Air or gas treatment system including a structured adsorbent or catalyst in a first pipe

Abstract

- at least one container (10), the container (10) including at least one first opening (20) configured to receive and release gas, and at least one second opening (30) configured to release and receive gas, the first and second openings (20, 30) defining a passage (40) therebetween, the passage (40) having an inner cross-sectional area S V At least one container (10) having - an adsorbent or catalyst (50) located in the passage (40); at least one first pipe (60) fluidly connected to the first opening (20) of the container (10), the first pipe (60) having an inner cross-sectional area S of the container (10); V different inner cross-sectional area S P At least one first pipe (60) having - a structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) in the first pipe (60); 1. An air or gas handling system comprising:

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The field of the invention relates to air or gas handling systems in the field of gas generation. [Background technology]

[0002] A known air or gas treatment system includes a vessel containing an adsorbent or catalyst. A first pipe is connected to a first opening of the vessel to supply gas to the vessel, for example, during an adsorption process. To ensure smooth gas supply to the vessel, the first pipe is kept empty.

[0003] In such known designs, the volume of the first pipe is not utilized for gas processing. Rather, its sole purpose is to transport gases received and / or released by the vessel. This volume in the first pipe is commonly referred to as dead volume. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In air or gas processing systems, there is a need to improve the quality of the gas supplied to the adsorbent vessel; for example, the drier the supplied air, the better the performance of the adsorbent material. This is because if the adsorbent material in the vessel is also used to adsorb moisture in the supplied air, the adsorbent material will lose some of its capacity to adsorb other gaseous components that are actually desired to be adsorbed by the adsorbent material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to air or gas handling systems that reduce unused dead volume.Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to air or gas handling systems that provide better quality gas to a vessel containing a sorbent material.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an air or gas treatment system including at least one container, the container including at least one first opening configured to receive and release gas, and at least one second opening configured to receive and release gas. The first and second openings define a passage therebetween, the passage having an inner cross-sectional area S V The air or gas treatment system also includes an adsorbent or catalyst disposed within the passageway. The adsorbent or catalyst is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of the gas received by the adsorbent or catalyst, such that the gas released from the adsorbent or catalyst has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by the adsorbent or catalyst. The air or gas treatment system also includes at least one first pipe fluidly connected to the first opening of the vessel. The first pipe has an inner cross-sectional area S of the vessel. V different inner cross-sectional area S P The air or gas treatment system also includes a structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of the gas received by the structured adsorbent or catalyst, such that the gas released from the structured adsorbent or catalyst has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by the structured adsorbent or catalyst.

[0007] By placing a structured adsorbent in the first pipe, dead volume in the first pipe is reduced. At the same time, the dead volume is effectively utilized by the structured adsorbent or catalyst. The structured adsorbent at least partially adsorbs at least one undesirable gaseous component to the adsorbent material in the vessel. The structured catalyst chemically reacts with at least one component of the gas received in the first pipe. This can improve the efficiency of the adsorbent material or catalyst in the vessel.

[0008] The air or gas treatment system may comprise one or more of the following features, individually or according to any technically possible combination:

[0009] Cross-sectional area S of the first pipe P is the cross-sectional area of ​​the vessel S V is strictly less than

[0010] This feature means that the structured adsorbent is placed on the outside of the vessel.

[0011] At least one of the structured adsorbents or catalysts is composed of a single block or several blocks.

[0012] When a structured adsorbent or catalyst is composed of several blocks, it provides the structured adsorbent or catalyst with flexibility in maintenance, i.e., if the effectiveness of a block of the structured adsorbent decreases, only that block of the structured adsorbent needs to be replaced instead of all the blocks. When a structured adsorbent or catalyst is composed of a single block, it simplifies the installation and maintenance of this single block adsorbent or catalyst.

[0013] At least one of the structured adsorbents or catalysts includes a channel having a surface, the surface of the channel configured to be in direct contact with gas passing through the structured adsorbent or catalyst, and at least a portion of the surface of the channel having a layer of adsorbent or catalyst.

[0014] This feature conserves material performing the adsorption function in the structured adsorbent: instead of making the entire structured adsorbent out of adsorbent material, only a portion of the contact surface of the structured adsorbent needs to have adsorbent material. The channels increase the size of the contact surface between the gas and the adsorbent material.

[0015] The structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture moisture and / or CO2.

