System and method for controlling absorber temperature - Patents.com

Abstract

The system includes an absorber, the absorber comprising a vessel having a solvent inlet, a solvent outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an interior volume configured to mix a gas with a solvent, the vessel being configured to absorb undesired gases from the gas into the solvent, the system also includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat from at least one location of the absorber.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates generally to systems and methods for controlling the temperature of an absorber configured to process a gas (such as a gas fuel or exhaust gas). [Background technology]

[0002] In industrial plants (such as power plants), various gases are consumed or produced, such as fuel gases (e.g., natural gas or synthetic gas) and / or exhaust gases of a combustion system. The combustion system may include a gas turbine engine, a reciprocating piston-cylinder engine, a furnace, a boiler, or other industrial equipment. These gases may include one or more undesirable gases, such as acid gases and / or exhaust gases. For example, undesirable gases may include hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon oxides (such as carbon dioxide (CO2)), nitrogen oxides (such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2)), and / or sulfur oxides (such as sulfur dioxide (SO2)). It is therefore desirable to treat certain gases so that the undesirable gases are removed, such as by removing the undesirable gases from the fuel gas upstream of the combustion system and / or removing the undesirable gases from the exhaust gas emitted by the combustion system. Absorbers may be used for such gas treatment. The absorption efficiency of the absorber depends at least in part on the temperature of the absorber. For example, if the temperature of the absorber is too high and / or is uneven, the absorption efficiency of the absorber may be significantly reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to control the absorber temperature so that the absorption efficiency is improved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0001259 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments, but rather are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter. Indeed, the presently claimed embodiments may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] In certain embodiments, a system includes an absorber comprising a vessel having a solvent inlet, a solvent outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an interior volume configured to mix a gas with a solvent, the vessel being configured to absorb undesired gases from the gas into the solvent, the system also including at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat from at least one location of the absorber.

[0006] In certain embodiments, a method includes absorbing undesired gases from a gas stream into a solvent in an absorber, the absorber including a vessel having a solvent inlet port, a solvent outlet port, a gas inlet port, a gas outlet port, and an interior volume configured to mix the gas and the solvent, and the method also includes transferring heat from at least one location in the absorber through at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel.

[0007] In certain embodiments, a system includes a gas turbine system having a fuel supply system and an exhaust, and an absorber coupled to the fuel supply system or the exhaust. The absorber includes a vessel having a solvent inlet, a solvent outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an interior volume configured to mix the gas with a solvent. The absorber is configured to absorb undesirable gases from the gas into the solvent, the undesirable gases including carbon dioxide (CO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The system also includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat from at least one location of the absorber. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology can be better understood by reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a gas turbine system having a gas absorption system with one or more heat pipes coupled to an absorber. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an absorber of the gas absorption system of FIG. 1, further illustrating a plurality of heat pipes disposed at various locations in the absorber. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the gas absorption system of FIGS. 1 and 2, further showing multiple heat pipes along with an arrangement of internal and external evaporators and condensers. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a heat exchanger that can be used for the evaporator and condenser of the heat pipes of FIGS. 1-3, the heat exchanger having a hollow annular or ring-shaped conduit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a heat exchanger that can be used for the evaporator and condenser of the heat pipes of FIGS. 1-3, the heat exchanger having zigzag conduits. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a heat exchanger that can be used for the evaporator and condenser of the heat pipes of FIGS. 1-3, the heat exchanger having a helical conduit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a heat exchanger that can be used for the evaporator and condenser of the heat pipes of FIGS. 1-3, the heat exchanger having multiple parallel conduits between opposing manifolds. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of one of the heat pipes of FIGS. 1 to 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of one of the heat pipes of FIGS. 1-3. [Figure 10] 4 is a graph of the temperature of the internal volume of the absorber versus absorber position in a direction along the central axis of the absorber of the gas absorption system of FIGS. 1-3, and further shows the temperature profile with and without a heat pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Described below are one or more specific embodiments of the presently disclosed system. These embodiments are an attempt to be concise, and not all features of an actual implementation are described herein. It should be understood that the development of any actual implementation, like any engineering or design project, requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the developer's particular goals (such as adhering to system-related and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation). Moreover, it should be understood that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but is a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0010] When introducing elements of various embodiments presently disclosed, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0011] The disclosed embodiments provide temperature control of a gas absorption system using one or more heat pipes. The heat pipes can be coupled to the absorber at various locations to control the temperature profile of the absorber and increase the absorption efficiency of the absorber. The heat pipes can be configured to move heat from one location of the absorber to another, to move heat from the absorber (e.g., from a hot spot), and / or to the absorber (e.g., to a cold spot). In certain embodiments, the heat pipes can include an evaporator coupled to the absorber, and the evaporator can be located externally, internally, or a combination of the interior enclosed by the absorber's vessel or housing. Additionally, the heat pipes can include a condenser located separately from the absorber and / or coupled to the absorber. When the condenser is coupled to the absorber, the condenser can be located externally, internally, or a combination of the interior enclosed by the absorber's vessel or housing. The heat pipes provide one or more advantages in controlling the temperature of the absorber. For example, heat pipes can reduce maintenance and improve reliability by eliminating moving parts, and heat pipes can increase heat transfer efficiency for better control of the absorber temperature profile.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gas turbine system 10 having a gas turbine engine 12 coupled to a control system 14. As described in further detail below, the gas turbine system 10 may include a gas absorption system 16 to process one or more gases of the gas turbine system 10. Various features of the gas absorption system 16 are described in further detail below, and the various features may be used in any suitable combination with one another. However, before describing the gas absorption system 16, the gas turbine system 10 will be described as one possible context for using the gas absorption system 16.

[0013] The gas turbine engine 12 includes an intake section 18, a compressor section 20, a combustor section 22, a turbine section 24, a load 26, and an exhaust section 28. The intake section 18 may include a duct having one or more silencer baffles, a fluid injection system (e.g., heated fluid injection for anti-icing), an air filter, or any combination thereof. The compressor section 20 may include an upstream intake duct 30 having a bellmouth 32, the intake duct 30 including an intake passage between an inner hub 34 and an outer wall 36. The intake duct 30 also includes stationary vanes 38 and inlet guide vanes (IGVs) 40. The inlet guide vanes 40 may also be coupled to one or more actuators 42, which are communicatively coupled to and controlled by the control system 14.

[0014] The compressor section 20 includes one or more compressor stages 44, each of which includes a plurality of compressor blades 46 coupled to a compressor shaft 48 within a compressor casing 50 and a plurality of compressor vanes 52 coupled to the compressor casing 50. The compressor blades 46 and compressor vanes 52 are circumferentially arranged within each compressor stage 44 about a central axis of the compressor shaft 48. The compressor stages 44 may include from 1 to 30 or more compressor stages. Further, the compressor stages 44 are arranged such that sets of compressor blades 46 and sets of compressor vanes 52 alternate in a direction in which air flows through the compressor section 20. In operation, the compressor stages 44 progressively compress the intake airflow and deliver it to the combustor section 22.

