System and method for optimizing carbon dioxide capture using water vapor adsorption

Abstract

A method for capturing carbon dioxide. The method comprises receiving a gas flow through one or more adsorbent beds, each comprising one or more adsorption modules, each comprising one or more solid sorbent materials. The method also comprises receiving a regulating fluid flow via a contactor for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules. The method also comprises adsorbing water vapor from the gas flow by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, and adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules. The method further comprises discharging an exhaust flow through one or more adsorbent beds, and regulating the temperature of the first adsorption modules based on solid sorbent materials.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to capture systems and methods, and more specifically to systems and methods that facilitate the optimization of water vapor adsorption and desorption by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed. [Background technology]

[0002] At least some known industrial and power generation processes can result in the generation of gaseous flows containing pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2). To facilitate the removal of pollutants from the gaseous flows before they are released into the atmosphere, at least some known systems include capture systems. For example, capture systems can be used to capture CO2 and store it underground to reduce the amount of CO2 unnecessarily released into the atmosphere.

[0003] At least some known capture systems use an adsorbent bed to capture CO2. In some of these capture systems, sorbent material can be used with the adsorbent bed to facilitate the adsorption and desorption of CO2. To facilitate increasing the amount of CO2 captured, at least some known capture systems use direct heating and cooling of the adsorbent bed. However, direct heating and cooling can contaminate the sorbent material.

[0004] In some known systems, solid sorbent materials can be used with an adsorbent bed to promote CO2 adsorption and desorption, improving adsorption capacity and efficiency, in contrast to conventional liquid amine-based CO2 capture processes. However, the effectiveness of solid sorbent systems may be limited based on the chemical structure and / or thickness of the solid sorbent material. In addition, the presence of water (H2O) in the gaseous stream, such as in the form of water vapor, may reduce the effectiveness of adsorption and desorption by the solid sorbent material. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2963107 [Overview of the project]

[0006] Therefore, a capture system and method is needed that utilizes the temperature control and physical and chemical properties of one or more solid sorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of water vapor adsorption and desorption by the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The method comprises receiving a gas flow through one or more adsorbent beds, each of which comprises one or more adsorption modules, each comprising one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more sorbent properties. The method also comprises receiving a regulating fluid flow by a contactor for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules, the regulating fluid flow comprising a cold flow and a warm flow. The method also comprises adsorbing water vapor from the gas flow through one of the one or more solid sorbent materials by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, and adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow through one or more solid sorbent materials by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules. The method further comprises discharging an exhaust flow through one or more adsorbent beds, and regulating the temperature of the first adsorption module based on one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module to facilitate the adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module and subsequently released.

[0008] In another aspect, a capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The capture system includes one or more adsorbent beds including one or more adsorption modules, and the one or more adsorption modules include one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more solvent characteristics. The one or more adsorbent beds are oriented to receive a gas stream and adsorb water vapor from the gas stream through one of the one or more solid sorbent materials within a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, and adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream through one or more of the one or more solid sorbent materials within one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules, and discharge an exhaust stream depleted of water vapor and carbon dioxide. The capture system also includes a contactor oriented to receive a conditioning fluid stream for use in controlling the temperature of the one or more adsorption modules, and a controller configured to adjust the temperature of the first adsorption module based on one or more of the solvent characteristics of the solid sorbent material within the first adsorption module to facilitate adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module and then released.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 2] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary adsorption module that can be used with the capture system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an alternative exemplary capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 4] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary control system that can be used with the capture systems of FIGS. 1 and 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of an alternative capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 6] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for capturing CO2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments described herein relate to capture systems and methods that utilize temperature control and physical and chemical properties of one or more solid sorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of water vapor adsorption and desorption by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed. The advantages of the systems and methods described herein over the prior art include, at least, (i) increased efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption in subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed by adsorbing and desorbing water vapor from a gas flow within the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed; (ii) increased efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by changing the chemical properties of one or more adsorbents in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed, including but not limited to their chemical structure; and (iii) increased efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by changing the physical properties of one or more sorbents in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed, including but not limited to their sorbent thickness.

[0011] When introducing elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there is one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be comprehensive and mean that there may be additional elements other than those listed.