[0016] If the adsorbent or catalyst in the container must adsorb moisture and / or CO2 in addition to the intended gas component (e.g., oxygen and / or nitrogen), less of the adsorbent or catalyst in the container will be available to adsorb the intended gas component. As such, the effectiveness of the adsorbent or catalyst in the container may be reduced. By allowing the structured adsorbent or catalyst to at least partially adsorb or capture moisture and / or CO2, the adsorbent or catalyst in the container can focus on adsorbing or capturing the intended gaseous component, thus improving the effectiveness of the container.

[0017] The structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe is configured to desorb when the first pipe has a pressure of 0.1 bar absolute to 10 bar absolute and / or a temperature of 30°C to 500°C.

[0018] The first pipe is intended to deliver gas to the vessel during the adsorption process and to receive exhaust gas from the vessel during the desorption process. The air or gas treatment system further includes at least one feed pipe and a feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst within the feed pipe. The feed pipe is intended to deliver gas to the first pipe during the adsorption process and to be maintained away from the exhaust gas during the desorption process. The feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of the gas received by the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst, such that the gas released from the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst.

[0019] During the adsorption process, gas flows through the feed pipe and the first pipe before entering the vessel. By having a structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe separate from the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe, the quality of the gas entering the vessel during the adsorption process can be further improved. For example, the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe can adsorb gas components that degrade the performance of the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe and / or that degrade the performance of the adsorbent or catalyst in the vessel. In this way, the adsorbent material and / or structured adsorbent can be more effective.

[0020] The structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe is configured to adsorb or capture trace pollutants (at least one selected from sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, NOx, dust, radioactive noble gases, and ammonia).

[0021] The structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe is configured to adsorb or capture different gas components than those adsorbed or captured by the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe. In this way, the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe can reduce the amount of gaseous components that are detrimental to the performance of the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe. In fact, the contaminants listed above typically degrade the performance of the adsorbent material in the vessel. That is, if the adsorbent material had to adsorb these contaminants as well, it would have less capacity to adsorb its primary target gaseous component (typically oxygen or nitrogen). By adsorbing these contaminants before the feed gas mixture enters the vessel, the structured adsorbent enhances the performance of the adsorbent material in the vessel.

[0022] The pressure drop across the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe is less than 500 mbar absolute, preferably less than 200 mbar absolute, more preferably less than 50 mbar absolute, and even more preferably less than 10 mbar absolute.

[0023] It is desirable to keep this pressure drop as low as possible, and the structured adsorbent in the first pipe and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe according to this feature causes only a small pressure drop, thereby minimizing energy losses.

[0024] The structured adsorbent or catalyst occupies the entire cross section of the first pipe and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe occupies the entire cross section of the feed pipe.

[0025] In this embodiment, gas passing through the first pipe necessarily passes through a structured adsorbent or catalyst, and / or gas passing through the feed pipe necessarily passes through a structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe, which increases the likelihood that the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe can react with gaseous components present in the gas passing therethrough.

[0026] The structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe and / or for the feed pipe may consist of an active adsorbent material directly extruded in the required structural form, or may have a film of active adsorbent material deposited or grown on the surface of a support structure.

[0027] The structured adsorbent or catalyst thus obtained does not require additional cutting or shaping of the support before it can be installed in the first pipe and / or feed pipe.

[0028] The active adsorbent material includes at least one of the following: metal-organic frameworks, carbon materials (e.g., activated carbon, carbon molecular sieves, carbon fibers, etc.), resins and polymers, clays, silica gels, activated alumina, natural or synthetic zeolites (types A, X, Y, mordenite, silicalite, chabazite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, and their ion-exchanged variants: KA, 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, Si-CHA, ITQ, ZSM, 13X, LiX, CaX, CA-LSX, Li-LSX, NaX, CaA).

[0029] The structured adsorbent or catalyst can be in the form of a foam, fabric, monolith, or laminate.

[0030] The support material for the structured adsorbent or catalyst in the first pipe and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe can include a corrugated paper or honeycomb structure, a paper monolith, a cordierite monolith, a honeycomb monolith, a honeycomb rotary adsorbent, an activated carbon cloth, a charcoal cloth, a freestanding adsorbent fabric, a multi-layered adsorbent fabric, a paper honeycomb, a copper foam, a ceramic foam, a parallel passage stack, an adsorbent stack, a spiral wound stack, an activated carbon honeycomb monolith, a polyamide monolith, a carbon monolith, a monolith wheel, a ceramic monolith, a zeolite monolith, a metal monolith, a unique adsorbent monolith, a unique adsorbent honeycomb monolith, a unique adsorbent foam, or a unique adsorbent fabric.