[0015] The combustor section 22 includes one or more combustors 54, each having one or more fuel nozzles 56. In certain embodiments, the combustor section 22 may include a single annular combustor 54 extending about the central axis of the gas turbine engine 12. However, in some embodiments, the combustor section 22 may include two, three, four, five, six, or more combustors 54 spaced circumferentially about the central axis of the gas turbine engine 12. The fuel nozzles 56 receive compressed air 58 from the compressor section 20 and fuel 60 from one or more fuel supply systems 62, mix the fuel and air, and ignite the mixture to generate hot combustion gases 64 that are output from each combustor 54 and enter the turbine section 24.

[0016] The turbine section 24 includes one or more turbine stages 66, each including a plurality of turbine blades 68 circumferentially disposed about and coupled to a turbine shaft 70 within a turbine casing 72, and a plurality of turbine vanes 74 circumferentially disposed about the turbine shaft 70. The turbine stages 66 may include one to ten or more turbine stages. Further, the turbine stages 66 are arranged such that the sets of turbine blades 68 and the sets of turbine vanes 74 alternate in the direction in which the hot combustion gases flow through the turbine section 24. In operation, the hot combustion gases 64 progressively expand and drive rotation of the turbine blades 68 of the turbine stages 66.

[0017] The load 26 may include a generator, a machine, or other driving load. The load 26 may be located at a hot end of the gas turbine engine 12 as shown in FIG. 1, or the load 26 may be located at a cold end of the gas turbine engine 12 (e.g., the end adjacent the compressor section 20). The exhaust section 28 may include an exhaust duct, an exhaust treatment device, a silencer, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the exhaust section 28 may include a heat exchanger, such as a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) configured to generate steam to drive a steam turbine. In certain embodiments, the gas turbine system 10 may include a combined cycle power plant having the gas turbine engine 12, the HRSG, and one or more steam turbines driven by steam generated by the HRSG. The steam turbine, like the gas turbine engine 12, may be configured to drive a generator or other load.

[0018] The control system 14 may include one or more controllers 76, each having a processor 78, a memory 80, instructions 82 stored in the memory 80 and executable by the processor 78, and communication circuitry 84 configured to communicate with the gas absorption system 16. The control system 14 is also coupled to various sensors (S), as indicated at 86, throughout the gas turbine system 10. For example, the sensors 86 may be coupled to and monitor the conditions of the intake section 18, the compressor section 20, the fuel supply system 62, the combustors 54 of the combustor section 22, the turbine section 24, the load 26, the exhaust section 28, and the gas absorption system 16. The control system 14 is configured to receive feedback from the sensors 86 to adjust various operating parameters of the gas turbine engine 12, such as the intake flow rate, the fuel supply from the fuel supply system 62 to the combustors 54, the operation of the exhaust treatment device in the exhaust section 28, the operation of the gas absorption system 16 (e.g., flow rate and temperature control), or any combination thereof. For example, the control system 14 can be configured to control various aspects of the flow of solvent to the gas absorption system 16, the flow of gas within the gas absorption system 16, and temperature control throughout the gas absorption system 16. As described in more detail below, the gas absorption system 16 is configured to remove and / or capture one or more undesirable gases (e.g., acid gases and / or exhaust gases) from the inlet gas, and improved temperature control increases the efficiency of absorption of such undesirable gases. Undesirable gases are intended to include any gas that is considered undesirable in the fuel supply and / or exhaust gas. For example, undesirable gases can include acid gases present in the fuel supply and exhaust gas. In other examples, undesirable gases in the exhaust gas can include any exhaust gases that are typically subject to regulation, such as carbon oxides (CO), such as carbon dioxide (CO) and carbon monoxide (CO). X ), nitric oxide (NO X ), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and other sulfur oxides (SO X), or any combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments are particularly suitable for absorbing CO2 gas from exhaust gases. However, the following description is intended to apply to each embodiment when referring to undesirable gases.

[0019] In operation, the gas turbine system 10 takes in air from the intake section 18 into the intake duct 30, as indicated by arrow 88, and the inlet guide vanes 40 are controlled by the actuators 42 such that the angular position of the inlet guide vanes 40 can be adjusted to regulate the airflow to the compressor section 20, which is configured to compress the airflow that is delivered to the combustor section 22. For example, each stage 44 of the compressor section 20 compresses the airflow with a number of blades 46. The compressed airflow 58 enters each combustor 54, and the fuel nozzles 56 mix the compressed airflow with fuel 60 from a fuel supply system 62. The fuel and air mixture is combusted in each combustor 54 to generate hot combustion gases 64 that flow into the turbine section 24 and drive the turbine blades 68 of each stage 66 to rotate. Rotation of the turbine blades 68 drives in rotation a turbine shaft 70 which, through a shaft 90 coupled to the load 26 and a shaft 92 coupled to the compressor shaft 48, drives in rotation the load 26 and the compressor section 20. The turbine section 24 discharges exhaust gases 94 into the exhaust section 28 for eventual treatment and discharge to the environment.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the gas turbine system 10 includes a gas absorption system 16 coupled to one or more fuel supply systems 62 and an exhaust 28. However, the gas absorption system 16 may also be coupled to one or more reciprocating piston cylinder engines, a furnace, a boiler, a chemical reactor, a gasification system having one or more gasifiers configured to produce syngas, or other industrial equipment. Each of these gas absorption systems 16 includes features that are described in more detail below, and the disclosed embodiments are intended to be used in various combinations with one another in all of the aforementioned applications.

[0021] As shown, the gas absorption system 16 includes one or more phase change heat transfer devices or pipes (such as heat pipes 100) configured to move heat from regions of the gas absorption system 16 and / or transfer heat between different regions of the gas absorption system 16. The heat pipes 100 can be mounted partially or entirely on the outside and / or inside of the gas absorption system 16. For example, the heat pipes 100 can include evaporators and / or condensers mounted on the inside and / or outside surfaces of the gas absorption system 16, evaporators and / or condensers mounted within an interior volume of the gas absorption system 16, and / or evaporators and / or condensers mounted within an external volume or in the surrounding environment (e.g., condensers at an offset distance). The heat pipes 100 can be placed specifically in hot spots to reduce the internal temperature to a suitable level to enhance the efficiency of the absorption process of the gas absorption system 16, and the heat pipes 100 can transfer heat from the hot spots to the cold spots (or cooler spots) of the gas absorption system 16 so that the temperature profile of the gas absorption system 16 is uniform. The heat pipes 16 can provide advantages such as no mechanical moving parts, reduced or no maintenance, and improved efficiency in transferring heat. Various aspects of the gas absorption system 16 and the heat pipes 100 are described in further detail below.

