 μm, for the adsorption of carbon dioxide. However, the material can also be another material in particulate form that is capable of adsorbing CO2 when a gas stream passes through it and is capable of releasing the CO2 again if corresponding different conditions are selected (primarily a change in at least one of the conditions of pressure, temperature or humidity). According to the disclosure of the '470 Climeworks publication, the particulate adsorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers (the stacked layers forming a stack, typically consisting of a plurality of such layers, normally at least 4 layers, preferably at least 10 layers, particularly preferably layers in the range of 25-40 layers or 25-60 layers being arranged in such a stack), wherein each layer comprises two sheets of flexible fabric material which is permeable to gas but impermeable to the loose particulate adsorbent material, and wherein the sheets are arranged substantially parallel to define an inlet face of the layer and an outlet face of the layer.

[0015] In the present disclosure, a particulate adsorbent material (as disclosed in the '470 Climeworks disclosure above) may be considered an "active material" that is capable of actively performing the adsorption and desorption processes disclosed herein. In some examples, the active material may alternatively be an inactive particulate substrate (which is incapable of performing the adsorption and desorption processes by itself) that is coated with an active material, such as a soluble adsorbent material, to form active adsorbent particles based on an inactive particulate base. Thus, the active material may be an active adsorbent particulate material or an inactive particulate base coated with a soluble adsorbent material as disclosed herein. In some examples, the active material may include, but is not limited to, an ion exchange resin (e.g., a strongly basic anion exchange resin, such as Dowex available from The Dow Chemical Company). TM Marathon TM A resin), zeolite, activated carbon, alumina, metal organic framework, polyethyleneimine (PEI), or other suitable CO2 adsorption materials, such as desiccant, carbon molecular sieve, carbon adsorbent, graphite, activated alumina, molecular sieve, aluminum phosphate, silicoaluminophosphate, zeolite adsorbent, ion exchange zeolite, hydrophilic zeolite, hydrophobic zeolite, modified zeolite, natural zeolite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, mordenite, metal exchange silicoaluminophosphate, monopolar resin, bipolar resin, aromatic cross-linked polystyrene matrix, Brominated aromatic matrices, methacrylate copolymers, graphite adsorbents, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, nanomaterials, metal salt adsorbents, perchlorates, oxalates, alkaline earth metal particles, microporous titanosilicates such as Engelhard titanosilicate (ETS) and / or coralline titanosilicate (CTS), metal oxides, chemical adsorbents, amines, organometallic reactants, hydrotalcites, silicalite, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, and metal organic framework (MOF) adsorbent compounds, and / or any suitable combination thereof.

[0016] In the '470 Climeworks publication, when reference is made to stacked layers or a stack, it is not intended that the individual layers must be superimposed on one another and / or in contact with one another. The layers in such a stack are arranged adjacent (but at a distance from one another) and proximate, and their principal planes are arranged to be parallel, substantially parallel, or have a specified inclination angle (angle between the plane normals) not exceeding 10°.

[0017] The stack of the '470 Climeworks publication can be oriented so that the planes of the individual layers are substantially horizontal. Thus, in this case, there are horizontal slots between the layers for the inlet flow of the gas mixture and horizontal slots for the outlet flow of the CO2-depleted gas. This substantially horizontal stack configuration can be selected to avoid the formation of holes in the layers due to movement of the adsorbent material during operation. Such holes can result in the bypassing of a large portion of the main air flow because they can create areas of significantly lower pressure drop.

[0018] However, according to the '470 Climeworks publication, in some cases it has been observed that pores can be formed in this substantially horizontal configuration and that more controlled pore formation can be achieved along the vertical orientation of the stack and / or with better uniformity and stability of the layer surface.

[0019] Thus, according to another embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the layers can be arranged vertically, i.e., the entire stack can be rotated 90° about the main horizontal axis of the entire unit, as it were. In other words, along this orientation between the layers, there are vertical slots for the inflow of the gas mixture and vertical slots for the outflow of the CO2-depleted gas. In this way, however, any repositioning / movement of the adsorbent results in a uniform bed due to the weight of the adsorbent material and the corresponding downward movement of the particles, thereby closing any holes formed during the self-sorting process. In order to prevent holes formed at the upper edge of the layer from causing bypass, a strip, preferably made of aluminum, can be attached to the upper edge. The strip is oriented along the upper edge of the layer on the inflow and outflow faces of the layer, contacts the outer surface of the layer, covers and thereby blocks the inflow of a portion of the layer and any holes that may have formed, and thus forces all inflow to pass through the adsorbent material layer containing sufficient adsorbent particles in that area. The width of the strip can be in the range of 1-25 cm or 1-15 cm, preferably in the range of 2-15 cm or 2-10 cm.

[0020] In addition, according to the '470 Climeworks disclosure, intermediate rotated stack orientations are possible in which the plane normals are oriented in a plane perpendicular to the inflow direction, such as an orientation in which the inlet slots for the inflow of the gas mixture and the slots for the outflow of the CO2-depleted gas are in a direction between horizontal or vertical, such as an orientation at 45°.

[0021] Further, the flexible fabric material layers of the '470 Climeworks publication are spaced between 0.3-5.0 cm or 0.5-2.5 cm apart and enclose a cavity within which the granular adsorbent material is located. The type of flexible fabric material is selected to be sufficiently permeable to gas / air to allow optimal flow of a gas or, generally, a mixture of gases (e.g., air) therethrough, and sufficiently sealed to prevent the granular adsorbent material from penetrating the layers.

[0022] In the present disclosure, the flexible fabric material layer disclosed herein is provided at a distance (defined as thickness "T") within the range of a closed interval of 1-5 mm (1-5 mm inclusive) (e.g., within the range of a closed interval of 1-2 mm, within the range of a closed interval of 1-2.5 mm, within the range of a closed interval of 1-3 mm, within the range of a closed interval of 1-4 mm, or any other suitable value or range therebetween, or a combination thereof), and encapsulates a cavity in which the granular active material is located. The type of flexible fabric material can be selected or chosen based on one or more of the following properties: 1) the flexible fabric material can be sufficiently hydrophobic to allow water vapor to enter but prevent liquid water from entering; 2) the flexible fabric material can be sufficiently gas / air permeable to allow optimal flow of gas or generally mixed gases (such as air) through it; and / or 3) the porosity or "pores" of the flexible fabric material can be sufficiently tight to prevent particulate active material from penetrating these layers and escaping. The flexible fabric material can be provided as a laminate, and if desired, can be provided as a laminate of multiple layers with different properties, for example, one layer can provide hydrophobicity while another layer provides durability.

[0023] The layers of flexible fabric material of the '470 Climeworks publication are also mounted on a rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure, typically secured at opposite sides thereof.

[0024] The rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure of the '470 Climeworks publication is formed from four metal profiles arranged in pairs parallel to each other, the metal profiles having pairs of legs arranged substantially parallel to the inlet face of the layer and the outlet face of the layer, respectively, and allowing the sheet to be circumferentially fixed to the legs on each corresponding face.

[0025] Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, a plurality of meandering tubes for heat exchange fluid may be disposed within the rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure and within the cavity, wherein all of the plurality of tubes, on their non-bent portions, are disposed substantially parallel to a first pair of the mutually parallel metal profiles.

[0026] The tubes of the '470 Climeworks publication are in thermal contact with a plurality of metal sheets arranged parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the frame and perpendicular to the tubes (non-bent portions of the tubes). The tubes extend continuously between the first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles and are provided with a plurality of holes through which the tubes pass. The tubes of the primary heat exchange element are preferably metal tubes, preferably aluminum or copper tubes. These tubes may have an inner diameter in the range of 3-20 mm, preferably 5-12 mm, and / or an outer diameter in the range of 4-24 mm, preferably 6.2-14 mm.

[0027] The tubes of the primary heat exchange element of the '470 Climeworks publication are typically spaced apart, while extending in parallel, by a distance (x) in the range of 10 to 168 mm, preferably in the range of 15.5 to 98 mm.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, if forming a secondary heat exchange element, the thickness of the metal sheet is in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 mm, preferably in the range of 0.12 to 0.18 mm.

[0029] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, if forming a secondary heat exchange element, the height (h) of the metal sheet when measured perpendicularly to the extension direction of the tube is in the range of 3-50 mm, preferably in the range of 8-22 mm.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, if forming a secondary heat exchange element, the length of the metal sheet is less than 20 mm, preferably less than 5 mm shorter than the distance between corresponding pairs of metal profiles arranged in parallel with each other forming the rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure.

[0031] The metal sheets of the '470 Climeworks publication are preferably made of aluminum.

[0032] Typically, if forming a secondary heat exchange element, the metal sheets of the '470 Climeworks publication are spaced apart by a distance (d) in the range of 1-6 mm, preferably in the range of 3.5-5.5 mm.

[0033] The above values ​​are the best compromise in terms of the dimensioning of the tubes and metal sheets of the '470 Climeworks publication, which allows good (inter)penetration of the granular adsorbent material, also allowing filling of the structure during manufacturing, and on the other hand allowing sufficient porosity for air to pass through the layer and allow as efficient as possible heat transfer processes during the heating and cooling steps in the cyclic temperature swing (variable temperature) carbon dioxide capture process.

[0034] The tubing forming the primary heat exchange conduits of the '470 Climeworks publication may also have a non-circular cross-section (flattened shape) at least in some sections (partially). Specifically, a first outer diameter of the cross-section of the conduit, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the rigid frame structure layers, may be at least twice the second outer diameter of the cross-section of the conduit, in a longitudinal direction. By providing "slender" conduit pieces in the plane of the rigid frame structure layers, the conduit resembles upright partition walls in the cavity, providing substantially flat surfaces at the faces of adjacent conduits, thereby allowing for the most efficient attachment and heat exchange with secondary heat exchange elements in the form of heat exchange metal sheets and / or adsorbents, as discussed below.

[0035] The flat tube design of the '470 Climeworks publication offers two significant advantages over heat exchange tubes with circular cross-sections: First, because the tubes block a smaller portion of the flow cross-sectional area, a much larger area is available for gas flow through the flat surface of the flexible fabric sheet. This results in a reduced pressure drop across the airflow. Second, compared to prior art designs with circular tube cross-sections, the tubes can be spaced closer together while still maintaining a larger area available for airflow than in those prior art designs. This results in an optimized heat transfer design because the distance between the flat tubes for heat transfer via the adsorbent material is reduced.

[0036] The flat tubes of the '470 Climeworks publication may further be in thermal contact with metal sheets, which form secondary heat exchange elements and are arranged substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the rigid frame structure and extend in a swinging manner between pairs of adjacent flat tubes, thereby contacting them for thermal contact. In other words, these metal sheets either swing in a wave-like manner between adjacent flat tubes and contact the flat small-diameter surface, or zigzag (travel) between adjacent flat tubes and contact the flat small-diameter surface.

[0037] As an alternative to or in addition to the metal sheets, the flat tubes of the '470 Climeworks publication may be held in place by spacers disposed substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the frame and extending at least between pairs of adjacent flat tubes.

[0038] The unit of the '470 Climeworks publication has a gas inlet side or gas inlet manifold through which an influent of a gas mixture enters the unit and a gas outlet side or gas outlet manifold through which an outfluent gas flows out of the unit, the gas path between the influent and outfluent being restricted in the unit to pass through at least one layer.

[0039] To prevent solid particulate contaminants contained in the influent from accumulating within the adsorbent material layer, which would result in a decrease in performance, at least one additional layer of filter fabric material of the '470 Climeworks publication can be installed upstream of the stacked adsorbent material layer, so that the influent must pass through the filter fabric material. Furthermore, the flexible fabric material layer, or at least the upstream flexible fabric material layer, can also be selected to provide a filtering effect. The use of such filter materials in the CO2 capture unit, as described in further detail below, is precisely this and is independent of the frame structure.

[0040] The layers in the '470 Climeworks publication are arranged in the unit such that an inlet flow passes through an inlet face, then passes through the granular adsorbent material located within the cavity of the respective layer, then exits the respective layer through an outlet face to form a gas outflow, and the layers are arranged such that the inlet faces of adjacent layers face each other, thereby enclosing a gas inlet passage, and such that the outlet faces face each other, thereby enclosing a gas outlet passage.

[0041] The '470 Climeworks publication defines an average distance between the inlet and / or outlet faces of the channels, measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main gas inflow direction and the main gas outflow direction, respectively, in the range of 0.5-15 cm or 0.5-13 cm, including the case where the layers at adjacent edges contact each other and are inclined relative to each other, preferably, all layers forming the stack have substantially the same distance between the respective flexible fabric sheets, and thus all layers have the same height. The overall depth Dft of the frame is in the range of 0.5-1.8 m, or in the range of 0.75-1.25 m or 0.9-1.1 m. The width Wf of the frame is in the range of 0.5-1.9 m, or in the range of 0.57-1.79 m, preferably in the range of 1.19-1.58 m.

[0042] Considering the pressure drop across the layers and / or stack, considering the mechanical hardness and rigidity of each layer, and considering the thermal mass, the corresponding layer structure proposed in the '470 Climeworks publication is the best compromise. Only by optimizing these properties can the carbon dioxide capture process be carried out in an economical manner.

[0043] According to a first preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, on at least one side, preferably on both sides, of the plurality of tubes and the plurality of metal sheets for heat transfer, in particular when the plane of the stacked layers is oriented substantially horizontally, a grid structure, for example made of a metal such as aluminum, is provided, which separates the flexible textile material from the plurality of tubes and / or the plurality of metal sheets.

[0044] The metal mesh provided in the '470 Climeworks publication provides protection for the flexible textile material and improves the stability of the layer surface. Typically, the flexible textile material requires a sufficiently fine mesh to prevent the granular adsorbent material from penetrating. Therefore, it is preferably a nonwoven material, which is typically quite fragile. This fragility can be a problem if the metal sheets have sharp edges, so the mesh structure ensures that the multiple metal sheets do not damage the flexible textile layers on each side of each layer.

[0045] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, an additional mesh structure is provided on the side facing downward during use, forming the outermost layer and sandwiching the corresponding flexible fabric material layer. In other words, a sandwich is preferably attached to the downward-facing side of the frame, wherein the central flexible fabric layer is sandwiched between two mesh structures. This prevents sagging of the flexible fabric material layer and provides further protection. This is an important additional aspect to ensure the long-term use of these units, as water and moisture may weaken and / or stretch and / or extend the flexible fabric layer during such a recycling process.

[0046] Preferably, the lattice structure of the '470 Climeworks publication is provided by a preferably woven metal, particularly aluminum wire mesh, having a mesh width typically in the range 0.7-20 mm x 0.7-20 mm, preferably a mesh width in the range 1.0-2.5 mm x 1.0-2.5 mm or in the range 1.0-1.5 mm x 1.0-1.5 mm.

[0047] According to the '470 Climeworks publication, the use of aluminum has the primary advantage of good corrosion resistance while enabling lightweight construction.

