Direct air carbon capture device

Abstract

The invention relates to a direct air carbon capture device which comprises a shell, an adsorption area and a regeneration area are arranged in the shell, and an adsorption and regeneration space of the adsorption area and an adsorption and regeneration space of the regeneration area are independently separated; the adsorption area and the regeneration area are both provided with honeycomb net racks, and adsorbents for carbon capture are arranged in the honeycomb net racks; the gas distributor is arranged at the end part of the honeycomb net rack, and gas outlet holes uniformly distributed in the gas distributor correspond to honeycomb holes of the honeycomb net rack. The interior of the main body device is divided into the adsorption section and the regeneration section, and the adsorption section and the regeneration section are circularly switched for use, so that the integrated arrangement of adsorption and desorption is realized, the volume and occupied area of the device are reduced, the gas flow pressure drop can be reduced, and the carbon capture efficiency is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of carbon capture technology, and more specifically, to a direct air carbon capture device. Background Technology

[0002] In direct air carbon capture technology, the traditional fixed-bed adsorbent filling method results in a large pressure drop in the tower and low gas-solid mass transfer efficiency, making it difficult for the adsorbent to diffuse fully in the reactor, thus leading to low CO2 capture efficiency.

[0003] A separate regeneration device needs to be designed for the fixed bed regeneration process, which results in large equipment, high investment costs, and inconvenient operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a direct air carbon capture device, which divides the main device into an adsorption section and a regeneration section, and uses them in a cyclical manner to achieve an integrated setup of adsorption and desorption, reduce the size and footprint of the device, and at the same time reduce the gas flow pressure drop, thereby effectively improving the carbon capture efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a direct air carbon capture device, comprising: a housing, wherein an adsorption zone and a regeneration zone are provided inside the housing, and the adsorption and regeneration spaces of the adsorption zone and the regeneration zone are independently separated. Both the adsorption zone and the regeneration zone are provided with a honeycomb mesh frame, and the honeycomb mesh frame is provided with an adsorbent for carbon capture. A gas distributor is disposed at the end of the honeycomb grid, and the gas outlets evenly distributed on the gas distributor correspond to the honeycomb holes of the honeycomb grid.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, an electrically heated desorber is also included, the electrically heated desorber comprising an electrically heated wire wrapped around the outside of the honeycomb mesh frame.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the gas distributor and the electrothermal desorber are arranged in groups, with each group corresponding to either the adsorption zone or the regeneration zone, and the heating wire of each electrothermal desorber is wound on the honeycomb grid of the corresponding area.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the housing is connected to an air inlet pipe, which includes a main air inlet pipe and a branch air inlet pipe, and the branch air inlet pipes are respectively connected to the gas distributor. The main air intake pipe is equipped with a main air intake control valve, and the branch air intake pipes are each equipped with a branch air intake control valve.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, a steam branch pipe is connected to the air inlet branch pipe, and the connection point between the steam branch pipe and the air inlet branch pipe is located downstream of the air inlet branch control valve, and a steam branch control valve is respectively provided on the steam branch pipe.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, an exhaust system is provided upstream of the main air intake pipe, the exhaust system including an exhaust fan capable of frequency conversion adjustment, and the outlet of the exhaust fan is connected to the main air intake pipe.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the adsorption zone and the regeneration zone are separated by a partition, which is arranged in the diametrical direction of the shell to divide the space inside the shell equally. The honeycomb grid extends along the length of the housing, the gas distributor is sealed to the air inlet end of the honeycomb grid, and the air outlet end of the honeycomb grid is sealed to an air outlet cone, which is connected to the air outlet on the housing.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the air outlet is connected to an air outlet pipe, and the air outlet pipe is sequentially connected to a cooler, a steam-water separator, and a vacuum pump. The cooler is used to cool the regenerated gas, the steam-water separator is used to separate the gas and water in the cooled regenerated gas, and the vacuum pump is used to provide suction power for adsorption and regeneration.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the honeycomb grid frame includes a metal frame made of iron-chromium-aluminum alloy or stainless steel, and the cross-section of the metal frame is rectangular. The partition is covered with a heat-insulating pad, and the space between the metal frame and the shell is filled with heat-insulating rock wool.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the metal frame is provided with a plurality of ventilation channels, the ventilation channels having a structure including honeycomb channels with a square or hexagonal cross-section, and the adsorbent is uniformly coated on the sidewalls of the ventilation channels. The adsorbent includes metal-organic frameworks, solid amines, zeolite molecular sieves, or adsorption resins.