[0022] 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the gas absorption system 16 of FIG. 1, illustrating details of heat pipes 100 located at various locations around the gas absorption system 16. As illustrated, the heat pipes 100 are part of a temperature control system 102, which may include any number, configuration, type, and location of heat pipes 100 at various internal and external locations of the gas absorption system 16. The gas absorption system 16 includes an absorber 104, a solvent supply system 106, and a solvent exhaust system 108. The illustrated heat pipes 100 are shown coupled to the absorber 104 at various locations spaced apart from one another. However, for simplicity and to focus on the interior of the absorber 104, the heat pipes 100 are not shown inside the absorber 104. Various configurations of heat pipes 100 are shown in FIG. 3, including the portion that extends into the absorber 104, which are intended for use with the absorber 104 of FIG.

[0023] As described in more detail below, the solvent supply system 106 is configured to supply the gas-lean solvent 110 to the absorber 104 through a conduit 112 coupled to a solvent distributor 114 having a plurality of nozzles 116. The nozzles 116 are configured to output a solvent dispersion 118 to an interior volume 120 of the absorber 104. The solvent dispersion 118 is beneficial in distributing the gas-lean solvent 110 more evenly throughout the interior volume 120, resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution of the solvent as it flows downward through the absorber 104 towards a solvent exhaust system 108. The conduit 112 is coupled to a solvent inlet 122 of the absorber 104, and the solvent exhaust system 108 is coupled to a solvent outlet 124 of the absorber 104.

[0024] The solvent discharge system 108 is configured to receive the gas-rich solvent 126 from the solvent outlet 124 and direct the gas-rich solvent 126 to the solvent regeneration system 128. The solvent discharge system 108 also includes a gas compressor 130 downstream of the solvent regeneration system 128, a gas dryer 132 downstream of the gas compressor 130, and an outlet for trapped gas 134 downstream of the gas dryer 132. The solvent discharge system 108 also includes a return conduit 136 from the solvent regeneration system 128 back to the solvent supply system 106 to allow the regenerated solvent to be returned to the solvent supply system 106 as the gas-lean solvent 110.

[0025] The absorber 104 also includes a gas inlet 138 configured to allow the gas 140 to enter the absorber 104 and a gas outlet 142 configured to allow the treated gas 144 to exit the absorber 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the absorber 104 includes a vessel or housing 146 having a top 148, a bottom 150, and a middle section 152 disposed between the top 148 and bottom 150 and extending axially relative to a central axis 154 of the housing 146. The following description may refer to an axial direction or axis 156 disposed along the central axis 154, a radial direction or axis 158 transverse to or perpendicular to the central axis 154, and a circumferential direction or axis 160 extending circumferentially relative to the central axis 154. The top 148 includes a top plate or cover 162 having a gas outlet 142 coaxial with the central axis 154. However, the gas outlet 142 may be located offset from the central axis 154 or at other locations on the top 148 .

[0026] The middle portion 152 includes a sidewall 164 that extends circumferentially 160 about a central axis 154. For example, the sidewall 164 may be an annular sidewall, a square sidewall, a rectangular sidewall, or any other suitable shape extending about the central axis 154. In certain embodiments, the gas outlet 142 may be disposed in the sidewall 164 along the top 148. Additionally, the solvent inlet 122 may be disposed in a top plate or cover 162 of the top 148 or in the sidewall 164.

[0027] The bottom portion 150 may include a base plate 166 below the gas inlet portion 138 and the solvent outlet portion 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas inlet portion 138 and the solvent outlet portion 124 are disposed on a sidewall 164 along the bottom portion 150. However, in certain embodiments, the gas inlet portion 138 and / or the solvent outlet portion 124 may be disposed on the base plate 166 of the bottom portion 150. In some embodiments, the gas inlet portion 138 may include multiple gas inlets and / or the solvent outlet portion 124 may include multiple solvent outlets.

[0028] Within the interior volume 120 of the absorber 104, the absorber 104 may further include one or more sets of packing 168, support trays or screens 170, and a solvent distributor 172 having a plurality of nozzles 174. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the absorber 104 includes four sets of components (e.g., packing 168, support trays or screens 170, and solvent distributor 172) disposed between the solvent distributor 114 and the bottom 150 having the gas inlet portion 138 and the solvent outlet portion 124. The packing 168 may include a plurality of beads, balls, or mixing-inducing structures configured to promote mixing of the gas 140 and the gas-lean solvent 110 being fed into the interior volume 120 of the absorber 104. The support tray or screen 170 may comprise a wire mesh, a plate with a plurality of openings, or other suitable structure that holds the packing 168 in place while allowing the gas and solvent to flow in opposite directions through the absorber 104 and through the support tray or screen 170. The solvent distributor 172 may be similar to the solvent distributor 114, such that the nozzles 174 may discharge a solvent dispersion 176 that may be evenly distributed throughout the interior volume 120 to better distribute the solvent passing through the packing 168 and the support tray or screen 170. The set of packing 168, support tray or screen 170, and solvent distributor 172 are spaced apart from one another along the central axis 154. However, certain embodiments of the absorber 104 may have larger, smaller, or no spacing between them.

[0029] In operation, the absorber 104 is configured to create a cross-flow or counter-flow of the gas-lean solvent 110 and the gas 140 within the internal volume 120, thereby facilitating the absorption of certain undesirable gases (e.g., acid gases and / or exhaust gases) from the gas 140 into the gas-lean solvent 110. As shown, at the bottom 150, the gas 140 enters the absorber 104 through the gas inlet port 138, and the gas 140 flows upward through the internal volume 120 of the absorber 104, as indicated by arrow 178. The gas 140 entering the absorber 104, as indicated by arrow 178, may form bubbles of the gas 140 within the internal volume 120 that rise through the gas-lean solvent 110. The gas 140 then passes through successive stages or sets of packing 168, support trays or screens 170, and solvent distributor 172.

[0030] At the top 148, the solvent supply system 106 supplies the gas-lean solvent 110 to the internal volume 120 through a solvent inlet 122, a conduit 112, a solvent distributor 114, and a number of nozzles 116. Again, the number of nozzles 116 can be positioned at various locations throughout the internal volume 120 to help distribute the gas-lean solvent 110 evenly throughout the internal volume 120, as shown by the solvent dispersion 118. The gas-lean solvent 110 then flows down the internal volume 120 through successive sets or stages of packing 168, support trays or screens 170, and a solvent distributor 170 having nozzles 174. As the gas-lean solvent 110 passes through each packing 168, the various bead, ball, or mixed structures of the packing 168 facilitate mixing of the gas-lean solvent 110 with the gas 140, thereby facilitating absorption of various undesirable gases contained in the gas 140 into the gas-lean solvent 110. For example, the gas-lean solvent 110 may be configured to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), or other acid gases and / or exhaust gases. As the absorption process occurs, heat is generated within the absorber 104, thereby increasing the temperature of the solvent within the absorber 104. The absorption process continues in each set or stage of packing 168, support tray or screen 170, and solvent distributor 172. Between each stage or set, the solvent distributor 172 may allow the solvent to be better distributed, as shown by the solvent dispersion 176. The solvent dispersion 176 helps to uniformly mix the solvent with the gas 140 and provide a more uniform temperature distribution. The absorption process is then repeated with the next set or stage of packing 168, support trays or screens 170, and solvent distributor 172.