[0031] The first pipe and / or the feed pipe has a diameter of 9 mm to 2000 mm.

[0032] The adsorbent or catalyst in the container is in the form of beads, pellets, foam, fabric, monolith, or laminate.

[0033] The adsorbent or catalyst in the container comprises at least one layer of metal-organic frameworks, carbon materials (e.g., activated carbon, carbon molecular sieves, carbon fibers, etc.), resins and polymers, clays, silica gels, activated aluminas, or natural or synthetic zeolites (types A, X, Y, mordenite, silicalite, chabazite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, and their ion-exchanged variants: KA, 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, Si-CHA, ITQ, ZSM, 13X, LiX, CaX, CA-LSX, Li-LSX, NaX, CaA).

[0034] The adsorbent or catalyst in the container at least partially adsorbs or captures carbon dioxide and / or moisture and / or nitrogen and / or oxygen and / or argon and / or hydrogen and / or hydrogen sulfide and / or mercaptans and / or paraffins and / or acid gases and / or silanes and / or mercury vapor and / or hydrocarbons and / or trace pollutants in the air or gas (sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, NOx, dust, radioactive noble gases, ammonia).

[0035] The vessel is configured to receive a gas having a pressure between 1.1 bar absolute and 30 bar absolute.

[0036] The passages have diameters of 49 mm to 3000 mm.

[0037] The gas emitted and / or received by the container is 0.1 Nm 3 / h~16000Nm 3 / h.

[0038] The above and further aspects of the present disclosure are explained in more detail below on the basis of several embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1]1 shows a gas generator according to the prior art; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a gas generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first pipe includes a structured adsorbent or catalyst. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a gas generator similar to that of FIG. 2, further including a feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst within the feed pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] A gas generator 4 is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The gas generator 4 is configured, for example, to process atmospheric air and generate a particular gas or gaseous mixture.

[0041] The air or gas treatment system 4 is, for example, an oxygen or nitrogen generator, an air or gas dryer, a desulfurization unit, a solvent vapor recovery unit, a silane removal unit, a trace radioactive noble gas removal unit, a mercury vapor capture unit, a deodorization and air purification unit, a trace ammonia removal unit, a hydrogen production unit, a gas separator, an alcohol dehydrator, a gas chromatograph, or a carbon dioxide and / or hydrogen sulfide and / or methane and / or ethane removal unit configured to remove at least a portion of the components from the received gas.

[0042] The gas generator 4 includes at least one air or gas handling system 6. According to some embodiments, such as the one shown in the figures, the gas generator 4 includes at least two air or gas handling systems 6.

[0043] The air or gas treatment system 6 includes at least one vessel 10. The vessel 10 includes at least one first opening 20 and at least one second opening 30. The air or gas treatment system 6 also includes at least one first pipe 60 fluidly connected to the first opening 20 of the vessel 10 and at least one second pipe 100 fluidly connected to the second opening 30 of the vessel 10. The air or gas treatment system 6 also includes an adsorbent or catalyst 110 structured within the first pipe 60.

[0044] Vessel 10 is typically used in a pressure swing adsorption process. Cocurrent flow typically enters vessel 10 through first opening 20 and exits the vessel through second opening 30. In this case, first opening 20 is configured to receive gas having an inlet gas composition, and second opening 30 is configured to discharge gas having an outlet gas composition. Countercurrent flow typically enters vessel 10 through second opening 30 and exits vessel 10 through first opening 20. In this case, second opening 30 is configured to receive gas having an inlet gas composition, and first opening 20 is configured to discharge gas having an outlet gas composition. First opening 20 is located, for example, at the bottom of vessel 10. Second opening 30 is located, for example, at the top of vessel 10.

[0045] In the description that follows, unless otherwise indicated, first opening 20 corresponds to an inlet for cocurrent flow into vessel 10. Vessel 10 has cocurrent flow when it operates in adsorption mode. Second opening 30 corresponds to an outlet for cocurrent flow out of vessel 10. Consequently, first opening 20 is an outlet for countercurrent flow out of vessel 10. Vessel 10 has countercurrent flow when it operates in desorption mode. In that case, second opening 30 corresponds to an inlet for countercurrent flow into vessel 10.

