Systems and methods for optimizing carbon dioxide capture using water vapor adsorption

Abstract

A method for capturing carbon dioxide. The method includes receiving a gas stream from one or more adsorbent beds including one or more adsorption modules, wherein each of the one or more adsorption modules includes one or more solid adsorbent materials. The method further includes receiving, by a contactor, a flow of conditioning fluid for controlling a temperature of the one or more adsorption modules. The method further includes: adsorbing, by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, water vapor from the gas stream; and adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas stream by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules. The method further includes discharging an exhaust stream from the one or more adsorbent beds; and adjusting the temperature of the first adsorption module based on a solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to trapping systems and methods, and more specifically to systems and methods that facilitate the optimization of the adsorption and desorption of water vapor by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed to optimize the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by a subsequent adsorption module of the adsorbent bed.

[0002] At least some known industrial and power generation processes can produce gas streams containing pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2). To facilitate the removal of pollutants from the gas streams before they are released into the atmosphere, at least some known systems include capture systems. For example, capture systems can be used to capture CO2 and store it underground to help reduce the amount of CO2 that is not intended to be released into the atmosphere.

[0003] At least some known capture systems utilize adsorbent beds to capture CO2. In some such capture systems, adsorbent material can be used in conjunction with the adsorbent bed to enhance CO2 adsorption and desorption. To further increase the amount of CO2 captured, at least some known capture systems employ direct heating and cooling of the adsorbent bed. However, direct heating and cooling can contaminate the adsorbent material.

[0004] In some known systems, in contrast to conventional liquid amine-based CO2 capture processes, solid adsorbent materials can be used in conjunction with adsorbent beds to enhance CO2 adsorption and desorption, thereby increasing adsorption capacity and efficiency. However, the effectiveness of solid adsorbent systems may be limited by the chemical structure and / or thickness of the solid adsorbent material. Additionally, the presence of water in the gas stream, such as water vapor (H2O), may reduce the effectiveness of adsorption and desorption by solid adsorbent materials.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a capture system and method that uses temperature management and the physical and chemical properties of one or more solid adsorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of water vapor adsorption and desorption by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide by subsequent adsorption modules of the same adsorbent bed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, a method for capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The method includes: receiving a gas stream by one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, wherein each of the one or more adsorption modules comprises one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties. The method further includes: receiving a conditioning fluid stream for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules by a contactor, wherein the conditioning fluid stream comprises a cold stream and a hot stream. The method further includes: adsorbing water vapor from the gas stream by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules via a solid adsorbent material of the one or more solid adsorbent materials; and adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas stream by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules via the one or more solid adsorbent materials. The method further includes: discharging an exhaust stream from the one or more adsorbent beds; and adjusting the temperature of the first adsorption module based on the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured and subsequently released by the first adsorption module.

[0007] In another aspect, a capture system for capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The capture system includes: one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, wherein the one or more adsorption modules comprise one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties. The one or more adsorbent beds are oriented to receive a gas flow, adsorbing water vapor from the gas flow via a solid adsorbent material in a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow via the one or more solid adsorbent materials in one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules, and discharging an exhaust stream depleted of water vapor and carbon dioxide. The capture system further includes: a contactor and a controller, the contactor being oriented to receive a regulating fluid flow for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules, the controller being configured to regulate the temperature of the first adsorption module based on the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material in the first adsorption module to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured and subsequently released by the first adsorption module. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system that can be used to capture CO2.

[0009] Figure 2 Is it possible to... Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary adsorption module used in this trapping system.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an alternative exemplary capture system that can be used to capture CO2.

[0011] Figure 4 Is it possible to... Figure 1 and Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an exemplary control system used in conjunction with this capture system.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an alternative capture system that can be used to capture CO2.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for capturing CO2. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods that utilize temperature management and the physical and chemical properties of one or more solid adsorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of water vapor adsorption and desorption by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by a subsequent adsorption module of the adsorbent bed. The advantages of the systems and methods described herein over the prior art include at least: (i) improving the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption in subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed by adsorbing and desorbing water vapor from the gas stream in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed; (ii) improving the efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by modifying the chemical properties (including but not limited to chemical structure) of one or more adsorbents in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed; and (iii) improving the efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by modifying the physical properties (including but not limited to adsorbent thickness) of one or more adsorbents in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed.

[0015] When describing elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to refer to one or more elements present in the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that additional elements may be present in addition to those listed.