[0031] Finally, the absorber 104 discharges the gas-rich solvent 126 from the bottom 150 through the solvent outlet 124, and the absorber 104 discharges the treated gas 144 from the top 148 through the gas outlet 142. The treated gas 144 can be substantially free of one or more undesirable gases (such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and / or sulfur dioxide), or one or more undesirable gases have been removed. In contrast, it is believed that the gas-rich solvent 126 may have absorbed one or more undesirable gases (such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and / or sulfur dioxide). Thus, the gas-rich solvent 126 may be described as a CO2-rich solvent, an H2S-rich solvent, or an SO2-rich solvent, while the gas-lean solvent 110 may be described as a CO2-lean solvent, an H2S-lean solvent, or an SO2-lean solvent, depending on the particular gas absorption occurring in the absorber 104. Similarly, gas 104 may be described as CO2-containing or CO2-rich gas, H2S-containing or H2S-rich gas, or SO2-containing or SO2-rich gas, while treated gas 144 may be described as CO2-reduced lean gas or CO2-free gas, H2S-reduced lean gas or H2S-free gas, or SO2-reduced lean gas or SO2-free gas, depending on the particular gas absorption occurring in absorber 104. Gas absorption as described herein is intended to include any one or more of these undesirable gases, as well as other possible acid gases and / or exhaust gases.

[0032] The gas-rich solvent 126 output from the absorber 104 flows into a solvent regeneration system 128. The solvent regeneration system 128 can be configured to capture undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) in the gas-rich solvent 126 and regenerate the solvent (e.g., remove the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) for reuse as the gas-lean solvent 110). Thus, the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) can be output from the solvent regeneration system 128 to a gas compressor 130, as indicated by arrow 180, which is configured to compress the undesirable gases before being dried by a gas dryer 132. The gas dryer 132 then removes moisture in the undesirable gas compressed in the gas compressor 130 and outputs the compressed and dried undesirable gas as captured gas 134. Additionally, the solvent regeneration system 128 outputs the regenerated solvent as the gas-lean solvent 110 back to the solvent supply system 106 via a return conduit 136. The regenerated solvent is essentially a gas-rich solvent 126 from which undesirable gases have been removed in a solvent regeneration system 128 .

[0033] In the solvent supply system 106, the gas-lean solvent 110, whether the original supply of the gas-lean solvent 110 or regenerated solvent from the solvent regeneration system 128, is supplied to the absorber 104 using one or more components 190, 192, 194, and 196. The components 190, 192, 194, and 196 may include one or more solvent pumps, a solvent filter or treatment system, one or more heat exchangers configured to cool the gas-lean solvent 110, one or more solvent tanks, one or more solvent pressure regulators, one or more solvent flow meters, or any combination thereof. As discussed above, the absorption process occurring in the absorber 104 may increase the temperature within the absorber 104, especially at the location where the absorption process occurs. For example, the internal temperature of the solvent within the absorber 104 may be relatively high at the location of the packing 168.

[0034] Thus, the temperature control system 102 may include multiple heat pipes 100 positioned at various locations on the absorber 104 to remove heat and / or transfer heat from one location to another. For example, as shown to the right of the absorber 104, the temperature control system 102 may include multiple heat pipes 100 positioned at various axial locations along the central axis 154, with each heat pipe 100 including an evaporator 200 coupled to the absorber 104, a condenser 202 separate from the absorber 104, and a fluid conduit 204 extending between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202. The fluid conduit 204 is configured to circulate a working fluid 206 between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202 such that the working fluid 206 undergoes a phase change to transfer heat between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202. In particular, the working fluid 206 is configured to evaporate within the evaporator 200 by heat transfer from the interior volume 120 to the working fluid 206. Thus, the working fluid 206 becomes a vapor or two-phase flow due to the heat absorbed in the evaporator 200, and the vapor or two-phase flow flows through the fluid conduit 204 into the condenser 202. The condenser 202 is configured to transfer heat from the working fluid 206 to the environment. As a result, the heat transfer to the environment causes the working fluid 206 to condense into a liquid, which flows through the fluid conduit 204 back to the evaporator 200, completing the cycle.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the working fluid 206 has a boiling point based on the desired temperature for the absorption process. For example, the boiling point of the working fluid 206 may be between 30° C. and 80° C., between 40° C. and 70° C., or between 45° C. and 65° C. The working fluid 206 may include one or more alcohols, molten salts, water, or any combination thereof. The working fluid 206 may be cyclopentane (CH 10), hydrofluoroethers (HFEs), or a mixture of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (methoxyperfluorobutane) and methyl nonfluoroisobutyl ether. In certain embodiments, the working fluid 206 may include one or more engineered fluids (e.g., dodecafluoro-2-methylpentan-3-one (CFCFC(O)CF(CF)) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 649 Engineered Fluid], 1-methoxyheptafluoropropane (CFOCH) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7000 Engineered Fluid], methoxy-nonafluorobutane (CFOCH) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7100 Engineered Fluid], ethoxy-nonafluorobutane (CFOCH) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7200 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7300 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7400 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7500 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7600 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7700 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7800 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7900 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (Teflon) (CTFOC) [e.g., 3M® Novec® 7800 Engineered Fluid], tetrafluoroethane (T 7200 Engineered Fluid], segregated hydrofluoroether (e.g., 3M® Novec® 7300 Engineered Fluid), or combinations thereof. Additionally, the working fluid 206 may include thiophene (C4H4S), DTRM-J, DTRM-A, or any combination thereof. The aforementioned examples of working fluids 206 are intended to be used alone or in any combination with each other. Additionally, in some embodiments, the heat pipe 100 may use different working fluids 206 depending on the location relative to the absorber 104, the desired temperatures at various locations of the absorber 104, and the boiling point of the working fluid 206.However, in some embodiments, the same working fluid 206 may be used for multiple or all of the heat pipes 100 .