[0015] By setting up an adsorption zone and a regeneration zone inside the shell, and independently separating the adsorption space of the adsorption zone and the regeneration space of the regeneration zone in the same shell, it is possible to achieve an integrated arrangement of carbon capture adsorption and desorption regeneration on the same device, reducing the size and footprint of the device, and enabling switching cycles between adsorption and regeneration.

[0016] By combining the honeycomb grid structure set in both the adsorption and regeneration zones, and placing adsorbent for carbon capture inside the honeycomb grid structure, adsorption and desorption operations can be performed separately, which is conducive to achieving the technical effect of adsorption-desorption cycle switching.

[0017] Simultaneously, by placing the adsorbent on the honeycomb grid, the resistance to gas flow can be reduced, the pressure drop at the inlet and outlet can be minimized, and the gas-solid mass transfer efficiency can be improved.

[0018] The gas distributor installed at the end of the honeycomb grid facilitates the uniform distribution of adsorbed air or desorbed vapor at the air inlet end of the honeycomb grid. At the same time, by aligning the evenly distributed air outlets on the gas distributor with the honeycomb holes of the honeycomb grid, the air inlet during the adsorption process and the vapor during the desorption process can be effectively directed into the ventilation channels corresponding to each honeycomb hole, thereby achieving effective carbon capture and adsorption as well as carbon desorption and heating.

[0019] The direct air carbon capture device in this application can effectively achieve integrated adsorption and desorption, allowing adsorption and desorption to switch and cycle on the same device. Furthermore, by dispersing the adsorbent on the honeycomb grid, the pressure drop can be reduced and the gas-solid mass transfer efficiency can be improved. At the same time, the gas distributor outlet is aligned with the honeycomb holes of the honeycomb grid, allowing the adsorption inlet gas and desorption vapor to enter the ventilation channels of the honeycomb grid and fully contact the adsorbent, thus improving the gas-solid mass transfer effect.

[0020] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the direct air carbon capture device in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cellular grid structure in this application.

[0023] icon: A - Adsorption zone; B - Regeneration zone; 1-Adsorption / Desorption unit; 11-Shell; 12-Baffle; 13-Outlet cone; 14-Outlet; 15-Outlet pipe; 16-Insulation pad; 17-Insulation rock wool; 2-Cellular mesh frame; 3-Adsorbent; 4-Gas distributor; 5-Electric heating desorber; 51-Electric heating wire; 6-Inlet duct; 61-Main inlet duct; 62-Branch inlet duct; 63-Main inlet duct control valve; 64-Branch inlet duct control valve; 7-Steam branch pipe; 71-Steam branch control valve; 8-Exhaust fan; 9-Cooler; 10-Water-gas separator; 20-Vacuum pump. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0026] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "setup" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] See Figure 1 and combined Figure 2 The direct air carbon capture device in this application is mainly used for the direct adsorption and capture of CO2 in the introduced air, as well as the thermal desorption of the adsorbent 3 after CO2 adsorption saturation, so that the adsorbent 3 releases CO2 and collects it.

[0028] By integrating adsorption and desorption into the same device, the functions of adsorption and desorption can be integrated, and the switching cycle between adsorption and desorption can be performed.

[0029] By combining the honeycomb grid 2 with the dispersed arrangement of the adsorbent 3 on the honeycomb grid 2, the pressure drop of the inlet and outlet air can be effectively reduced, and the adsorbed air and desorbed vapor can be fully contacted with the adsorbent 3, thereby improving the gas-solid contact effect and effectively increasing the carbon capture efficiency.

[0030] See Figure 1 The direct air carbon capture device in this application has a main structure including an adsorption-desorption unit 1 with a horizontal tower structure. The adsorption-desorption unit 1 includes a housing 11. By setting an adsorption zone A and a regeneration zone B inside the housing 11 and independently isolating the adsorption space of the adsorption zone A and the regeneration space of the regeneration zone B, the functions of adsorption and desorption can be integrated. Combined with external pipelines and necessary valve groups, adsorption and desorption can be performed simultaneously in separate zones, and it is convenient to switch between adsorption and desorption operations.