[0012] Unless otherwise indicated, the approximation terms used herein, such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about,” indicate that the terms thus modified may only apply to an approximate degree as recognized by those skilled in the art, and not to an absolute or complete degree. Therefore, values ​​modified with terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are not limited to the exact values ​​specified. In at least some examples, the approximation terms may correspond to the precision of the instruments used to measure the values. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used herein merely as identifiers and are not intended to impose any order, position, or hierarchical requirements on the items they refer to. Moreover, for example, the reference to a “second” item does not require or exclude the existence of a “first” or smaller numbered item, or a “third” or larger numbered item.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system 100 that may be used to capture CO2 using an adsorbent bed 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes at least one adsorption module 104. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes four adsorption modules 104a to 104d. In some embodiments, the capture system 100 may include more or fewer than four adsorption modules 104. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes an inlet 106 and an outlet 108. The inlet 106 and outlet 108 are oriented so that during operation, the gas flow 110 received through the inlet 106 is guided in series through each adsorption module 104 toward the outlet 108. As the gas flow 110 is guided through each adsorption module 104, the adsorbent bed 102 captures H2O and CO2 from the gas flow 110 and discharges the CO2-depleted exhaust flow 112 through the outlet 108.

[0014] In general, the gas stream 110 may be any suitable gas known in the art that contains the contaminants to be removed. For example, the gas stream 110 may be air, flue gas, after-combustion gas, natural gas, and / or a combination thereof. In exemplary embodiments, the gas stream 110 contains CO2. In some embodiments, CO2 may be present in the gas stream 110 in the range of about 400 ppm to about 15 v%. In other embodiments, CO2 may be present in the gas stream 110 in the range of about 0.04 v% to about 30 v%.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the CO2 concentration in the gas flow 110 is generally highest when the gas flow 110 enters the inlet 106. As the CO2 is adsorbed by each subsequent adsorption module 104, the CO2 concentration in the gas flow 110 decreases as the gas flow 110 is guided through the adsorption modules 104a to 104d toward the outlet 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the CO2 concentration in the gas flow 110 flowing through the adsorption modules 104a to 104d is lowest at the outlet 108.

[0016] In addition, in exemplary embodiments, the gas stream 110 contains H2O. For example, the gas stream 110 may be received by the first adsorption module 104a of the adsorbent bed 102 at a specific humidity. In exemplary embodiments, the concentration of H2O is generally highest when the gas stream 110 enters the inlet 106.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorption module 104 includes a contactor 114. The contactor 114 includes a contactor inlet 118, a contactor outlet 120, and a fluid circuit 202 (shown in Figure 2) defined between the contactor inlet 118 and the contactor outlet 120 and extending from the contactor inlet 118 to the contactor outlet 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorption module 104 also includes a plate 204 (shown in Figure 2) coated with sorbent 116 in solid form to facilitate the adsorption of CO2 or H2O. For example, the sorbent 116 may be in the form of a powder, a composite material mixed with a binder, a film or coating, a packed bed, and / or a column. In some embodiments, the sorbent 116 may be the same within each adsorption module 104, provided that all adsorption modules 104a-104d are configured to capture CO2. In other embodiments, if at least one of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d is configured to capture H2O, the sorbent 116 may be different within at least one of the adsorption modules 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 and the plate 204 are adjacent to each other to facilitate indirect heating and / or cooling of the sorbent 116 coated on the plate 204.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the flow 122 received through the contactor inlet 118 facilitates the temperature regulation of the sorbent 116 coated on the plate 204 via heat transfer between the flow 122 flowing through the fluid circuit 202 (shown in Figure 2) and the plate 204. For example, the regulated temperature T of the flow 122 reg Using this, the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104 cntlThe flow can be increased or decreased. In some embodiments, the flow 122 may be in liquid form. In other embodiments, the flow 122 may be in gaseous form. Convection between the flow 122 flowing through the fluid circuit 202 and the sorbent 116 coated on the plate 204 facilitates temperature control of the sorbent 116 without the risk of contamination that may occur from direct contact with the flow 122. The design of the contactor 114 shown in Figure 2 is intended as an example and is not intended to limit the design of the contactor 114. For example, in some embodiments, the design of the contactor 114 may differ from that shown in Figure 2 for one or more adsorption modules 104.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, flow 122 consists of a mixture of cold flow 132 and warm flow 134, which exits from the contactor outlet 120 as a mixed flow 123. The mixture of cold flow 132 and warm flow 134 facilitates temperature control of the sorbent 116. For example, the low temperature of cold flow 132 cld and high temperature T of warm flow 134 hot Using a mixture of these, the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104 is set. cntl To control the flow 122, the adjusted temperature T reg The amount can be increased or decreased. In some embodiments, the cold flow 132 and the warm flow 134 each contain water, H2O, in either liquid (e.g., water) or gaseous (e.g., steam) form. For example, H2O may be present in the cold flow 132 and / or warm flow 134 in a range of about 50 v% to 100 v%. In other embodiments, the cold flow 132 and / or warm flow 134 may contain a non-aqueous fluid.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the capture system 100 also includes a controller 124 that dynamically adjusts the operation of the capture system 100. For example, the controller 124 controls the temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104, as further described herein. cntl To control the flow 122 temperature T regOptimization of CO2 capture can be facilitated by changing , and the temperature change is based on the physical and / or chemical properties of the solvent 116.

