Adsorption-chamber module and co2-adsorption device for separating co2 (carbon dioxide)

Abstract

The invention concerns a CO2-adsorption device (50) for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream (42) by means of an adsorption-desorption process, comprising an adsorption-chamber module (10) having an air-distribution unit (34) and comprising at least one blower unit (44) for supplying the air stream (42) via the at least one inlet-channel opening (30) into the adsorption-desorption chamber (26) and / or comprising at least one temperature-control unit for controlling the temperature of the adsorbent (28) for the adsorption-desorption process and / or comprising at least one pumping unit for providing a positive pressure and / or a negative pressure for the desorption process.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title to separate

[0003] State of the art

[0004] The invention relates to an adsorption chamber module and a CO2 adsorption device for separating CO2 (carbon dioxide) from a supplied air stream by means of an adsorption-desorption process. The invention further relates to the use of an adsorption chamber module for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream.

[0005] WO 2020 / 212146 A1 discloses a DAC (Direct Air Capture) system with a special container solution for compliance with the external dimensions of the ISO 668 standard for freight containers. The air is directed horizontally across the freight container, with louvers arranged on the inlet side of the container.

[0006] Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The subject of the present invention is an adsorption chamber module for a CO2 adsorption device for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream by means of an adsorption-desorption process, with

[0008] - a freight container acting as a chamber module housing, which is designed in particular according to ISO 668;

[0009] - at least one adsorption-desorption chamber arranged in the freight container for receiving an adsorbent for adsorbing the CO2 from the supplied air stream;

[0010] - at least one inlet duct opening arranged on a longitudinal side wall or on a longitudinal side of the freight container for supplying the air flow into the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber; and - at least one outlet duct opening arranged, in particular, on an opposite longitudinal side wall or on an opposite longitudinal side of the freight container, for discharging the CO2-reduced air flow from the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber, wherein an air distribution unit is arranged in the freight container below the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber, by means of which air distribution unit the air flow supplied via the at least one inlet duct opening can be supplied at several points from below, in particular in a substantially uniformly distributed manner, into the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber.

[0011] The present invention further relates to a CO2 adsorption device for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream by means of an adsorption-desorption process with

[0012] - an adsorption chamber module as described above; and

[0013] - at least one blower unit for supplying the air flow via the at least one inlet channel opening into the adsorption-desorption chamber and / or at least one temperature control unit for temperature control of the adsorbent for the adsorption-desorption process and / or at least one pump unit for providing an overpressure and / or negative pressure for the desorption process.

[0014] The present invention also relates to the use of a previously described adsorption chamber module for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream, in particular in a previously described CO2 adsorption device.

[0015] The adsorption chamber module and the CO2 adsorption device according to the invention offer the advantage that the air flow can be easily directed upwards through the adsorbent from below, evenly distributed across the container width or the entire container floor. Firstly, this optimizes the flow through the adsorbent, since air heats up during adsorption and rises anyway. Secondly, it creates more space within the freight container, allowing the volume of the adsorption-desorption chamber and thus of the adsorbent to be maximized. Furthermore, the adsorption chamber module can be easily and cost-effectively manufactured industrially using standard processes for the production of basic frames for freight containers, e.g., according to ISO 668.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the term “separation” includes a separation, for example the capture of CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the air.

[0017] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "supply" or "supplied" primarily encompasses an actively performed or initiated, and thus technically controlled or regulated, supply of the air flow by means of a blower unit or fan unit. However, the term "supply" or "supplied" can also encompass a passively performed or initiated supply of the air flow without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the air flow can be supplied in any desired manner, for example, naturally.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the terms “above” or “over” and “below” or “under” refer to a proper use or proper arrangement / orientation of the adsorption chamber module or the freight container.

[0019] The adsorption chamber module according to the invention is designed or configured for use in a CO2 adsorption device in order to separate CO2 from a supplied air stream by means of an adsorption-desorption process.

