system

Abstract

The objective is to provide a system that can capture and release gases such as steam using an adsorbent, and that can operate continuously without requiring human power or energy. [Solution] The present invention provides a system comprising a rotating body containing an adsorbent for gas X, a cover member for the rotating body, an intake portion for ambient gas, and an exhaust portion for the collected gas X, wherein the rotating body is arranged to receive light, and the angle it makes with the axis of rotation and the vertical direction is greater than 0°, the cover member is arranged on the light-receiving side of the rotating body with space between it and the rotating body in the direction of the axis of rotation, the cover member consists of a light-opaque portion and a light-transmitting portion, and when the rotating body is divided into left and right halves, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion where the light-opaque portion of the left half of the rotating body is projected onto the rotating body is different from the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion where the light-opaque portion of the right half of the rotating body is projected onto the rotating body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, and more particularly to a system including a rotating body containing a gas adsorbent.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for technologies to efficiently recover gases such as water vapor, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide in the air. For example, water vapor is used to adjust the humidity indoors or secure fresh water in arid regions or disaster areas, and carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide is used to prevent health hazards caused by poisoning. In both cases, it may be necessary to recover them from the atmosphere. Therefore, such gas recovery technologies are expected to promote the creation of a comfortable space and the effective use of resources.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an atmospheric moisture collection system including a moisture adsorption unit and a moisture collection housing. In the method of collecting moisture from ambient air using this atmospheric collection system, the lid of the moisture collection housing is opened at night to allow the moisture in the ambient air to be adsorbed by the moisture capture material, and the lid of the moisture collection housing is closed during the day of the next day. Thereby, the moisture capture material is heated using solar radiation to release water vapor from the moisture capture material, which is further condensed to produce liquid water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the collection and release of moisture is not continuous and requires switching operation every few hours. Furthermore, this switching requires opening and closing a lid, which is time-consuming if done manually and energy-consuming if done electrically.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a system that can adsorb and recover gases such as water vapor using an adsorbent, and that can operate continuously without requiring human power or energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention, which has achieved the above objectives, is as follows. [1] A system comprising a rotating body containing an adsorbent for gas X, a cover member for the rotating body, an intake section for ambient gas, and an exhaust section for the collected gas X, The rotating body is positioned to receive light, and the angle it makes with the axis of rotation and the vertical direction is greater than 0°. The cover member is positioned on the light-receiving side of the rotating body, separated from the rotating body by space in the direction of the rotation axis. The cover member consists of a light-opaque portion and a light-transmitting portion. The system is characterized in that, when the rotating body is divided into left and right halves facing the axis of rotation, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion of the left half of the rotating body where the light-opaque portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body is different from the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion of the right half of the rotating body where the light-opaque portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body. [2] The system according to [1], wherein the gas X is at least one gas selected from the group consisting of water vapor, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbon gases having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. [3] The system according to [1] or [2], wherein the light is sunlight. [4] Furthermore, the system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein a heat exchanger is positioned on the side opposite to the light-receiving side of the portion where the light-transmitting portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body. [5] The system according to any one of [1] to [4] further comprising a blower fan. [6] The system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the ratio of the area of ​​the portion where the light-transmitting portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body to the area of ​​the portion where the light-non-transmitting portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body is 1:9 to 9:1. [7] The system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the amount of water vapor adsorbed per gram of adsorbent is 0.2 g / g or more when the relative pressure (P / P0) (P is water vapor pressure, P0 is saturated water vapor pressure) of the adsorbent isotherm on the water vapor adsorption side measured at 25°C is 0.96. [8] The system according to [7], wherein the adsorbent is a metal-organic structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the rotating body containing the adsorbent is arranged to receive light, the angle between the rotation axis of the rotating body and the vertical direction is greater than 0°, and the rotational moment generated in the rotating body is appropriately adjusted, so that gas adsorption and recovery can be performed continuously by receiving light. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a top view of a rotating body containing an adsorbent for gas X according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a top view of a rotating body containing an adsorbent for gas X according to another embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view (partially a rear view) of a system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] One embodiment of the system of the present invention is a system comprising a rotating body containing an adsorbent for gas X, a cover member for the rotating body, an intake portion for ambient gas, and an exhaust portion for the collected gas X, wherein the rotating body is arranged to receive light, and the angle it makes with the axis of rotation and the vertical direction is greater than 0°, the cover member is arranged on the light-receiving side of the rotating body with space between it and the rotating body in the direction of the axis of rotation, the cover member consists of a light-opaque portion and a light-transmitting portion, and when the rotating body is divided into left and right halves facing each other from the direction of the axis of rotation, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion of the left half of the rotating body where the light-opaque portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body is different from the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the right half of the rotating body where the light-opaque portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body.