[0021] The controller 124 facilitates the adjustment of the temperature of each adsorption module 104a - 104d by monitoring the temperature of the stream 122 and / or the temperature of the solvent 116 across the plate 204 (shown in FIG. 2). For example, the controller 124 uses a contactor sensor 126 (shown in FIG. 4) to monitor the adjusted temperature T of the stream 122 reg and can monitor it. Additionally, for example, the controller 124 uses a module sensor 128 (shown in FIG. 4) to monitor the controlled temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl and can monitor it.

[0022] At operating conditions where the controlled temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl is lower than desired, the controller 124 may selectively increase the adjusted temperature T of the stream 122, thereby indirectly increasing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, at operating conditions where the controlled temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 reg <00000, is higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively reduce the adjusted temperature T of the stream 122, thereby indirectly decreasing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. cntl reg reg The controller 124 may also monitor the adjusted temperature T of the stream 122 using a first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) and a second valve sensor 129 (shown in FIG. 4). For example, the first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) may monitor the low temperature T of the cold stream 132 as the cold stream 132 flows through the first valve 142

[0023] [[ID=)23]] reg reg cld cld hot hot hot

[0024] Control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl If the operating conditions are lower than desired, the controller 124 will detect the high temperature T of the warm flow 134 as detected by the first valve sensor 127 and / or the second valve sensor 129. hot and / or cold T of cold flow 132 cld Based on this, the flow rate of the warm flow 134 through the second valve 144 may be selectively increased, and / or the flow rate of the cold flow 132 through the first valve 142 may be selectively decreased. Alternatively, the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 may be controlled. cntl If the operating conditions are higher than desired, the controller 124 will detect the high temperature T of the warm flow 134 as detected by the first valve sensor 127 and / or the second valve sensor 129. hot and / or cold T of cold flow 132 cld Based on this, the flow rate of the warm flow 134 through the second valve 144 may be selectively reduced, and / or the flow rate of the cold flow 132 through the first valve 142 may be selectively increased. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates temperature control of each adsorption module 104a to 104d by simultaneously monitoring the flow rate and temperature of the flow 122. The controller 124 can facilitate temperature control of each adsorption module 104a to 104d depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing H2O or CO2.

[0025] Generally, the adjusted temperature T of flow 122 reg Consequently, the temperature of the adsorption module 104 may be any suitable temperature known in the art that facilitates the capture of H2O or CO2 by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 reg This is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d. In some embodiments, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 is monitored. reg The flow may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104. In other embodiments, the controlled temperature T of the flow 122 regThis may vary across different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0026] In general, the flow rates of flow 122 and mixed flow 123 may be any suitable flow rates known in the art that facilitate the capture of H2O or CO2 by the system described herein. In exemplary embodiments, the flow rate of flow 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d, and the flow rate of mixed flow 123 exiting each adsorption module 104a-104d is monitored. In some embodiments, the flow rates of flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a-104d. In other embodiments, the flow rates of flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 may vary across different adsorption modules 104a-104d.

[0027] In addition, the controller 124 adjusts the temperature T of the flow 122 within any of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. reg The following can be changed. For example, one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d may include one or more module sensors 128 (shown in Figure 4). Thus, the controller 124 can create a temperature profile that includes various values ​​of the adjusted temperature Treg of the flow 122 in any or all of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0028] Adjusted temperature T for flow 122 reg This may be based on the temperature of an extractive flow (not shown) from a steam turbine (not shown). For example, the steam turbine may be part of a combined cycle power plant (not shown), and the extractive flow from the steam turbine is used to change the temperature of flow 122. In some embodiments, the extractive flow can heat flow 122 through convection transfer via one or more heat exchangers (not shown), either directly instead of mixing the cold flow 132 and the warm flow 134, or indirectly to heat the warm flow 134.

[0029] Furthermore, the controller 124 can easily adjust the temperature of each adsorption module 104a to 104d by monitoring the flow rate of the mixed flow 123 through the third valve 146. For example, the controller can use a third valve sensor 147 (shown in Figure 4) to monitor the flow rate of the mixed flow 123 exiting adsorption module 104. The control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl Under operating conditions lower and / or higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively change the flow rate of the mixed flow 123 through the third valve 146 depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing H2O or CO2.