[0046] If the air or gas handling system 6 is configured to generate oxygen, preferably the effluent gas from the second opening 30 during the adsorption process consists primarily of oxygen. If the air or gas handling system 6 is configured to generate nitrogen, preferably the effluent gas from the second opening 30 during the adsorption process consists primarily of nitrogen.

[0047] The vessel 10 includes a passageway 40 between the first opening 20 and the second opening 30. The passageway 40 is configured to allow gas flow between the first opening 20 and the second opening 30. The passageway 40 has an inner cross-sectional area S V The passage 40 has a diameter of, for example, 49 mm to 3000 mm.

[0048] Vessel 10 includes an adsorbent or catalyst 50 disposed within passageway 40 of vessel 10. Adsorbent or catalyst 50 is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of a gas received by adsorbent or catalyst 50, such that the gas released from adsorbent or catalyst 50 has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by adsorbent or catalyst 50.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the adsorbent or catalyst 50 in the vessel 10 is in the form of beads, pellets, foams, fabrics, monoliths, or laminates.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the adsorbent or catalyst 50 in the vessel 10 comprises at least one layer of a metal-organic framework, carbon material (e.g., activated carbon, carbon molecular sieve, carbon fiber, etc.), resins and polymers, clay, silica gel, activated alumina, or natural or synthetic zeolite (types A, X, Y, mordenite, silicalite, chabazite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, and their ion-exchanged variants: KA, 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, Si-CHA, ITQ, ZSM, 13X, LiX, CaX, CA-LSX, Li-LSX, NaX, CaA). According to some embodiments, the adsorbent or catalyst 50 in the vessel 10 comprises at least two layers of the materials (of the same or different types) mentioned in this paragraph.

[0051] According to some embodiments, the adsorbent or catalyst 50 in the vessel 10 at least partially adsorbs or captures carbon dioxide and / or moisture and / or nitrogen and / or oxygen and / or argon and / or hydrogen and / or hydrogen sulfide and / or mercaptans and / or paraffins and / or acid gases and / or silanes and / or mercury vapor and / or hydrocarbons and / or trace contaminants in air or gas (sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, NOx, dust, radioactive noble gases, ammonia).

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first pipe 60 has an inner cross-sectional area S of the passage 40 of the vessel 10. V different inner cross-sectional area S P According to one embodiment, the first pipe 60 has a cross-sectional area S P is the cross-sectional area S of the passage 40 of the container 10 V , preferably at least 20% smaller, more preferably at least 30% smaller. This clarifies that the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 (in the first pipe) is not located within the vessel 10, but is located outside the vessel 10.

[0053] The first pipe 60 is, for example, connected to the first opening 20 of the vessel 10. The first pipe 60 is intended to deliver gas to the vessel 10 during the adsorption process and to receive exhaust gas from the vessel 10 during the desorption process.

[0054] According to the illustrated embodiment, a structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is present in the first pipe 60. Preferably, no structured adsorbent is present in the second pipe 100.

[0055] Structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of a gas received by structured adsorbent or catalyst 110, such that the gas released from structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by structured adsorbent or catalyst 110. Structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is configured, for example, to adsorb at least 25%, preferably 50%, more preferably 60%, even more preferably 75%, even more preferably 80%, even more preferably 90%, even more preferably 95%, or even more preferably 99% of the at least one component of a mixture received by structured adsorbent or catalyst 110.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is comprised of a single block or several blocks. When the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 includes several blocks, these multiple blocks are placed next to each other along the flow direction in the first pipe 60, for example. When the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 includes several blocks, according to some embodiments, the air or gas processing system 6 includes at least one spacing seal (not shown) placed between two blocks of the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 in the flow direction of the first pipe 60.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the structured sorbent or catalyst 110 in the first pipe 60 is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture moisture and / or CO2.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 in the first pipe 60 is configured to desorb when the first pipe 60 has a pressure between 0.1 bar absolute and 10 bar absolute and / or a temperature between 30°C and 500°C.

[0059] One of the advantages of using a structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is the relatively low pressure drop across it. In particular, the pressure drop across the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is small compared to the pressure drop across a block of the same dimensions in the flow direction containing adsorbent beads. According to some embodiments, the pressure drop across the vessel 10 is at least 10 times higher than the pressure drop across the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the adsorbent or catalyst 50 and the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 comprise different adsorbent compositions and / or are configured to adsorb different gaseous components. For example, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 may be configured to adsorb moisture, CO, and / or dust, and / or trace impurities in the atmosphere (NO). x , SO2, HCl, O3, N2O), and / or hydrocarbons, while adsorbent material 50 is configured to adsorb nitrogen and / or oxygen.