[0016] Unless otherwise indicated, approximate language used herein, such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about,” indicates, as will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, that such modified terms may apply only to approximations, not absolute or perfect degrees. Therefore, a value modified by one or more terms (such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially”) is not limited to the specified precise value. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure that value. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used herein merely as labels and are not intended to impose any order, position, or ranking requirements on the items referred to by these terms. Furthermore, for example, a reference to a “second” item does not require or exclude the existence of an item such as a “first” or lower-numbered item, or a “third” or higher-numbered item.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system 100 that can be used to capture CO2 using an adsorbent bed 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes at least one adsorption module 104. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes four adsorption modules 104a to 104d. In some embodiments, the capture system 100 may include more or fewer than four adsorption modules 104. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes an inlet 106 and an outlet 108. The inlet 106 and the outlet 108 are oriented such that, during operation, an airflow 110 received through the inlet 106 is directed to flow through each adsorption module 104 in series toward the outlet 108. As the airflow 110 is directed through each adsorption module 104, the adsorbent bed 102 captures H2O and CO2 from the airflow 110 and discharges a CO2-depleted exhaust stream 112 through the outlet 108.

[0018] Typically, the gas flow 110 can be any suitable gas known in the art that includes contaminants intended for removal. For example, the gas flow 110 can be air, flue gas, afterburner gas, natural gas, and / or combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas flow 110 includes CO2. In some embodiments, CO2 may be present in the gas flow 110 in the range of about 400 ppm to about 15 v%. In other embodiments, CO2 may be present in the gas flow 110 in the range of about 0.04 v% to about 30 v%.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the CO2 concentration of the gas stream 110 is typically highest when it enters the inlet 106. As CO2 is adsorbed by each subsequent adsorption module 104, the CO2 concentration in the gas stream 110 decreases as it is guided through adsorption modules 104a to 104d toward the outlet 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the CO2 concentration in the gas stream 110 flowing through adsorption modules 104a to 104d is lowest at the outlet 108.

[0020] Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the airflow 110 includes H2O. For example, the airflow 110 may be received by a first adsorption module 104a of the adsorbent bed 102 at a specific humidity level. In an exemplary embodiment, the H2O concentration is typically highest when the airflow 110 enters the inlet 106.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorption module 104 includes a contactor 114. The contactor 114 includes a contactor inlet 118, a contactor outlet 120, and a fluid circuit 202. Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, the fluid circuit is defined between the contactor inlet 118 and the contactor outlet 120 and extends from the contactor inlet to the contactor outlet. In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorption module 104 also includes a plate 204 ( Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, the plate is coated with a solid form of adsorbent 116 to facilitate the adsorption of CO2 or H2O. For example, the adsorbent 116 may be, but is not limited to, a powder, a composite mixed with a binder, a membrane or coating, a packed bed, and / or a column. In some embodiments, if all adsorption modules 104a to 104d are configured to capture CO2, the adsorbent 116 within each adsorption module 104 may be the same. In other embodiments, if at least one of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d is configured to capture H2O, the adsorbent 116 within at least one adsorption module 104 may be different. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 and the plate 204 are adjacent to each other to facilitate indirect heating and / or cooling of the adsorbent 116 coated on the plate 204.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the flow 122 received through contactor inlet 118 is transmitted via fluid circuit 202 ( Figure 2 The heat transfer between the flow 122 (shown in the diagram) and the plate 204 facilitates the regulation of the temperature of the adsorbent 116 coated on the plate 204. For example, the regulation temperature T of the flow 122... reg It can be used to increase or decrease the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104. cntlIn some embodiments, flow 122 may be in liquid form. In other embodiments, flow 122 may be in gaseous form. The convection between flow 122 flowing through fluid loop 202 and adsorbent 116 coated on plate 204 helps control the temperature of adsorbent 116 without the risk of contamination that could occur due to direct contact with flow 122. Figure 2 The design of the contactor 114 shown is intended to be illustrative and is not intended to limit the design of the contactor 114. For example, in some embodiments, the design of the contactor 114 may differ. Figure 2 The design is shown for one or more adsorption modules 104.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, flow 122 consists of a mixture of cold flow 132 and hot flow 134, and exits the contactor outlet 120 as a mixed flow 123. The mixture of cold flow 132 and hot flow 134 helps to regulate the temperature of the adsorbent 116. For example, the cold temperature T of cold flow 132... cld The heat temperature T of 134 heat flow hot The mixture can be used to increase or decrease the regulating temperature T of flow 122. reg In order to control the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104 cntl In some embodiments, cold flow 132 and hot flow 134 each comprise water (H2O) in liquid (e.g., water) or gaseous (e.g., steam) form. For example, H2O may be present in cold flow 132 and / or hot flow 134 in the range of about 50 v% to 100 v%. In other embodiments, cold flow 132 and / or hot flow 134 may comprise non-aqueous fluids.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the trapping system 100 also includes a controller 124 for dynamically adjusting the operation of the trapping system 100. For example, the controller 124 can adjust the regulating temperature T of the flow 122. reg To control the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl To facilitate optimized CO2 capture, wherein temperature variations are based on the physical and / or chemical properties of adsorbent 116, as further described herein.