[0030] Generally, the high temperature T of the warm flow 134 hot and the low temperature T of the cold flow 132 cld Therefore, the adjusted temperature T of flow 122 reg and the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104 cntl This can be any suitable temperature known in the art that facilitates the capture and release of H2O or CO2 by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjusted temperature T of flow 122 is reg This is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d. In some embodiments, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 is monitored. reg The flow may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a to 104d. In other embodiments, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 reg This may vary across different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the first adsorption module 104a is used to adsorb and desorb H2O contained in the gas flow 110. Optimizing the operating conditions of the first adsorption module 104a for H2O adsorption and desorption facilitates the optimization of the operating conditions of subsequent adsorption modules for CO2 adsorption and desorption (e.g., the second adsorption module 104b, the third adsorption module 104c, and the fourth adsorption module 104d). In some embodiments, the first adsorption module 104a may include one solid sorbent material (e.g., one of the sorbent 116) for adsorbing and desorbing H2O. In other embodiments, the first adsorption module 104a may include one or more solid sorbent materials (e.g., one or more of the sorbent 116) for adsorbing and desorbing H2O, which may be the same or different solid sorbent materials.

[0032] For example, the adsorption and desorption of H2O by the first adsorption module 104a may be optimized by using changes in the physical and / or chemical properties of the sorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates temperature adjustment of the first adsorption module 104a based on the physical and / or chemical properties of the sorbent 116. For example, the adsorption and / or desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102 can be controlled by adjusting the temperature T of the first adsorption module 104a based on the chemical structure of the sorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. cntl This may be controlled by changing the following. Generally, the efficiency of the adsorbent bed 102 is increased by adjusting the chemical structure of the sorbent 116 in the first adsorption module 104a based on the concentration of H2O in the gas stream 110 introduced through the first adsorption module 104a.

[0033] The sorbent 116 in the first adsorption module 104a may be any suitable sorbent known in the art that facilitates the capture of H2O as described herein. The properties of the sorbent 116, such as porosity, stability, particle morphology, and conductivity, may be adjusted to suit a particular application. Thus, adjusting the chemical structure of the sorbent 116 may include, but is not limited to, its porosity, stability, particle morphology, and / or conductivity. In addition, the thickness of the sorbent 116 in the first adsorption module 104a may be any suitable thickness known in the art that facilitates the capture of H2O.

[0034] In some embodiments, desorption within the adsorption bed 102 may occur simultaneously for both CO2 and H2O. Therefore, in these embodiments, the desorbed CO2 and H2O need to be separated downstream. In other embodiments, desorption within the adsorption bed 102 may occur sequentially for CO2 and H2O. For example, the first adsorption module 104a or subsequent adsorption modules 104a to 104d may be controlled to desorb one of CO2 or H2O first, and then the other CO2 or H2O second, by sequentially heating one or more solid sorbent materials specific to the desorption of CO2 or H2O.

[0035] Generally, the temperature of the gas flow 110 entering the fourth adsorption module 104d is higher than the temperature of the gas flow 110 entering any of the first adsorption modules 104a to the third adsorption modules 104c, due to the heat generated by the exothermic process of adsorbing H2O in the first adsorption module and CO2 in the second adsorption module 104b and the third adsorption module 104c. Therefore, the temperature of the gas flow 110 generally increases as the gas flow 110 is guided from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the flow 122 is the control temperature T of each adsorption module 104a to 104d. cntlThe temperature of the flow 122 varies across different adsorption modules 104a to 104d, based on the heat generated within each adsorption module 104a to 104d, as well as the molecules being adsorbed. For example, the temperature of the flow 122 may be lowest for the fourth adsorption module 104d to maximize CO2 capture from the gas flow 110 at its lowest CO2 content across adsorption modules 104a to 104d. In addition, for example, the temperature of the flow 122 may be highest for the second adsorption module 104b to manage CO2 capture during the adsorption operation mode when the gas flow 110 is at its highest CO2 content across adsorption modules 104a to 104d, after the H2O in the gas flow 110 has been adsorbed by the first adsorption module 104a, which has its own optimal control temperature.

[0036] Adjusted temperature T of flow 122 across different adsorption modules 104a to 104d reg By and / or by changing the temperature of the mixed flow 123, the controller 124 can facilitate the optimization of H2O and CO2 adsorption on the adsorbent bed 102 in order to increase the adsorption and desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. Generally, increasing the proportion of module capacity used by at least one adsorption module 104a-104d increases the efficiency of the capture system 100. For example, the control temperature T of the subsequent adsorption modules 104a-104d cntl To reduce the flow rate, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 across the adsorption modules 104a to 104d is adjusted. reg And / or by changing the temperature of the mixed flow 123, the proportion of module capacity used by subsequent adsorption modules (adsorption modules 104b-104d, etc.) can be increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0037] In addition, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 is determined based on the physical properties of the sorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. regBy changing the temperature T of the flow 122 in the first adsorption module 104a, the controller 124 can adjust the H2O and increase the CO2 adsorption and desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102, thereby facilitating the optimization of CO2 adsorption in the adsorbent bed 102. For example, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 in the first adsorption module 104a can be adjusted to optimize H2O adsorption and desorption based on the thickness of the sorbent 116. reg By changing this, the proportion of module capacity used by one or more subsequent adsorption modules 104b to 104d for CO2 adsorption and desorption can be increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0038] Furthermore, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 is determined based on the chemical properties of the sorbent 116 within the first adsorption module 104a. reg By changing the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102, the controller 124 can facilitate the optimization of the adsorption and desorption of H2O and CO2 in the adsorbent bed 102. For example, the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122 in the first adsorption module 104a to optimize the adsorption and desorption of H2O based on the chemical structure of the sorbent 116. reg By changing the adjusted temperature T of the flow 122, the proportion of module capacity used by one or more subsequent adsorption modules 104b-104d for CO2 adsorption and desorption can be increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of the capture system 100. reg This may be based on, but is not limited to, changes in chemical structural properties such as porosity, stability, particle morphology, conductivity, compound and / or linker, geometric shape, size, shape, and / or internal surface properties.