[0061] According to some embodiments, adsorbent or catalyst 50 and structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 comprise the same material or substantially the same adsorbent composition and / or are configured to adsorb the same substance. For example, if adsorbent or catalyst 50 in vessel 10 comprises three layers of LiX beads, silica gel, and 13X beads, structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 comprises structured 13X.

[0062] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 includes channels having a surface. The channels may be straight or serpentine. At least a portion of the channel surface is coated with an adsorbent or catalyst layer. The channel surface is configured to be in direct contact with the gas passing through the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110. The coating includes a molecular sieve (e.g., made from adsorbent beads ground into a powder), such as 13X or CMS (carbon molecular sieve). According to one possibility, the support of the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is made from a ceramic or polyamide. According to one embodiment, the support structure is made from a ceramic with a molecular sieve coating, as described above, and according to one embodiment, the support structure is made from a polyamide with a coating of activated carbon.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, the support for the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 may comprise a sheet onto which the adsorbent layer is coated, e.g., wrapped or wrapped around. The sheet may be made, for example, from a polymer.

[0064] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is composed entirely of a native adsorbent.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 has a honeycomb structure, such as when the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is composed entirely of a specific adsorbent, or when the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 includes a contact surface configured to directly contact the gas, at least a portion of which is coated with an adsorbent layer.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the air or gas treatment system 4 further includes at least one feed pipe 70. The feed pipe 70 is fluidly connected to the first pipe 60. The feed pipe 70 is connected to a gas supply (e.g., from an air compressor). The feed pipe 70 is intended to deliver gas to the first pipe 60 during the adsorption process and to be kept away from exhaust air during the desorption process. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first pipe 60 connects the first opening 20 of the vessel 10 to the feed pipe 70. According to some embodiments, the first pipe 60 and / or the feed pipe 70 have a diameter between 9 mm and 2000 mm. According to some embodiments, the feed pipe 70 has the same cross-sectional area as the first pipe 60. According to some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the feed pipe 70 is less than the cross-sectional area S of the vessel 10. V is strictly less than

[0067] According to some embodiments, the air or gas processing system 4 further includes a feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 within the feed pipe 70. The feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of the gas received by the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120, such that the gas released from the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120. According to some embodiments, the feed pipe 70 is configured such that the feed gas mixture entering the at least one vessel 10 necessarily passes through at least a portion of the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 before entering the first pipe 60.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the structured sorbent or catalyst 120 for the feed pipe is configured to adsorb or capture trace pollutants (at least one selected from sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, NOx, dust, radioactive noble gases, and ammonia). This embodiment corresponds, for example, to the embodiment disclosed above in which the structured sorbent or catalyst 110 in the first pipe 60 is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture moisture and / or CO2.

[0069] Preferably, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 comprises, for example, a type 13X synthetic zeolite configured to adsorb moisture and CO2, and the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 comprises, for example, activated carbon configured to adsorb hydrocarbons.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 is regenerated when the adsorbent 50 (in the vessel 10) is regenerated during the desorption process. According to some embodiments, the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 is not regenerated. The feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 is discarded (and replaced with a new one), for example, after its adsorption capacity is exhausted, as assessed, for example, via the operating time of the gas generator.

[0071] According to some embodiments, the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 is configured to adsorb or capture different gas components than those adsorbed or captured by the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 and / or the adsorbent 50 (in the vessel 10). Alternatively, at least one gas component is adsorbed or captured by both the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 and the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 in the first pipe 60.

[0072] According to some embodiments, the gas generator 4, as can be seen in the figures, includes at least one desorption exhaust pipe 80. The desorption exhaust pipe 80 is configured to receive exhaust gases, for example from the vessel 10, during the desorption process. The desorption exhaust pipe 80 receives exhaust gases from the vessel 10, for example, via the first pipe 60.

[0073] Preferably, only exhaust gases (released during the desorption process) flow through the desorption exhaust pipe 80 .

[0074] According to an advantageous embodiment, the air or gas processing system 6 includes at least one circumferential seal (not shown) configured to surround at least a portion of the exterior surface of the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110. The circumferential seal is configured to fill a space between the exterior surface of the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 and the interior surface of the first pipe 60. The circumferential seal prevents the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 from impacting the wall of the first pipe 60, which can prevent depletion of the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110. Additionally or alternatively, the circumferential seal restricts the free path of gas, such that gas passing through the first pipe 60 must pass through the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110.