[0025] Controller 124 monitors the temperature of flow 122 and / or plate 204 ( Figure 2 The temperature of the adsorbent 116 in the (shown) is used to facilitate the regulation of the temperature of each adsorption module 104a to 104d. For example, the controller 124 can use the contactor sensor 126 (shown in the diagram) Figure 4 (As shown) The regulating temperature T of the monitoring flow 122 reg Additionally, for example, controller 124 may use module sensor 128 ( Figure 4 (As shown) The control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 is monitored.cntl .

[0026] The control temperature T of at least one of the adsorption modules 104 cntl Under operating conditions below the desired value, controller 124 can selectively increase the regulating temperature T of flow 122. reg This increases the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, the temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 is controlled... cntl Under operating conditions higher than expected, controller 124 can selectively reduce the regulating temperature T of flow 122. reg This indirectly reduces the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104.

[0027] The controller 124 can also use the first valve sensor 127 ( Figure 4 (as shown) and the second valve sensor 129 ( Figure 4 (As shown) The regulating temperature T of the monitoring flow 122 reg For example, when cold flow 132 flows through the first valve 142, the first valve sensor 127 ( Figure 4 (As shown) The cold temperature T of the cold flow 132 can be monitored. cld Additionally, for example, when heat flow 134 flows through the second valve 144, the second valve sensor 129 ( Figure 4 (As shown) The heat temperature T of heat flux 134 can be monitored. hot .

[0028] At the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl Under operating conditions below the desired temperature, the controller 124 can base its operation on the thermal temperature T of the heat flow 134 sensed by the first valve sensor 127 and / or the second valve sensor 129. hot And / or the cold temperature T of cold flow 132 cld Selectively increase the flow rate of the hot flow 134 through the second valve 144 and / or selectively decrease the flow rate of the cold flow 132 through the first valve 142. Alternatively, at a control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104... cntl Under operating conditions above the desired temperature, the controller 124 can base its operation on the thermal temperature T of the heat flow 134 sensed by the first valve sensor 127 and / or the second valve sensor 129. hot And / or the cold temperature T of cold flow 132 cldThe controller selectively reduces the flow rate of the hot flow 134 through the second valve 144 and / or selectively increases the flow rate of the cold flow 132 through the first valve 142. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates temperature regulation of each adsorption module 104a to 104d by simultaneously monitoring the flow rate and temperature of the flow 122. The controller 124 may facilitate temperature regulation of each adsorption module 104a to 104d based on whether the adsorption module 104 is positively adsorbing or desorbing H2O or CO2.

[0029] Typically, the regulating temperature T of flow 122 is... reg And the temperature of the adsorption module 104 can be any suitable temperature known in the art that promotes the capture of H2O or CO2 by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the regulated temperature T of the flow 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a to 104d. reg In some implementations, the regulating temperature T of flow 122 reg The conditions can be substantially consistent in each adsorption module 104. In other embodiments, the regulating temperature T of the flow 122 is... reg The specific variations can occur in different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0030] Typically, the flow rates of stream 122 and mixed stream 123 can be any suitable flow rate known in the art to facilitate the capture of H2O or CO2 by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow rate of stream 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a to 104d, and the flow rate of mixed stream 123 exiting each adsorption module 104a to 104d is monitored. In some embodiments, the flow rates of stream 122 and / or mixed stream 123 may be substantially consistent in each adsorption module 104a to 104d. In other embodiments, the flow rates of stream 122 and / or mixed stream 123 may vary between different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0031] Additionally, the controller 124 can change the regulating temperature T of the flow 122 within any of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. reg For example, one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d may include one or more module sensors 128. Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram). Therefore, the controller 124 can generate a temperature distribution that includes the regulated temperature T of the flow 122 within any or all of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. reg The change value.