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption module 104 including a contactor 114 and a plate 204. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 includes a fluid circuit 202 extending between a contactor inlet 118 and a contactor outlet 120. The plate 204 is coated with a sorbent 116 for adsorbing CO2 or H2O. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 and the plate 204 are located close to each other to facilitate indirect heating and / or cooling of the sorbent coated on the plate 204.

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system 300 that may be used to capture CO2 using multiple adsorbent beds 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the system 300 includes three adsorbent beds 102a to 102c. The capture system 300 shown in Figure 3 is similar to the capture system 100 (shown in Figure 1), with the differences described below, and therefore, the same reference numerals are used in Figure 3 for the same components as those used in Figure 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the inlets 106 of each adsorbent bed 102 are connected in parallel by an inlet line 302. In some embodiments, the capture system 300 may include more or fewer than three adsorbent beds 102a to 102c.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the gas flow 110 is guided through an inlet line 302, and the flow rate of the gas flow 110 through each respective adsorbent bed 102 is controlled via a plurality of respective inlet valves 304. In an exemplary embodiment, each inlet valve 304 communicates with a controller 124, allowing the controller 124 to selectively control the flow of the gas flow 110 from the inlet line 302 through the corresponding adsorbent bed 102. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, inlet valve 304a controls the flow rate of the gas flow 110 to the adsorbent bed 102a. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlets 108 of each adsorbent bed 102a-102c are coupled in parallel by an outlet line 308, and as a result, exhaust flow 112 is guided from each adsorbent bed 102 through the outlet line 308 and discharged from the capture system 300. In addition, the mixed flow 123 output from one or more adsorbent beds 102a to 102c may be processed or routed to be reused as a warm flow 134 and / or a cold flow 132 in one or more other adsorbent beds 102a to 102c via a heat addition exchanger or heat removal exchanger (not shown).

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 can control the flow rate of the gas flow 110 entering the adsorbent beds 102a-102c through the control of the inlet valves 304a-304c. Selective use of at least one adsorbent bed 102a-102c to capture H2O and CO2 from the gas flow 110 can facilitate the optimization of the efficiency of the capture system 300. For example, the controller 124 can use a minimum number of adsorbent beds 102a-102c as needed to facilitate the optimization of H2O and / or CO2 capture from the gas flow 110. Thus, the flow rate of the gas flow 110 entering at least one adsorbent bed 102a-102c can be adjusted by the controller 124 by selectively opening and closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a-304c. When the adsorbent bed 102 is not receiving the gas flow 110, the exhaust isolation valve 306 can be closed. In addition, for example, the controller 124 can use two or more adsorbent beds 102a-102c in parallel to optimize the capture of H2O and / or CO2 from the gas flow 110. Thus, the flow rate of the gas flow 110 entering and leaving at least one of the adsorbent beds 102a-102c can be variably adjusted by the controller 124 by selectively opening and closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a-304c. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor outlet 120 of each adsorption module 104 is connected in parallel to the outlet line 308.

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary control system 400 that can be used to capture H2O and CO2 using capture systems such as capture system 100 (shown in Figure 1) and / or capture system 300 (shown in Figure 3). In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 includes memory 402 and a processor 404. The controller 124 controls the regulated temperature T of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 (shown in Figure 1), but is not limited to this control. regBased on data received by the control system 400 from the contactor sensor 126, the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d can be adjusted. The controller 124 adjusts the temperature T reg The temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d can be adjusted based on a comparison with data stored in memory 402, such as a desired range of values, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or data analyzed by processor 404.

[0044] In addition, the controller 124 controls the temperature T of one or more adsorption modules 104, but is not limited to this controller. cntl Based on data received by the control system 400 from the module sensor 128, the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a to 104d can be adjusted. The controller 124 controls the temperature T cntl The temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104 can be adjusted based on a comparison with data stored in memory 402, such as a desired range of values, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or data analyzed by processor 404.