[0048] By providing this structure, the grid structure in the '470 Climeworks publication protects the flexible fabric layer from being damaged by the sharp edges of the metal sheets of the heat exchange element on both sides thereof. Considering that the bottom additional grid structure is the outermost layer, it is provided to prevent the lower flexible fabric layer from sagging.

[0049] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the flexible fabric material and, if present, the additional lattice structure are secured to the frame structure by means of laths, preferably metal laths (still more preferably aluminum laths). These laths preferably extend substantially over the entire length of the respective metal profile, with the flexible fabric material layer and, if present, the additional lattice structure layer(s) being sandwiched between the respective laths and the legs of the metal profile. Further preferably, the respective laths are secured to the respective legs by at least one, and preferably a row of, rivet joints, which penetrate the laths, the layers to which they are secured, and the respective legs of the metal profile.

[0050] This attachment of the '470 Climeworks publication in particular provides a tight connection of the flexible fabric material over the entire extension of the corresponding frame element, which can be handled efficiently in production and also has a low thermal mass.

[0051] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks disclosure, the layers of at least two stacks can be held in place in the shell by at least one pair of side walls, which are arranged vertically in pairs or horizontally in pairs, and on which elements are provided that allow the layers to be moved into the shell in a replaceable manner, wherein preferably, the elements are arranged as at least one of the following: U-shaped profiles attached to the side walls; wedges attached to the side walls; groove elements attached to the side walls, which cooperate with tongue elements attached to the layers, preferably attached to the lateral frames of the layers.

[0052] According to a further preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, a pair of adjacent frame structures are provided, with opposing edges on one side contacting in use (i.e., the layers are tilted relative to each other), wherein one layer has a tongue protrusion extending across the entire width of the edge, and the other layer has a corresponding reverse profile providing a slot also extending across the entire width of the edge. Similarly, the adjacent frame elements are mechanically secured at the contacting edges and sealed relative to each other by inserting the tongue of one frame into the slot of the corresponding reverse profile of the adjacent frame.

[0053] Preferably, according to the '470 Climeworks publication, the tongue projections are realized by means of correspondingly structured wide strips that extend over and beyond the corresponding legs of the frame profile and that simultaneously also serve to secure the flexible fabric material to the legs and, if present, to secure the additional mesh structure to the legs of the corresponding metal profile.

[0054] Preferably, in accordance with the '470 Climeworks publication, the counter profile further comprises battens which can simultaneously serve to secure the flexible fabric material and, if present, the additional lattice structure to the legs of the corresponding metal profile of the adjacent frame.

[0055] By providing a groove and tongue structure of the type described in the '470 Climeworks publication, both a mechanical connection and a tight, sealed connection can be established, and furthermore, the individual layers can be easily shifted into the stack during production or replacement processes.

[0056] Another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication features individual heat exchange elements comprising tubes for a heat transfer fluid and metal sheets disposed within a rigid rectangular frame structure, which itself may be provided with frame elements holding the heat exchange elements together.

[0057] In other words, the heat exchange elements of the '470 Climeworks publication may be provided as separate free-standing (self-supporting) elements that may be manufactured separately and then inserted into a rigid rectangular frame structure, or a rigid rectangular frame structure may be built around them during the manufacturing process.

[0058] The rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure of the '470 Climeworks publication may be formed from four metal profiles arranged in pairs parallel to each other, the metal profiles being U-shaped metal profiles having pairs of legs arranged substantially parallel to the inlet face of the layer and the outlet face of the layer, respectively.

[0059] One pair of metal profiles in the '470 Climeworks publication can be arranged so that the groove portions of the respective U-shaped metal profiles face the inner side of the rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure, while the other pair of metal profiles can be arranged so that the groove portions of the respective U-shaped metal profiles face the outer side of the rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure. Preferably, the latter pair of metal profiles is oriented so that they extend perpendicular to the direction in which the tubes extend.

[0060] According to the '470 Climeworks publication, the tubes of the heat exchange element are preferably metal tubes, preferably aluminum tubes or copper tubes. These tubes may have an inner diameter in the range of 3-20 mm, preferably in the range of 5-12 mm, and / or an outer diameter in the range of 4-24 mm, preferably in the range of 6.2-14 mm.

[0061] According to the '470 Climeworks publication, the tubes of the heat exchange element are typically spaced apart, while extending in parallel, by a distance (x) in the range of 10 to 168 mm, preferably in the range of 15.5 to 98 mm.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the thickness of the metal sheet is in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 mm, preferably in the range of 0.12 to 0.18 mm.

[0063] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the height (h) of the metal sheet, when measured perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the tube, is in the range of 3-50 mm, preferably in the range of 8-22 mm.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the length of the metal sheets is less than 20 mm, preferably 5 mm shorter than the distance between corresponding pairs of metal profiles arranged in parallel with each other forming the rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure.

[0065] The metal sheets of the '470 Climeworks publication are preferably made of aluminum.

[0066] Typically, the metal sheets of the '470 Climeworks publication are spaced apart by a distance (d) in the range of 1-15 mm or 1-6 mm, preferably in the range of 3.5-7 mm or 4-5.5 mm.

[0067] The above values ​​are an optimal compromise in terms of sizing of the tubes of the '470 Climeworks publication in the metal sheet, allowing good (inter)penetration of the granular adsorbent material, also allowing filling of the structure during the manufacturing process, and on the other hand allowing sufficient porosity for air to pass through the layer and allowing the most efficient possible heat transfer process during the heating and cooling steps in the cyclic temperature swing (variable temperature) carbon dioxide capture process.

[0068] The flexible textile material of the '470 Climeworks publication is preferably a mesh or a woven or non-woven textile material, these materials preferably being based on metal or polymer fibers or yarns, respectively, most preferably based on fibers or yarns, respectively, based on PET and / or PE, or the flexible textile material is made of a cellulose-based material, preferably a paper material.

[0069] In the present disclosure, the flexible textile materials disclosed herein can be based on nonwoven materials that have been expanded (expanded) to produce an appropriate degree of porosity. These materials can be, for example, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) or expanded polyethylene (ePE). Both ePTFE and ePE are highly hydrophobic, which will provide additional benefits further disclosed herein.

[0070] The thickness of the flexible textile material in the '470 Climeworks publication may be in the range of 0.1-4 mm, preferably in the range of 0.15-1 mm, particularly if it is chosen to be a polyethylene-based nonwoven material.

[0071] In the present disclosure, the flexible textile materials disclosed herein, for example, materials based on nonwoven materials such as ePTFE and / or ePE, can be formed into very thin membranes. The thickness of such membranes produced or used can be, for example, 0.025 mm or less. The benefits of reducing thickness can include, for example, 1) reducing manufacturing costs, such as material costs and transportation costs, and / or 2) reducing the pressure required for air to pass through the membrane.

[0072] The flexible fabric material in the '470 Climeworks publication is preferably in the form of a polyethylene mesh or non-woven fabric with an air permeability of 2500-5000 L / m 2 / s (liters / square meters / second), preferably in the range of 3000-4000 L / m 2 / s. The flexible textile material, or at least its upstream-facing layer, or a separate upstream filter textile material layer, preferably has a filtration performance of at least M5 filtration class, preferably at least F6, and more preferably F7, enabling effective retention of atmospheric solid particulate pollutants in the PM10 and PM2.5 ranges without entrainment in the adsorbent material layer. The classification of the filter material used herein complies with DIN EN 779, October 2012.

[0073] The air permeability of the filter fabric material, especially in the case of M5 grade material, is preferably 50-600 L / m 2 / s, preferably 200-400 L / m 2 In one embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the surface area of ​​the filter fabric material can be increased by pleating such that the cumulative surface area of ​​the filter fabric material exposed to the gas inflow is at least three times, preferably at least six times, or at least ten times, the surface area of ​​the individual layers exposed to the gas inflow, thereby maintaining the pressure drop across the filter fabric material at a level not exceeding the allowable pressure drop for a high-efficiency direct air capture process. The flexible filter fabric material can be pleated with a pleat height of 1-12 mm, preferably 3-6 mm. The pleat spacing can be 0.5-5 mm, preferably 1-3 mm.

[0074] According to another embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the filter fabric material can be mounted on a rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure of each individual sorbent material layer, preferably in a removable manner so that it can be replaced after being filled with atmospheric particulate contaminants. According to yet another embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the filter fabric material can be mounted on the rectangular frame structure so that it can be installed and removed independently of the sorbent material layer when it needs to be replaced.

[0075] In the present disclosure, the flexible fabric material disclosed herein can be permanently mounted, attached, fastened, or adhered to a frame (such as by adhesion provided by an adhesive or other suitable attachment means) while still being able to provide access to the interior of the frame without removing the mounted fabric material. For example, features such as zippers, buckles, and / or locks (such as those found on ziplock bags) can be utilized to access the interior to allow for filling and removal of the sorbent. Such "quick access" features will be beneficial in increasing the speed and efficiency of maintenance, thereby promoting more efficient system operation.

[0076] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, a plurality of attachment elements are provided within the rigid rectangular ring frame structure, preferably across the heat exchange element and the flexible fabric material layer and, if present, the wire mesh layer. These attachment elements are preferably in the form of glue, welding, brazing, central rivet connections, or transverse or longitudinal strips affixed with any of these means, for at least holding the flexible fabric material layer together (if the attachment element passes through the heat exchange element), or for attaching the flexible fabric material layer to the metal sheet and / or tubing. This is also to prevent sagging of the flexible fabric layer, improve stability, and improve control over hole formation.

[0077] Preferably, according to the '470 Climeworks publication, the central rivet connections each comprise a rivet tube and a rivet pin, the rivet tube passing through the heat exchange element and located between the metal sheets, the rivet tube and the rivet pin each having a head located outside the flexible fabric material and, if present, also located at the outermost portion of the wire mesh layer. In the production process, preferably, holes are first generated through the structure created by the parallel running metal sheets, and then the rivet tubes are inserted into these holes from one side and the rivet pins are inserted from the other side.

[0078] Preferably, according to the '470 Climeworks publication, the outer diameter of the rivet tube of the central rivet is at least 10%, preferably at least 30%, smaller than the spacing (d) between the metal sheets. One reason for this is that when the corresponding structure needs to be filled with granular adsorbent material, it must be ensured that the granular adsorbent material can actually penetrate the gaps between two adjacent metal sheets. If these paths are blocked by the central rivet, the structure cannot be filled efficiently. In any case, this filling process usually involves blowing the granular adsorbent material into the gaps and cavities of the frame, assisted by shaking the structure and / or other actions that allow the granular adsorbent material to settle in the cavities between the metal sheets and / or tubes.

[0079] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the plurality of center rivet connections are arranged in a staggered arrangement to avoid having more than one or two center rivets located in the same gap between two adjacent metal sheets. "Staggered" means that the plurality of center rivets are not arranged along a line extending parallel to the corresponding extension direction of the metal sheets, but rather along a line slightly inclined relative to the extension direction of the metal sheets. Preferably, the center rivet connections are arranged along the general direction of the metal sheets and are inclined relative to this direction at an angle of at least 2° but not more than 10°. Furthermore, the center-to-center distance between adjacent rivets is preferably in the range of 2.5-20 cm or 5-20 cm, preferably 7-12 cm or 8-10 cm.

[0080] Adjacent and contacting layers of the stack of the '470 Climeworks publication may be held in pairs by horizontally extending support elements, particularly at the contacting edges of adjacent layers, wherein preferably, particularly at the upstream edge of the stack, the support elements are provided with aerodynamically shaped nose portions facing upstream (with respect to the inflow), and wherein more preferably, the support elements comprise pairs of outer leg portions extending substantially parallel to the outer planes of the respective layers, with a central leg portion located therebetween. This is the case for the mounting arrangement in the CO2 capture unit described in further detail below, and is independent of the frame structure.

[0081] Along the stack of layers in the '470 Climeworks publication, the distance between adjacent layers can be varied according to the pressure drop curve of the inflow along a direction parallel to the inflow direction. In the case of central inflow, the distance (a) between two adjacent layers of the stack on the opening side is set to a given value (a) in the range of 8-230 mm, preferably in the range of 19.2-200 mm or 20-100 mm. The stack can be arranged so that the distance (a) between two adjacent layers increases outward to a value (c) in the range of 8-230 mm, preferably in the range of 19-200 mm or 20-100 mm.

[0082] The angle of each layer of the '470 Climeworks publication to the main horizontal axis of the cell may also be gradually increased, i.e. in the case of central inflow, the angle preferably gradually increases from a value of approximately zero at the center to a value in the range of 0-20°, preferably in the range of 0.1-5°.

[0083] Typically, the proposed unit of the '470 Climeworks publication is located in a housing that is preferably provided with turbulence reducing elements, in particular upstream of the stacking of layers.

[0084] Furthermore, the disclosure of the '470 Climeworks publication relates to the use of a unit as described above for extracting carbon dioxide from air and / or flue gas and / or biogas (biogas) and / or other CO2-containing gas streams.

[0085] According to another preferred embodiment of the '470 Climeworks publication, the layers of the stack of at least two layers are held together in the housing by at least one pair of side walls.

[0086] The side walls of the '470 Climeworks publication may be arranged in vertical pairs (in which case the frame members are arranged substantially horizontally) or in horizontal pairs (in which case the frame members are arranged substantially vertically).

[0087] In the '470 Climeworks publication, the lateral metal profiles are fixed to the side walls using a form-fit connection, a force-fit connection, or by means of closures that are adhesively bonded. Preferably, the side walls are provided with a pattern of fixing elements that allow the lateral metal profiles to be fixed in a desired relative position on the respective side walls. Thus, the corresponding pattern structure of the fixing elements is adapted to the desired orientation of the frames in the stack. For example, the pattern can be configured so that the distance between adjacent frames varies along the stack, so that the distance between adjacent frames in the central portion is smaller than in the outer portions of the stack, as shown in FIG. 8 of the '470 Climeworks publication, discussed further below.

[0088] The fixing elements of the '470 Climeworks publication provided on the sidewalls are preferably configured as holes, grooves, ribs and / or studs.

[0089] In conjunction with such side walls, according to the '470 Climeworks publication, the metal profile itself is preferably provided with corresponding profile fixing elements, which may be distributed along the length of the metal profile. Preferably, at least three, and more preferably at least five, profile fixing elements are provided on each metal profile. The profile fixing elements may be configured as holes, blind rivet nuts, studs, grooves, or ribs.

[0090] The side walls of the '470 Climeworks publication are typically sheet metal with a thickness between 2 and 10 mm. The side walls may be provided with curved portions that point outwards of the stack for further stabilization.

[0091] The use of side walls can provide a self-contained stacking unit of the '470 Climeworks publication that is self-supporting and can be removably and / or replaceably placed in an actual housing, which provides a corresponding structure to withstand the vacuum applied in a typical cycle for carbon dioxide separation. If the side walls are supplemented by a bottom wall and a top wall or top plate, the stacking unit can be made substantially airtight and sealed, except for the inlet and outlet cross sections, thereby allowing a simplified structure within the housing as well.