[0075] The circumferential seal is made, for example, from rubber.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 occupies the entire cross section of the first pipe 60 and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 for the feed pipe occupies the entire cross section of the feed pipe 70.

[0077] According to some embodiments, of the two adsorbent vessels 10 depicted in the figures, while one of the vessels 10 is undergoing an adsorption process, the other vessel 10 is undergoing a desorption process.

[0078] According to some embodiments, as shown in the figures, the gas generator 4 includes a feed valve 210 between at least one first pipe 60 and the feed pipe 70. Preferably, the gas generator 4 includes a feed valve 210 between each group of first pipes 60 and the feed pipe 70. When the feed valve 210 is open, gas is allowed to flow from the feed pipe 70 to the first pipes 60. When the feed valve 210 is closed, gas is prevented from flowing between the first pipes 60 and the feed pipe 70. According to some embodiments, the feed valve 210 isolates the feed pipe 70 from the rest of the gas generator 4.

[0079] According to some embodiments, the gas generator 4 includes at least one second pipe valve 220 in at least one second pipe 100. Preferably, the gas generator 4 includes a second pipe valve 220 in each second pipe 100. When the second pipe valve 220 is open, gas can flow through the second pipe 100, for example, from the second opening 30 to the adsorption product outlet 90, during the adsorption process when the second pipe 100 receives the produced gas. When the second pipe valve 220 is closed, gas is prevented from flowing through the second pipe 100. According to some embodiments, the second pipe valve 220 isolates the adsorption product outlet 90 from the rest of the gas generator 4.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the gas generator 4 includes an exhaust valve 230 between at least one first pipe 60 and the desorption exhaust pipe 80. Preferably, the gas generator 4 includes an exhaust valve 230 between each group of first pipes 60 and the desorption exhaust pipe 80. When the exhaust valve 230 is open, gas is allowed to flow from the first pipes 60 to the desorption exhaust pipe 80. When the exhaust valve 230 is closed, gas is prevented from flowing between the first pipes 60 and the desorption exhaust pipe 80. According to some embodiments, the exhaust valve 230 isolates the desorption exhaust pipe 80 from the rest of the gas generator 4.

[0081] According to some embodiments, during the adsorption process, the feed valve 210 and the second pipe valve 220 are open, while the exhaust valve 230 is closed. Thus, during the adsorption process, gas can flow from the feed pipe 70 through the first pipe 60 and reach the vessel 10. After passing through the vessel 10, the product gas passes through the second pipe 100 before exiting the gas generator 4 via the adsorption product outlet 90. Because the exhaust valve 230 is closed, gas cannot flow from the feed pipe 70 and / or from the first pipe 60 to the desorption exhaust pipe 80.

[0082] According to some embodiments, during the desorption process, the feed valve 210 is closed, while the second pipe valve 220 and the exhaust valve 230 are open. Thus, during the desorption process, purge gas can flow through the second pipe 100 and enter the vessel 10 through the second opening 30. Exhaust gas exits the vessel 10 via the desorption exhaust pipe 80. Because the feed valve 210 is closed, gas cannot flow from the first pipe 60 to the feed pipe 70.

[0083] According to some embodiments, when the pressures in both vessels 10 need to be equalized, the feed valve 210 and the exhaust valve 230 are closed, while the second pipe valve 220 of the two different second pipes 100 is opened. In this way, gas flows through the second pipe 100 (from the higher pressure vessel to the lower pressure vessel) until the pressures in both vessels 10 are equalized. Note that no product gas is generated during this pressure equalization phase.

[0084] According to some embodiments, when gas flows through the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 and / or the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120, the resulting pressure drop is less than 500 mbar absolute, preferably less than 200 mbar absolute, more preferably less than 50 mbar absolute, and even more preferably less than 10 mbar absolute.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 and / or the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 are comprised of an active adsorbent material directly extruded in the desired structural form, or have a film of the active adsorbent material deposited or grown on a support, for example, by at least one of the following methods: dip coating, or slip coating, or wash coating, or a film grown on the desired structural form by hydrothermal treatment. Under one possibility, the active adsorbent material 50, 110, 120 comprises at least one of the following: metal-organic frameworks, carbon materials (e.g., activated carbon, carbon molecular sieves, carbon fibers, etc.), resins and polymers, clays, silica gels, activated alumina, or natural or synthetic zeolites (types A, X, Y, mordenite, silicalite, chabazite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, and their ion-exchanged variants: KA, 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, Si-CHA, ITQ, ZSM, 13X, LiX, CaX, CA-LSX, Li-LSX, NaX, CaA).