[0045] The controller 124 may also adjust the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a-104d based on data received by the control system 400 from the first valve sensor 127, the second valve sensor 129, and / or the third valve sensor 147, such as the temperature and / or flow rate of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123. The controller 124 may adjust the temperature and / or flow rate of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 based on a comparison with data stored in memory 402, such as a desired range of temperature and / or flow rate of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0046] Furthermore, the controller 124 can adjust the temperature of the first adsorption module 104a based on input data stored by the control system 400, including, but not limited to, the thickness and / or chemical structure of the sorbent 116, and the resulting H2O and / or CO2 adsorption and desorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. The controller 124 can adjust the temperature and / or flow rate of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 based on a comparison with data stored in memory 402, including the H2O adsorption and desorption capacity of one or more physical and / or chemical properties of the sorbent 116, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or measurement data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a capture system 500 that may be used to capture CO2 using an adsorbent bed 102. The capture system 500 shown in Figure 5 is similar to the capture system 100 (shown in Figure 1) and the capture system 300 (shown in Figure 3), with the differences described below, and therefore, the same reference numerals are used in Figure 5 for the same components as in Figures 1 and 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the first adsorption module 104a includes a contactor inlet 118, and the fourth adsorption module 104d includes a contactor outlet 120. The flow 122 received by the contactor inlet 118 facilitates temperature regulation of at least one of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d, and each adsorption module 104a to 104d is connected in a series flow relationship from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d.

[0048] The controller 124 facilitates temperature control of at least one of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d by monitoring the temperature of the flow 122 as the flow 122 travels through each adsorption module 104a to 104d in series. For example, line 502 may include one or more of the first valve sensor 127, the second valve sensor 129, and / or the third valve sensor 147 (shown in Figure 4) to monitor the temperature of the flow 122a to 122d in each of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. cntl Under operating conditions higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively reduce the temperature of the flow 122, thereby reducing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 may be reduced. cntl If the temperature is higher than desired, the temperature of the flow 122 will be higher than the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104. cntl Under lower operating conditions, the controller 124 may selectively increase the flow rate of the flow 122, thereby reducing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104.

[0049] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 600 for capturing CO2. In an exemplary embodiment, method 600 comprises receiving a gas flow through one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, each of which comprises one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more sorbent properties. Method 600 also comprises receiving a regulating fluid flow by a contactor for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules, the regulating fluid flow comprising a cold flow and a warm flow. Method 600 also comprises adsorbing water vapor from the gas flow through one of the solid sorbent materials by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, and adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow through one or more solid sorbent materials by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules, Method 600 further includes 610 discharging the exhaust flow through one or more adsorbent beds and 612 adjusting the temperature of the first adsorption module based on one or more sorbent properties of solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module to facilitate adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module and subsequently released.

[0050] This specification describes exemplary capture systems and methods that utilize temperature control and physical and chemical properties of one or more solid sorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of water vapor adsorption and desorption by a first adsorption module of an adsorbent bed, thereby optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas by subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed. Exemplary systems and methods as described herein offer several advantages over conventional designs and processes, including: increased efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption in subsequent adsorption modules of the adsorbent bed by adsorbing and desorbing water vapor from a gas flow within the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed; increased efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by altering the chemical properties of one or more adsorbents in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed, including but not limited to their chemical structure; and increased efficiency and performance of water vapor adsorption and desorption by altering the physical properties of one or more sorbents in the first adsorption module of the adsorbent bed, including but not limited to their sorbent thickness.

[0051] The above description is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention. Modifications that fall within the scope of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art in light of the examination of this disclosure, and such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. The systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and rather, some of the various systems may be used separately and independently of other systems described herein.

[0052] Certain features of various embodiments of the present invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but this is merely for convenience. Furthermore, where “one embodiment” is referenced in the above description, this is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments incorporating the same features. According to the principles of the present invention, any feature in the drawings may be referenced and / or claimed in combination with any feature in any other drawing.

[0053] Further aspects of the present invention are provided by the subject matter of the following sections.

[0054] A method for capturing carbon dioxide, comprising: receiving a gas flow through one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, each of the one or more adsorption modules comprising one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more sorbent properties; receiving a regulating fluid flow for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules, the regulating fluid flow comprising a cold flow and a warm flow; adsorbing water vapor from the gas flow through one of the one or more solid sorbent materials by a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules; adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow through one or more solid sorbent materials by one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules; discharging an exhaust flow through one or more adsorbent beds; and adjusting the temperature of the first adsorption module based on one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module to facilitate the adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module and subsequently released.