[0032] Adjustment temperature T of flow 122 regThe temperature of the extracted steam stream (not shown) from a steam turbine (not shown) can be used as a basis. For example, the steam turbine may be part of a combined cycle power plant (not shown), where the extracted steam stream from the steam turbine is used to change the temperature of stream 122. In some embodiments, the extracted steam stream can heat stream 122 by convective transfer via one or more heat exchangers (not shown), either directly replacing the mixing of cold stream 132 and hot stream 134 or indirectly heating hot stream 134.

[0033] Furthermore, the controller 124 can facilitate temperature regulation of each adsorption module 104a to 104d by monitoring the flow rate of the mixed flow 123 through the third valve 146. For example, the controller can use the third valve sensor 147 ( Figure 4 (As shown) The flow rate of the mixed flow 123 exiting the adsorption module 104 is monitored. At a control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104... cntl Under operating conditions below and / or above the desired temperature, the controller 124 can selectively change the flow rate of the mixed flow 123 through the third valve 146 depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing H2O or CO2.

[0034] Typically, the heat flux is 134 at the heat temperature T. hot The cold temperature T of the cold flow 132 cld And the temperature T of the flow 122 thereby regulating reg and the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104 cntl This can be any suitable temperature known in the art that promotes the capture and release of H2O or CO2 by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the regulating temperature T of flow 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a to 104d. reg In some implementations, the regulating temperature T of flow 122 reg The conditions are substantially consistent in each adsorption module 104a to 104d. In other embodiments, the regulating temperature T of flow 122 is... reg It can vary between different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the first adsorption module 104a is used to adsorb and desorb H2O included in the gas stream 110. Optimizing the operating conditions of the first adsorption module 104a for the adsorption and desorption of H2O facilitates the optimization of the operating conditions of subsequent adsorption modules (e.g., the second adsorption module 104b, the third adsorption module 104c, and the fourth adsorption module 104d) for the adsorption and desorption of CO2. In some embodiments, the first adsorption module 104a may include a solid adsorbent material (e.g., one of the adsorbents in adsorbent 116) to adsorb and desorb H2O. In other embodiments, the first adsorption module 104a may include one or more solid adsorbent materials (e.g., one or more adsorbents in adsorbent 116) to adsorb and desorb H2O, and the one or more solid adsorbent materials may be the same solid adsorbent material or different solid adsorbent materials.

[0036] For example, the adsorption and desorption of H2O by the first adsorption module 104a can be optimized by using changes in the physical and / or chemical properties of the adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates the adjustment of the temperature of the first adsorption module 104a based on the physical and / or chemical properties of the adsorbent 116. For example, the control temperature T of the first adsorption module 104a can be changed based on the chemical structure of the adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. cntl This is to control the adsorption and / or desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. Typically, the efficiency of the adsorbent bed 102 is improved by customizing the chemical structure of the adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a based on the H2O concentration in the gas stream 110 guided through the first adsorption module 104a.

[0037] The adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a can be any suitable adsorbent known in the art that promotes the capture of H2O as described herein. Properties of the adsorbent 116, such as porosity, stability, particle morphology, and conductivity, can be tailored for a specific application. Therefore, the chemical structure of the adsorbent 116 can be customized, including but not limited to its porosity, stability, particle morphology, and / or conductivity. Additionally, the thickness of the adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a can be any suitable thickness known in the art that promotes the capture of H2O.

[0038] In some embodiments, desorption within adsorbent bed 102 can occur simultaneously for CO2 and H2O. Therefore, in these embodiments, the desorbed CO2 and H2O will need to be separated downstream. In other embodiments, desorption within adsorbent bed 102 can occur sequentially for CO2 and H2O. For example, the first adsorption module 104a or subsequent adsorption modules 104a to 104d can be controlled (e.g., by heating one or more solid adsorbent materials specific to the desorption of CO2 or H2O) to first desorb one of CO2 or H2O before desorbing the other.

[0039] Typically, due to the heat generated by the exothermic processes of adsorbing H2O in the first adsorption module and CO2 in the second and third adsorption modules 104b and 104c, the temperature of the gas flow 110 entering the fourth adsorption module 104d is higher than the temperature of the gas flow 110 entering any of the first to third adsorption modules 104c. Therefore, the temperature of the gas flow 110 typically increases as it is directed from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the flow 122 is based on the control temperature T of each adsorption module 104a to 104d. cntl The heat generated within each adsorption module and the adsorption of molecules vary between the different adsorption modules 104a to 104d. For example, for the fourth adsorption module 104d, the temperature of stream 122 can be the lowest temperature to maximize the CO2 captured from stream 110 in adsorption modules 104a to 104d at its lowest CO2 content. Additionally, for example, after H2O in stream 110 has been adsorbed by the first adsorption module 104a (which will have its own optimal control temperature), for the second adsorption module 104b, the temperature of stream 122 can be the highest temperature to manage CO2 capture during the adsorption operation mode in adsorption modules 104a to 104d, while stream 110 is in its highest CO2 content adsorption mode.