[0011] When the angle between the axis of rotation of the rotating body and the vertical direction is greater than 0°, and gas X is adsorbed onto the adsorbent, increasing the mass of the adsorption site on the rotating body, a rotational moment is generated corresponding to the amount of gas X adsorbed and the adsorption site. When the rotating body is divided into left and right halves facing directly in front of the axis of rotation (hereinafter, the left and right positions of the rotating body in this definition will be simply expressed as "left," "right," or "left and right"), if the magnitudes of the rotational moments generated on the left and right sides are different, a rotational force is generated. Furthermore, since the cover member is positioned on the light-receiving side of the rotating body, separated from the rotating body by a space in the direction of the rotation axis, and is composed of a light-opaque portion and a light-transmitting portion, when the rotating body receives light, the portion of the cover member where the light-transmitting portion is projected onto the rotating body (hereinafter referred to as "light-transmitting portion projection area T") is heated by the light, while the portion of the cover member where the light-opaque portion is projected onto the rotating body (hereinafter referred to as "light-opaque portion projection area H") is not affected by the heating from the light. Therefore, adsorption of the adsorbent gas X proceeds in the light-opaque portion projection area H, and a rotational moment is generated. In contrast, desorption of the adsorbed gas X proceeds in the light-transmitting portion projection area T.

[0012] That is, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the light non-transmissive portion projection area H in the left half of the rotating body is different from the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the light non-transmissive portion projection area H in the right half of the rotating body, resulting in a rotational force. Once rotation starts due to this rotational force, the desorption of gas X (regeneration of the adsorbent) at the light transmissive portion projection area T and the adsorption of gas X at the light non-transmissive portion projection area H continuously occur, and the rotational force can be continuously generated. Therefore, it becomes possible to continuously perform the adsorption and desorption of gas X without requiring input or energy, and gas X can be continuously recovered from the ambient gas. In the system of the present invention, it is possible to continuously rotate the rotating body only by receiving light without requiring external energy, but rotation may be supported by connecting an auxiliary power source to the rotating body.

[0013] Gas X may be recovered while remaining in a gaseous state, or may be cooled and condensed using a heat exchanger or the like described later and recovered in a liquid state.

[0014] The light irradiated on the rotating body is preferably light having infrared rays, and sunlight is particularly preferable.

[0015] Gas X can be appropriately selected according to the adsorbent used, but for example, it is preferably at least one gas selected from water vapor, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbon gases having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably water vapor and / or carbon dioxide, and most preferably water vapor.

[0016] Further, the adsorbent is preferably an adsorbent having a water vapor adsorption amount of 0.2 g / g or more per 1 g of the adsorbent when the relative pressure (P / P0) (P is the water vapor pressure, P0 is the saturated water vapor pressure) is 0.96 in the water vapor adsorption isotherm measured at 25°C. More preferably, the adsorbent satisfying such requirements is a metal organic framework. Examples of such metal organic frameworks include MOF-801, MOF-303, SCM-5, and the metal organic frameworks disclosed in International Publication No. 2023 / 176917.