[0055] The method according to any of the preceding sections, further comprising facilitating an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by one or more subsequent adsorption modules and subsequently released.

[0056] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein changing one or more sorbent properties of one or more solid sorbent materials includes changing the sorbent thickness of one or more solid sorbent materials.

[0057] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein changing one or more sorbent properties of a solid sorbent material includes changing the sorbent chemical structure of the solid sorbent material in a first adsorption module.

[0058] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein changing one or more sorbent properties of a solid sorbent material further includes changing one or more of the porosity, geometric shape, size, and form of the solid sorbent material in a first adsorption module.

[0059] The method according to any of the preceding sections, further comprising adjusting the temperature of one or more subsequent adsorption modules to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by one or more adsorbent beds and subsequently released.

[0060] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein adjusting the temperature of one or more adsorption modules includes receiving a cold flow through a cold flow valve and a warm flow through a warm flow valve, and adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow through the cold flow valve and the warm flow through the warm flow valve.

[0061] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein adjusting the temperature of one or more adsorption modules further includes adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the cold and warm flow in order to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid flow.

[0062] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein receiving a gas flow includes receiving a gas flow through a plurality of adsorbent beds connected in parallel, each of which includes one or more adsorption modules.

[0063] The method according to any of the preceding sections, wherein receiving a gas flow includes receiving a gas flow by one or more adsorbent beds, each of which includes a plurality of adsorption modules connected in series.

[0064] A capture system for use in carbon dioxide capture, comprising: one or more adsorbent beds comprising one or more adsorption modules, wherein one or more adsorption modules comprise one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more sorbent properties, and the one or more adsorbent beds are oriented to receive a gas flow and adsorb water vapor from the gas flow via one of the solid sorbent materials in a first adsorption module of the one or more adsorption modules, and adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas flow via one or more solid sorbent materials in one or more subsequent adsorption modules of the one or more adsorption modules, and discharge an exhaust flow depleted of water vapor and carbon dioxide; a contactor oriented to receive a regulating fluid flow for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules; and a controller configured to adjust the temperature of the first adsorption module based on the sorbent properties of one or more solid sorbent materials in the first adsorption module in order to facilitate adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module and subsequently released.

[0065] The capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein the controller is further configured to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide that is captured and subsequently released by one or more subsequent adsorption modules.

[0066] A capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein one or more sorbent properties of a solid sorbent material include the sorbent thickness of the solid sorbent material in a first adsorption module.

[0067] A capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein one or more sorbent properties of a solid sorbent material include the sorbent chemical structure of the solid sorbent material in a first adsorption module.

[0068] A capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein changing one or more sorbent properties of a solid sorbent material further includes changing one or more of the porosity, geometric shape, size, and form of the solid sorbent material in a first adsorption module.

[0069] The capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of one or more subsequent adsorption modules to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by one or more adsorbent beds and subsequently released.

[0070] The capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a cold flow through a cold flow valve and a warm flow through a warm flow valve, and to regulate the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow through the cold flow valve and the warm flow through the warm flow valve.

[0071] The capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the flow rate of at least one of the cold and warm flows in order to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid flow.

[0072] A capture system according to any of the preceding sections, wherein one or more adsorbent beds include a plurality of adsorbent beds connected in parallel, and each of the plurality of adsorbent beds includes one or more adsorption modules.

[0073] The capture system described in any of the preceding sections includes one or more adsorption modules, comprising a plurality of adsorption modules connected in series.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described in relation to various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be implemented with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 100 Capture Systems 102 Adsorbent floor 102a~c Adsorbent bed 104 Adsorption Module 104a~d Adsorption Module 106 Entrance 108 Exit 110 Gas flow 112 Exhaust flow 114 Contactor 116 Sorbent 118 Contactor inlet 120 Contactor outlet 122 Flow 123 Mixed flow 124 Controllers 126 Contactor Sensor 127 First valve recovery 128 Module Sensors 129 Second valve sensor 132 Cold current 134 Warm current 142 First valve 144 Second valve 146 Third valve 147 Third valve sensor 202 Fluid circuit 204 Plate 300 Capture System 302 Entrance Line 304 Inlet valve 304a~c Inlet valve 306 Exhaust isolation valve 308 Exit Line 400 Control Systems 402 memory 404 Processor 500 Capture System Line 502 600 ways 602 Receiving a gas flow 604 Receiving a fluid flow for adjustment 606 Adsorption of water vapor from a gas stream 608 Adsorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream 610 Exhaust flow is discharged by one or more adsorbent beds. 612 Adjusting the temperature of the first adsorption module.