[0031] From the perspective of the dispersion of adsorbent 3, both adsorption zone A and regeneration zone B are provided with honeycomb mesh 2, and adsorbent 3 for carbon capture is provided inside the honeycomb mesh 2. Compared with the traditional fixed bed type adsorbent 3 filling, the honeycomb mesh 2 in this application can make the adsorbent 3 uniformly dispersed.

[0032] On the one hand, it can effectively and fully contact the adsorbent 3 with the adsorbent air that enters the honeycomb grid 2, improve the gas-solid contact effect, and thus improve the capture and adsorption of CO2 and the desorption and release of CO2 during the heating process; on the other hand, it can reduce the flow resistance of adsorbed air or desorbed vapor in the process of flowing through the adsorbent 3 and reduce the pressure drop.

[0033] In this application, the adsorbed air and desorbed vapor are introduced into the honeycomb grid 2 through the gas distributor 4. The gas distributor 4 is located at the end of the honeycomb grid 2. Specifically, the gas distributor 4 is located at the air inlet end of the honeycomb grid 2. Furthermore, by aligning the evenly distributed air outlets on the gas distributor 4 with the honeycomb holes of the honeycomb grid 2, the adsorbed air and desorbed vapor discharged from the air outlets can be introduced into the ventilation channels, thereby effectively adsorbing and desorbing with the adsorbent 3 provided in the ventilation channels.

[0034] In the operation of the direct air carbon capture device of this application, the adsorbent 3 and the incoming air are fully contacted in a gas-solid manner to capture and adsorb CO2 in the incoming air. When the adsorbent 3 reaches CO2 adsorption saturation, the adsorption and regeneration are switched through external pipelines and valve groups to achieve a switching cycle.

[0035] During the normal desorption process, the adsorbent 3 inside the honeycomb mesh frame 2 is heated by heating the honeycomb mesh frame 2, thereby desorbing the saturated CO2. The heating of the honeycomb mesh frame 2 is carried out by an electric heating desorber 5, which includes an electric heating wire 51. By wrapping the electric heating wire 51 around the outside of the honeycomb mesh frame 2, the honeycomb mesh frame 2 can be heated as a whole, and the heat is transferred to the adsorbent 3 in the form of thermal conduction, thereby enabling the thermal desorption of the adsorbent 3.

[0036] During normal desorption and desorption, since the electric heating desorber only heats the outside of the honeycomb grid 2, when the electric heating cannot meet the heat requirements for the desorption and desorption of the adsorbent 3, the desorption steam introduced into the ventilation channel through the gas distributor 4 directly heats the adsorbent 3, so that the adsorbent 3 can be thermally desorbed and desorbed by CO2 under the action of synchronous heating inside and outside.

[0037] Based on this, the gas distributor 4 and the electric heating desorber in this application are arranged in groups, with each group corresponding to either the adsorption zone A or the regeneration zone B. That is to say, the gas distributor 4 and the electric heating desorber are arranged in both the adsorption zone A and the regeneration zone B, which are cyclically switched.

[0038] The gas distributor 4 introduces air and regenerated steam into the inlet of the honeycomb mesh frame 2, while the electric heating desorber heats the entire honeycomb mesh frame 2 during the regeneration and desorption of the adsorbent 3.

[0039] The heating wire 51 of each electric heating desorber is wound around the honeycomb mesh frame 2 of the corresponding area. Preferably, the heating wire 51 is wound around the periphery of the honeycomb mesh frame 2 of the two partitioned space areas, so that the honeycomb mesh frame 2 can be heated as a whole when the independent partitioned area is switched to the regeneration state.

[0040] From the perspective of cycle switching, in order to ensure the effective introduction of adsorbed air and the ability of desorbed vapor to enter the ventilation channels in the honeycomb grid 2, an air inlet pipe 6 is connected to the housing 11. The air inlet pipe 6 includes an air inlet main pipe 61 and an air inlet branch pipe 62, which are respectively connected to the gas distributor 4.

[0041] Furthermore, an air intake main control valve 63 is installed on the air intake main pipe 61, and air intake branch control valves 64 are respectively installed on the air intake branch pipes 62.

[0042] The aforementioned piping and control valve configuration allows for the switching of adsorption air supply and facilitates dynamic circulation of adsorption and desorption.