[0092] The use of such side walls to provide a separate stack that can be placed into a practical housing suitable for vacuum cycling is itself the subject of the '470 Climeworks publication, with its advantages and benefits, particularly independent of the specific features of the layers having a circumferential frame structure described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] The following describes the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0094] FIG1 (Prior Art) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a granular adsorbent structure layer element having a heat exchange element, taken along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the heat exchange tubes;

[0095] FIG2 (prior art) shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the granular adsorbent structure layer element according to FIG1 along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the heat exchange tubes;

[0096] FIG3 (Prior Art) shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a stack of layer elements, with corresponding air flows indicated;

[0097] FIG4 (prior art) shows a) a top view onto a heat exchange element and b) a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extension direction of the tubes, without the actual frame structure;

[0098] FIG5 (Prior Art) shows a perspective view of an edge portion of a granular adsorbent structure layer element;

[0099] FIG6 (Prior Art) shows in a) a cross-section through a granular adsorbent structural layer element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the metal sheet in the heat exchange element, showing the arrangement of a central rivet through the structure; in b) a perspective view on the entire granular adsorbent structural layer element showing the placement of the central rivet element; in c) the same schematic view as in b) viewed from above; and in d) a granular adsorbent material layer element with a denser rivet placement;

[0100] FIG7 (Prior Art) shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the mounting region of a layer element at an upstream edge portion of the stack;

[0101] FIG8 (Prior Art) a) shows a schematic vertical section through the entire stack, wherein the distance between the layer elements is varied, b) shows a more detailed schematic vertical section through the inlet portion of the housing, and c) shows a front view of the inlet portion of the housing;

[0102] FIG9 (Prior Art) shows a schematic vertical cross-section through the entire stack, wherein the angles of the layer elements are varied;

[0103] FIG10 (Prior Art) shows a schematic diagram of a pleated filter material web attached to a granular adsorbent layer element;

[0104] FIG11 (prior art) shows a) a section through the upstream nose profile, b) a top view and c) a front view thereof;

[0105] FIG12 (Prior Art) shows a vertical axial section through several different upstream nose profiles (left) and a stack of upstream nose profiles with profiles in the outer region of the stack (right);

[0106] FIG13 (Prior Art) shows a more detailed representation of the entire frame structure, wherein a) a side view is shown from a first side (filler side, top view b) to the right edge, to be attached to the side wall), b) a top view (heat exchange metal sheet / laminate omitted for better visibility of other structural elements), c) a side view is shown from a second side (top view b) to the left edge, to be attached to the side wall), d) a cross-section along line BB;

[0107] FIG14 (Prior Art) shows the right side wall of the entire stack, shown in a) as a side view from the inside of the stack, in b) as a top view, and in c) as a front view;

[0108] FIG15 (Prior Art) shows a perspective view of the entire stack as viewed from the outflow side, showing the left side wall and frame in a), and a cross-sectional view along line AA in a) in b);

[0109] FIG. 16 (prior art) shows an embodiment in which a) a granular adsorbent material layer element can be moved into a stacked frame by means of a U-shaped profile and in b) an embodiment in which a wedge is used to move the layer element into the frame;

[0110] Figure 17 (prior art) shows the following embodiments: in a) in which the granular adsorbent material layer elements are in a horizontal position in the stacked frame and can be moved into the frame by a groove / tongue mechanism; in b) the following embodiment in which, within the stacked frame, two granular adsorbent material layer elements are positioned adjacent to each other in the lateral direction by a vertical dividing wall; in c) the following embodiment in which the granular adsorbent material layer elements are in a vertical position in the stacked frame and can be moved into the frame by a groove / tongue mechanism.

[0111] Figure 18A and 18B Shown is a cross-sectional view of a granular adsorbent material configuration according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0112] Figures 19A to 19C Cross-sectional views of granular adsorbent material configurations and the flow and / or pressure of air / gas, fluid within the configurations are shown according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0113] Figure 20A and 20B Shown is a cross-sectional view of a granular adsorbent material configuration according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0114] Figure 21 Shown is a cross-sectional view of a granular sorbent material configuration with a conductor embedded in a conduit according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0115] Figures 22A to 22E Different steps in a process of forming or configuring a gas separation unit using structures according to embodiments disclosed herein are shown.

[0116] Figure 23 is a photograph of a particulate adsorbent material construction according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0117] Figure 24 is a photograph of a granular sorbent material construction with a conductor embedded in a conduit according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0118] Figure 25A and 25B An oblique view of a granular sorbent material configuration with a resealable opening according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown.

[0119] Figure 26A and 26BAn oblique view of a granular sorbent material configuration with a resealable opening according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown.

[0120] FIG. 27 (Prior Art) shows TEM images of particles of two exemplary inactive materials at varying magnifications (a) to (d) (each image is to the scale indicated in the image).

[0121] Figures 28A to 28C Shown are cross-sectional views of a porous inactive material particle before and after a coating of a soluble adsorbent material is applied to the surface to form a porous active material particle to be implemented in a particulate adsorbent material configuration according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0122] Figure 29A and 29B are SEM images of the surface structure of the porous material before and after application of a coating of a soluble adsorbent material (each image is to the scale indicated in the image). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0123] This disclosure is not intended to be read in a limiting manner.For example, the terms used in this application should be read broadly in the context of the meaning that one skilled in the art would attribute to such terms.

[0124] Regarding imprecise terms, the terms "about" and "approximately" are used interchangeably to refer to a measurement value including the stated measurement value and also any measurement value that is reasonably (fairly) close to the stated measurement value. As understood and readily determined by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art, a measurement value that is reasonably (fairly) close to the stated measurement value deviates from the stated measurement value by a reasonably small amount. Such deviations may be due to, for example, measurement errors, differences in calibration of the measurement value and / or manufacturing apparatus, human error in reading and / or setting the measurement value, fine-tuning performed to optimize performance and / or structural parameters taking into account differences in the measurement values ​​associated with other components, specific implementation scenarios, imprecise adjustment and / or manipulation of the object by a person or machine, and / or the like. Where it is determined that a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art would not easily determine a value for such a reasonably small difference, the terms "about" and "approximately" may be understood to mean the stated value plus or minus 10%.

[0125] As used herein, the term "fibril" refers to an elongated piece of material, such as a polymer, whose length and width are substantially (significantly) different from each other. For example, a fibril may resemble a string or fiber, in which the width (or thickness) is much shorter or smaller than the length.

[0126] As used herein, the term "node" describes the point at which at least two fibrils connect, where a connection can be defined as a location where two fibrils permanently or temporarily contact one another. In some examples, a node can also be used to describe a volume of material that is larger than a fibril, as well as a location where a fibril originates or terminates without a clear continuation of the same fibril through the node. In some examples, a node is wider than a fibril but shorter than a fibril.

[0127] As used herein, "node" and "fibril" may be used to describe objects that are typically, but not necessarily, connected or interconnected and, for example, have microscopic dimensions. A "microscopic" object may be defined as an object having at least one dimension (width, length, or height) that is substantially small (significantly small) such that the object or details of the object cannot be seen with the naked eye, or are difficult or impossible to observe without the aid of a microscope (e.g., including but not limited to a scanning electron microscope or SEM) or any suitable type of magnification device.

[0128] FIG. 1 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a specific absorbent structure layer element 5 having a heat exchange element, in a horizontal orientation, the cross-section being taken in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the heat exchange tubes 11. FIG. 2 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows a corresponding cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 of the '470 Climeworks publication. It should be noted that the direction of extension of the heat exchange element tubes 11 can also be different, i.e., the heat exchange element 22 can also be rotated 90 degrees within the frame structure.

[0129] A rigid rectangular frame structure is provided, formed by two pairs of mutually parallel frame profiles 7′ and 7″. The first pair 7′ is each a U-shaped aluminum profile, wherein the groove of the corresponding U-shape faces outward (see FIG. 1 of the '470 Climeworks publication). Thus, the two legs 8 of the corresponding profile 7 face outward and are arranged parallel to the main plane of the corresponding layer 5.

[0130] Another pair of frame profiles 7" as shown in Figure 2 of the '470 Climeworks publication is positioned perpendicular to the first pair of profiles 7', arranged so that the corresponding grooves of the U-shaped profiles face inwards and partially enclose the heat exchange element 22 located in the gap between the two pairs of frame profiles 7' and 7".

[0131] A heat exchange element 22 is located between two pairs of frame profiles, or more precisely, between four profiles, and is circumferentially enclosed by them. The heat exchange element 22 itself is a self-supporting heat exchange element, provided with a plurality of heat transfer medium tubes 11 extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from one another. A plurality of metal sheets 9 are provided extending perpendicularly to these tubes 11, extending substantially across the entire width and nearly bridging the distance between the individual frame profiles 7, as shown in FIG. 1 of the '470 Climeworks publication. Each of these metal sheets 9 is provided with a plurality of holes 10 through which the tubes pass. Both the metal sheets 9 and the tubes 11 are made of aluminum, with the tubes 11 fitting tightly into the holes 10 and contacting the edges of the holes 10, ensuring good thermal contact between the metal sheets 9, acting as heat transfer elements, and the tubes 11.

[0132] Each layer 5 comprises, on its top side (upper side), first of all, a layer of wire mesh 12 which substantially contacts the heat exchange element 22, or more precisely the edges of its plurality of metal sheets 9. On the outside of this inner wire mesh layer 12, a sheet of flexible textile material, typically a non-woven PE material, is provided, which prevents the adsorbent material, which is also located in the interstices and surrounds the heat exchange element 22, from being contained within the layer 5, but the entire structure remains air-permeable.

[0133] In this horizontal orientation, on the bottom side (underside), another outer wire mesh layer 13 is also provided on the outside of the corresponding flexible textile material layer to prevent sagging of the layers 6 and 12 on the underside. Further, such sagging is prevented by providing a rivet connection through the center, as shown in FIG. 6 of the '470 Climeworks publication, which will be described in further detail below.

[0134] The aluminum tubes 11 extend parallel to one another and form U-shaped bends at their terminal ends, allowing the heat transfer medium to be contained and guided in a serpentine manner within these tubes 11. The heat exchange element 22 itself also includes a frame structure 21 therein. This frame structure can also be a U-shaped frame structure, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the '470 Climeworks publication and indicated by reference numeral 21. However, particularly with the dimensions shown in Figure 2 of the '470 Climeworks publication, such a U-shaped frame structure is not required for the heat exchange element. It is sufficient to have a strip on each side of the tube 11 that is in direct contact with and attached to the corresponding tube 11. Furthermore, the U-shaped bends 23 of the tubes 11 can be positioned not within the corresponding frame structure 21, but instead pass through the frame structure 21, so that the bends of the tubes 11 are positioned outside the corresponding frame structure 21 of the heat exchange element.

[0135] The layers 6, 12, and 13 are attached to the legs 8 of the corresponding U-shaped frame profiles by means of strips 14 and rows of rivets 15. The strips 14 extend substantially over the length of the corresponding U-shaped profile, and the flexible fabric layer 6 and the corresponding portion of the wire mesh layer 13 or 12 / 13 are located between the corresponding strips and the legs 8 of the profile. In order to obtain a sufficiently rigid strip structure, its thickness should be in the range of 0.5-2.5 mm, its width in cross section should be in the range of 5-15 mm, and the rivet spacing along the profile should be in the range of 3-15 cm, preferably in the range of 2-7 cm.

[0136] This provides a simple manufacturing process in that the heat exchange element is provided in a first step, the frame profiles 7′ and 7″ are then built around it, in a next step the inner grid 12 is laid onto the legs 8 of the profile, the flexible fabric layer 12 is then laid on top of this layer, the strips 14 are then pressed against the legs 8, applying the required tension, in particular to the flexible fabric layer 12, in order to maintain this tension and clamp the layers, and the rivet connections 15 are then produced along the length of the respective profiles all along the perimeter of the frame structure.

[0137] It should be noted that these illustrations do not show the actual adsorbent material, i.e., the fine particles with amino functional groups that chemically capture carbon dioxide. In reality, this fine particulate adsorbent material completely fills the two outer flexible fabric layers 6 and the cavity within the frame structure. Typically, this adsorbent material is introduced through at least one hole in the vertical wall of the leg 8 connecting one of the profiles, usually a profile of the type 7′. During the filling process, the entire frame is usually tilted so that the opening for filling faces upwards, and then, under the application of pressurized air carrying the adsorbent material, it is blown into the space between the metal sheet 9 and the tube 11. In order to achieve a dense filling (filling) of the small particles, a meticulous filling process is essential, because the filling (filling) of the metal sheet is very dense.

[0138] Typically, the width Wf of such a frame is in the range of 1.4 m, the depth Dft is in the range of 1 m, the height of the frame is in the range of 20 mm, so that the spacing between the flexible fabric layers 6 is in the range of 19 to 20 mm. The distance between adjacent parallel-running tubes is about 25 mm, and the distance between parallel-running metal sheets is about 5 mm. The thickness of the metal sheets is typically about 0.15 mm. The outer diameter of the tubes is typically about 10 mm, so that there is typically an 18-20% void ratio (void fraction) in the heat exchange element 22. The remaining free flow area is in the range of 55% to 60%. If the structure is made of aluminum (frame, slats, tubes, metal sheets, rivets), the thermal mass of the exchange element is in the range of 0.8-0.9 kJ / (K kg 吸附剂 )(kJ / (calorie kg吸附剂 The maximum free thermal length in the adsorbent material is about 5 mm.

[0139] For the flexible fabric layer, a non-woven polyester material with a thickness in the range of 0.15-0.2 mm is used, and the air permeability (air permeability) is about 3300 L / m 2 As the metal mesh, an aluminum wire mesh is used, and the mesh spacing is about 1.15×1.35 mm. The same type of mesh can be used for both the inner metal mesh 12 and the outer metal mesh 13.

[0140] As disclosed herein, multilayer flexible fabric materials can be used, wherein each layer comprises desired features. For example, ePTFE or ePE films with a thickness within the measurement range of 0.01 to 0.05 mm in a closed interval can be laminated to a more durable backing (such as nonwoven PE). The laminate can then be further laminated to a metal or polymer grid (for support). The unique benefit of this laminated flexible fabric layer is that there is no relative motion between the components. During the pressurization and vacuum steps of the operating cycle, relative motion can cause the flexible fabric material to wear (for example, in the example of the above-mentioned wire mesh and fabric embodiment). In addition, in the example of the laminated flexible fabric material, it will be beneficial that all outward-facing features have a high degree of hydrophobicity. Removing any condensate produced during adsorption / desorption and cooling steps is crucial for shortening the cycle time. Improving drying time will have a positive impact on system performance.