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples, and it is also possible to appropriately modify and implement it within the scope that can conform to the above and following gists, and all of them are included in the technical scope of the present invention. In each figure, for the sake of convenience, hatching, reference signs, etc. may be omitted, but in such cases, reference shall be made to the specification and other figures. In addition, the dimensions of various configurations in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions because priority is given to facilitating the understanding of the features of the present invention.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the basic configuration of the system will be described. FIG. 1 is a top view seen from the rotational axis direction of a rotating body including an adsorbent for gas X according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view seen from the rotational axis direction of a rotating body including an adsorbent for gas X according to another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (partial rear view) of a system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the rotating body 1 containing an adsorbent (not shown) for gas X consists of a light-opaque projection area H:1a and a light-transmitting projection area T:1b, indicated by the shaded area. In Figure 1, the light-opaque projection area H:1a is present in part of the right half of the rotating body, but not in the left half. In this case, adsorption of gas X progresses in the light-opaque projection area H:1a on the right half, increasing its weight, while the remaining portion is heated by light reception, causing desorption of gas X. In other words, the rotational moment generated in the right half is greater than the rotational moment generated in the left half, generating a rotational moment that rotates the rotating body 1 clockwise. Even after rotation has started, the generation of a rotational moment continues in the same manner, allowing the rotating body to continue rotating. When the rotational moment generated in the right half is greater than the rotational moment generated in the left half, the rotating body can rotate clockwise, and other examples of clockwise rotation are shown in Figures 2(a) to (e). In Figure 2, the shaded area is the projection area H:1a of the light-blocking portion, and the rest is the projection area T:1b of the light-transmitting portion. When the projection area 1a of the light-blocking portion in Figures 1 and 2 is reversed horizontally, the rotating body rotates counterclockwise.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2(a) to (d), the projection area H:1a of the opaque portion may be a continuous region, and the projection area T:1b of the transmissive portion may also be a continuous region. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2(e), the projection area H:1a of the opaque portion may be multiple non-contiguous regions, and the projection area T:1b of the transmissive portion may also be multiple non-contiguous regions. However, it is preferable that both the projection area H:1a of the opaque portion and the projection area T:1b of the transmissive portion are continuous regions.

[0021] The rotating body 1 may consist solely of an adsorbent, or it may have an adsorbent supported on a substrate. The external shape of the cross-section of the rotating body 1 perpendicular to the axis of rotation can be, for example, circular, elliptical, or polygonal (particularly a regular polygon, and the corners may be rounded), with a circular shape being preferred. Furthermore, the rotating body 1 can preferably be plate-shaped, tubular, honeycomb-shaped, or monolithic. A monolithic shape refers to a columnar shape having multiple holes that penetrate in the axial direction.

[0022] Furthermore, the ratio of the areas of the light-nontransmitting projection area H:1a and the light-transmitting projection area T:1b is preferably 1:9 to 9:1, more preferably 2:8 to 8:2, even more preferably 3:7 to 7:3, and even more preferably 4:6 to 6:4. When the outer shape of the cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating body 1 is circular, it is preferable that the light-opaque projection area H is one of the following: (i) present only in the left half, preferably in an area of ​​0.25 to 1 times the area of ​​the left half; (ii) present only in the right half, preferably in an area of ​​0.25 to 1 times the area of ​​the right half; (iii) present in both the right and left halves, with the area of ​​the left half / area of ​​the right half being 1.2 to 10 times (preferably 2 to 5 times); or (iv) present in both the right and left halves, with the area of ​​the right half / area of ​​the left half being 1.2 to 10 times (preferably 2 to 5 times).

[0023] In one embodiment of the system, as shown in Figure 3, a rotating body 1 containing an adsorbent 21 for gas X is positioned to receive light 25 and is equipped with a rotating shaft 22, and is rotatably positioned. In Figure 3, the rotating shaft 22 is supported by a support column 23 and a bearing 24. The angle 26 between the rotating shaft 22 and the vertical is greater than 0°, preferably greater than 0° to 90° or less, more preferably 5° to 80°, even more preferably 10° to 70°, and may also be 20° to 50°. It is also preferable that the light 25 is sunlight, and that the angle 26 is adjusted so that the angle between the incident direction of sunlight and the rotating shaft is between 0 and 10°.

