Separator for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances

Abstract

The presented invention relates to a separator (100, 110) for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances, wherein the separator (100, 110) comprises: - a first electrical coupling element (101), - a second electrical coupling element (103), - a number of electrodes (105), - a number of bipolar elements (107) and - a number of separators (109), wherein the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) are arranged radially around the first electrical coupling element (101) and are surrounded radially by the second electrical coupling element (103). Furthermore, the invention relates to an energy converter (300) for converting energy.

Description

[0001] The presented invention relates to a separator for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances, a method for manufacturing a separator and an energy converter according to the attached claims. State of the art

[0002] Known separators for separating a fluid, such as carbon dioxide, from a mixture of substances, such as exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, are based on a stacking arrangement in which cells of flat electrodes, flat bipolar plates and flat separators are stacked on top of each other.

[0003] In order to keep a flow of substance mixture through such a stack arrangement within the stack arrangement, its cells must be elaborately sealed against the environment.

[0004] Accordingly, such stacking arrangements are complex to manufacture and expensive. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] Within the scope of the presented invention, a separator for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances, a method for producing a separator, and an energy converter are introduced. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the separator according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method and the energy converter according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention is always, or can always be, mutually referenced.

[0006] The invention presented here serves in particular to provide an inexpensive and energy-efficient separator, especially for separating carbon dioxide from a mixture of substances.

[0007] Thus, according to a first aspect of the presented invention, a separator for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances is presented.

[0008] The presented separator comprises a first electrical coupling element, a second electrical coupling element, a number of electrodes, a number of bipolar elements and a number of separators, wherein the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators are arranged radially around the first electrical coupling element and are radially surrounded by the second electrical coupling element.

[0009] In the context of the presented invention, bipolar elements are understood to be elements for distributing electrical energy within the presented separator, in particular to the respective electrodes.

[0010] The presented separator is used in particular for so-called "electro-swing adsorption" (ESA) and is based on a radial arrangement of its components, i.e., a first electrical coupling element, a second electrical coupling element, a number of electrodes, a number of bipolar elements, and a number of separators. Accordingly, the presented separator dispenses with flat cells and forms a linearly flowable body.

[0011] The radial arrangement of the components of the presented separator allows them to be designed with a particularly large surface area, so that, in order to provide a given active reaction area, fewer layers or fewer cells are needed compared to a corresponding stacked arrangement, which minimizes the risk of an undesirable displacement of the components relative to each other.

[0012] It may be provided that the separator is a tube, in particular a cylinder.

[0013] Due to its tubular, and especially cylindrical, design, the separator is particularly easy to manufacture and therefore cost-efficient.

[0014] For example, the separator can be constructed from flexible components, allowing its shape to be adapted to a specific installation situation. In particular, the first and second electrical coupling elements can be made of an electrically conductive fabric, especially a flexible, electrically conductive material such as a plastic.

[0015] Accordingly, in a tubular separator, the inlet and outlet can be offset from each other, for example to achieve a space-optimized geometry. Fluids flowing into the inlet then travel directly or via the shortest possible path to the outlet.

[0016] Alternatively, in the case of a cylindrical separator, its inlet and outlet can be designed on one plane or along one axis, so that the separator can be flowed through linearly and, as a result, can process large masses of mixture.

[0017] It may also be provided that the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators are nested tubes.

[0018] Prefabricated, tubular components with diameters matched to each other, i.e., continuously increasing diameters, can be easily and quickly fitted together to form the separator described. The components support each other, making the separator particularly stable and mechanically robust.

[0019] Furthermore, a tubular second electrical coupling element, as the outermost layer of the separator, seals the separator from its environment, thus eliminating the need for complex pressing processes to form a tight stack arrangement.

[0020] It may also be provided that the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators are plates or layers rolled on top of each other.

[0021] Plate- or layer-shaped components can be easily and quickly stacked on top of each other and then rolled around a first electrical coupling element. This eliminates the need for precisely coordinated tube assembly.

[0022] It may also be provided that at least one component of the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators is cone-shaped.

[0023] Conical components have a continuously increasing cross-section, which leads to an exposure time with decreasing concentration of a respective target fluid, which in turn leads to a particularly uniform saturation of the separator.

[0024] Furthermore, conical components allow for a particularly easy-to-adjust contact pressure, which acts on the components by simply pressing the first electrical coupling element and the second electrical coupling element axially against each other.

[0025] It can also be provided that the first electrical coupling element is a solid metal cylinder and the second electrical coupling element is a metallic tube.

[0026] A massive or solid metal cylinder is suitable as the core of the presented separator, as it gives the separator mechanical stability and conducts an induced electrical current through the separator, especially into the electrodes.

[0027] A metallic tube is suitable as the outer shell of the presented separator, as it gives the separator mechanical stability and conducts a coupled electric current through the separator, especially into the electrodes, and furthermore seals the separator fluid-tight against an environment.