[0141] FIG. 1 of the '470 Climeworks publication also shows a specific feature that provides an optimal sealing and mechanical connection for adjacent layers 5 that touch along the same edge. It is possible to have a strip 16 that widens in width (in the direction of the leg 8) and extends beyond the edge of the leg 8 of the frame profile 7'. Similarly, it is possible to have such a wide strip, but additionally provided with a sealing protrusion 17 having a groove 20 for receiving the protruding portion of the larger width strip 16.

[0142] FIG3 of the '470 Climeworks publication illustrates how this technique can be used to seal and attach adjacent rigid frame structures or layers 5. In FIG3 of the '470 Climeworks publication, a stack of such layers 5 is shown, with the bottommost tube layer being positioned so that the protruding tongues of the wide strips 16 can be inserted into the grooves 20 to facilitate sealing and mechanical attachment of adjacent layers.

[0143] FIG3 of the '470 Climeworks publication also illustrates the primary airflow in such a stack. A gas inlet flow 1 enters the gas inlet channel 3, whereupon the air passes through each layer, thereby passing through the heat exchange element, and in particular, through the bed of adsorbent particles located in the interstices. Under correspondingly selected pressure, temperature, and humidity conditions, carbon dioxide is typically captured by the amine functional groups located on the surface and / or in the pores of the adsorbent particles. It should be noted again that FIG1-3 of the '470 Climeworks publication does not specifically illustrate the adsorbent material. In the event of carbon dioxide depletion, after having passed through the corresponding layer, the air enters the downstream side of the corresponding layer, i.e., the gas outlet channel 4, whereupon it leaves the system as a gas outflow 2.

[0144] Figures 4a and 4b of the '470 Climeworks publication schematically illustrate a heat exchange element 22 in top view and cross-sectional view, respectively. It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the frame structure 21 of the heat exchange element 22 is arranged so that the U-bends 23 of the tubes 11 are located outside the frame structure 21. Typically, the protrusion length z of these U-bends of the tubes 11 is in the range of 5-30 mm. The distance between adjacent metal sheets 9 in the set of parallel metal sheets in the heat exchange element is typically in the range of 4.8 mm, so that the metal sheets are spaced relatively closely together to achieve a low maximum free thermal length in the adsorbent material. The distance between adjacent metal sheets, as well as the distance within the tubes, is also carefully selected to allow the adsorbent material to penetrate into the gaps without being squeezed therein in a manner that would prevent air from flowing through. The tubes, on the other hand, are spaced apart by a distance x, which is typically in the range of 25 mm.

[0145] The height h of the corresponding metal sheet is typically in the range of 3-50 mm, and by having a height in the range of about 15-20 mm a good flow through can be achieved while maintaining an optimal heat transfer and a low thermal mass.

[0146] Figure 5 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows an edge portion of the corresponding layer 5. This figure shows details of the protrusions 17 and the wide strips 16, and how the U-shaped profiles 7' and 7" are attached to each other at the ends according to this different embodiment.

[0147] In Figure 6 of the '470 Climeworks publication, the above-mentioned central rivet connection is shown. In Figure 6a of the '470 Climeworks publication, a cross-section through the layer structure 5 is shown. As shown, each central rivet connection comprises a rivet tube 25 that completely penetrates the entire structure, i.e., the flexible fabric sheet 6, the wire mesh 12 on the top side (upper side), the metal sheet 9, and the layers 6, 12 and 13 on the bottom side (lower side). The outer diameter of the rivet tube 25 is preferably selected so as to be sufficiently smaller than the distance between adjacent metal sheets. It is important to note that the outer diameter of the rivet tube 25 is sufficiently small compared to the distance between the metal sheets and the average particle size of the granular adsorbent material so that the structure can be filled with granular adsorbent without any blockage of the passage between the adjacent metal sheets and the central rivet connection.

[0148] In a first manufacturing step, after the initial "drilling" or reaming, the rivet tube 25 is inserted into these pre-processed openings, and then the rivet pin 26 is inserted into the opening of the tube 25 from the other side and the rivet is fixed. The rivet tube 25 and the rivet pin 26 are each provided with a rivet head 27 and 28, the diameter of which is respectively greater than the outer diameter of the rivet tube, so that these head parts 27 and 28 provide a secure form-fit connection for the layers 6, 12 and 13. The length of the rivet tube 25 should be adapted to substantially match the height h of the metal sheet.

[0149] FIG. 6c of the '470 Climeworks publication shows a granular adsorbent material 5 in a perspective view, illustrating the rivet distribution. FIG. 6c of the '470 Climeworks publication shows the same structure in schematic form, illustrating the spacing y″ of the rivets 24 in the longitudinal direction (substantially parallel to the main flow 100) and the spacing y′ in the transverse direction (substantially perpendicular to the main flow 100). The values ​​y′ and y″ in this exemplary embodiment are both set to 10 cm.

[0150] An alternative and more densely packed rivet pattern is shown in FIG. 6d of the '470 Climeworks publication. In this embodiment, the y′ and y″ spacing of the rivets 24 is set to 10 cm, as in the previous FIG. of the '470 Climeworks publication. However, an additional second set of rivets is provided (represented by triangles, as opposed to the circles representing the first set), the v′ and v″ spacing of these additional rivets 24 being set to be 10 cm offset from the y′ and y″ spacing. In this case, the effective maximum spacing between rivets is 7.5 cm. In addition, additional rivets are provided in region 65 to prevent ridges in the rivet-free areas of the pattern according to FIG. 6c of the '470 Climeworks publication. In region 65, the maximum spacing of the rivets 24 is set to 5 cm, which improves the stability of the layer and improves the control over hole formation.

[0151] FIG7 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows the terminal (tip) portion of the stack of layers 5, and in particular the corresponding support elements 30, for attaching the layers 5 to the larger frame structure of the housing in which the corresponding units are located. These support elements 30 are provided as pneumatic elements as well as mechanical structural elements. They include a rounded nose portion 31 that avoids turbulence and ensures that the inflow and / or outflow are substantially turbulent-free from the sides, resulting in a lower pressure drop across the entire structure.

[0152] On the other opposite side, these support elements 30 are provided with a pair of outer legs 32 adapted to interact with corresponding wide slats 16 of the corresponding layer. In addition, a central inner leg portion 33 is provided, which is intended to abut against the protrusion 17. As can be seen from this figure of the '470 Climeworks publication, the corresponding arrangement of wide slats 16 and extended portions 17 can also be varied from that shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the '470 Climeworks publication, so that the frame structure can be provided with a pair of wide slats on one side, as given in each top layer in Figure 7 of the '470 Climeworks publication.

[0153] Aerodynamic optimization of the layers 5 of this stack is crucial to ensuring that the pressure drop across the entire structure is not excessively high. This can be achieved by arranging the layers 5 in the manner shown in Figure 8a of the '470 Climeworks publication. In this arrangement, the distance (a value) between adjacent layers 5 in the central portion (relative to the vertical center) is selected to be smaller than in the outer regions, so that the a value is smaller than the b value, and the b value is smaller than the c value. In fact, in the case of a central inflow 100, there is a pressure drop in the direction perpendicular to the inflow, that is, the pressure drop is based on the distance from the axis of the structure. Increasing the distance between adjacent layers toward the outer regions takes this into account and avoids different efficiencies of the individual layers and significant differences in the extent of air flow through the individual layers depending on their vertical position. Further, to further avoid turbulence, a turbulence reducing element 36 can be provided in the corresponding widened wall portion 35 of the inlet duct 34, which is configured as a smooth raised element with rounded edges. Typically, in this stack, the value of the distance a varies from a small value of approximately 35 mm to a large value c of 80 mm. The stack typically has 25-60 layers. It has been shown that around 30 layers are particularly efficient for direct air capture.

[0154] The upstream contact area of ​​the layer 5 can also be aerodynamically structured by providing upstream nose profiles 39. These profiles 39 can be combined with structural elements that hold the upstream edge of the layer 5 in place.

[0155] As shown in Figures 8b and 8c of the '470 Climeworks publication, the turbulence reducing element 36 can be positioned to provide a smooth transition between the inlet duct 34 and the widened wall portion 35. The transition between the turbulence reducing element 36 and the widened wall portion 35 is such that the turbulence reducing element 36 is tangential to the inlet duct 34. The downstream edge 50 of the shroud 36 is not tangential to the radial portion 50 of the shroud 36. The radius of the curved portion of the shroud 36 is in the range of 100-300 mm, preferably about 200 mm.

[0156] Another possibility for optimizing the efficiency and use of the respective layers 5 is schematically illustrated in FIG9 of the '470 Climeworks publication. In addition to or in addition to varying the spacing between adjacent layers, their inclination angle relative to the central inflow direction 100 can also be adjusted. Thus, the angle of the layers 5 relative to the central axis 35 of the structure (arrangement) can be selected to gradually increase outwards.

[0157] FIG10 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows an embodiment of a filter fabric material 38. In this embodiment, the filter material is pleated to increase flow area and reduce pressure drop, and is attached to the inlet face of a granular adsorbent layer element 5. In addition to or in addition to varying the spacing of the pleats, their height may also be varied, thereby affecting the effective flow area and, correspondingly, the pressure drop.

[0158] FIG. 11 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows an upstream nose profile 39 having a rounded nose portion 40 facing the incoming air flow, two lateral legs 41, and a central leg 42. The radius of the nose profile is approximately twice the thickness of the frame structure. A slot 43 is provided between the legs 41 and 42, into which the frames of the adjacent layers 5 can be moved and fastened. To improve the fixation and smooth the transition between the frames and the profile 36, a recess 44 can be provided in the leg 41. To allow the flap door of the housing to be opened without colliding with the nose profile, the profile 39 can be provided with recesses 45 and 46. The profile 39 is fixed to the housing by means of external fastening means 47.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 12 of the '470 Climeworks publication, not all front sections within the stack need to have a nose. For example, in the center portion of the stack, a fastening track 48 without a rounded nose can be provided. Rounded sections 40 can be provided in the outer regions, wherein the lengths of these rounded sections can increase or decrease sequentially as shown in the left portion of FIG. 12 of the '470 Climeworks publication, wherein B can have a length of about 40 mm, C can have a length of about 50 mm, and D can have a length of about 58 mm or 60 mm.

[0160] The frame structure is shown in greater detail in various representations in Figure 13 of the '470 Climeworks publication. For identical or equivalent structural elements, the same reference numerals as in the other figures of the '470 Climeworks publication are used.

[0161] It can be seen that the lateral frame elements 7″ on the left and right sides are each structured differently: in order to fill the frame with adsorbent, a sufficient number of holes are required in the corresponding frame element 7″, while a smaller number of holes is required to fix the entire frame to the side wall of the stack (see Figure 14 of the '470 Climeworks publication).

[0162] Thus, in the view b) shown in FIG. 13 c) according to the '470 Climeworks publication, the frame element 7 ″ on the left side is provided with only five openings, into which closed blind rivet nuts 52 are inserted for fixing the frame to the corresponding side wall.

[0163] On the other hand, in the view b) shown in FIG. 13 a) of the '470 Climeworks publication, the frame element 7″ on the right side is provided with eight holes at the positions marked with reference numerals 53 in the bridging portion of the U-shaped profile. These holes are used to fill the cavity of the frame with adsorbent. Since the heat exchange metal sheets 9 do not extend completely up to the frame element 7″, the adsorbent can be distributed over the various gaps between the heat exchange metal sheets 9 in the gaps parallel to the extension direction of the frame element 7″ by using a plurality of openings in the frame element 7″, the number of which is much smaller than the number of gaps between the heat exchange metal sheets 9. Once the frame is filled with adsorbent particles, these holes are closed with closed blind rivet nuts 53, as shown in FIG. 13 a) of the '470 Climeworks publication.

[0164] As required, these blind rivet nuts 53 can now be used to secure the frame to the corresponding side wall, which in this case would be the right side wall of the profile shown on the left side of Figure 13b) of the '470 Climeworks publication, since the upper side of the illustration in Figure 13 of the '470 Climeworks publication is the inlet side of a typical frame installation, while the lower side of the illustration in Figure 13 of the '470 Climeworks publication is the outlet side of a typical frame installation.

[0165] FIG. 14 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows a side wall for assembling an entire stack of frames. The side wall shown in this figure of the '470 Climeworks publication is the right side wall of the stack, viewed in the direction of air travel, and is shown in a) from the inside of the stack, b) from below, and c) from the left side of a) in FIG. The frame elements 7" shown on the right side of FIG. 13b) of the '470 Climeworks publication and in a) are attached to this side wall plate 54. To attach each frame element to the side wall, corresponding holes 56 are provided in corresponding locations. Not all blind rivet nuts 53 are used to secure the frame to the side wall. In fact, of the six possible blind rivet nuts 53 shown in FIG. 13a) of the '470 Climeworks publication, only six are used for attachment to the side wall. The third rivet nut 53 from the top and the third rivet nut from the bottom are not used for securing to the side wall.

[0166] Schematic line 57 shows how the frame elements are mounted on the side walls in the same manner as also shown in FIG 3 of the '470 Climeworks publication. It can also be appreciated from FIG 14 of the '470 Climeworks publication that the orientation and spacing of the frame elements are configured so that the stacking distance a in the center portion, as shown in FIG 8 of the '470 Climeworks publication, is smaller than in the top and bottom regions of the stack (corresponding to the distance c shown in FIG 8 of the '470 Climeworks publication).

[0167] The sidewall panels 54 also have curved edges 59 on both lateral sides and on the bottom (curved edges 60) to further stabilize the sidewall structure. When viewed in the actual frame stack, the curved edges 59 point outward. The width of these curved edges 59 / 60 is in the range of 20 mm. The top of the panels lacks such curved edges, but instead has cutouts 58 into which the top cover panels can be placed to secure them to the corresponding sidewall structure. For this purpose, rivet nuts 55 are provided in the sidewalls.

[0168] The corresponding side wall on the left side is essentially a mirror image of the side wall shown in FIG. 14 of the '470 Climeworks publication, but the drill pattern is slightly different from that shown in FIG. 14 of the '470 Climeworks publication due to the different pattern of attached closed-end blind rivet nuts 52 on that side (see FIG. 13c of the '470 Climeworks publication).

[0169] In FIG15 a) of the '470 Climeworks publication, a perspective view of the frame stack is given, the view facing the direction of air flow through the stack, i.e. viewed from the downstream side. The side wall 54 visible in the diagram is therefore the left side wall, which is also provided with curved edges 59 and 56.

[0170] FIG15 b ) of the '470 Climeworks publication shows a more detailed cross-section along line AA in FIG15 a). As in FIG15 a) of the '470 Climeworks publication, the actual attachment screws (typically including washers) for attaching the frame to the side wall 54 via the holes 56 are not shown. However, in FIG15 b) of the '470 Climeworks publication, it can be seen how the heat exchange metal sheet 9 does not extend completely to the bottom of the U-shaped profile of the frame element 7", thereby providing for the above-mentioned possible distribution when filling with adsorbent. On the other hand, it can be seen that the blind rivet nuts 52 are positioned essentially parallel to the legs 8 of the profile 7", and provide internal threads for attachment via the holes 56 in the side wall 54.