[0036] The fluid conduit 204 may include a coaxial counter-flow conduit with an outer fluid and an inner fluid flowing between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202, a loop with two separate conduits (e.g., a supply conduit and a return conduit) between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202, or any combination thereof. The fluid conduit 204 may be made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., metal) that is compatible with the working fluid 206. For example, the thermally conductive material of the fluid conduit 204 may include copper, aluminum, steel, or a superalloy. The heat pipe 100 may also include a wick material disposed within the fluid conduit 204 to facilitate the flow of the fluid through the fluid conduit 204. The wick material may include a porous material, such as a woven fabric, cloth, a lattice bundle of yarn or sewing thread, cotton, or a combination thereof. The wick material acts as a capillary to transport or wick the fluid flow (e.g., a liquid flow) from the condenser 202 to the evaporator 200. In certain embodiments, the heat pipe 100 may be in a horizontal arrangement, a vertical arrangement, or a loop with a horizontal or vertical orientation. In a vertical configuration, the heat pipe 100 may utilize gravity to facilitate the flow of the working fluid 206 between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, all heat pipes 100 located to the right of the absorber 104 have a similar configuration. However, the configuration of each heat pipe 100 of the plurality of heat pipes 100 (e.g., vertical or horizontal orientation, length of fluid conduit 204, type of heat pipe, or other parameters) may be the same or different. Additionally, the evaporator 200 of the heat pipe 100 is shown coupled to the sidewall 164 of the absorber 104. However, the illustrated configuration is for simplifying the current depiction of the gas absorption system 16. The evaporator 200 of the heat pipe 100 may be disposed internally or externally with respect to the absorber 104. For example, as described in more detail below, each evaporator 200 of the plurality of evaporators 200 may be mounted on the outside of the sidewall 164, on the inside of the sidewall 164, on the inside of the interior volume 120, or any combination thereof.

[0038] To the left of the absorber 104, the temperature control system 102 includes a plurality of heat pipes 100 having an evaporator 200 and a condenser 202 coupled to the absorber 104 to facilitate heat transfer from one location to another at different axial locations along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104. For example, each of the illustrated heat pipes 100 includes an evaporator 200 coupled to the absorber 104 at a first upper portion (e.g., the middle portion 152 and / or the top portion 148) of the absorber 104 and a condenser 202 disposed at a second lower portion (e.g., the middle portion 152 and / or the bottom portion 150) of the absorber 104. Similar to the heat pipes 100 on the right side of the absorber 104, the heat pipes 100 on the left side of the absorber 104 are shown with the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202 coupled to the sidewall 164. However, the evaporator 200 and / or condenser 202 may be attached to an exterior surface of the sidewall 164, an interior surface of the sidewall 164, or throughout the interior volume 120, or any combination of these attachments. Additionally, while the fluid conduit 204 is illustrated as a single conduit between each evaporator 200 and the corresponding condenser 202, certain embodiments of the heat pipe 100 may form a loop rather than a single conduit extending between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202, as shown in FIG. 3. In either configuration, the fluid conduit 204 is configured to circulate the working fluid 206 between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202 to facilitate heat transfer as described above. For example, each evaporator 200 may be configured to transfer heat (e.g., internal heat from the interior volume 120) from the absorber 104 at a first upper portion of the absorber 104 and then transfer the heat to a second lower portion of the absorber by the condenser 202.

[0039] Although the heat pipes 100 are shown as being different on the left and right sides of the absorber 104, the heat pipes 100 may be located on the sides of the absorber 104 (e.g., anywhere around the circumference of the absorber 104), anywhere axially along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104, anywhere radially on the sidewall 164 or projecting into the interior volume 120, or any combination thereof. For example, the heat pipes 100 may be coupled to the absorber 104 in direct contact with the packing 168, between the packings 168, at the solvent dispersions 118 and 176, or any combination thereof. For example, as described in more detail below, the evaporator 200 of the heat pipe 100 may be located in particular areas of high temperature resulting from the absorption process within the absorber 104. The condenser 202 may then be located in a cooler portion of the absorber 104 or may be located in a separate location away from the absorber 104. In operation, the heat pipe 100 is configured to reduce the temperature of hot spots in the absorber 104 and help increase the efficiency of the absorption process within the absorber 104.

[0040] 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the gas absorption system 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2, further illustrating various configurations of the heat pipe 100 of the temperature control system 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat pipe 100 can be coupled to the absorber 104 at various locations along the central axis 154, and the evaporator 200 and condenser 202 can be mounted at various locations inside and outside the vessel or housing 146 of the absorber 104. For example, the heat pipe 100A can have an evaporator 200 externally coupled to the side wall 164 of the absorber 104 in one of the packings 168, and a fluid conduit 204 can extend from the evaporator 200 to a condenser 202 located outside the absorber 104 at a location a distance away from the housing 146. Further, the heat pipe 100B, like the heat pipe 100A, includes an evaporator 200 externally coupled to the sidewall 164 of the absorber 104 in one of the packings 168, and the fluid conduit 204 can extend from the evaporator 200 to a condenser 202 externally coupled to the sidewall 164 of the absorber 104 in another packing 168 at a different axial position in the direction along the central axis 154. Another heat pipe 100C includes an evaporator 200 coupled to the sidewall 164 and / or extending across the interior volume 120 of the absorber 104, while the fluid conduit 204 can extend to a condenser 202 externally coupled to the sidewall 164 outside the absorber 104 at a different axial position in the direction along the central axis 154. Another heat pipe 100D includes an evaporator 200 coupled to the sidewall 164 and / or extending across the internal volume 120 of the absorber 104, while the fluid conduit 204 extends from the evaporator 200 to a condenser 202 disposed outside the absorber 104 at a distance away from the housing 146. Another heat pipe 100E includes an evaporator 200 coupled to the sidewall 164 and / or extending across the internal volume 120 of the absorber 104, while the fluid conduit 204 extends from the evaporator 200 to a condenser 202 coupled to the sidewall 164 and / or extending across the internal volume 120 of the absorber 104 at a different axial position in the direction along the central axis 154.Another heat pipe 100F includes an evaporator 200 externally coupled to the side wall 164 of the absorber 104 in one of the packings 168, while a fluid conduit 204 extends from the evaporator 200 to a condenser 202 coupled to the side wall 164 and / or extending across the internal volume 120 of the absorber 104 at a different axial position in a direction along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104.

[0041] Thus, the evaporator 200 may be located outside the absorber 104 coupled to the sidewall 164, inside the absorber 104 extending across the internal volume 120, or a combination thereof, and the condenser 202 may be located outside the absorber 104 coupled to the sidewall 164, inside the absorber 104 extending across the internal volume 120 and coupled to the sidewall 164, or completely separate from and located outside the absorber 104 away from the housing 146 of the absorber 104. In an embodiment where the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202 are coupled to the absorber 104, the evaporator 200 may be located axially downstream from the location of the condenser 202 along the central axis 154 with respect to the direction of gas flow through the absorber from the gas inlet 138 to the gas outlet 142. The evaporator 200 may be located at a hot spot in the absorber 104 (such as at the packing 168 or downstream of the packing 168) with respect to the direction of gas flow through the absorber 104 from the gas inlet 138 to the gas outlet 142. In contrast, the condenser 202 may be located at a cold (or cooler) spot in the absorber 104 when coupled to the absorber 104. In certain embodiments, the condenser 202 may be located directly at the packing 168, between stages of the packing 168, or upstream of the packing 168. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid conduit 204 may form a loop with the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202. However, the heat pipe 100 may have any suitable configuration, such as a single conduit in coaxial counterflow, a loop with separate segments or conduits between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202, or any combination thereof. Specific details of the heat pipe 100 are described in more detail below.