[0040] By changing the regulating temperature T of flow 122 reg By adjusting the temperature of the mixed flow 123 in the different adsorption modules 104a to 104d, the controller 124 can facilitate the optimization of the adsorption of H2O and CO2 by the adsorbent bed 102, thereby improving the adsorption and desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. Generally, increasing the percentage of module capacity used by at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d increases the efficiency of the capture system 100. For example, changing the regulating temperature T of the flow 122... reg and / or the temperature of the mixed flow 123 in adsorption modules 104a to 104d to reduce the control temperature T of subsequent adsorption modules 104a to 104d. cntlThis can increase the percentage of module capacity used by subsequent adsorption modules (such as adsorption modules 104b to 104d), thereby improving the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0041] Additionally, the regulating temperature T of the flow 122 is changed based on the physical properties of the adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. reg The controller 124 can promote optimized CO2 adsorption in the adsorbent bed 102 by adjusting H2O and improving the CO2 adsorption and desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. For example, the controller can adjust the temperature T of the flow 122 within the first adsorption module 104a based on the thickness of the adsorbent 116. reg Optimizing the adsorption and desorption of H2O can increase the percentage of module capacity used by one or more subsequent adsorption modules 104b to 104d for the adsorption and desorption of CO2, thereby improving the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0042] Furthermore, the regulating temperature T of the flow 122 is changed based on the chemical properties of the adsorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. reg The controller 124 can optimize the adsorption and desorption of H2O and CO2 by improving the adsorption and desorption capacities of the adsorbent bed 102. For example, the controller can adjust the temperature T of the flow 122 within the first adsorption module 104a by altering the chemical structure of the adsorbent 116. reg Optimizing the adsorption and desorption of H2O can increase the percentage of module capacity used by one or more subsequent adsorption modules 104b to 104d for the adsorption and desorption of CO2, thereby improving the efficiency of the capture system 100. The regulating temperature T of flow 122... reg It can be based on variations in chemical structural properties, such as, but not limited to, porosity, stability, particle morphology, electrical conductivity, compound and / or linker, geometry, size, shape and / or internal surface properties.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an adsorption module 104 including a contactor 114 and a plate 204. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 includes a fluid loop 202 extending between a contactor inlet 118 and a contactor outlet 120. The plate 204 is coated with an adsorbent 116 to adsorb CO2 or H2O. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 and the plate 204 are in close proximity to each other to facilitate indirect heating and / or cooling of the adsorbent coated on the plate 204.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system 300 that can be used to capture CO2 using multiple adsorbent beds 102. In an exemplary embodiment, system 300 includes three adsorbent beds 102a to 102c. Figure 3The illustrated trapping system 300 is similar to trapping system 100 ( Figure 1 As shown in the figure), the differences will be pointed out below, and therefore in Figure 3 Used with Figure 1 The same reference numerals used refer to the same components. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlets 106 of each adsorbent bed 102 are connected in parallel via inlet lines 302. In some embodiments, the trapping system 300 may include more or fewer than three adsorbent beds 102a to 102c.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, airflow 110 is directed through inlet line 302, wherein the flow of airflow 110 through each respective adsorbent bed 102 is controlled via a plurality of respective inlet valves 304. In an exemplary embodiment, each inlet valve 304 is in communication with a controller 124 to enable the controller 124 to selectively control the flow of airflow 110 from inlet line 302 through the corresponding adsorbent bed 102. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, inlet valve 304a controls the flow of airflow 110 to adsorbent bed 102a. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlets 108 of each adsorbent bed 102a to 102c are connected in parallel via outlet line 308, such that exhaust flow 112 is directed from each adsorbent bed 102 through outlet line 308 to be discharged from the capture system 300. Additionally, the mixed stream 123 output from one or more adsorbent beds 102a to 102c may be processed or directed for reuse as a hot stream 134 and / or a cold stream 132 in one or more other adsorbent beds 102a to 102c via a heating heat exchanger or a cooling heat exchanger (not shown).