[0171] FIG15 of the '470 Climeworks publication shows and illustrates an arrangement using side walls according to FIG14 of the '470 Climeworks publication for mounting a stack, wherein the frame is arranged in a substantially horizontal orientation. However, as indicated above, the frame can also be mounted in a vertical orientation, and in this case the side walls become the top wall (upper wall) and the bottom wall (lower wall), respectively. In the case of such a vertical arrangement, different attachment mechanisms can also be used to arrange the frame elements to form a stack. For example, in such a vertical arrangement, grooves can be provided for the bottom plate and the top plate, into which grooves the frame elements 7″ can be positioned, or into which grooves the frame elements can be moved during the mounting process. The reverse is also possible, so that grooves can be provided in the respective frame elements 7″ and corresponding ribs can be provided on the respective top and bottom plates. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide studs for the bottom and top plates in corresponding locations, and to provide the frame elements 7″ with rivet nuts with or without internal threads. These rivet nuts can then be placed on the studs in order to attach the corresponding frame to the top and bottom plates, respectively. It is also possible to do the other way around, i.e. to have studs in the frame elements and drilled or blind rivets in the top and bottom plates, respectively.

[0172] In order to maintain the corresponding structure, it may be important to be able to quickly replace the granular adsorbent material layer 5, for example for regeneration or replacement of the adsorbent material. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the granular adsorbent material layer 5 is removably mounted in a stacking frame structure. This is shown in Figures 16 and 17 of the '470 Climeworks publication.

[0173] FIG16 a) of the '470 Climeworks publication shows an embodiment of a drawer system, in which a layer of granular adsorbent material 5 can be moved into a frame like a drawer, wherein the side walls 54 are provided with U-shaped profiles firmly attached to the lateral walls 54 and provided with insertion grooves 63. The width of these insertion grooves 63 in the vertical direction is substantially the same as or slightly greater than the height of the corresponding layer of granular adsorbent material 5. As in the previously described examples, the layer 5 is oriented at an oblique angle so that the inflow and outflow are optimized.

[0174] 16 b) of the '470 Climeworks publication shows an embodiment in which interchangeable mounting of the layers 5 is achieved by wedges 62 attached to the side walls 54. A plurality of wedges with opposite orientations in the longitudinal direction again provide for setting the angle of inclination of the layers 5.

[0175] An embodiment of a drawer system for a layer of granular adsorbent material 5 is shown in FIG17 of the '470 Climeworks publication in both a horizontal a) orientation and a vertical c) orientation. A drawer tab 64 is secured to the layer of granular adsorbent material 5 and slides in an element forming a drawer groove 66 secured to the side walls of the stack 54, thereby enabling the insertion and removal of individual layers of granular adsorbent material.

[0176] In the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 17c of the '470 Climeworks publication, the layer of granular adsorbent material 5 is further provided with a cover plate 67 on the side of the layer 5 facing the influent gas stream 1, which is affixed to the upper portion of the layer. In this manner, even in the event of compaction and formation of pores in the adsorbent material, a physical barrier is achieved that forces air to flow through the adsorbent material. In this way, bypassing can be prevented, thereby maintaining consistent flow and adsorption behavior.

[0177] In FIG. 17 b of the '470 Climeworks publication, two granular adsorbent material layers 5 are shown placed at the same level of the stack in a horizontal orientation, each layer having a width Wf of half the width Wf of the previous embodiment and held in place by supplementary dividing walls 68 in addition to the side walls of the stack 54, each wall in this case having identical drawer tabs 64 and grooves 66, thereby allowing the insertion and removal of individual granular adsorbent material layers 5. The same structure can be placed in a vertical orientation, with corresponding cover plates 67 (as shown in FIG. c) placed on the face of the granular adsorbent material layer element 5 facing the inlet gas stream 1.

[0178] In an example of the present disclosure, a gas separation unit as disclosed herein is used to separate at least a first gas from a mixture comprising the first gas and other gases different from the first gas via a cyclic adsorption / desorption process. Figures 18 to 26 illustrate various examples or components of such a gas separation unit, as well as a process for assembling such a unit, as further described herein.

[0179] Figure 18A 1 is an example of a granular active material configuration 1800 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Configuration 1800 includes two sheets 1802 of flexible textile material having a specific porosity or permeability such that the textile material is permeable to gas but impermeable to loose granular active material 1804. Sheets 1802 of flexible textile material can be hydrophobic or coated with a hydrophobic material. Configuration 1800, or more specifically, loose granular active material 1804 encapsulated therein, is used for gas adsorption. Each configuration 1800 can be referred to as a "layer" because configuration 1800 has a substantially flat or planar configuration, and as further disclosed herein, when such configuration is implemented in a gas separation unit, at least two layers of such configurations 1800 are required to be arranged in a stacked configuration, i.e., stacked on top of each other.

[0180] With respect to the porosity of the fabric layer (or sheet 1802 of flexible fabric material, also referred to as a porous hydrophobic covering), the sheet 1802 can be constructed as a very thin membrane (e.g., as little as 0.025 mm thick) having a high degree of porosity but with a pore size small enough to accommodate the ground active particles (i.e., loose particulate active material 1804). Having a very thin layer is advantageous because carbon dioxide molecules can pass through the layer by diffusion and the gas pressure within the gas separation module or unit 2200, as described herein with reference to Figures 22A to 22E As further disclosed, shorter diffusion paths provide benefits that enhance system performance. Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of the material can beneficially prevent the ingress of liquid water, which could potentially damage the adsorbent by creating a phenomenon known as "water lock." Water lock occurs when condensed liquid water fills the pores of the adsorbent or adsorbent support material. While excess liquid water can be detrimental to adsorption kinetics, small amounts of water or water vapor are desirable because its evaporation helps produce a cooling effect on the adsorbent.

[0181] In each configuration 1800, the sheets 1802 are arranged substantially parallel to one another, thereby defining a first side 1802A of the layer (or configuration 1800) and a second side 1802B of the layer (or configuration 1800). Depending on the direction of air flow through the gas separation unit, the first side 1802A may be referred to as the "inlet side" and the second side 1802B may be referred to as the "outlet side"; or, vice versa, as further disclosed herein. The sheets 1802 are arranged with a spacing between the sheets in the range of 1-5 mm. This distance defines the thickness ("T"), as Figure 18A The thickness "T" defines the thickness of the cavity 1803 formed between the two sheets 1802, in which the loose particulate active material 1804 is located.

[0182] In terms of the size of the active particles (i.e., loose particulate active material 1804), the efficiency of the adsorbent is directly related to the surface area and the number of binding sites that attract and temporarily retain carbon dioxide molecules. Therefore, it is obvious that particles with smaller particle size and larger exposed surface area are more useful and beneficial in this application. Smaller particles require a fabric layer with smaller pores to retain them. While smaller particle size is important, the ability of carbon dioxide to interact with such particles is also very important. Therefore, it is beneficial to implement a fabric (or membrane) with a large number of micropores. The term "microporosity" is generally used in relation to such materials. These properties are most commonly found in nonwoven materials (nonwoven materials) and are further seen in foamed (expanded) nonwoven materials (nonwoven materials).

[0183] It should be understood that the thickness "T" can also approximately define the thickness of the structure 1800, because in some examples disclosed herein, the thickness ("t") of each sheet 1802 may be very small or very thin, so that the thickness "t" of the sheet (e.g., from one side of the sheet to the other side of the same sheet) is negligible compared to the larger thickness "T" measured between the two sheets. In some examples, the structure thickness "T" can be between 1 mm and 5 mm, for example, between 1 mm and 2 mm, between 2 mm and 3 mm, between 3 mm and 4 mm, between 4 mm and 5 mm, or any other range or value therebetween, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the sheet thickness "t" can be between a closed interval of 1% and 2%, 2% and 3%, 3% and 4%, 4% and 5%, 5% and 6%, 6% and 7%, 7% and 8%, 8% and 9%, 9% and 10%, or any other value or range therebetween, or a combination thereof, i.e., the value of the constructed thickness "T".

[0184] For systems that operate using a method whereby air flows along a surface (i.e., is not forced across the surface), the panel thickness or thickness "T" of the construction 1800 is important. Specifically, the thickness of the panels or construction 1800, and in turn the thickness of the adsorbent bed, becomes critical. A large number of very thin panels or constructions 1800 are best suited to improve efficiency because such a construction shortens the distance that the carbon dioxide molecules have to travel from the passing air stream across the membrane or sheet 1802 to the adsorbent (loose particulate active material 1804) where the carbon dioxide molecules are temporarily held. Additionally, as Figure 18B As shown in the flow-through "Air-1" of FIG, both surfaces or faces 1802A and 1802B of the panel or structure 1800 can be used for adsorption, where air flows over the surface (rather than through it), in contrast to the operating model shown in the flow-through "Air-2" where air must flow through the panel or structure 1800, one surface being dedicated to the entry of air flow (the inlet face) and the opposite surface being dedicated to the exit of that flow (the outlet face), and therefore not interchangeable. This difference becomes important when designing the adsorption panel or structure 1800 because carbon dioxide can enter both surfaces of the panel or structure 1800 (faces 1802A or 1802B) and the panel or structure 1800 can include a baffle or barrier layer at the centerline, which can be a series of connected polymer tubes 1806 (with connecting members 1810). In the system of the present concept, the implementation of such internal structure is not detrimental, whereas in the system of the prior art concept disclosed in the '470 Climeworks publication, any internal structure would negatively affect air flow and therefore be detrimental to system performance.

[0185] A plurality of microtubes or tubes 1806 may be implemented within cavity 1803 to serve as heat exchange elements. Tubes 1806 may be disposed within structure 1800 such that tubes 1806 extend along the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of structure 1800, as further described herein. Each tube 1806 defines a channel 1808 therein. Tubes 1806 may include two types of tubes: a first type of tube 1806A, which defines a channel 1808A disposed within cavity 1803, in which desorption is facilitated; and a second type of tube 1806B, which defines a channel 1808B through which carbon dioxide is configured to exit. Each type of tube may be made of a different material or have a different porosity than the other types of tubes to efficiently perform its corresponding task. For example, tube 1806A may be made of a material that allows a heat exchange fluid to pass therethrough while preventing the fluid from penetrating into the surrounding active material 1804. For example, tube 1806B may be configured with a porosity as described below so that when carbon dioxide is produced, the produced carbon dioxide will pass from active material 1804 into tube 1806B to be extracted from module or unit 2200. Figure 18AAs shown, desorption channel 1808A can be larger (or have a larger cross-sectional area) than exit channel 1808B, but in some examples, e.g. Figure 20B In the illustrated embodiment, all of the tubes 1806 (and / or channels 1808) may be the same or have approximately the same dimensions.

[0186] As shown in the figure, structure 1800 may have a polymer heat exchange element in the form of a group of polymer micro-tubes (i.e., tubes 1806). Tubes 1806 can be made of very thin polymer layers connected together at specific points. Tubes 1806 can be interconnected, and the inner cavity (channel 1808) of one tube can be connected to the inner cavity of another tube. In some examples, the inner cavity or channel 1808 of each tube 1806 can be discrete and not interconnected. By connecting polymer layers together to form tube 1806, rather than by extrusion, extremely thin walls can be formed without considering concentricity. Extremely thin walls can have a thickness as low as 0.025mm and allow very efficient transfer of heat to or from the adsorbent. Tube 1806 can be constructed to have a diameter between 0.5mm and 1.0mm in a closed interval. In some examples, tube 1806 can be constructed to have an oval cross-section. These dimensional and geometric variations allow for the creation of panels (or configurations 1800) of sorbent containing heat exchange elements that are very thin in cross-section (eg, as little as 1 mm in cross-sectional thickness).

[0187] In some examples, the porosity of tube 1806A for receiving the desorption medium may be different from the porosity of tube 1806B for allowing carbon dioxide to escape from the loose granular active material 1804. The porosity of tube 1806 can vary from dense to very porous. In the dense version, the material may not allow liquid water or water vapor to pass through the wall of tube 1806. In the porous version, the material may not allow liquid water to pass through, but allow water vapor to pass through. The polymer heat exchange tube (i.e., the tube that receives the desorption medium) 1806A can be constructed so that some tubes have a porous microstructure and some tubes have a dense microstructure. In addition, the same polymer heat exchange tube 1806A can be constructed in a variety of cross-sectional shapes, sizes and / or geometries as needed. The polymer heat exchange tube 1806A can also be provided with a surface treatment, including but not limited to, for example, metallization by vapor deposition. The metallized surface can be beneficial in enhancing heat transfer through tube 1806B. Figure 20B Examples of embodiments of tube 1806 are also shown in Figure 23 Shown in.

[0188] Return to reference Figure 18AAt least one connecting member or connector 1810 may be formed between the tubes 1806 to provide a unitary (single) or interconnected multi-tubular structure for placement within the cavity 1803. The multi-tubular structure may facilitate easier and / or faster replacement of the tubes 1806 when necessary, as the connecting member(s) 1810 allow for simultaneous replacement and / or reinstallation of the tubes 1806. In some examples, the connecting member 1810 is a selectively permeable barrier configured to allow air flow therethrough while preventing the passage of the loose particulate active material 1804 therethrough.

[0189] In some examples, the heat exchange fluid or heat transfer fluid can be any suitable desorption medium and can be in gas, vapor or liquid form. In some examples, the desorption medium can be water (steam and / or liquid water), salt water, any suitable glycol-based heat transfer fluid such as ethylene glycol, a mixture of water and other suitable substances, or any other suitable type of fluid for promoting heat transfer. Such desorption medium can be provided in the channels 1808A of the tube 1806A, which can be interspersed between the tubes 1806B, which are configured to allow carbon dioxide to pass through them, for example, to provide an outlet for carbon dioxide captured in the cavity 1803. The tubes 1806 (both the first type 1806A and the second type 1806B) or at least their non-bent portions can be arranged substantially parallel to each other, for example, using a connecting member 1810 as shown.