[0020] For this purpose, the adsorption chamber module comprises a freight container (also called a shipping container), which functions as the chamber module housing. The freight container is preferably designed according to ISO 668. The freight container or ISO freight container can have a basic frame and corner fittings, in particular according to ISO 1161. The basic frame preferably has - analogous to standard ISO freight containers - two longitudinal end frames, each with a corner fitting arranged at its four corners. The end frames can each have a roof cross member, a floor cross member, and two corner posts. The basic frame also preferably has two opposing roof longitudinal members and two opposing floor longitudinal members, which connect the two longitudinal end frames to each other at their corner fittings.The basic frame may further comprise intermediate cross members on the floor, which connect the two longitudinal floor members along their longitudinal direction and stiffen a floor of the basic frame or the freight container.

[0021] The freight container has a longitudinal side wall or a side wall on one longitudinal side. Preferably, the freight container has an opposite further longitudinal side wall or a further side wall on an opposite longitudinal side. Alternatively or additionally, the freight container preferably further has a base plate. Alternatively or additionally, the freight container preferably further has a roof plate. Alternatively or additionally, the freight container preferably further has two opposite end walls or two side walls extending in the transverse direction of the freight container.

[0022] At least one adsorption-desorption chamber is arranged or configured in the freight container, i.e., within or inside the freight container. The at least one adsorption-desorption chamber is configured or configured to accommodate an adsorbent for adsorbing the CO2 from the supplied air stream.

[0023] The adsorption chamber module further comprises at least one inlet duct opening for supplying the air flow into the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber and at least one outlet duct opening for discharging the CO2-reduced air flow from the adsorption-desorption chamber. The at least one inlet duct opening is arranged on the longitudinal side wall or on the longitudinal side of the freight container. The at least one outlet duct opening is arranged on the opposite (further) longitudinal side wall or opposite longitudinal side of the freight container.

[0024] Advantageously, a closing unit can be arranged at the at least one inlet channel opening to isolate the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber upstream for the desorption process. Alternatively or additionally, a closing unit can advantageously be arranged at the at least one outlet channel opening to isolate the adsorption-desorption chamber downstream for the desorption process. The closing unit can be designed to be mechanically and / or electrically controllable.

[0025] According to the invention, an air distribution unit is arranged in the freight container, i.e. in the interior of the freight container below the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber. The air distribution unit is designed or configured to supply the air flow supplied via the at least one inlet channel opening at several points from below (in particular evenly) into the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber. The distribution here involves, in particular, a spatial and simultaneous distribution of the air flow. The air distribution unit preferably borders on the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber or delimits the adsorption-desorption chamber on the underside, so that an adsorbent can, for example, rest on the air distribution unit.

[0026] The air distribution unit is preferably arranged above, in particular adjacent to, the floor panel of the freight container. Accordingly, the air distribution unit can, for example, rest on the floor panel, or the floor panel can be attached to the air distribution unit from below. In both cases, the floor panel is arranged on the outside of the air distribution unit.

[0027] Preferably, the air distribution unit forms a plurality of inlet channels extending in a transverse direction of the freight container, or the air distribution unit has a plurality of inlet channels extending in a transverse direction of the freight container. The inlet channels preferably extend from the longitudinal side wall of the freight container to the opposite longitudinal side wall of the freight container.

[0028] It is advantageous if the air distribution unit has a plurality of cross members extending in the transverse direction, between which the intake ducts are arranged, in particular which laterally delimit the intake ducts. The cross members can be designed, for example, as C- and / or T- and / or H-shaped members. The cross members can have openings or perforations, allowing air to flow between the intake ducts through the cross members. Alternatively or additionally, the air distribution unit can have one or more air baffles or inlet plates.

[0029] The dimensioning of the inlet channels or the cross members and / or sheets is carried out according to the state of the art depending on the amount of air that is to be supplied or flow into the adsorption-desorption chamber per time.

[0030] The cross members are advantageously arranged between or on the two opposing longitudinal floor members of the freight container. The cross members preferably extend from one of the longitudinal floor members and / or the longitudinal side wall to the opposite longitudinal floor member and / or the opposite longitudinal side wall. Furthermore, the cross members are preferably connected, in particular by a material bond, to the longitudinal floor members. In other words, the cross members perform a dual function, namely, in addition to air distribution, they also stiffen or reinforce the floor of the freight container. Thus, the conventional intermediate cross members according to the prior art, which stiffen the floor of the basic structure or the freight container, can advantageously be omitted or eliminated.