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, controller 124 can control the flow of gas 110 into adsorbent beds 102a to 102c by controlling inlet valves 304a to 304c. Selectively using at least one adsorbent bed 102a to 102c to capture H2O and CO2 from gas 110 can facilitate optimization of the capture system 300's efficiency. For example, controller 124 can use a minimum number of adsorbent beds 102a to 102c as needed to facilitate optimized capture of H2O and / or CO2 from gas 110. Therefore, the flow rate of gas 110 into at least one adsorbent bed 102a to 102c can be adjusted by controller 124 by selectively opening and / or closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a to 304c. When adsorbent bed 102 does not receive gas 110, exhaust isolation valve 306 can be closed. Additionally, for example, controller 124 may use more than one adsorbent bed 102a to 102c connected in parallel to optimize the capture of H2O and / or CO2 from the gas flow 110. Thus, the flow rate of the gas flow 110 entering and exiting at least one adsorbent bed 102a to 102c can be variably adjusted by controller 124 by selectively opening and / or closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a to 304c. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor outlet 120 of each adsorption module 104 is connected in parallel to the outlet line 308.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary control system 400, which can be used to utilize a trapping system (such as trapping system 100). Figure 1 (as shown) and / or the trapping system 300 ( Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram) H2O and CO2 are captured. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 124 includes memory 402 and processor 404. Controller 124 can adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d based on data received by control system 400 from contactor sensor 126, such as, but not limited to, flow 122 and / or mixing flow 123 (as shown in the diagram). Figure 1 The adjusted temperature T (as shown in the figure) reg The controller 124 can adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d based on a comparison with data stored in the memory 402, such as adjusting the temperature T. reg The expected range, instructions stored in memory 402 and / or data analyzed by processor 404.

[0048] Additionally, the controller 124 can adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d based on data received by the control system 400 from the module sensor 128, such as, but not limited to, the control temperature T of one or more adsorption modules 104. cntlThe controller 124 can adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104 based on a comparison with data stored in the memory 402, such as the control temperature T. cntl The expected range, instructions stored in memory 402 and / or data analyzed by processor 404.

[0049] The controller 124 may also adjust the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d based on data received by the control system 400 from the first valve sensor 127, the second valve sensor 129, and / or the third valve sensor 147, such data as, but not limited to, the temperature and / or flow rate of flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123. The controller 124 may adjust the temperature and / or flow rate of flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 based on comparisons with data stored in memory 402, such as desired ranges of temperature and / or flow rate of flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0050] Furthermore, controller 124 can adjust the temperature of the first adsorption module 104a based on input data stored in control system 400, such as, but not limited to, the thickness and / or chemical structure of adsorbent 116, and the resulting H2O and / or CO2 adsorption and desorption capacities of adsorbent bed 112. Controller 124 can also adjust the temperature and / or flow rate of stream 122 and / or mixed stream 123 based on comparisons with data stored in memory 402, such as the H2O adsorption and desorption capacities of one or more physical and / or chemical properties of adsorbent 116, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or measurement data analyzed by processor 404.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a CO2 capture system 500 that can be used to capture CO2 using an adsorbent bed 102. Figure 5 The illustrated capture system 500 is similar to ( Figure 1 The trapping system 100 shown in the figure and ( Figure 3 The capture system 300 shown below differs from the one described below, and therefore in Figure 5 Used with Figure 1 and Figure 3 The same reference numerals are used for the same components. In an exemplary embodiment, the first adsorption module 104a includes a contactor inlet 118, and the fourth adsorption module 104d includes a contactor outlet 120. The flow 122 received by the contactor inlet 118 facilitates the regulation of the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d, wherein each adsorption module 104a to 104d is connected in a series flow relationship from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d.

[0052] The controller 124 facilitates temperature regulation of at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d by monitoring the temperature of the flow as the flow 122 continuously passes through each adsorption module 104a to 104d. For example, the pipeline 502 may include a first valve sensor 127, a second valve sensor 129, and / or a third valve sensor 147. Figure 4 One or more of the (shown) are used to monitor the temperature of the flows 122a to 122d at each adsorption module 104a to 104d. At a control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104... cntl Under operating conditions above the desired temperature, the controller 124 can selectively reduce the temperature of the flow 122, thereby reducing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, at a controlled temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104... cntl The temperature is higher than the desired temperature and the temperature of flow 122 is lower than the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104. cntl Under certain operating conditions, the controller 124 can selectively increase the flow rate of the stream 122, thereby reducing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 600 for capturing CO2. In an exemplary embodiment, method 600 includes: receiving a gas stream 602 by one or more adsorbent beds including one or more adsorption modules, wherein each of the one or more adsorption modules includes one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties. Method 600 also includes: receiving a conditioning fluid flow 604 by a contactor for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules, wherein the conditioning fluid flow includes a cold flow and a hot flow. Method 600 also includes: adsorbing water vapor 606 from the gas stream by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules via a solid adsorbent material of the one or more solid adsorbent materials; and adsorbing carbon dioxide 608 from the gas stream by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules via the one or more solid adsorbent materials. Method 600 also includes: discharging an exhaust stream 610 from the one or more adsorbent beds; and adjusting 612 the temperature of the first adsorption module based on the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured and subsequently released by the first adsorption module.