[0042] The evaporator 200 and the condenser 202 can have a variety of shapes and configurations depending on the particular mounting location and embodiment. For example, the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202 can each have a straight conduit, a disk-shaped or flat cavity or housing, or a number of other shapes and configurations. For example, Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show some example configurations of the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202.

[0043] 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a heat exchanger 220 that can be used in the evaporator 200 and condenser 202 of the heat pipe 100. As shown, the heat exchanger 220 includes a hollow annular or ring-shaped conduit 222 having a fluid inlet 224 and a fluid outlet 226. The hollow annular or ring-shaped conduit 222 can be configured to be mounted externally to the absorber 104 (such as near the exterior surface of the sidewall 164 of the housing 146). For example, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hollow annular or ring-shaped conduit 222 can be used in the evaporator 200 and / or condenser 202 at an external mounting location along the packing 168, between the packings 168, or in any other suitable location.

[0044] 5 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat exchanger 230 that can be used for one or more of the evaporators 200 and condensers 202 of the heat pipe 100. As shown, the heat exchanger 230 includes a zigzag conduit 232 having alternating U-shaped sections 234, a fluid inlet 236, and a fluid outlet 238. The alternating U-shaped sections 234 define the zigzag conduit 232, which can exhibit a wave-like pattern or a sinusoidal shape. The zigzag conduit 232 of the heat exchanger 230 may be attached to one or more of the evaporators 200 and condensers 202 internally in the interior volume 120 of the absorber 104, externally along the sidewall 164 of the absorber 104, externally at a distance from the absorber 104, or a combination thereof.

[0045] 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat exchanger 240 that can be used for one or more of the evaporators 200 and condensers 202 of the heat pipe 100. As shown, the heat exchanger 240 includes a helical conduit 242 extending between a fluid inlet 244 and a fluid outlet 246. The helical conduit 242 can include any number of turns arranged around one another and can exhibit a helical shape. The helical conduit 242 can be disposed substantially in a common plane (such as a common plane at a particular axial location in a direction along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104). In some embodiments, the helical conduit 242 can be helical over a distance (such as an axial distance in a direction along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104).

[0046] 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat exchanger 250 that may be used for one or more of the evaporators 200 and condensers 202 of the heat pipe 100. As shown, the heat exchanger 250 includes a plurality of parallel conduits 252 extending between an intake manifold 254 and an exhaust manifold 256. The intake manifold 254 includes a fluid inlet portion 258, and the exhaust manifold 256 includes a fluid outlet portion 260. The heat exchanger 250 of FIG. 7 may be used for one or more of the evaporators 200 and condensers 202 in any suitable location within the interior volume 120 of the absorber 104, outside and separate from the housing 146 of the absorber 104, or in any combination of such locations.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heat pipe 100 of FIGS. 1-7, further illustrating details of the evaporator 200, the condenser 202, and the fluid conduit 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat pipe 100 has an evaporator 200 and a condenser 202 disposed at opposite ends 270 and 272 of a fluid conduit 204. The fluid conduit 204 further includes an outer flow passage 274 (e.g., an outer annular flow passage) disposed about an inner flow passage 276 (e.g., a central flow passage). The outer flow passage 274 and the inner flow passage 276 are generally coaxially or concentrically disposed along a central axis 278 of the heat pipe 100. Additionally, the outer flow passage 274 and the inner flow passage 276 may be separated by a partition or wall 280 (e.g., an annular partition or wall). The inner flow passage 276 may be an open passage or space along a central axis 278, while the outer flow passage 274 may include a wick 282 (e.g., a wick material as described in detail above) that substantially fills the outer flow passage 274. The wick 282 may define a shape that matches the outer flow passage 274, such as an annular wick 282 that extends lengthwise along the central axis 278. The fluid conduit 204 also includes a sealed outer housing or vessel 284 that substantially seals the outer flow passage 274, the inner flow passage 276, the wick 282, and the working fluid 206.

[0048] In operation, the evaporator 200 absorbs or transfers heat to the wick 282, as indicated by arrow 286, which causes the working fluid 206 to vaporize. The working fluid 206 flows along the outer passage 274 of the wick 282 as a liquid working fluid 288, while the working fluid 206 flows along the inner passage 276 as a vapor working fluid 290. Thus, in the evaporator 200, the heat absorbed in the heat pipe 100 causes a phase change from the liquid working fluid 288 to the vapor working fluid 290, as indicated by arrow 286. The liquid working fluid 288 flows into the evaporator 200 from the condenser 202, as indicated by arrow 292, and the vapor working fluid 290 flows from the evaporator 200 to the condenser 202 along the inner passage 276, as indicated by arrow 294. When the vapor working fluid 290 reaches the condenser 202, heat is transferred from the vapor working fluid 290 to the surrounding environment, as indicated by arrows 296. In turn, the heat transferred from the heat pipes 100 in the condenser 202 causes the working fluid 206 to change phase from the vapor working fluid 290 to a liquid working fluid 288, which then flows (e.g., by capillary action and / or gravity) along the wick 282 in the outer flow passage 274 toward the evaporator 200.

[0049] As described in detail above, the evaporator 200 may be coupled to the absorber 104 inside or outside of the vessel or housing 146 (e.g., along the sidewall 164 or across the interior volume 120). Similarly, the condenser 202 of the heat pipe 100 may be coupled to the absorber 104 along the sidewall 164, across the interior volume 120, or completely separate from the housing 146 of the absorber 104. In certain embodiments, the heat pipe 100 may be arranged horizontally, vertically, or a combination thereof. The illustrated heat pipe 100 is sealed, self-contained, excludes moving mechanical parts, and is substantially maintenance-free.

[0050] 9 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heat pipe 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7, further illustrating the configuration of the heat pipe 100 with a closed loop conduit 300. The closed loop conduit 300 of the fluid conduit 204 includes conduit sections 302 and 304. The conduit section 302 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 200 between the evaporator 200 and the condenser 202, and the conduit section 304 is disposed downstream of the condenser 202 between the condenser 202 and a reservoir 306 upstream of the evaporator 200.