[0190] Figure 18BThe different air flows that may pass through the structure 1800 are shown. The diagram shows two structures 1800A and 1800B placed in a stacked configuration, with one structure being substantially parallel to the other. In the example shown, the first face 1802A of the first structure 1800A faces the corresponding first face 1802A of the second structure 1800B. As shown, channels 1812 are formed between the structures 1800 to allow air flow between adjacent structures. Channel 1812A is defined between the structures 1800A and 1800B, and two additional channels 1812B and 1812C are formed on the other side of the structures 1800A and 1800B, respectively. These channels 1812A and 1812C can be formed between the illustrated structure 1800 and an additional structure 1800 not shown for simplicity. Each channel 1812 is configured to allow the circulation of air ("Air-1," shown with white arrows and black outlines). For example, layers or configurations 1800 are arranged such that the inlet faces 1802A of adjacent layers or configurations 1800 face each other and enclose gas inlet channels (e.g., 1812A), and such that the outlet faces 1802B face each other and enclose gas outlet channels (e.g., 1812B, 1812C), as shown, though it should be understood that in some examples, outlet face 1802B can function as inlet face 1802A, and vice versa. Each channel 1812 is defined by a gap "G" formed between adjacent faces 1802A or 1802B, which can be uniform throughout or vary in distance from one gap to another. In some examples, the average distance between faces 1802A or 1802B defining the channels 1812 (i.e., the average distance of the gap "G"), measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the primary inlet and outlet gas flow directions, respectively, is within a range of 0.1 cm to 15 cm, inclusive. In some examples, the range may include the inclusive intervals 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm, 0.2 cm to 0.3 cm, 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm, 0.4 cm to 0.5 cm, 0.5 cm to 1 cm, 1 cm to 2 cm, 2 cm to 3 cm, 3 cm to 4 cm, 4 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 15 cm, or any other suitable value or range therebetween, or combinations thereof.

[0191] The air gap "G" between the panels or configurations 1800 can be configured based on a variety of variables, including the overall length of the panels or configurations 1800, the cycle time operating parameters of the system in which the configuration 1800 is implemented, and the energy usage versus system efficiency. In general, it may be desirable to maximize a given volume for the module or reactor portion of the system (i.e., the gas separation module or unit 2200). Space must be dedicated to: 1) the adsorbent material itself; 2) any support structure; and 3) space for air to flow past the panels. In many cases, such as using a 2000 system, the adsorbent material may be used to create a desired adsorbent material. Figure 22A 1800 ). The space is maintained by spacers 2201 such as the spacers shown in . The material of the spacers 2201 is configured to securely fit one panel to another for circulation operation without obstructing air flow and is made of any suitable microporous material, including but not limited to metals and / or polymers such as polyethylene (PE) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), that can withstand operating parameters such as air velocity and temperature extremes. In some examples, corrugated and expanded aluminum or aluminum mesh can be implemented as the spacers 2201. The mesh can also be inserted into the panel itself (e.g., inside the structure 1800) and then corrugated, thereby maximizing the amount of adsorbent in the volume of the module or unit 2200 by configuring it not only as a panel or structure 1800, but also as a spacer of the panel or structure 1800.

[0192] Each first face 1802A defines an inlet face for a corresponding layer or configuration. The first faces 1802A in this example can be referred to as "inlet faces" because airflow ("Air-2," represented by dashed thick arrows) can pass through these first faces 1802A to enter the cavity 1803 holding the loose particulate active material 1804 and the tubes 1806 of each configuration 1800. However, as described herein, the same inlet face can also serve as an outlet face for a different airflow (flow-through) and is therefore not limited to providing only unidirectional airflow therethrough. Therefore, all faces 1802A and 1802B disclosed herein are bidirectional and can be interchanged between inlets and outlets having different directionality of airflow.

[0193] In this context, circulation of a gas mixture is generally understood to mean flowing along parallel fluid channels and parallel to the adsorbent layer (e.g., configuration 1800) to allow carbon dioxide to be adsorbed on the adsorbent layer. Generally, circulation includes at least three types of flows, such as Figure 18BAs shown. The first type (e.g., shown as "Air-1") is flow that travels parallel to the surface of a structure, such as an adsorbent layer or adsorbent element (i.e., structure 1800), and can include flow through a space between two structures, such as two adsorbent layers (e.g., channel 1812 between structure 1800) or opposing walls of a channel (e.g., opposing inlet faces 1802A or outlet faces 1802B). The second type (e.g., shown as "Air-2") refers to air flow that travels into a surface and through a material such as a porous adsorbent layer supported by the surface (e.g., through loose granular active material 1804), thereby allowing air to diffuse out of the surface on the other side of the structure. The first type of flow may transition to the second type of flow after traveling through the material; and vice versa. The third type (e.g., shown as "Air-3"), also in Figure 22E ) is a representation of the number of times a structure is traveled through in a given time (e.g., Figure 22E The gas separation unit 2200, in which the structure 1800 is installed) is configured to flow the total mass of the gas mixture, which may include the first and / or second flow types ( Figure 18B 1802B) and a combination of different flows "Air-1" and "Air-2" (shown as dashed circles in the figure). Thus, the gas inflow entering the gas separation unit 2200 can flow parallel to the inlet face 1802A or the outlet face 1802B (as shown by the flow "Air-1"), or the gas inflow can flow through (through) the inlet face 1802A, then flow through the loose particulate active material 1804 located in the cavity 1803 of the corresponding layer or structure 1800, and then exit the corresponding layer through the outlet face 1802B to form a gas outflow (as shown by the flow "Air-2"). The gas outflow from the flow "Air-2" can merge with another gas inflow parallel to the outlet face 1802B, i.e., another flow "Air-1", to form the flow "Air-3", as shown by channels 1812B and 1812C in the figure. In some examples, there may be another flow "Air-4" where flow "Air-4" enters either inlet face 1802A or outlet face 1802B and then exits from the same face from which it entered (e.g., enters and exits from inlet face 1802A, or enters and exits from outlet face 1802B), such that any of faces 1802A and 1802B can serve as both an inlet face and an outlet face. In these examples, flow "Air-3" can be a combination of any two or more of flows "Air-1," "Air-2," and "Air-4."

[0194] Figure 19AThe direction of fluid flow during the desorption step of a gas separation process is shown. As indicated by white arrows 1900, a desorption medium flows from a manifold (e.g., manifold 2202A, further disclosed herein) into channel 1808A (longer white arrows) configured to receive the desorption medium. The desorption medium then flows into cavity 1803 (shorter white arrows) containing loose granular active material 1804. As indicated by shaded arrows 1902, carbon dioxide subsequently or simultaneously with desorption medium flow 1900 flows from loose granular active material 1804 into channel 1808B configured to receive carbon dioxide from tube 1806B. Specifically, when active material 1804 reaches a certain elevated temperature, the carbon dioxide therein is released and enters carbon dioxide capture tube 1806B within panel or structure 1800. During this step, capture tube 1806B, or more specifically, channel 1808B within the capture tube, may be under a vacuum. Additionally, the entire module or unit 2200 may be placed under a partial vacuum to reduce the amount of oxygen present during the desorption step, which may beneficially mitigate undesirable oxidative degradation of the adsorbent chemistry.

[0195] Figure 19B The direction of heat flow during the cooling step of the gas separation process is shown. As indicated by shaded arrows 1904, a cooling fluid, such as water, flows into channel 1808A while simultaneously absorbing heat from the surrounding loose, particulate active material 1804 into channel 1808A, as indicated by white arrows 1906. Applying the cooling step is optional, but advantageously allows the adsorption process to be completed more quickly than cooling the active material 1804 through passive cooling.

[0196] Figure 19C The direction of pressure flow during the pressurization step of the gas separation process is shown. As shown by white arrows 1908, a pressurized fluid (which can be water in liquid or gaseous form, or any other suitable fluid) flows into channel 1808A, which increases the internal pressure within channel 1808A, and the internal pressure flows outward from channel 1808A toward the loose particulate active material 1804, as shown by shaded arrows 1910. The pressurization step is optional, but can be beneficial to enhance the stiffness of the panel or construction 1800 during the adsorption process. Tube 1806A can be pressurized, and a column of pressurized air can be used to provide structural integrity to the construction 1800, similar to the operation of an inflatable mattress, inflatable kayak, or inflatable trampoline castle.

[0197] Figure 20A and 20B 1800. The tube 1806 may have differently sized tubes 1806A and 1806B (and therefore differently sized channels 1808A and 1808B), as shown. Figures 19A to 19CAs shown, or having substantially similarly sized tubes 1806A and 1806B, as Figure 20A and 20B There may also be two or more layers or stacked tubes 1806, such as Figure 20A The stacked tubes (or groups of tubes) may be positioned substantially parallel to each other.

[0198] Figure 21 An example of a configuration 1800 is shown in which a portion of a tube 1806 has a conductor member 2100 extending through and filling its channels 1808. In the example shown, the conductor member 2100 can comprise an elongated member made of a conductive metal or any other suitable conductive material, including but not limited to chromium-cobalt alloy (CrCo), nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr), or nickel-iron-chromium alloy (NiFeCr), such as nickel-chromium (such as NiCr 80 / 20), iron-chromium-aluminum alloy (FeCrAl), and / or copper-nickel alloy (CuNi), extending through and filling, for example, channels 1808A formed to receive a desorption medium. Thus, rather than receiving a desorption medium, the channels 1808A receive the conductor members 2100, which control the internal temperature by electrically generating heat therethrough.

[0199] It is well known that for resistive heating, a conductor material is selected with a relatively high resistivity (ρ) so that the resulting conductor component has a relatively high resistance (R), where R = ρL / A (L is the length of the conductor component and A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor component). Current passing through the conductor component causes the conductor to emit heat. This type of heating is common in electrical heating elements (such as, for example, kitchen toasters). In some examples, the resistivity (ρ) of the material at room temperature (20°C) can be between 1.00×10 -6 Ωm to 1.20×10 -6 Ωm, 1.20×10 -6 Ωm to 1.50×10 -6 Ωm, 1.50×10 -6 Ωm to 1.70×10 -6 Ωm, 1.70×10 -6 Ωm to 2.00×10 -6 Ωm, or any other suitable range or value therebetween, or a combination thereof. Channel 1808B may still receive carbon dioxide exiting from the surrounding loose granular active material 1804, as described above. Figure 24 Also shown Figure 21 An example of an embodiment of a tube 1806 is shown with a conductor component 2100 mounted therein.

[0200] Figures 22A to 22D 2200. Figure 22A , a plurality of layers or constructions 1800 as described above are positioned in a substantially parallel configuration relative to one another and separated by a gap "G" as shown. The gap "G" can be maintained using a plurality of spacers 2201, which can be appropriately shaped to prevent relative movement of the constructions 1800. The spacers 2201 can be formed as a corrugated material, which can include an adsorbent material, and extend between adjacent constructions 1800 along at least a portion of the length of the constructions 1800.

[0201] exist Figure 22B 1800, a gas inlet side or gas inlet manifold (also referred to as a "first manifold") 2202A is mounted at or near one end of the configuration 1800, such that the manifold 2202A is coupled to all of the configurations 1800. A desorption medium outlet manifold (also referred to as a "second manifold") 2202B is mounted at or near the opposite end of the configuration 1800. Manifold 2202A facilitates the inflow of fluid to heat or cool the channels 1808 of the configuration, while manifold 2202B facilitates the outflow of such fluid.

[0202] exist Figure 22C In the embodiment of the present invention, a carbon dioxide collection manifold (also referred to as a "third manifold") 2204 is mounted at or near the opposite end of configuration 1800, proximal to manifold 2202B. Manifold 2204 facilitates the collection of carbon dioxide exiting configuration 1800, as described above. Thus, in view of the above, manifold 2202A is fluidly coupled to channel 1808A for the inflow of desorption medium; manifold 2202B is fluidly coupled to channel 1808A for the outflow of desorption medium; and manifold 2204 is fluidly coupled to channel 1808B for both carbon dioxide collection and outflow. In some examples, manifolds 2202A and 2202B are electrically coupled to conductive member 2100, allowing electrical current to be transferred from one manifold to the other, thereby generating heat.

[0203] exist Figure 22DIn the embodiment of the present invention, the structure 1800 and the manifolds 2202A, 2202B and 2204 are mounted in a housing 2206, or in some examples, the structure 1800 can be slidably and removably held in place in the housing 2206, which can be an outer frame formed using the manifolds 2202A, 2202B and 2204. Ports 2208 are also present in the housing 2206 to facilitate the inflow or outflow of corresponding fluids, as described above. For example, as shown, port 2208A is used for the inflow of desorption medium, port 2208B is used for the outflow of desorption medium, and port 2208C is used for the outflow of carbon dioxide from the unit 2200. The manifold can be formed to allow the desorption medium to enter and exit the unit 2200, and to allow the flow of the desorption medium confined within the unit 2200 to pass through at least one layer or structure 1800.

[0204] In some examples, the layers or structures 1800 are held in place in the housing 2206 by at least one pair of side walls (e.g., as shown, side walls 2206A and 2206C form one pair and wide walls 2206B and 2206D form another pair), which are either arranged vertically in pairs or arranged horizontally in pairs, and have elements arranged on the side walls (i.e., side wall elements 2206A to 2206D that define these side walls), which allow the various layers or structures 1800 to be moved into and / or out of the housing 2206 in a replaceable manner.

[0205] Figure 22EShown is an example of a complete unit 2200, which is implemented to promote gas separation and is provided in modular form for ease of operation, transportation and maintenance. As shown, the air flow flowing into and out of the unit 2200 is shown with shaded arrows, which represent the "air-3" circulation discussed above. Carbon dioxide in the air flow can be captured by the unit 2200 and released via port 2208C. Each structure 1800 is also shown as having a width "W" and a depth "D", which basically define the size of the entire unit 2200, and the height "H" of the unit 2200 depends on the number of the structures 1800 installed and the distance of each gap "G" between them. In some examples, the housing 2206 can be formed with additional manifolds, such as a manifold on the inlet side (the place where the air flow enters the unit 2200) and another manifold on the outlet side (the place where the air flow leaves the unit 2200), thereby defining the path of the gas or air flow between them, so that the gas or air flow is confined in the unit and passes through the layer or structure 1800, as shown. In some examples, the total frame depth "D" is in the range of 0.5m to 1.8m inclusive (or between 0.5m to 0.7m, 0.7m to 1m, 1m to 1.3m, 1.3m to 1.5m, 1.5m to 1.8m, or any other value or range therebetween, or a combination thereof), and the frame width "W" is in the range of 0.5m to 1.9m inclusive (or between 0.5m to 0.7m, 0.7m to 1m, 1m to 1.3m, 1.3m to 1.5m, 1.5m to 1.7m, 1.7m to 1.9m, or any other value or range therebetween, or a combination thereof).

[0206] An example of how a gas separation unit or module 2200 may be used in the operation of gas separation is explained herein. Figure 22E As shown by the arrows, air flows through the panels, which are held in place by the frame(s) of the housing 2206, in configuration 1800. Specifically, air enters the unit or module 2200 and flows through a sheet of flexible fabric material 1802 and into the panel or configuration 1800. As the air flows through the panel or configuration 1800, it passes over active particles or loose granular active material 1804, as well as over heat exchange elements, such as tubes 1806. During the adsorption step, carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto the active particles 1804 and released from the active particles 1804 when heated during the desorption step. The air (and / or carbon dioxide) passes through the sheet of flexible fabric material 1802 on the outlet side of the panel or configuration 1800. In some examples, the configuration 1800 can be described as a thin packed bed configuration, with the heat exchange elements contained within the packed bed.