[0054] This document describes exemplary systems and methods that utilize temperature management and the physical and chemical properties of one or more solid adsorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of water vapor adsorption and desorption by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed. The exemplary systems and methods described herein offer several advantages over conventional designs and processes, including: improving the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption within subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed by adsorbing and desorbing water vapor from the gas stream in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed; improving the efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by modifying the chemical properties (including but not limited to chemical structure) of one or more adsorbents within the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed; and improving the efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by modifying the physical properties (including but not limited to adsorbent thickness) of one or more adsorbents within the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed.

[0055] The above description is intended to be exemplary only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention. Given this overview, modifications falling within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims. The systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but various parts of the systems can be used independently and separately from other systems described herein.

[0056] While specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some figures and not in others, this is merely for convenience. Furthermore, the reference to "one embodiment" in the above description is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also include the described features. According to the principles of the invention, any feature of any other figure may be referenced and / or claimed in conjunction with any feature of any other figure.

[0057] Other aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following provisions:

[0058] A method for capturing carbon dioxide, the method comprising: receiving an airflow by one or more adsorbent beds including one or more adsorption modules, each of the one or more adsorption modules comprising one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties; receiving a regulating fluid flow for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules by a contactor, wherein the regulating fluid flow includes a cold flow and a hot flow; adsorbing water vapor from the airflow by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules via a solid adsorbent material of the one or more solid adsorbent materials; adsorbing carbon dioxide from the airflow by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules via the one or more solid adsorbent materials; discharging an exhaust flow by the one or more adsorbent beds; and regulating the temperature of the first adsorption module based on the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured and subsequently released by the first adsorption module.

[0059] The method according to any one of the foregoing clauses further includes: promoting an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more subsequent adsorption modules.

[0060] According to any one of the preceding clauses, changing one or more adsorbent properties of the one or more solid adsorbent materials includes: changing the adsorbent thickness of the one or more solid adsorbent materials.

[0061] According to any one of the preceding clauses, the method of changing the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material includes: changing the adsorbent chemical structure of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

[0062] The method according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein changing the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material further includes: changing one or more of the porosity, geometry, size and shape of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

[0063] The method according to any one of the foregoing clauses further includes: adjusting the temperature of the one or more subsequent adsorption modules to promote an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more adsorbent beds.

[0064] According to any one of the foregoing clauses, adjusting the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules includes: receiving the cold flow through a cold flow valve and receiving the hot flow through a hot flow valve; and adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow through the cold flow valve and the hot flow through the hot flow valve.

[0065] The method according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein adjusting the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules further comprises: adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow and the hot flow to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid flow.

[0066] The method according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein receiving the gas flow comprises: receiving the gas flow by a plurality of adsorbent beds connected in parallel, each of the plurality of adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules.

[0067] The method according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein receiving the gas flow comprises: receiving the gas flow by one or more adsorbent beds, each of the one or more adsorbent beds comprising a plurality of adsorption modules connected in series.

[0068] A carbon dioxide capture system includes: one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, wherein the one or more adsorption modules comprise one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties, the one or more adsorbent beds being oriented to: receive a gas stream; adsorb water vapor from the gas stream via a solid adsorbent material in a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules; adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the one or more solid adsorbent materials in one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules; and discharge an exhaust stream depleted of water vapor and carbon dioxide; a contactor oriented to receive a regulating fluid flow for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules; and a controller configured to regulate the temperature of the first adsorption module based on the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material in the first adsorption module to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured and subsequently released by the first adsorption module.

[0069] The capture system according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to: facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more subsequent adsorption modules.