[0024] The cover member 29 of the rotating body 1 is positioned on the light receiving side of the rotating body 1, separated from the rotating body 1 in the direction of the rotation axis 22, and is composed of a light-opaque portion and a light-transmitting portion. The light-impermeable portion is preferably a light-reflecting member, or a layer of a light-reflecting member laminated on the surface (light-receiving side) of the substrate. Examples of light-reflecting members include metals such as Ag and Al, and oxide layers such as Ta2O5 / SiO2, TiO2 / SiO2, and Nb2O5 / SiO2. The light-transmitting portion is preferably an infrared-transmitting member, specifically including oxide-based glass mainly composed of oxides such as SiO2, chalcogenide-based glass, and halide glass; transparent plastics such as acrylic resin, polyester resin, and polycarbonate resin; and ZnSe, ZnS, etc. Glass and transparent plastics are preferred, and oxide-based glass and transparent plastics are more preferred.

[0025] The light-receiving surface of the rotating body 1 is preferably black, so that the light-transmitting projection portion 1b is efficiently heated by light, thereby promoting the desorption of gas X.

[0026] In Figure 3, the ambient gas intake section 27 is located on the lower back side of the rotating body, but it does not need to be located in a specific place; any location where the rotating body 1 containing the adsorbent can come into contact with the ambient gas can serve as the ambient gas intake section 27. Since adsorption of gas X progresses in the area where the light-impermeable portion is projected onto the rotating body 1, it is also preferable that the ambient gas intake section 27 be located on the back side of the light-impermeable portion projection area H (i.e., on the side opposite to the light-receiving side of light 25).

[0027] As described above, when the ambient gas (ambient gas containing gas X, such as air) taken in from the ambient gas intake section 27 comes into contact with the adsorbent 21 supported on the rotating body, the adsorbent 21 adsorbs gas X. When the rotating body 1 receives light 25, adsorption of gas X proceeds in the light-opaque projection area H (not shown), and desorption of gas X proceeds in the light-transmitting projection area T (not shown) due to heating. In the system of the present invention, the light-transmitting and light-opaque parts of the cover member are adjusted so that the rotational moments generated in the light-opaque projection area H are different on the left and right sides. As a result of the difference in rotational moments on the left and right sides, the rotating body rotates continuously in a constant direction, and the gas X that is collected by the adsorbent and desorbed from the adsorbent is discharged from the discharge section 28.

[0028] Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the system of the present invention. Parts with the same reference numerals in Figures 3 and 4 refer to the same components. The system in Figure 4 is an embodiment of the system shown in Figure 3, further comprising a heat exchanger 31, fins 32, and a blower fan 33.

[0029] In particular, when the gas X to be adsorbed is water vapor, the heat exchanger 31 allows the water vapor that has been adsorbed and further desorbed by the adsorbent to condense on the surface of the heat exchanger 31, and the water vapor can be recovered as condensed water 35. It is preferable that the heat exchanger 31 be positioned on the side of the light-transmitting projection area T that is opposite to the light-receiving side. Furthermore, it is preferable that the heat exchanger 31 is equipped with fins 32, which allows for efficient heat exchange and efficient generation of condensed water 35. In the embodiment equipped with the heat exchanger 31, a channel for condensed water generated on the surface of the heat exchanger 31 is provided, and this can be used as a discharge section 28 for discharging water vapor in the form of condensed water.

[0030] The heat exchanger 31 and the fins 32 are preferably made of, for example, stainless steel or aluminum.

[0031] Furthermore, the system of the present invention includes a blower fan 33, and by directing the blower fan 33 particularly toward the heat exchanger 31, the efficiency of heat exchange in the heat exchanger 31 is improved. Also, by directing the blower fan 33 toward the ambient gas intake section 27, the adsorption of gas X by the adsorbent can be promoted. The blower fan 33 can be driven by connecting it to a motor 34.

[0032] In another embodiment, the torque obtained from the rotation of the rotating body 1 can be used as energy to rotate the blower fan 33 by increasing its speed with a pulley. Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the blower fan 33 and motor 34 shown in Figure 4 are replaced with pulleys 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, belts 42a, 42b and rotor blades 44. For convenience of explanation, the ambient gas intake section 27, the collected gas discharge section 28 and the support column 23 are not shown.