[0051] The evaporator 200 is configured to absorb or transfer heat to the working fluid 206, as indicated by arrow 308, thereby causing the working fluid 206 to change phase from a liquid to a vapor. The evaporator 200 is configured to transfer heat from the absorber 104 at locations inside and / or outside the sidewall 164. The working fluid downstream of the evaporator 200 flows through the conduit portion 302 as a vapor working fluid 310, as indicated by arrow 310, into the condenser 202. The condenser 202 receives the vapor working fluid 310 and transfers heat from the vapor working fluid 310 to the surrounding environment, as indicated by arrow 312, thereby causing the working fluid 206 to change phase from the vapor working fluid 310 to a liquid working fluid, as indicated by arrow 314. The liquid working fluid 314 flows from the condenser 202 through the conduit section 304 into the reservoir 306, which contains the liquid working fluid 314 prior to heat transfer or absorption and evaporation in the evaporator 200. As the liquid working fluid 314 absorbs heat from the surrounding environment by the evaporator 200, the evaporator 200 causes the working fluid 206 to change phase from the liquid working fluid 314 to a vapor working fluid 310.

[0052] In certain embodiments, the evaporator 200 may include a capillary chamber evaporator, a wick material as described in detail above, or another suitable configuration configured to facilitate heat transfer and evaporation of the working fluid 206. The illustrated heat pipe 100 having a closed loop conduit 300 may be used with any one or more of the heat pipes 100 shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. Additionally, the heat pipes 100 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be used in combination with one another at various locations throughout the absorber 104. Finally, the heat exchangers 220, 230, 240, and 250 of FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 may be used in various combinations with the heat pipes 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a graph 320 of temperature 322 of the internal volume 120 of the absorber 104 versus absorber position 324 in a direction along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104. In particular, the temperature 322 corresponds to an internal temperature of a fluid flowing through the absorber 104, such as a solvent temperature. The absorber position 324 corresponds to an axial position along the length of the absorber 104 relative to the central axis 154. As shown in the graph 320, the circles on the vertical axis correspond to the positions of the heat pipes 100. For example, each heat pipe 100 may have an evaporator 200 or a condenser 202 positioned at an axial position shown on the vertical axis that corresponds to the absorber position 324. In certain embodiments, the evaporator 200 may be positioned at positions corresponding to hot spots throughout the absorber 104, while the condenser 202 may be positioned at positions corresponding to cold spots (or cooler spots) of the absorber 104.

[0054] Graph 320 illustrates a temperature profile 326 corresponding to the temperature 322 inside the absorber 104 when the heat pipe is placed at various absorber locations 324. Graph 320 also illustrates a temperature profile 328 when the heat pipe 100 is not placed in the absorber 104. Comparing temperature profiles 326 and 328, as shown, the temperature profile 328 without the heat pipe 100 exhibits a large temperature 322 at the absorber 104 and a large variation in temperature 322. In contrast, the temperature profile 326 with the heat pipe 100 placed at a specific location along the absorber 104 exhibits a smaller peak temperature 322 and a more uniform temperature along the length of the absorber 104. Thus, in certain embodiments, the temperature control system 102 places the heat pipe 100 at a specific location that will result in a higher temperature, thereby removing heat at the hottest point in the absorber 104. Additionally, the heat pipes 100 may distribute heat throughout the absorber 104 by transferring heat away from the absorber 104 through the evaporator 200 in hot spots and transferring heat back to the absorber 104 through the condenser 202 in cold spots. In certain embodiments, the heat pipes 100 may be non-uniformly positioned at different absorber locations 324 of the absorber 104, specifically aligned with locations of higher temperature and / or locations of greatest temperature variation. In other embodiments, the heat pipes 100 may be evenly spaced in a direction along the central axis 154 of the absorber 104.

[0055] Technical effects of the disclosed embodiments include temperature control of an absorber (such as an absorber for removing undesirable gases (e.g., acid gases and / or exhaust gases)) through one or more heat pipes. Heat pipes are self-contained, easy to maintain, and efficient heat transfer devices that can eliminate any moving parts. Heat pipes can be positioned to reduce peak temperatures and improve absorber temperature uniformity. Heat pipes can also transfer heat from one location to another within the absorber. Heat pipes can be coupled to the absorber along the sidewalls, across the interior volume, or any combination thereof.

[0056] The subject matter detailed above can be defined by one or more embodiments as set forth below. [Embodiment 1] The system includes an absorber having a vessel having a solvent inlet, a solvent outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an interior volume configured to mix a gas with a solvent and configured to absorb undesired gases from the gas into the solvent, and also includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat from at least one location in the absorber. [Embodiment 2] 2. The system of embodiment 1, comprising a combustion system having a fuel inlet or an exhaust outlet coupled to the absorber. [Embodiment 3] 3. The system of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the combustion system comprises a gas turbine system. [Embodiment 4] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the undesirable gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO2). [Embodiment 5] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the at least one heat pipe comprises a plurality of heat pipes coupled to the vessel at different locations. [Embodiment 6] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein different positions of the plurality of heat pipes are based on a temperature profile of the absorber, and the plurality of heat pipes are configured to reduce non-uniformity in the temperature profile. [Embodiment 7] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the at least one heat pipe includes an evaporator, a condenser, at least one fluid conduit extending between the evaporator and the condenser, and a working fluid flowing through the at least one heat pipe. [Embodiment 8] The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one fluid conduit comprises an outer flow passage disposed coaxially with an inner flow passage. [Embodiment 9] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the at least one fluid conduit defines a closed loop conduit having a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion between the evaporator and the condenser. [Embodiment 10] The working fluid is cyclopentane (CH 10 ), hydrofluoroether (HFE), or a mixture of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (methoxyperfluorobutane) and methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether (methyl nonfluoroisobutyl ether). [Embodiment 11] The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the evaporator is coupled to the absorber and the condenser is separate from the absorber. [Embodiment 12] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the evaporator is at least partially disposed within the interior volume of the container, at least partially disposed outside the interior volume of the container along a sidewall of the container, or a combination of these arrangements. [Embodiment 13] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the evaporator is coupled to the absorber at a first location and the condenser is coupled to the absorber at a second location different from the first location, and the at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat from the first location through the evaporator to the second location through the condenser. [Embodiment 14] The system of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein each of the evaporator and the condenser is at least partially disposed within the interior volume of the vessel, at least partially disposed outside the interior volume of the vessel along a sidewall of the vessel, or a combination of these arrangements. [Embodiment 15] 15. The system of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the absorber includes a packing disposed within the interior volume, the evaporator is disposed downstream of the packing with respect to a first direction of gas flow through the absorber from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, and the solvent has a second direction of solvent flow through the absorber from the solvent inlet to the solvent outlet, the first direction and the second direction being opposite to each other. [Embodiment 16] In certain embodiments, a method includes absorbing undesired gases from a gas stream into a solvent in an absorber, the absorber including a vessel having a solvent inlet port, a solvent outlet port, a gas inlet port, a gas outlet port, and an interior volume configured to mix the gas and the solvent, and transferring heat from at least one location in the absorber through at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel. [Embodiment 17] 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein transferring heat from at least one location comprises absorbing heat from the absorber through an evaporator of at least one heat pipe, the evaporator being at least partially disposed within the interior volume of the vessel, at least partially disposed outside the interior volume of the vessel along a sidewall of the vessel, or a combination thereof. [Embodiment 18] 18. The method of embodiment 16 or 17, comprising transferring heat from the at least one heat pipe through a condenser separate from the absorber. [Embodiment 19] 19. The method of any of embodiments 16-18, comprising transferring heat from the at least one heat pipe through a condenser coupled to the absorber, the condenser being at least partially disposed within an interior volume of the vessel, at least partially disposed outside the interior volume of the vessel along a sidewall of the vessel, or a combination thereof. [Embodiment 20] In certain embodiments, a system includes a gas turbine system having a fuel supply system and an exhaust, and an absorber coupled to the fuel supply system or the exhaust. The absorber includes a vessel having a solvent inlet, a solvent outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an interior volume configured to mix the gas with a solvent. The absorber is configured to absorb undesirable gases from the gas into the solvent, the undesirable gases including carbon dioxide (CO2). The system also includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat from at least one location of the absorber.