[0207] In some examples, by miniaturizing various features, the unit 2200 can be constructed so that air does not need to flow through the sorbent bed (loose granular active material 1804). Instead, the air can flow along the surface of the flexible fabric material layer 1802 from the inlet to the outlet of the unit or module 2200, as shown in FIG. Figure 18B 2200, and the system in which the unit or module 2200 is implemented, by increasing the amount of adsorbent within a given volume of the unit or module 2200 while also reducing the pressure differential from the inlet to the outlet of the unit or module 2200. Reducing the pressure may also be beneficial in reducing the amount of energy required to force the air through the unit or module 2200 (e.g., using an electric fan).

[0208] Figure 25A and 25B An example of mounting the structure 1800 on a frame structure 2506 according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. The frame structure 2506 can be a rigid frame structure, such as a manifold structure, or can be a rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure as shown. However, it should be understood that the frame structure 2506 can be any other suitable shape (e.g., circular, oval, polygonal, curved, etc.) and configuration (e.g., any suitable number of one or more components forming the frame structure, such that the frame structure can be integrally formed or assembled from multiple components) that is sufficiently rigid to hold the layers or structure 1800. In some examples, the frame structure 2506 includes at least three metal profiles arranged in pairs of parallel metal profiles, and the metal profiles have at least one pair of legs that are arranged substantially parallel to the inlet face of the structure 1800 and the outlet face of the structure 1800 and allow the flexible fabric material sheet 1802 to be circumferentially secured to the legs on each corresponding face. That is, the frame structure 2506 may have at least a first leg 2506A, a second leg 2506B, and a third leg 2506C as shown, wherein the first leg 2506A and the third leg 2506C are parallel to each other. Figure 26A and 26B An example with four legs (2506A to 2506D) is shown in FIG.

[0209] Return to reference Figure 25A and 25B, legs 2506A to 2506C are provided circumferentially or at the perimeter of the construction 1800 to hold the sheet of flexible fabric material 1802 in place. In some examples, the one-piece (integrated) resealable feature 2500, and a control mechanism 2502 such as a fastener for opening and closing the resealable feature 2500 may be located between two layers of flexible fabric material such as a zipper (e.g., between 1802A and 1802B). Opening the resealable feature 2500 forms an access opening 2504 that allows the loose granular active material 1804 and / or tube 1806 inside to be removed or replaced / refilled as needed. In some examples, the tube 1806, or at least a non-bent portion thereof, is disposed substantially parallel to at least one pair of mutually parallel metal profiles (i.e., Figure 25A and 25B Legs 2506A and 2506C in the example shown in FIG, and / or Figure 26A and 26B 2506B and 2506D in the example shown). In some examples, the metal profile is in thermal contact with a plurality of metal sheets (not shown) that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the frame structure 2600 and perpendicular to the tubes 1806 and extend in a continuous manner between the pairs of mutually parallel metal profiles or legs 2506. In some examples, the parallel profiles, such as legs 2506A and 2506C, are provided with a plurality of holes 2508 through which the plurality of tubes 1806 pass. The holes 2508 allow the channels 1808 within the tubes 1806 to be fluidically coupled to a suitable manifold, as described above with reference to Figures 22A to 22E As stated.

[0210] Figure 26A and 26B Another example of how a resealable feature 2500 and a control mechanism 2502 may be configured according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. In the example shown, the resealable feature 2500 includes four independently operable resealable features 2500A to 2500D arranged in an X-shaped configuration extending from a corner of the frame structure 2506 or configuration 1800 toward the center. Each of the features 2500A to 2500D has its own control mechanism (2502A to 2502D, respectively) and is disposed on one of the two layers 1802 such that operating the appropriate control mechanism 2502 forms an opening 2504. It should be understood that the resealable feature 2500 and the control mechanism 2502 may take any suitable shape and configuration other than the X-shaped configuration shown.

[0211] Figure 27 shows examples of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of granular materials (from Shokouhimehr et al., "Magnetically Separable and Sustainable Nanostructured Catalysts for Heterogeneous Reduction of Nitroaromatics," Catalyst, May 2015, 534-560; doi: 10.3390 / catal5020534). Specifically, images (a) and (b) show loose particles of mesoporous silica nanospheres (KCC-1), while images (c) and (d) show loose particles of magnetic nanoparticle-supported palladium (Ni@Pd) / KCC-1 nanocatalyst. Such particles are some examples of inactive materials known in the art. The following references can be used Figures 28A to 28C The disclosed method processes an inactive material to form an active material.

[0212] Figure 28A and 28B A cross-sectional view of a single inactive particle 2800, such as mesoporous silica, is shown, wherein the particle has a generally spherical shape and, as shown, has a plurality of pores 2802 extending from the periphery and toward the center of the particle 2800. The pores 2802 increase the porosity or permeability and surface area of ​​the particle 2800. Figure 28C A particle 2800 is shown having a soluble sorbent material coating 2804 applied to its outer surface, thereby covering the surface area of ​​the particle 2800 with a layer of soluble sorbent material coating 2804. In some examples, the soluble sorbent material coating 2804 can include, but is not limited to, any suitable polymer coating known in the art, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI), among others.

[0213] In some examples, coating 2804 is applied without significantly filling or blocking pores 2802. In some examples, coating 2804 is applied without reducing the surface area of ​​particle 2800 by more than 20%. For example, the second surface area of ​​particle 2800 with coating 2804 applied is at least 80% of the first surface area of ​​particle 2800 without coating 2804. In some examples, the second surface area can be at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or any other value or range therebetween, compared to the first surface area. In some examples, the second porosity or permeability of particle 2800 with coating 2804 applied is at least 80% of the first porosity or permeability of particle 2800 without coating 2804. In some examples, the second porosity or permeability can be at least 85%, at least 90%, or any other combination of values ​​or ranges therebetween, compared to the porosity or permeability. Particles 2800 made of inactive material can be advantageously implemented as active particles 1804 disclosed herein with a coating 2804 applied to the surface. Advantageously, this coating technique allows a wider variety of materials to be implemented for carbon capture as needed while minimizing the impact on the porosity or permeability of the original material used. A non-exhaustive list of possible inactive materials that can be formed into active particles using such a process includes: fumed alumina, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and mesoporous materials, which may include silica and alumina with similarly sized mesopores, including but not limited to mesoporous carbon and mesoporous oxides of niobium, tantalum, titanium, zirconium, cerium, and tin. The porosity of mesoporous carbon is in the mesoporous range, which is beneficial for significantly increasing the effective surface area. In some examples, the mesoporous material can be activated carbon, which can be composed of a carbon framework with both mesopores and micropores, depending on the conditions under which it is synthesized.

[0214] Figure 29A is an SEM image of the surface of an inactive material formed using inactive particles before coating, Figure 29B is coated with a soluble adsorbent material coating Figure 29A An SEM image of the surface of an active material formed from an inactive material (e.g., PEI), as described above, is shown with a scale relative to the length of the image of 5.00 μm (such that the distance between two consecutive vertical marks represents 0.5 μm). The bottom of the image shows: Figure 29A SU8230 2.0kV 9.1mm x 10.0k SE(UL) Figure 29BThe image is labeled "SU8230 2.0kV 13.2mm x 10.0k SE (UL)." The surface in each image includes multiple rope-like structures 2900, oblong pill-shaped structures 2902, and irregularly shaped structures 2904, all of which have relatively rough or "crusty" surfaces. In some examples, the rope-like structures 2900 are individual fibrils of PTFE or ePTFE, the oblong structures 2902 are individual nodes of PTFE or ePTFE, and the structures with rough surfaces 2904 are agglomerated silica particles.

[0215] The surface area of ​​such particles (e.g., particles 1804 and 2800) can be measured using any suitable equipment that implements the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) theory known in the art for measuring the surface area of ​​solid or porous materials. Examples of such equipment for generating BET data include, but are not limited to, the AutoSorb iQ instrument (e.g., a chemisorption / physisorption analyzer) from Anton-Paar (Graz, Austria). In some examples, the uncoated surface of the material ( Figure 29A ) may have a BET surface area of ​​approximately 185 m2 / (g adsorbent), whereas the same material after coating ( Figure 29B ) may have a BET surface area of ​​about 72 m2 / (g of adsorbent). Thus, in some examples, application of the coating can reduce the BET surface area by about 55% to 60%, 60% to 65%, 65% to 70%, or any other suitable range or combination of values ​​therebetween.

[0216] Additional measurements may be performed as needed, or additional measurements may be calculated with reference to samples of porous particles or porous materials disclosed herein. In some examples, "bulk density" can be calculated by simply dividing the mass of the porous sample by its total volume (e.g., the total volume of the porous sample is equal to the volume of the solid content plus the volume of the pore content). In some examples, "true density" can be determined using a helium pycnometer (or any other suitable gas pycnometer known in the art) that measures only the volume of the solid content in the porous sample, referred to as the "true volume," using Boyle's Law. Since the mass of the sample is known, the true density can be obtained by dividing the mass of the sample by its true volume. In some examples, porosity can be calculated to define a measure of the pore content in a porous material, where "percent porosity" can be calculated using the following equation: Where B is the bulk density of the porous material and T is the true density of the porous material.

[0217] In some examples, a "Gurley" value can be determined, which is a measure of the resistance of a porous sample to air flow at a given pressure drop. The Gurley value is defined as the resistance of a porous sample to air flow at a given pressure drop when a constant pressure of 4.88 inches of water (0.177 psi) is applied to the sample. 3 The time in seconds required for air to pass through one square inch of membrane. Higher Gurley numbers indicate lower air permeability or greater resistance to air flow at a given pressure drop. Gurley values ​​are reported in seconds, or (s / (100 cm2) at 0.177 psi. 3 *in 2 ))(seconds / 100 cubic centimeters*square inches).

[0218] The differences between the samples before and after application of the above coatings (e.g., PEI coatings) can be observed by determining the above measurements and comparing them in a table similar to the following (Table 1): Table 1: Comparison of measured values ​​before and after coating Material properties Sample before coating Samples after coating <![CDATA[Density (g / cm 3 )]]> 0.3582 0.5144 Gurley value (seconds) 467.3 391.3 <![CDATA[Skeleton density (g / cm 3 )]]> 2.16 1.85 Porosity (%) 83.4 72

[0219] In some examples, the average thickness of the material is substantially the same before and after the coating is applied. In some examples, the density of the material after coating may increase by about 35% to 40%, 40% to 45%, 45% to 50%, or any other suitable range or value combination therebetween compared to the density before coating. In some examples, the Gurley measurement of the material after coating may decrease by about 10% to 15%, 15% to 20%, 25% to 30%, or any other suitable range or value combination therebetween compared to the Gurley measurement before coating. In some examples, the skeletal density of the material after coating may decrease by about 5% to 10%, 10% to 15%, 15% to 20%, or any other suitable range or value combination therebetween compared to the skeletal density before coating. In some examples, the porosity of the material after coating may decrease by about 5% to 10%, 10% to 15%, 15% to 20%, or any other suitable range or value combination therebetween compared to the porosity before coating.

[0220] The disclosure of the present application has been described above generally and with reference to specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments are intended to cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0221] Reference Signs List 1 Inlet gas flow, gas inflow, main gas inflow direction 2 Outlet gas flow, gas outflow, main gas outflow direction 3 Gas inlet channel 4 Gas outlet channel 5 Granular adsorbent material layer element 6. Sheet of fabric material encapsulating adsorbent material 7 A part of the frame that defines the geometric structure of the adsorbent layer and supports the fabric material that encapsulates the adsorbent material 8 7's legs parallel to the inlet surface 18 9 Metal sheets, heat exchange sheets 10 9 in the hole for 11 11 Tubes containing / conducting heat transfer fluid 12 inner wire mesh layer 13 outer wire mesh layer 14 Laths for attaching layers 15 frame rivets 16 wide slats, tongue 17 Sealing protrusion on 16 18 Entrance face 19 Exit surface 20 groove for receiving 16 21 Frame structure of heat exchange element 22 heat exchange element 23 11 U-shaped elbow 24 center rivets 25 24 rivet tube 26 24 rivet pins 27 25 head 28 26 head 29 Inlet / outlet fittings for heat exchange elements 30 Support element 31 30 round nose 32 30 outer leg part 33 30 inner leg part 34 Inflow pipe Widened wall section of 35 34 Turbulence reducer at 36-35 37 The main horizontal axis of the entire unit 38 filter fabric material 39 Upstream nose section profile 40 39 round nose 41 39 outer leg part 42 39 center leg section 43 Layer 5 Insertion Slot The concave part of 44 41 45 External incision 46 Internal incision 47 39 fastening elements 48 without round nose 39 50 36 downstream edge Radial part of 51 36 52 Closed blind rivet nut in frame 7 for fastening to the side wall 53 Closed blind rivet nut in frame element 7", in hole for filling with adsorbent 54 Stacked side wall (right side) 55 Rivet nut in wall 54 56 Drilled holes in the side wall of 55 for fastening the frame to the side wall 57 Lines indicating the mounting arrangement of the frame on the side wall 58 Cutout for top cover 59 Curved edges on the lateral sides 60 Curved edge on bottom side U-shaped profile on 61 54 Wedge on 62 54 63 Insertion groove for 5 64 Drawer tongue 65 Additional rivets in border area 66 drawer recess 67 Covering Plate 68 partition wall 100 Main inflow 101 Inflow into the stack at the center 102 Inflow into the stack at the outer part 1800 Granular Active Material Construction 1802 Flexible fabric sheets or surfaces thereof 1803 Cavity 1804 Loose granular active materials 1806 Tube Channel 1808 1810 Connecting components 1812 Air Flow Channel 1900 Desorption medium flow 1902 Carbon dioxide flow 1904 Coolant Flow 1906 Heat flow from adsorbent material 1908 Pressurized Fluid Flow 1910 Internal Pressure Flow 2100 Conductor 2200 Gas Separation Unit 2201 Spacer 2202 Manifold for desorption medium flow 2204 Manifold for CO2 collection 2206 External Frame Port 2208 2500 one-piece resealable feature 2502 Control mechanism for 2500 2504 Entering the Opening 2506 Frame structure or its legs 2508 Hole for 1806 to penetrate 2800 Inactive Carrier Particles 2802 2800 pores 2804 Hydrophobic Coating 2900 Rope-like structure 2902 oblong pill-shaped structure 2904 Irregularly shaped structures A 39 without round nose BD 39 with a nose portion that gradually increases in length a Center frame stacking distance at the opening edge b Intermediate frame stacking distance at the opening edge c Outer frame stacking distance at the opening edge d 9 distance between Depth of D 1800 or 2200 Do 9 outer diameter Di 9 inner diameter Dft Total frame depth Df frame depth G gap between adjacent 1800 Height H 9 Height of H 2200 B-D Length of B - Length of D Thickness of t 1802 Thickness of T 1800 w 9 width W 1800 or 2200 width Wf frame width v′ The rivet spacing of the second group of rivets in the transverse direction v″ The rivet spacing of the second group of rivets along the longitudinal direction y′ is the rivet spacing in the transverse direction y″ Rivet spacing along the longitudinal direction x The distance between adjacent 9s z 23 protrusion length