[0028] It may also be provided that the separator includes a voltage source whose first electrical pole is coupled to the first electrical coupling element and whose second electrical pole is coupled to the second electrical coupling element.

[0029] A voltage source, such as a battery or a power generator, applies current or voltage to the electrodes of the separator via the first and second electrical coupling elements, thereby generating an electrical potential in the separator. With a first polarity, this leads to the deposition of a target fluid, such as carbon dioxide, at the electrodes, and with a reversed second polarity, it leads to the expulsion of the target fluid from the electrodes.

[0030] According to a second aspect, the presented invention relates to a method for manufacturing a separator for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances.

[0031] The presented method comprises enclosing a first electrical coupling element with a number of electrodes, a number of bipolar elements and a number of separators, and inserting the first coupling element enclosed by the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators into a tubular second electrical coupling element.

[0032] The presented method is particularly suitable for the production of the presented separator.

[0033] It may be provided that the first electrical coupling element, the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators are inserted into one another.

[0034] Tubular components, in particular, can be easily combined into a separator by sliding them together. If the components are conical, they can be pressurized to force them against each other, thus mechanically securing them.

[0035] It may also be provided that the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators are wound around the first electrical coupling element.

[0036] The first electrical coupling element can be wrapped with the respective components successively, either by winding the components one after the other or in parallel, by winding all components together.

[0037] It may also be provided that the second electrical coupling element is heated before the insertion of the first coupling element, which is enclosed by the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators, in order to maximize its diameter, and cooled after the insertion of the first coupling element, which is enclosed by the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators, in order to minimize its diameter.

[0038] Heating the second electrical coupling element and thereby maximizing or increasing the diameter of the second electrical coupling element makes it easier, in particular, to insert tubular components into the second electrical coupling element.

[0039] Subsequent cooling of the second electrical coupling element minimizes or reduces its diameter, allowing the second electrical coupling element to clamp the inserted components and secure them in position.

[0040] It may further be provided that the second electrical coupling element has a diameter that provides a buffer region between the second electrical coupling element and the first coupling element enclosed by the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators, wherein the second electrical coupling element is deformed in the buffer region so that the second electrical coupling element clamps the first coupling element enclosed by the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators.

[0041] To deform the second electrical coupling element in its buffer area, the second electrical coupling element can, for example, be pressed in or pulled together, so that the second electrical coupling element tightens.

[0042] It may also be provided that the first electrical coupling element is mechanically enlarged in diameter after the first coupling element, enclosed by the number of electrodes, the number of bipolar elements and the number of separators, has been inserted into the second electrical coupling element.

[0043] By mechanically increasing the diameter of the first electrical coupling element, pressure is generated on the respective components surrounding the first electrical coupling element, which pushes the components against the second electrical coupling element and, as a result, secures them in their position.

[0044] In particular, it may be provided that the diameter of the first electrical coupling element is increased by moving a thickening first part of the first electrical coupling element relative to a second part of the first electrical coupling element, or by bringing several parts forming the first electrical coupling element, which interlock in a first position, into a second position in which the parts radially overlap each other.

[0045] According to a third aspect, the presented invention relates to an energy converter for converting energy.

[0046] The presented energy converter comprises a combustion unit and a possible design of the presented separator.

[0047] Due to the presented separator, the exhaust gas from the presented energy converter is particularly environmentally friendly.

[0048] Advantages described in detail for the separator according to the first aspect of the invention apply equally to the method according to the second aspect of the presented invention and to the energy converter according to the third aspect of the presented invention, and vice versa.

[0049] Further advantages, features, and details of the presented invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0050] They each show schematically: Fig. 1. A possible design of the presented separator, Fig. 2 another possible design of the presented separator, Fig. 3 a cross-section through the separator according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a possible design of the presented procedure, Fig. 5 a detailed description of another possible embodiment of the presented procedure, Fig. 6 a detailed description of a further possible embodiment of the presented procedure, Fig. 7 a detailed description of a further possible design of the presented procedure and Fig. 8 A representation of a possible design of the presented energy converter.

[0051] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a separator 100 for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances.

[0052] The presented separator 100 comprises a first electrical coupling element 101 in the form of a current sensor, a second electrical coupling element 103 (not shown here) in the form of a current sensor, a number of electrodes 105, a number of bipolar elements 107 and a number of separators 109.

[0053] The electrodes 105, the bipolar elements 107 and the separators 109 are arranged radially around the first electrical coupling element 101 and radially surrounded by the second electrical coupling element 103.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 2 shows another separator 110, whose first electrical coupling element 101 and second electrical coupling element 103 are flexibly designed so that the separator 110 can be adapted to a given installation space.

[0055] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the separator 100. It can be seen that a first electrode 105a is separated or electrically insulated from a second electrode 105b by a separator 109, such that the first electrode 105a, the separator 109, and the second electrode 105b form active components 111 of the separator 100. Each active component 111 is spaced apart by a bipolar element 107.

[0056] In Fig. 4 is a method 200 for manufacturing a separator 100 according to Fig. 1 shown.