[0070] According to any one of the foregoing clauses, the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material include the adsorbent thickness of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

[0071] According to any one of the preceding clauses, the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material include: the adsorbent chemical structure of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

[0072] According to any one of the preceding clauses, the capture system wherein changing the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material further includes changing one or more of the porosity, geometry, size, and shape of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

[0073] The capture system according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to: adjust the temperature of the one or more subsequent adsorption modules to promote an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more adsorbent beds.

[0074] The capture system according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to: receive a cold flow through a cold flow valve and a hot flow through a hot flow valve; and regulate the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow through the cold flow valve and the hot flow through the hot flow valve.

[0075] The capture system according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to: regulate the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow and the hot flow to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow.

[0076] According to any one of the foregoing clauses, the capture system comprising one or more adsorbent beds includes multiple adsorbent beds connected in parallel, each of the multiple adsorbent beds including one or more adsorption modules.

[0077] The capture system according to any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein the one or more adsorption modules comprise a plurality of adsorption modules connected in series.

[0078] Although the invention has been described with respect to various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for capturing carbon dioxide, the method comprising: An airflow is received by one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, wherein each of the one or more adsorption modules comprises one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties. A contactor receives a regulating fluid flow for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules, wherein the regulating fluid flow includes a cold flow and a hot flow; Water vapor is adsorbed from the gas stream by a first adsorption module in one or more adsorption modules via a solid adsorbent material in one or more solid adsorbent materials; Carbon dioxide is adsorbed from the gas stream by one or more subsequent adsorption modules from one or more adsorption modules via one or more solid adsorbent materials; The exhaust stream is discharged by the one or more adsorbent beds; as well as The temperature of the first adsorption module is adjusted based on the properties of one or more adsorbents of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module and subsequently released.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: This promotes an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more subsequent adsorption modules.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing one or more adsorbent properties of the one or more solid adsorbent materials includes: The adsorbent thickness of the one or more solid adsorbent materials is changed.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein changing the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material comprises: The adsorbent chemical structure of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module is altered.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein changing the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material further includes: Change one or more of the porosity, geometry, size, and shape of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The temperature of the one or more subsequent adsorption modules is adjusted to promote an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more adsorbent beds.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules comprises: The cold flow is received through the cold flow valve and the hot flow is received through the hot flow valve; as well as Adjust the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow through the cold flow valve and the hot flow through the hot flow valve.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules further comprises: The flow rate of at least one of the cold flow and the hot flow is adjusted to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the airflow comprises: The gas flow is received by a plurality of adsorbent beds connected in parallel, each of the plurality of adsorbent beds including one or more adsorption modules.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the airflow comprises: The gas flow is received by one or more adsorbent beds, each of which includes multiple adsorption modules connected in series.

11. A capture system for capturing carbon dioxide, the capture system comprising: One or more adsorbent beds, the one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, wherein the one or more adsorption modules comprise one or more solid adsorbent materials having one or more adsorbent properties, the one or more adsorbent beds being oriented as follows: Receive airflow; Water vapor is adsorbed from the gas stream via a solid adsorbent material among the one or more solid adsorbent materials in a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules; Carbon dioxide is adsorbed from the gas stream via the one or more solid adsorbent materials in one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules; as well as Exhaust streams that have depleted water vapor and carbon dioxide; A contactor, the contactor being oriented to receive a regulating fluid flow for controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules; and A controller configured to adjust the temperature of the first adsorption module based on one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module, to facilitate regulation of the amount of water vapor captured and subsequently released by the first adsorption module.

12. The capture system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to: facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more subsequent adsorption modules.

13. The trapping system of claim 11, wherein the one or more adsorbent characteristics of the solid adsorbent material include the adsorbent thickness of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

14. The trapping system of claim 11, wherein the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material include: The adsorbent chemical structure of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

15. The trapping system of claim 14, wherein altering the one or more adsorbent properties of the solid adsorbent material further comprises: Change one or more of the porosity, geometry, size, and shape of the solid adsorbent material within the first adsorption module.

16. The capture system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to: adjust the temperature of the one or more subsequent adsorption modules to promote an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured and subsequently released by the one or more adsorbent beds.

17. The capture system of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to: Cold flow is received through a cold flow valve and hot flow is received through a hot flow valve; and Adjust the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow through the cold flow valve and the hot flow through the hot flow valve.

18. The trapping system of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to: regulate the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow and the hot flow to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow.

19. The trapping system of claim 11, wherein the one or more adsorbent beds comprise a plurality of adsorbent beds connected in parallel, each of the plurality of adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules.

20. The trapping system of claim 11, wherein the one or more adsorption modules comprise a plurality of adsorption modules connected in series.

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