[0057] The description set forth herein uses examples to disclose the present embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable those skilled in the art to practice the presently disclosed embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems, and performing any methods incorporating the same. The patentable scope of the presently disclosed embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they contain structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they contain equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Gas Turbine System 12 Gas Turbine Engine 14 Control System 16 Gas Absorption System 18 Intake section 20 Compressor section 22 Combustor section 24 Turbine section 26 Load 28 Exhaust section 30 Intake duct 32 Bellmouth 34 Inner hub 36 Exterior Wall 38 Stationary Vane 40 Inlet guide vane 42 Actuator 44 Compressor Stage 46 Compressor Blade 48 Compressor shaft 50 Compressor casing 52 Compressor vane 54 Combustor 56 Fuel Nozzle 58 Compressed Air 60 fuel 62 Fuel Supply System 64 Combustion Gas 66 Turbine Stage 68 Turbine Blade 70 Turbine shaft 72 Turbine casing 74 Turbine Vane 76 Controller 78 Processors 80 Memory 82 command 84 Communication Circuits 86 Sensors 90 Shaft 92 Shaft 94 Exhaust Gas 100 Heat Pipe 100A Heat Pipe 100B Heat Pipe 100C Heat Pipe 100D Heat Pipe 100E Heat Pipe 100F Heat Pipe 102 Temperature Control System 104 Absorber 106 Solvent Supply System 108 Solvent Discharge System 110 Gaslean Solvent 112 Conduit 114 Solvent distributor 116 Nozzle 118 Solvent Dispersion 120 Internal volume 122 Solvent inlet 124 Solvent outlet 126 Gas-rich Solvents 128 Solvent Regeneration System 130 Gas Compressor 132 Gas dryer 134 Trapped Gas 136 Conduit 138 Gas inlet 140 Gas 142 Gas outlet 144 Gas 146 Case 148 Top 150 bottom 152 Middle section 154 Center axis 156 Axis 158 Axis 162 Cover 164 Side wall 166 Base Plate 168 Packing 170 screens 172 Solvent distributor 174 Nozzle 176 Solvent Dispersion 190 Components 200 Evaporator 202 Condenser 204 Fluid conduit 206 Working Fluid 220 Heat exchanger 222 Conduit 224 Fluid inlet 226 Fluid outlet 230 Heat exchanger 232 Conduit 234 U-shaped part 236 Fluid inlet 238 Fluid outlet 240 Heat exchanger 242 Spiral conduit 244 Fluid inlet 246 Fluid outlet 250 heat exchanger 252 Conduit 254 Intake manifold 256 Exhaust manifold 258 Fluid inlet 260 Fluid outlet 270 End 274 Outer channel 276 Inner Channel 276 Internal Channel 278 Central axis 280 Wall 282 Wick 284 Container 286 Arrow 288 Liquid Working Fluids 290 Steam Working Fluid 300 Closed Loop Conduit 302 Conduit section 304 Conduit section 306 Reservoir 310 Working Fluid 314 Working Fluid 314 Liquid Working Fluids 320 Graph 322 Temperature 322 Peak Temperature 324 Absorber Position 326 Temperature Profile 328 Temperature Profile

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: An absorber comprising: a vessel having a solvent inlet, a solvent outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an interior volume configured to mix a gas and a solvent, the vessel being configured to absorb undesired gases from the gas into the solvent; and at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer heat from at least one location in the absorber; an absorber including Including, the system.

2. The system of claim 1 including a combustion system having a fuel inlet or an exhaust outlet coupled to the absorber.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the combustion system comprises a gas turbine system.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the undesired gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one heat pipe comprises a plurality of heat pipes coupled to the vessel at different locations.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein different locations of the plurality of heat pipes are based on a temperature profile of the absorber, and the plurality of heat pipes are configured to reduce non-uniformity in the temperature profile.

7. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat pipe includes an evaporator, a condenser, at least one fluid conduit extending between the evaporator and the condenser, and a working fluid flowing through the at least one heat pipe.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one fluid conduit includes an outer flow passage disposed coaxially with an inner flow passage.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one fluid conduit defines a closed-loop conduit having a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion between the evaporator and the condenser.

10. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the working fluid comprises at least one of cyclopentane (C5H10), a hydrofluoroether (HFE), or a mixture of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (methoxyperfluorobutane) and methyl nonfluoroisobutyl ether.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the evaporator is coupled to the absorber and the condenser is separate from the absorber.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the evaporator is at least partially disposed within the interior volume of the vessel, at least partially disposed outside the interior volume of the vessel along a sidewall of the vessel, or a combination thereof.

13. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the evaporator is coupled to the absorber at a first location and the condenser is coupled to the absorber at a second location different from the first location, and the at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat from the first location through the evaporator to the second location through the condenser.

14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the evaporator and the condenser is at least partially disposed within the interior volume of the vessel, at least partially disposed outside the interior volume of the vessel along a sidewall of the vessel, or a combination thereof.

15. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the absorber includes packing disposed within the interior volume, the evaporator is disposed downstream of the packing with respect to a first direction of gas flow through the absorber from the gas inlet port to the gas outlet port, and the solvent has a second direction of solvent flow through the absorber from the solvent inlet port to the solvent outlet port, the first direction and the second direction being opposite to each other.

16. 1. A method comprising: Absorbing undesired gases from a gas stream into a solvent in an absorber, the absorber including a vessel having a solvent inlet port, a solvent outlet port, a gas inlet port, a gas outlet port, and an interior volume configured to mix the gas and the solvent; and transferring heat from at least one location in the absorber through at least one heat pipe coupled to the vessel; Including, the at least one heat pipe includes an evaporator, a condenser, at least one fluid conduit extending between the evaporator and the condenser, and a working fluid flowing through the at least one heat pipe, the evaporator is coupled to the absorber at a first location and the condenser is coupled to the absorber at a second location different from the first location, and the at least one heat pipe is configured to transfer heat from the first location through the evaporator to the second location through the condenser.

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