[0031] It is further advantageous if the at least one inlet channel opening is arranged in a lower region of the longitudinal side wall, in particular at the level of the inlet channels. In other words, the inflow direction of the air supplied into the adsorption chamber module lies in the plane of the inlet channels, thereby minimizing flow losses.

[0032] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the at least one outlet channel opening is arranged in an upper region of the opposite longitudinal side wall, in particular above the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber. This allows essentially the entire height of the adsorption-desorption chamber to be utilized for uniform flow of the adsorbent from bottom to top. It is also advantageous if at least two adsorption-desorption chambers are provided, which are separated from one another by a partition wall running in the transverse direction of the freight container, in particular wherein the partition wall is connected to one of the crossbeams. This measure makes it possible to provide several separate adsorption-desorption chambers with rigid walls in the freight container.

[0033] Preferably, the (appropriately functionalized) adsorbent for adsorption, i.e., for binding or filtering the CO2 from the supplied air stream, is arranged in the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber. The adsorbent can be configured, for example, in the form of CO2 adsorption modules and / or as a bed of CO2 adsorption elements resting on the air distribution unit.

[0034] The CO2 adsorption device according to the invention is designed or configured to separate CO2 from a supplied air stream by means of an adsorption-desorption process, i.e., a cyclically performed or implemented adsorption-desorption process. The basic functioning of the CO2 adsorption device or of the cyclically performed or implemented adsorption-desorption process can, for example, be carried out analogously to the aforementioned WO 2020 / 212146 A1.

[0035] For this purpose, the CO2 adsorption device has a previously described adsorption chamber module and at least one blower unit or

[0036] A fan unit for supplying the air flow via the at least one inlet channel opening into the adsorption-desorption chamber and / or at least one temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the adsorbent for the adsorption-desorption process and / or at least one pump unit for providing an overpressure and / or negative pressure for the desorption process. The blower unit or fan unit can have a plurality of fans.

[0037] Preferably, the blower unit and / or the temperature control unit and / or the pump unit is / are attached, in particular detachably, to an outer side of the longitudinal side wall or the opposite longitudinal side wall of the freight container. The blower unit is preferably arranged in a lower region of the longitudinal side wall, in particular at the level of the at least one inlet duct opening. In this case, the air flow is blown in by means of the blower unit via the at least one inlet duct opening. Alternatively, the blower unit is preferably arranged in an upper region of the opposite longitudinal side wall, in particular at the level of the at least one outlet duct opening. In this case, the air flow is sucked in by means of the blower unit via the at least one inlet duct opening.

[0038] Advantageously, the CO2 adsorption device can further comprise at least one of the following units, in particular in or on the freight container: a water vapor generator for providing water vapor for the desorption process; a valve unit for the desorption process; a sensor unit for the adsorption-desorption process; a control unit for controlling and / or regulating the adsorption-desorption process; and a power supply unit and / or power generation unit for the adsorption-desorption process.

[0039] The valve unit can have a plurality of controllable valves to close the adsorption-desorption chamber for the desorption process. The valve unit can have an inlet valve which is arranged in / on the inlet channel opening for the sucked-in air flow and is designed to close the inlet channel opening and to isolate the adsorption-desorption chamber upstream. Alternatively, the inlet valve can also be arranged in the freight container, i.e. inside the freight container between the air distribution unit and the adsorption-desorption chamber. In this case, the inlet valve could, for example, be arranged above the air distribution unit and below the adsorption-desorption chamber and be designed as a type of slide valve. The advantage of this design variant is that the volume to be vacuumed during the desorption process would be smaller, since the distribution unit would be excluded.

[0040] The valve unit may further comprise an outlet valve arranged in / at the outlet channel opening for the CO2-reduced air flow and configured to close the outlet channel opening and isolate the adsorption-desorption chamber downstream. The valve unit may also comprise a CO2 valve arranged in / at a CO2 outlet channel opening and configured to open the CO2 outlet channel opening in order to selectively discharge the adsorbed, i.e., bound / filtered and desorbed, i.e., released, CO2 from the adsorption-desorption chamber.