[0043] A steam branch pipe 7 is connected to the air inlet branch pipe 62. The connection point between the steam branch pipe 7 and the air inlet branch pipe 62 is located downstream of the air inlet branch control valve 64. This allows desorption steam to be introduced into the gas distributor 4 and into the ventilation channel to provide internal auxiliary heating and desorption of the adsorbent 3 inside the ventilation channel, while the air inlet branch control valve 64 is closed and regeneration desorption is maintained. A steam branch control valve 71 is installed on each steam branch pipe 7 to control the switching of desorption steam into the honeycomb grid 2 during the adsorption-desorption control switching process.

[0044] From the perspective of normal air supply, an air intake system is provided upstream of the main air intake pipe 61. The air intake system includes an air intake fan 8 that can be frequency-adjusted. The outlet of the air intake fan 8 is connected to the main air intake pipe 61, and the air volume entering the honeycomb grid frame 2 can be adjusted, thereby realizing frequency-adsorption in the carbon capture process.

[0045] From the perspective of spatial isolation between the adsorption and regeneration zones B, the adsorption zone A and the regeneration zone B are separated by the partition 12, making the internal space of the adsorption-desorption unit 1 a completely independent space, so that adsorption and desorption do not affect each other.

[0046] Preferably, the adsorption-desorber 1 is a cylindrical horizontal tower structure, and the partition 12 is arranged laterally in the diameter direction of the shell 11 of the adsorption-desorber 1, so as to divide the space inside the shell 11 equally, and further ensure the dynamic balance of CO2 capture and adsorption during the switching cycle.

[0047] The honeycomb grid 2 extends along the length of the shell 11, and the gas distributor 4 is sealed and connected to the air inlet of the honeycomb grid 2, so that the ventilation channel can extend along the length of the shell 11, ensuring the flow path of adsorbed air and desorbed vapor inside the honeycomb grid 2, and ensuring the gas-solid contact effect.

[0048] The air outlet end of the honeycomb grid 2 is sealed with an air outlet cone 13. The air outlet cone 13 is set up to collect air containing other components after carbon capture and adsorption, or to collect vapor including CO2 after desorption. On the other hand, it can buffer the outgoing gas at the air outlet cone 13, thereby making the outgoing gas more stable.

[0049] An outlet 14 is provided on the housing 11 of the adsorption-desorption unit 1. An outlet cone 13 is connected to the outlet 14 on the housing 11 for the exhaust of other components of air during adsorption, or for the subsequent collection of CO2 vapor during desorption.

[0050] The outlet 14 is connected to an outlet pipe 15, which in turn is connected to a cooler 9, a vapor-liquid separator 10, and a vacuum pump 20. The cooler 9 is used to cool the regenerated gas, the vapor-liquid separator 10 is used to separate the gas and water in the cooled regenerated gas, and the vacuum pump 20 is used to provide suction power for adsorption and regeneration. This configuration ensures the normal operation of adsorption and desorption.

[0051] The direct air carbon capture device in this application mainly uses the arrangement of the honeycomb grid 2 and the placement of adsorbent 3 in the ventilation channels within the honeycomb grid 2 to capture and desorb carbon, thereby reducing the pressure drop of the airflow within the honeycomb grid 2.

[0052] The honeycomb grid 2 includes a metal frame made of iron-chromium-aluminum alloy or stainless steel. The cross-section of the metal frame is rectangular, which facilitates processing and ensures the number of ventilation channels. This allows the gas to pass through in a flat manner, avoiding the complex flow around the fixed bed layer, thereby greatly reducing the pressure drop.

[0053] In order to enable adsorption and desorption to occur simultaneously in two independently separated spaces, a heat insulation pad 16 is laid on the partition 12 to reduce the spread of heat from the desorption process into the adsorption space. The heat insulation pad 16 is laid on the partition 12 and is placed between the honeycomb mesh frame 2 and the partition 12.

[0054] Meanwhile, in order to reduce heat loss to the outside, heat-insulating rock wool 17 is filled between the honeycomb mesh frame 2 and the shell 11, which can provide sufficient heat preservation and minimize the waste and damage caused by electric heating and steam heating during the desorption process.

[0055] In order to accommodate the arrangement of the lower honeycomb grid 2, a support is provided at the bottom of the lower honeycomb grid 2 to ensure the fixed installation of the lower honeycomb grid 2 and the effective implementation of thermal insulation facilities.