Claims

1. A method for capturing carbon dioxide (600), Receiving a gas flow (110) by one or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) including one or more adsorption modules (104a to d), wherein each of the one or more adsorption modules (104) includes one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more sorbent properties, The contactor (114) receives (604) a regulating fluid flow for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules (104a to d), wherein the regulating fluid flow includes a cold flow (132) and a warm flow (134), The first adsorption module (104a) of the one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) adsorbs water vapor from the gas stream (110) via one of the one or more solid sorbent materials (606), The carbon dioxide is adsorbed from the gas stream (110) via the solid sorbent material by one or more subsequent adsorption modules (104b to d) of the one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) (608), Discharging the exhaust flow (112) through one or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) (610), To facilitate the adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module (104a) and subsequently released, the temperature of the first adsorption module (104a) is adjusted based on the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a) (612) Method (600), including.

2. The method according to claim 1 (600), further comprising promoting an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by one or more subsequent adsorption modules (104b to d) and subsequently released.

3. The method according to claim 1 (600), wherein changing one or more sorbent properties of the one or more solid sorbent materials includes changing the sorbent thickness of the one or more solid sorbent materials.

4. The method according to claim 1 (600), wherein changing the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material includes changing the sorbent chemical structure of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a).

5. The method according to claim 4 (600), wherein changing the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material further includes changing one or more of the porosity, geometric shape, size, and shape of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a).

6. The method according to claim 2 (600), further comprising adjusting the temperature of one or more subsequent adsorption modules (104b to d) to promote an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the one or more adsorption beds (102a to c) and subsequently released.

7. Adjusting the temperature of one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) involves receiving the cold flow (132) through a cold flow valve and receiving the warm flow (134) through a warm flow valve, To adjust the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow (132) passing through the cold flow valve and the warm flow (134) passing through the warm flow valve. The method according to claim 6 (600), including the method according to claim 6.

8. The method according to claim 7 (600), wherein adjusting the temperature of one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) further includes adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow (132) and the warm flow (134) in order to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid flow.

9. The method according to claim 1 (600), wherein receiving a gas flow (110) (602) includes receiving the gas flow (110) by a plurality of adsorbent beds (102a to c) connected in parallel, each of the plurality of adsorbent beds (102a to c) includes one or more adsorption modules (104a to d).

10. The method according to claim 1 (600), wherein receiving a gas flow (110) (602) includes receiving the gas flow (110) by one or more adsorbent beds (102a to c), each of which includes a plurality of adsorption modules (104a to d) connected in series.

11. A capture system (100, 300, 500) for use in carbon dioxide capture, One or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) comprising one or more adsorption modules (104a to d), wherein the one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) comprises one or more solid sorbent materials having one or more sorbent properties, and the one or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) Receiving the gas flow (110), In the first adsorption module (104a) of the one or more adsorption modules (104a to d), water vapor is adsorbed from the gas flow (110) via one of the one or more solid sorbent materials. In one or more subsequent adsorption modules (104b to d) of the one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) described above, carbon dioxide is adsorbed from the gas stream (110) via the one or more solid sorbent materials. One or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) are oriented to discharge an exhaust flow (112) depleted of water vapor and carbon dioxide, A contactor (114) oriented to receive a regulating fluid flow for use in controlling the temperature of one or more adsorption modules (104b to d), A controller (124) is configured to adjust the temperature of the first adsorption module (104a) based on the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a) in order to facilitate the adjustment of the amount of water vapor captured by the first adsorption module (104a) and subsequently released. A capture system (100, 300, 500) equipped with these features.

12. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 11, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by one or more subsequent adsorption modules (104b to d) and subsequently released.

13. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 11, wherein the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material include the sorbent thickness of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a).

14. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 11, wherein the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material include the sorbent chemical structure of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a).

15. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 14, wherein changing the one or more sorbent properties of the solid sorbent material further includes changing one or more of the porosity, geometric shape, size, and shape of the solid sorbent material in the first adsorption module (104a).

16. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 12, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to adjust the temperature of the one or more subsequent adsorption modules (104b to d) in order to promote an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the one or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) and subsequently released.

17. The controller (124) is It receives a cold flow (132) through the cold flow valve and a warm flow (134) through the warm flow valve. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 16, further configured to regulate the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow (132) passing through the cold flow valve and the warm flow (134) passing through the warm flow valve.

18. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 17, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to adjust the flow rate of at least one of the cold flow (132) and the warm flow (134) in order to reduce the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid flow.

19. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 11, wherein the one or more adsorbent beds (102a to c) include a plurality of adsorbent beds (102a to c) connected in parallel, and each of the plurality of adsorbent beds (102a to c) includes one or more adsorption modules (104a to d).

20. The capture system (100, 300, 500) according to claim 11, wherein the one or more adsorption modules (104a to d) include a plurality of adsorption modules (104a to d) connected in series.

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