[0041] The control unit can be designed to be connected to other control units and / or a central control unit by means of radio transmission such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near-field communication, etc.

[0042] Drawings

[0043] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive

[0045] Adsorption chamber module;

[0046] Fig. 2 a perspective sectional view of the

[0047] Adsorption chamber module from Fig. 1 ; and

[0048] Fig. 3 a schematic side sectional view of a CO2

[0049] Adsorption device with the adsorption chamber module from Fig. 1.

[0050] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 an adsorption chamber module according to the invention is shown, which in its entirety is provided with the reference number 10.

[0051] The adsorption chamber module 10 is designed to be used in a CO2 adsorption device for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream by means of an adsorption-desorption process.

[0052] For this purpose, the adsorption chamber module 10 has a freight container 12, which functions as the chamber module housing 12. The freight container 12 is designed according to ISO 668 and has a length of 40 feet.

[0053] The freight container 12 has a roof panel 14, a floor panel 16, two opposing longitudinal side walls 18a, 18b, and two opposing end walls 20. The freight container 12 further has two opposing longitudinal floor beams 22a, 22b and two opposing cross floor beams 24 beneath the floor panel 16.

[0054] In the freight container 12, an adsorption-desorption chamber 26 with an adsorbent 28 for adsorbing the CO2 from the supplied air stream is arranged.

[0055] The adsorption chamber module 10 further has inlet channel openings 30 for supplying the air flow into the adsorption-desorption chamber 26. The inlet channel openings 30 are arranged on the longitudinal side wall 18a of the freight container 12.

[0056] The adsorption chamber module 10 also has outlet channel openings 32 for discharging the CO2-reduced air flow from the adsorption-desorption chamber 26. The outlet channel openings 32 are arranged in an upper region of the opposite longitudinal side wall 18b above the adsorption-desorption chamber 26.

[0057] According to the invention, the adsorption chamber module 10 has an air distribution unit 34 which is arranged in the freight container 12 below the adsorption-desorption chamber 26, wherein the adsorbent 28 rests on the air distribution unit 34.

[0058] As explained in more detail below in the description of Fig. 2, the air distribution unit 34 is designed to supply the air flow supplied via the inlet channel opening 18a at several points from below into the adsorption-desorption chamber 26 in a (substantially) uniformly distributed manner. This allows the air flow to be guided evenly upwards from below through the adsorbent 28, and then exit the freight container 12 through the outlet channel openings 32.

[0059] For this purpose, the air distribution unit 34 has a plurality of cross members 38 extending in the transverse direction 36 of the cargo container 12, which in the illustrated embodiment are designed as C-beams. The cross members 38 extend from the longitudinal side wall 18a to the opposite longitudinal side wall 18b. The cross members 38 are arranged adjacent to the floor panel 16 on the two floor longitudinal members 22a, 22b and are integrally connected to them to stiffen the cargo container 12.

[0060] The cross members 38 form a plurality of inlet channels 40 for supplying the air flow into the adsorption-desorption chamber 26. The inlet channels 40 are arranged substantially uniformly distributed along a longitudinal direction 41 of the freight container 12 and extend in the transverse direction 36 from the longitudinal side wall 18a to the opposite longitudinal side wall 18b.

[0061] As can also be seen from Fig. 1, the inlet channel openings 30 are arranged in a lower region of the longitudinal side wall 18a at the level of the inlet channels 40.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a CO2 adsorption device 50 according to the invention for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream 42 by means of an adsorption-desorption process.

[0063] For this purpose, the CO2 adsorption device 50 comprises the adsorption chamber module 10 from Fig. 1 and a blower unit 44 for supplying the air flow 42 into the adsorption-desorption chamber 26. The blower unit 42 is detachably fastened in the lower region of the longitudinal side wall 18a on an outer side of the freight container 12 at the level of the inlet channel openings 30.

[0064] As can further be seen from Fig. 2, during operation, the air flow 42 is first supplied or blown into the air distribution unit 34 or the inlet channels 40 formed by the cross members 36 via the inlet channel openings 30 by means of the blower unit 44. From there, the air flow 42 is supplied or blown into the adsorption-desorption chamber 26 at several points, evenly distributed from below. The air flow 42 then flows evenly through the adsorbent 28 in direction 46, i.e., from bottom to top, before leaving the freight container 12 through the outlet channel openings 32 arranged at the top as a CO2-reduced air flow 48.