[0056] In the specific installation process, the length of the long side and the short side of the rectangular honeycomb grid 2 are not limited. The area of ​​the cross section of the honeycomb grid 2 in the independent partition space should be fully considered, and sufficient space for filling the heat insulation rock wool 17 should be reserved between the honeycomb grid 2 and the shell 11.

[0057] The metal frame has multiple ventilation channels evenly distributed on it. The structure of the ventilation channels includes honeycomb channels with square or hexagonal cross sections, which is conducive to the uniform distribution of fluid and uniform adhesion of coating.

[0058] Adsorbent 3 is uniformly coated on the sidewall of the ventilation channel, which facilitates direct contact between the adsorbent 3 and the adsorbent 3 for the adsorbed air and desorbed vapor.

[0059] Adsorbent 3 includes metal-organic frameworks, solid amines, zeolite molecular sieves or adsorption resins, which can fully utilize their carbon capture adsorption capacity and facilitate the desorption and release of CO2 after heating.

[0060] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A direct air carbon capture device, characterized by, The application relates to a carbon capture and storage device. The shell is internally provided with an adsorption area and a regeneration area, and the adsorption area and the regeneration area are independently separated from each other in the adsorption and regeneration spaces. The adsorption area and the regeneration area are both provided with a honeycomb net rack, and the honeycomb net rack is internally provided with an adsorbent for carbon capture. A gas distributor is arranged at the end of the honeycomb net rack, and gas outlet holes uniformly distributed on the gas distributor are correspondingly arranged with the honeycomb holes of the honeycomb net rack.

2. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 1, wherein, The device further comprises an electric heating desorber, which comprises an electric heating wire wrapped around the outside of the honeycomb net rack.

3. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 2, wherein, The gas distributor and the electric heating desorber are arranged in groups, and each group is arranged in the adsorption area or the regeneration area.

4. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 1, wherein, Each electric heating desorber is wound around the honeycomb net rack in the corresponding area. The shell is connected with an air inlet pipeline, the air inlet pipeline comprises an air inlet main pipe and an air inlet branch pipe, and the air inlet branch pipe is connected with the gas distributor.

5. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 4, wherein, The air inlet main pipe is provided with an air inlet main control valve, and the air inlet branch pipe is respectively provided with an air inlet branch control valve.

6. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 4, wherein, The air inlet branch pipe is connected with a steam branch pipe, the joint part of the steam branch pipe and the air inlet branch pipe is arranged downstream of the air inlet branch control valve, and the steam branch pipe is respectively provided with a steam branch control valve.

7. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 1, wherein, The upstream of the air inlet main pipe is provided with an air induction system, the air induction system comprises an air induction fan capable of being frequency-adjusted, and the outlet of the air induction fan is connected with the air inlet main pipe. The adsorption area and the regeneration area are separated by a partition plate in the shell, the partition plate is arranged in the diameter direction of the shell, and the space in the shell is equally divided.

8. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 7, wherein, The honeycomb net rack extends along the length direction of the shell, the gas distributor is sealingly connected with the air inlet end of the honeycomb net rack, the air outlet end of the honeycomb net rack is sealingly connected with an air outlet taper, and the air outlet taper is connected with the air outlet of the shell.

9. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 7, wherein, The air outlet is connected with an air outlet pipeline, the air outlet pipeline is sequentially connected with a cooler, a steam-water separator and a vacuum pump through a pipeline, the cooler is used for cooling the regeneration gas, the steam-water separator is used for separating the gas and water of the cooled regeneration gas, and the vacuum pump is used for providing suction air for adsorption and regeneration. The honeycomb net rack comprises a metal frame made of iron-chromium-aluminum alloy or stainless steel, and the cross section of the metal frame is rectangular.

10. The direct air carbon capture device of claim 9, wherein, The partition plate is paved with a heat insulation pad, and the metal frame and the shell are filled with heat insulation rock wool. The metal frame is uniformly provided with a plurality of air passage channels, the structure of the air passage channel comprises a honeycomb channel with a square or hexagonal cross section, and the adsorbent is uniformly coated on the side wall of the air passage channel. The adsorbent comprises a metal organic framework, a solid amine, a zeolite molecular sieve or an adsorption resin.

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