[0033] In Figure 5, the rotating body 1, the fourth pulley 41d, and the first pulley 41a are arranged in that order from the light receiving side of the light 25, spaced apart along the same axis. Both the rotating body 21 and the first pulley 41a are supported by the rotating shaft 22, and the fourth pulley 41d is equipped with multiple rotor blades 44. The second pulley 41b and the third pulley 41c are both supported by a different rotating shaft 43 than the rotating shaft 22, and a belt 42a is stretched between the first pulley 41a and the second pulley 41b, and a belt 42b is stretched between the third pulley 41c and the fourth pulley 41d. The diameter of the first pulley 41a is larger than the diameter of the second pulley 42b and also larger than the diameter of the fourth pulley. In this way, the torque obtained from the rotation of the rotating body caused by the reception of light can be transmitted to the fourth pulley at an increased speed, and the rotating blades provided on the fourth pulley can function as a cooling fan, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange and / or promoting the adsorption of gas X, as described in the embodiment of Figure 4 above. Furthermore, when the rotating blades provided on the fourth pulley 41d function as a cooling fan, the rotation of the fan can be stably achieved in a manner that balances the fan's airflow resistance with the rotational moment generated in the rotating body. For example, in the case of water vapor adsorption and desorption, when weather conditions are good and adsorption and desorption are vigorous, the rotational moment becomes large, and the fan's rotation speed also increases, resulting in the effect of promoting airflow and cooling in the adsorption area and promoting the condensation of water vapor in the desorption area. Conversely, when adsorption and desorption are not vigorous and the rotational moment of the rotating body is small, a motor operated by an auxiliary power source may be connected to the second pulley 41b or the third pulley 41c to provide assistance in order to ensure the fan's rotation speed. The number of rotor blades 44 may be 1 to 8, or 2 to 4.

[0034] In addition to the above-described configuration, the system of the present invention may also preferably include a protective film provided on the side opposite to the light-receiving surface of the light-nontransmitting projection portion H:1a of the rotating body, and a sensor for measuring the amount of condensed water when the gas X is water vapor and the gas X is recovered by condensed water. [Industrial applicability]

[0035] According to the present invention, gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide can be adsorbed and recovered from the surrounding gas. When the gas to be recovered is water vapor, it can be used to dehumidify the indoor environment and recover water resources from the atmosphere. When the gas to be recovered is carbon dioxide, it can prevent adverse effects on the human body due to high concentrations. Therefore, the present invention is industrially useful. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1 Rotating body, 1a Projection area of ​​light-opaque part, 1b Projection area of ​​light-transmitting part, 21 Adsorbent, 22 Rotating shaft, 23 Support column, 24 Bearing, 25 Light, 26 Angle between the rotating shaft and the vertical direction, 27 Ambient gas intake section, 28 Gas X discharge section, 29 Cover member, 31 Heat exchanger, 32 Fins, 33 Blower fan, 34 Motor, 35 Condensed water, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d Pulley, 42a, 42b Belt, 43 Rotating shaft, 44 Rotating blade

Claims

1. A system comprising a rotating body containing an adsorbent for gas X, a cover member for the rotating body, an intake section for ambient gas, and an exhaust section for the collected gas X, The rotating body is positioned to receive light, and the angle it makes with the axis of rotation and the vertical direction is greater than 0°. The cover member is positioned on the light-receiving side of the rotating body, separated from the rotating body by space in the direction of the rotation axis. The cover member consists of a light-opaque portion and a light-transmitting portion. The system is characterized in that, when the rotating body is divided into left and right halves facing the axis of rotation, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion of the left half of the rotating body where the light-opaque portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body is different from the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the portion of the right half of the rotating body where the light-opaque portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the gas X is at least one gas selected from the group consisting of water vapor, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbon gases having 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the light is sunlight.

4. Furthermore, the system according to claim 1, wherein a heat exchanger is positioned on the side opposite to the light-receiving side of the portion where the light-transmitting portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body.

5. Furthermore, the system according to claim 1, further comprising a blower fan.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the area of ​​the portion where the light-transmitting portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body to the area of ​​the portion where the light-non-transmitting portion of the cover member is projected onto the rotating body is 1:9 to 9:

1.

7. The adsorption side isotherm of the adsorbent water vapor measured at 25°C showed the relative pressure (P / P ０ ) (P is water vapor pressure, P ０ The system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of water vapor adsorbed per gram of adsorbent is 0.2 g / g or more when the saturated water vapor pressure ( is 0.96).

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the adsorbent is a metal-organic structure.

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