Claims

1. A gas separation unit for separating at least the first gas from a mixture comprising the first gas and other gases different from the first gas by a cyclic adsorption / desorption process, the gas separation unit comprising: a plurality of granular active material configurations arranged in at least two stacked layers, wherein each layer of the granular active material construction comprises two sheets of flexible textile material, said flexible textile material being hydrophobic and permeable to gas, but impermeable to the loose granular active material for gas adsorption, Wherein, the sheet: are arranged substantially in parallel so as to define an inlet face of said layer and an outlet face of said layer, The distance between the sheets is set and separated to be within the range of 1-5 mm. enclosing a cavity in which the loose particulate active material is located, and Installed on the manifold frame structure, wherein the frame structure is formed by four metal profiles arranged in pairs parallel to each other, the metal profiles having pairs of legs arranged substantially parallel to the inlet face of the layer and the outlet face of the layer, respectively, and the frame structure allows the sheet to be fixed circumferentially to the legs on each corresponding face, wherein a plurality of tubes for heat exchange fluid are provided in the frame structure and the cavity, wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged substantially parallel to a first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles at least on their non-bent portions and are in thermal contact with the plurality of metal sheets, wherein the metal sheet is arranged substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the frame structure and perpendicular to the tubes, and extends in a continuous manner between the first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles and is provided with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of tubes pass, wherein the unit has a desorption medium inlet side or a desorption medium inlet manifold through which the desorption medium enters the unit, and a desorption medium outlet side or a desorption medium outlet manifold through which the desorption medium leaves the unit, the desorption medium path between the inlet flow and the outlet flow being restricted in the unit to pass through at least one layer, wherein the layers are arranged in a cell such that a gas inflow entering the cell passes through the inlet face, then passes through the loose particulate active material located in the cavity of the respective layer, and then exits the respective layer through the outlet face to form a gas outflow exiting the cell, wherein the layers are arranged such that the inlet faces of adjacent layers face each other and enclose a gas inlet channel, and such that the outlet faces face each other and enclose a gas outlet channel, The average distance between the inlet and / or outlet faces of the channel is defined to be within a closed range of 0.1-15 cm, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main gas inflow direction and the main gas outflow direction, respectively. wherein the total frame depth is within the range of 0.5-1.8 m inclusive, and the frame width is within the range of 0.5-1.9 m inclusive, and Therein, each layer of a stack of at least two layers is held in place in the housing by at least one pair of side walls, which are arranged in pairs vertically or horizontally and on which elements are provided that allow individual layers to be moved into the housing in a replaceable manner.

2. The gas separation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The distance between the sheets is within the range of 1-3 mm closed.

3. The gas separation unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The average distance defining the channel is within the range of 1-5 mm inclusive.

4. A gas separation unit according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The sheets of flexible fabric material each have a porosity sufficiently small to prevent the loose particulate active material from passing therethrough while promoting the passage of air and carbon dioxide therethrough.

5. A gas separation unit according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The loose particulate active material comprises a plurality of loose active particles, wherein each of the loose active particles has a cross-sectional width or height within a range between 2-1200 μm inclusive.

6. A gas separation unit according to any preceding claim, characterised in that Also included are a plurality of connectors disposed between adjacent tubes.

7. The gas separation unit according to claim 6, characterized in that The connector is configured to maintain the tubes in a parallel configuration relative to each other.

8. The gas separation unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The connector is configured to extend at least partially along the length of the tube.

9. The gas separation unit according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The connector is a selectively permeable barrier configured to permit air flow therethrough while preventing the loose particulate active material from passing therethrough.

10. The gas separation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of granular active material configurations includes an integral resealable feature configured to provide an access opening to the cavity such that the loose granular active material can be filled within or removed from the cavity.

11. The gas separation unit according to claim 10, characterized in that The integral resealable feature includes one or more fasteners implemented on the inlet face or the outlet face of the layer.

12. The gas separation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: At least one of the plurality of tubes includes a conductor member extending at least partially therethrough, wherein the conductor member is configured to perform resistive heating to facilitate a cyclic adsorption / desorption process.

13. The gas separation unit according to claim 12, characterized in that The conductor component includes a resistivity within the closed interval of 1.00×10 -6 Ωm and 2.00×10 -6 Conductor materials between Ωm.

14. The gas separation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The loose particulate active material is formed by coating a loose particulate inactive material with a hydrophobic coating such that a second surface area of ​​the loose particulate inactive material with the coating is at least 80% of a first surface area of ​​the loose particulate inactive material without the coating.

15. The gas separation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The loose particulate active material is formed by coating a loose particulate inactive material with a hydrophobic coating such that a second porosity / permeability of the loose particulate inactive material with the coating is at least 80% of a first porosity / permeability of the loose particulate inactive material without the coating.

16. A gas separation unit for separating at least the first gas from a mixture comprising the first gas and other gases different from the first gas by a cyclic adsorption / desorption process, the gas separation unit comprising: a plurality of granular active material configurations arranged in at least two stacked layers, wherein each layer of the granular active material construction comprises two sheets of flexible textile material, said flexible textile material being hydrophobic and permeable to gas but impermeable to the gas adsorbed loose granular active material, Wherein, the sheet: are arranged substantially in parallel so as to define an inlet face of said layer and an outlet face of said layer, The distance between the sheets is set and separated to be within the range of 1-5 mm. enclosing a cavity in which the loose particulate active material is located, and Installed on a rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure, wherein a plurality of tubes for heat exchange fluid are provided in the frame structure and the cavity, wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged substantially parallel to each other at least on their non-bent portions via a plurality of connecting members, The frame structure is provided with a plurality of holes, through which the plurality of tubes pass. wherein the unit has a desorption medium inlet side or a desorption medium inlet manifold through which the desorption medium enters the unit, and a desorption medium outlet side or a desorption medium outlet manifold through which the desorption medium leaves the unit, the desorption medium path between the inlet flow and the outlet flow being restricted in the unit to pass through at least one layer, wherein the layers are arranged in a cell such that a gas inflow entering the cell passes through the inlet face, then passes through the loose particulate active material located in the cavity of the respective layer, and then exits the respective layer through the outlet face to form a gas outflow exiting the cell, wherein the layers are arranged such that the inlet faces of adjacent layers face each other and enclose a gas inlet channel, and such that the outlet faces face each other and enclose a gas outlet channel, The average distance between the inlet and / or outlet faces of the channel is defined to be within a closed range of 0.1-15 cm, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main gas inflow direction and the main gas outflow direction, respectively. wherein the total frame depth is within the range of 0.5-1.8 m inclusive, and the frame width is within the range of 0.5-1.9 m inclusive, and Therein, each layer of the stack of at least two layers is slidably and removably held in place in the housing.

17. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flexible textile material is fixed to the frame structure by means of battens, and wherein the flexible textile material is sandwiched between respective battens and legs of the metal profile.

18. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The elements on the side walls are configured as at least one of: U-shaped profiles attached to the side walls; wedges attached to the side walls; groove elements attached to the side walls, cooperating with tongue elements attached to the layers or to the lateral frames of the layers.

19. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Pairs of adjacent frame structures are provided which, in one case, in use, are in contact at facing edges with tongue projections extending over the entire width of the edges and corresponding counter-profiles providing slots also extending over the entire width of the edges, so that by inserting the tongues of one frame into the slots of the adjacent frame, the adjacent frame elements are mechanically fixed and sealed relative to each other.

20. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The total frame depth is in the range of 0.75-1.25 m or 0.9-1.1 m, and / or the frame width is in the range of 0.5-1.9 m or 1.1-1.7 m.

21. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The tube is a metal tube, including an aluminum tube or a copper tube.

22. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The parallel-extending tubes are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 10-168 mm.

23. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The thickness of the metal sheet is in the range of 0.1-0.4 mm, or Wherein, the height of the metal sheet, measured perpendicularly to the extension direction of the tube, is in the range of 3-50 mm.

24. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The length of the metal sheet is less than 20 mm shorter than the distance between the corresponding pairs of metal profiles arranged parallel to each other forming the frame structure, or Wherein the metal sheets are made of aluminum, or wherein the metal sheets are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 1-15 mm.

25. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The flexible fabric material is a woven or non-woven textile material, or Wherein, the thickness of the flexible fabric material is in the range of 0.1-4 mm, or The gas permeability or air permeability of the flexible fabric material is 2500-5000 L / m 2 / s range, or wherein at least the upstream layer of the flexible textile material is selected as a filter textile material of at least M6 or at least F6 or at least F7 class according to DIN EN 779, or Therein, in addition to the upstream layer of flexible textile material, a filter textile material of at least M6 or at least F6 or at least F7 grade is provided.

26. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A plurality of attachment elements are provided within the frame structure for holding at least the layers of flexible textile material together.

27. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layers are arranged such that in a stack at least two layers are arranged adjacent to one another at one height in a direction transverse to the inflow of air.

28. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The unit is configured to extract carbon dioxide from at least one of air or flue gas or biogas or other CO2-containing gas streams.

29. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The flexible textile material is fixed to the frame structure by means of metal strips which extend substantially over the entire length of the respective metal profile, and wherein the flexible textile material is sandwiched between the corresponding slats and the legs of the metal profile, and Therein, the strips are fixed to the corresponding legs by at least one or a row of rivet joint connections.

30. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: providing pairs of adjacent frame structures which, in one case, in use, are in contact at facing edges with tongue projections extending over the entire width of said edges and corresponding counter-profiles, said tongue projections extending over the entire width of said edges, said counter-profiles providing slots also extending over the entire width of said edges, so that by inserting said tongues of one frame into said slots of said adjacent frame, said adjacent frame elements are mechanically fixed and sealed relative to each other, wherein the tongue projections are realized by means of correspondingly configured wide strips, which simultaneously serve to secure the flexible textile material and, if present, the additional grid structure to the legs of the corresponding metal profile, and / or The counter-supplement profile further comprises a strip, which can also be used to fix the flexible textile material to the legs of the corresponding metal profile of the adjacent frame.

31. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The tube is an aluminum tube or a copper tube, the inner diameter of which is in the range of 3-20 mm or in the range of 5-12 mm, and the outer diameter of which is in the range of 4-24 mm or in the range of 6.2-14 mm.

32. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The parallel-extending tubes are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 15.5-98 mm.

33. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The thickness of the metal sheet is in the range of 0.12-0.18 mm, or The height of the metal sheet, measured perpendicularly to the extension direction of the tube, is in the range of 8-22 mm.

34. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The length of the metal sheet is less than 5 mm shorter than the distance between the corresponding pairs of metal profiles arranged parallel to each other forming the frame structure, or Wherein, the metal sheets are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 3.5-7 mm or 4-5.5 mm.

35. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flexible textile material is a woven or non-woven textile material based on metal and / or fibers or yarns, respectively, or Wherein, the thickness of the flexible fabric material is in the range of 0.15-1 mm, or The gas permeability or air permeability of the flexible fabric material is 3000-4000 L / m 2 / s range.

36. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Within the frame structure and across the heat exchange element and the layer of flexible fabric material, a plurality of attachment elements are provided, the attachment elements: In the form of glued, welded, brazed or center-rivet joints, or In the form of transverse or longitudinal strips, which are attached to at least one of these, for holding together at least the layers of flexible textile material.

37. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layers are arranged vertically such that there are vertical slots between them and wherein at the upper edges of the layers, at least at the upstream side of the respective layer, at least one horizontal covering plate is provided covering the uppermost part of the flexible fabric layer.

38. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layers are arranged such that in one stack at least two layers are arranged adjacent to each other at a certain height transversely to the direction of the air inflow and are held in place by side walls and / or vertical partition walls between transversely adjacent layers.

39. A gas separation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layers of the stack of at least two layers are held in place or together in the housing by at least one pair of side walls, the side walls being arranged in pairs vertically or horizontally and to which the lateral metal profiles are fixed, wherein the side walls are provided with a pattern of fixing elements to allow the lateral metal profiles to be fixed to the respective side walls, wherein the fixing elements are configured as holes, grooves, ribs and / or studs.

40. A gas separation unit for separating at least the first gas from a gas mixture comprising the first gas and another gas different from the first gas by a cyclic adsorption / desorption process, the gas separation unit comprising: a plurality of granular active material configurations arranged in at least two stacked layers, wherein each layer of the granular active material construction comprises two sheets of flexible textile material, the flexible textile material being hydrophobic and permeable to air but impermeable to the loose granular active material for gas adsorption, Wherein, the sheet: are arranged substantially in parallel, defining an inlet face of said layer and an outlet face of said layer, The distance between the sheets is set and separated to be within the range of 1-5 mm. enclosing a cavity in which the loose particulate active material is located, and Installed on a rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure, The rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure is formed by four metal profiles arranged in pairs and parallel to each other. wherein the metal profile has a pair of legs arranged substantially parallel to the inlet face of the layer and the outlet face of the layer, respectively, and allowing the sheet to be fixed circumferentially to the legs on each corresponding face, wherein a plurality of tubes for heat exchange fluid are provided within the rigid rectangular circumferential frame structure and within the cavity, wherein the plurality of tubes are arranged substantially parallel to a first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles at least on their non-bent portions and are in thermal contact with the plurality of metal sheets, wherein the sheet is arranged substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the frame structure and perpendicular to the tubes, and extends in a continuous manner between the first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles and is provided with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of tubes pass, wherein the unit has a desorption medium inlet side or a desorption medium inlet manifold through which the desorption medium enters the unit, and a desorption medium outlet side or a desorption medium outlet manifold through which the desorption medium leaves the unit, the desorption medium path between the inlet flow and the outlet flow being restricted in the unit to pass through at least one layer, wherein the layers are arranged in a cell such that a gas inflow entering the cell passes through the inlet face, then passes through the loose particulate active material located in the cavity of the respective layer, and then exits the respective layer through the outlet face to form a gas outflow exiting the cell, wherein the layers are arranged such that the inlet faces of adjacent layers face each other and enclose a gas inlet channel, and such that the outlet faces face each other and enclose a gas outlet channel, The average distance between the inlet and / or outlet faces of the channel is defined to be within a closed range of 0.1-15 cm, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main gas inflow direction and the main gas outflow direction, respectively. wherein the total frame depth is within the range of 0.5-1.8 m inclusive, and the frame width is within the range of 0.5-1.9 m inclusive, and The layers are arranged vertically such that vertical slots exist between the layers.

41. The gas separation unit according to claim 40, characterized in that The layers of the stack of at least two layers are held in place or together in the housing by at least one pair of side walls, which are arranged vertically in pairs or horizontally in pairs and to which lateral metal profiles are fixed.

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