[0057] The method 200 comprises an encapsulation step 201 in which a first electrical coupling element 101 is encapsulated by a number of electrodes 105, a number of bipolar elements 107 and a number of separators 109.

[0058] Furthermore, the method 200 comprises an insertion step 203 in which the first coupling element 101, enclosed by the number of electrodes 105, the number of bipolar elements 107 and the number of separators 109, is inserted into a tubular second electrical coupling element 103. For this purpose, the second coupling element 103 can be wound around the arrangement formed in the enclosure step 201, or the arrangement can be inserted into the second coupling element 103.

[0059] In Fig. Figure 5 shows the wrapping step 201 in detail. Here it can be seen how a plate-shaped component, e.g. a bipolar element 107, is wrapped around the first electrical coupling element 101 and components 111 already arranged on it.

[0060] In Fig. Figure 6 shows different types of insertion step 203. In a first insertion step 203a, the second electrical coupling element 103 is pressed into a buffer area 115, so that the second electrical coupling element 103 is tensioned and the components arranged in the second electrical coupling element 103 are fixed.

[0061] In a second insertion step 203b, the second electrical coupling element 103 is pulled together in the buffer area 115, so that the second electrical coupling element 103 is tensioned and the components arranged in the second electrical coupling element 103 are fixed.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a third insertion step 203c, in which the first electrical coupling element 101 is mechanically enlarged by moving several parts 117 forming the first electrical coupling element 101, which interlock in a first position 205, into a second position 207 in which the parts 117 radially overlap each other. Accordingly, in the second position 207, the first electrical coupling element 101 presses the components against the second electrical coupling element 103 and secures them in their position.

[0063] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 7 shows a fourth insertion step 203d, in which the first electrical coupling element 101 is mechanically enlarged by moving a thickening first part 119 of the first electrical coupling element 101 relative to a second part 121 of the first electrical coupling element 101, such that the thickening first part 119 spreads the second part 121. Accordingly, in the second position 207, the first electrical coupling element 101 presses the components against the second electrical coupling element 103 and secures them in their position.

[0064] In Fig. Figure 8 shows an energy converter 300 for converting energy.

[0065] The energy converter 300 comprises a combustion unit 301 and a separator 100.

Claims

[1] Separator (100, 110) for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances, the separator (100, 110) includes: - a first electrical coupling element (101), - a second electrical coupling element (103), - a number of electrodes (105), - a number of bipolar elements (107) and - a number of separators (109), wherein the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) are arranged radially around the first electrical coupling element (101) and are radially surrounded by the second electrical coupling element (103). [2] Separator (100, 110) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the separator (100, 110) is a tube, in particular a cylinder. [3] Separator (100, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) are nested tubes. [4] Separator (100, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) are plates rolled on top of each other. [5] Separator (100, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one component of the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) is cone-shaped. [6] Separator (100, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first electrical coupling element (101) is a solid metal cylinder and the second electrical coupling element (103) is a metallic tube. [7] Separator (100, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the separator (100, 110) comprises a voltage source whose first electrical pole is coupled to the first electrical coupling element (101) and whose second electrical pole is coupled to the second electrical coupling element (103). [8] Method (200) for manufacturing a separator (100, 110) for separating a fluid from a mixture of substances, wherein the method (200) comprises: - Enclosing (201) a first electrical coupling element (101) by a number of electrodes (105), a number of bipolar elements (107) and a number of separators (109), - Insertion (203) of the first coupling element (101) enclosed by the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) into a second electrical coupling element (103). [9] Method (200) according to claim 8, characterized by, that the first electrical coupling element (101), the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) are inserted into each other. [10] Method (200) according to claims 8 to 9, characterized by , that the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) are wound around the first electrical coupling element (101). [11] Method (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by , that the second electrical coupling element (103) is heated before the insertion of the first coupling element (101) enclosed by the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) in order to maximize its diameter and is cooled after the insertion of the first coupling element (101) enclosed by the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) in order to minimize its diameter. [12] Method (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by , that the second electrical coupling element (103) has a diameter that provides a buffer region (115) between the second electrical coupling element (103) and the first coupling element (101) enclosed by the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109), wherein the second electrical coupling element (103) is deformed in the buffer area (115) so that the second electrical coupling element (103) clamps the first coupling element (101) enclosed by the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109). [13] Method (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized by, that the first electrical coupling element (101) is mechanically enlarged in its diameter after the first coupling element (101) enclosed by the number of electrodes (105), the number of bipolar elements (107) and the number of separators (109) has been inserted into the second electrical coupling element (103). [14] Method (200) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the first electrical coupling element (101) is enlarged in its diameter by moving a thickening first part (119) of the first electrical coupling element (101) relative to a second part (121) of the first electrical coupling element (101) or by moving several parts (117) forming the first electrical coupling element (101), which interlock in a first position, into a second position in which the parts (117) radially overlap each other. [15] Energy converter (300) for converting energy, wherein the energy converter (300) comprises: - a combustion unit (301) and - a separator (100, 110) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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