[0065] If an embodiment comprises an “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

Claims 1 . Adsorption chamber module (10) for a CO2 adsorption device (50) for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream (42) by means of an adsorption-desorption process, with - a freight container (12) acting as a chamber module housing (12), which is designed in particular according to ISO 668; - at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26) arranged in the freight container (12) for receiving an adsorbent (28) for adsorbing the CO2 from the supplied air stream (42); - at least one inlet channel opening (30) arranged on a longitudinal side wall (18a) of the freight container (12) for supplying the air flow (42) into the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26); and - at least one outlet channel opening (32), arranged in particular on an opposite longitudinal side wall (18b) of the freight container (12), for discharging the CO2-reduced air flow (48) from the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26), characterized in that an air distribution unit (34) is arranged in the freight container (12) below the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26), by means of which air distribution unit (34) the air flow (42) supplied via the at least one inlet channel opening (30) can be supplied into the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26) in a distributed manner at several points from below.

2. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air distribution unit (34) is arranged above, in particular adjacent to, a base plate (16) of the freight container (12) 3. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air distribution unit (34) forms a plurality of inlet channels (40) extending in a transverse direction (36) of the freight container (12).

4. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the inlet channels (40) extend from the longitudinal side wall (18a) of the freight container (12) to an opposite longitudinal side wall (18b) of the freight container (12).

5. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the air distribution unit (34) has a plurality of cross members (38) extending in the transverse direction (36), between which the inlet channels (40) are arranged, in particular which laterally delimit the inlet channels (40).

6. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross beams (38) are designed as C- and / or T- and / or H-beams.

7. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cross members (38) are arranged between or on two opposite longitudinal floor members (22a, 22b) of the freight container (12).

8. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cross members (38) extend from one of the floor longitudinal members (22a) and / or the longitudinal side wall (18a) to the opposite floor longitudinal member (22b) and / or the opposite longitudinal side wall (18b).

9. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cross members (38) are connected, in particular by a material fit, to the floor longitudinal members (16a, 16b).

10. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inlet channel opening (30) is arranged in a lower region of the longitudinal side wall (18a), in particular at the level of the inlet channels (40).

11. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one outlet channel opening (32) is arranged in an upper region of the opposite longitudinal side wall (18b), in particular above the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26).

12. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two adsorption-desorption chambers (26) which are separated from one another by means of a partition wall running in the transverse direction (36) of the freight container (12), in particular wherein the partition wall is connected to one of the cross members (38).

13. Adsorption chamber module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the at least one adsorption-desorption chamber (26) the adsorbent (28) for adsorbing the CO2 from the supplied air stream (42) is arranged, in particular in the form of CO2 adsorption modules and / or a bed of CO2 adsorption elements resting on the air distribution unit (34).

14. CO2 adsorption device (50) for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream (42) by means of an adsorption-desorption process with - an adsorption chamber module (10) according to one of the preceding claims; and - at least one blower unit (44) for supplying the air flow (42) via the at least one inlet channel opening (30) into the adsorption-desorption chamber (26) and / or at least one temperature control unit for temperature control of the adsorbent (28) for the adsorption-desorption process and / or at least one pump unit for providing an overpressure and / or negative pressure for the desorption process.

15. CO2 adsorption device (50) according to claim 14, characterized in that the blower unit (44) and / or the temperature control unit and / or the pump unit is / are attached, in particular detachably, to an outer side of the longitudinal side wall (18a) or the opposite longitudinal side wall (18b) of the freight container (12).

16. CO2 adsorption device (50) according to claim 15, characterized in that the blower unit (44) is arranged in a lower region of the longitudinal side wall (18a), in particular at the level of the at least one inlet channel opening (30), or in an upper region of the opposite longitudinal side wall (18b), in particular at the level of the at least one outlet channel opening (32).

17. Use of an adsorption chamber module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13 for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream (42), in particular in a CO2 adsorption device (50) according to one of claims 14 to 16.

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