[0086] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 has a cylindrical shape that matches the shape of the first pipe 60. According to some embodiments, the cross section of the first pipe 60 and / or the feed pipe 70 is cylindrical.

[0087] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110, 120 is in the form of a foam, fabric, monolith, or laminate.

[0088] According to some embodiments, the structured adsorbent or catalyst 110 and / or the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst 120 includes a support (not shown) that includes a corrugated paper or honeycomb structure, a paper monolith, a cordierite monolith, a honeycomb monolith, a honeycomb rotary adsorber, an activated carbon cloth, a charcoal cloth, a freestanding adsorbent fabric, a multi-layered adsorbent fabric, a paper honeycomb, a copper foam, a ceramic foam, a parallel passage stack, an adsorbent stack, a spiral wound stack, an activated carbon honeycomb monolith, a polyamide monolith, a carbon monolith, a monolith wheel, a ceramic monolith, a zeolite monolith, a metal monolith, a unique adsorbent monolith, a unique adsorbent honeycomb monolith, a unique adsorbent foam, or a unique adsorbent fabric.

[0089] According to some embodiments, the vessel 10 is configured to receive a gas having a pressure between 1.1 bar absolute and 30 bar absolute, preferably between 2 bar absolute and 16 bar absolute.

[0090] According to some embodiments, the gas emitted and / or received by the container 10 may be 0.1 Nm 3 / h~16000Nm 3 / h. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 4 Gas Generator 6. Air or gas handling systems 10 containers 20 First opening 30 Second Opening 40 Passage 50 Adsorbent or catalyst 60 First Pipe 70 Feed pipe 80 Detachable exhaust pipe 90 Outlet for adsorbed product 100 Second Pipe 110 Structured Adsorbents or Catalysts 120 Structured adsorbents or catalysts for feed pipes 210 Feed Valve 220 Second Pipe Valve 230 Exhaust valve

Claims

1. 1. An air or gas handling system comprising: at least one container (10), said container (10) comprising at least one first opening (20) configured to receive and release gas, and at least one second opening (30) configured to release and receive gas, said first and second openings (20, 30) defining a passage (40) between said first and second openings (20, 30), said passage (40) having an internal cross-sectional area S Ｖ At least one container (10) having an adsorbent or catalyst (50) disposed within said passage (40), said adsorbent or catalyst (50) configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of the gas received by said adsorbent or catalyst (50), such that the gas released from said adsorbent or catalyst (50) has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by said adsorbent or catalyst (50); at least one first pipe (60) fluidly connected to said first opening (20) of said container (10), said first pipe (60) having an internal cross-sectional area S Ｖ The inner cross-sectional area S Ｐ At least one first pipe (60) having a structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) in the first pipe (60), the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of a gas received by the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110), such that a gas released from the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) has an outflow composition that differs from the inflow composition of the gas received by the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110); an air or gas handling system, including

2. The cross-sectional area S of the first pipe (60) Ｐ is the cross-sectional area S of the container (10). Ｖ 10. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, wherein the air or gas treatment system is strictly less than

3. 3. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the structured adsorbents or catalysts (110) is comprised of a single block or several blocks.

4. 4. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the structured adsorbents or catalysts (110) comprises channels having surfaces, the surfaces of the channels configured to be in direct contact with the gas passing through the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110), and at least a portion of the surfaces of the channels carrying a layer of adsorbent or catalyst.

5. The structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) in the first pipe (60) is ２ 5. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, configured to at least partially adsorb or capture

6. 6. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, wherein the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) in the first pipe (60) is configured to desorb when the first pipe (60) has a pressure of 0.1 bar absolute to 10 bar absolute and / or a temperature of 30°C to 500°C.

7. said first pipe (60) is intended to feed gas to said vessel (10) during the adsorption process and to receive exhaust gas from said vessel (10) during the desorption process; The air or gas treatment system further comprises at least one feed pipe (70) and a feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst (120) within the feed pipe (70); said feed pipe (70) is intended to feed gas to said first pipe (60) during the adsorption process and to be kept away from the exhaust during the desorption process; 7. The air or gas processing system of claim 1, wherein the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst is configured to at least partially adsorb or capture at least one component of a gas received by the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst, such that the gas released from the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst has an outflow composition that differs from an inflow composition of the gas received by the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst.

8. 10. The air or gas treatment system of claim 7, wherein the structured adsorbent or catalyst (120) for the feed pipe is configured to adsorb or capture trace pollutants (at least one selected from sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, NOx, dust, radioactive noble gases, and ammonia).

9. 9. The air or gas processing system of claim 1, wherein the pressure drop across the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) and / or the structured adsorbent or catalyst for the feed pipe (120), if present, is less than 500 mbar absolute, preferably less than 200 mbar absolute, more preferably less than 50 mbar absolute, and even more preferably less than 10 mbar absolute.

10. 10. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, wherein the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) occupies the entire cross section of the first pipe (60) and / or the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst (120), if present, occupies the entire cross section of the feed pipe (70).

11. 11. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, wherein the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) and / or the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst (120), if present, are comprised of active adsorbent material directly extruded in the required structural form or have a film of active adsorbent material deposited or grown on the surface of a support structure.

12. 12. The air or gas treatment system of claim 11, wherein the activated adsorbent material (50, 110, 120) comprises at least one of the following: metal organic frameworks, carbon materials (e.g., activated carbon, carbon molecular sieves, carbon fibers, etc.), resins and polymers, clays, silica gels, activated alumina, natural or synthetic zeolites (types A, X, Y, mordenite, silicalite, chabazite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, and their ion-exchanged variants: KA, 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, Si-CHA, ITQ, ZSM, 13X, LiX, CaX, CA-LSX, Li-LSX, NaX, CaA).

13. 13. The air or gas treatment system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110, 120) is in the form of a foam, fabric, monolith, or laminate.

14. 14. The air or gas treatment system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the structured adsorbent or catalyst (110) and / or, if present, the feed pipe structured adsorbent or catalyst (120) comprises a support, the support comprising a corrugated paper or honeycomb structure, a paper monolith, a cordierite monolith, a honeycomb monolith, a honeycomb rotary adsorber, an activated carbon cloth, a charcoal cloth, a freestanding adsorbent fabric, a multi-layered adsorbent fabric, a paper honeycomb, a copper foam, a ceramic foam, a parallel passage stack, an adsorbent stack, a spiral wound stack, an activated carbon honeycomb monolith, a polyamide monolith, a carbon monolith, a monolith wheel, a ceramic monolith, a zeolite monolith, a metal monolith, a unique adsorbent monolith, a unique adsorbent honeycomb monolith, a unique adsorbent foam, or a unique adsorbent fabric.

15. 15. An air or gas treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe (60) and / or the feed pipe (70), if present, has a diameter of between 9 mm and 2000 mm.

16. 16. The air or gas treatment system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the adsorbent or catalyst (50) in the vessel (10) is in the form of beads, pellets, foam, fabric, monolith, or laminate.

17. 17. The air or gas treatment system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the adsorbent or catalyst (50) in the vessel (10) comprises at least one layer of metal-organic frameworks, carbon materials (e.g., activated carbon, carbon molecular sieves, carbon fibers, etc.), resins and polymers, clays, silica gel, activated alumina, or natural or synthetic zeolites (types A, X, Y, mordenite, silicalite, chabazite, faujasite, clinoptilolite, and their ion-exchanged variants: KA, 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, Si-CHA, ITQ, ZSM, 13X, LiX, CaX, CA-LSX, Li-LSX, NaX, CaA).

18. 18. The air or gas treatment system of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the adsorbent or catalyst (50) in the container (10) at least partially adsorbs or captures carbon dioxide and / or moisture and / or nitrogen and / or oxygen and / or argon and / or hydrogen and / or hydrogen sulfide and / or mercaptans and / or paraffins and / or acid gases and / or silanes and / or mercury vapor and / or hydrocarbons and / or trace pollutants in the air or gas (sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrous oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, NOx, dust, radioactive noble gases, ammonia).

19. 19. An air or gas treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel (10) is configured to receive a gas having a pressure between 1.1 bar absolute and 30 bar absolute.

20. An air or gas treatment system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passage (40) has a diameter of between 49 mm and 3000 mm.

21. The gas emitted and / or received by the container (10) has a pressure of 0.1 Nm ３ / h~16000Nm ３ 21. The air or gas treatment system of claim 1, having a flux of 0.1 MPa or more.

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