Air treatment systems and methods for building environments

Abstract

A carbon capture system that is operationally related to the building environment is provided. This system may include a direct air carbon dioxide capture component that is operationally involved with the mechanical components of the building environment. A carbon capture system that is operationally related to the building environment is also provided. This system may include a direct air carbon dioxide capture component that is operationally involved with the combustion carbon capture system of the building environment. A method for capturing carbon dioxide related to the building environment is provided. This method may include involving a direct air carbon dioxide capture component with the mechanical components of the building environment to generate both a reduced carbon dioxide air stream and a carbon dioxide stream.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 463,838, entitled "Building Air Processing Systems and Methods," filed on May 3, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The field of the present invention relates to the treatment of ambient and / or associated air in a building environment. Exemplary systems and / or methods can be utilized to process building air from inside and / or around a building, including carbon dioxide management systems and methods, and more specifically, can be utilized in multi - story or large - footprint buildings that use a large amount of combustion energy sources for building systems such as steam heating and hot water, generating emissions as a by - product. Other building environments can include stand - alone facilities that generate carbon dioxide.

Background Art

[0003] Carbon dioxide is generated in many building environments. This environment ranges from large - scale industrial facilities to small - scale stand - alone fixed facilities such as remote stand - alone compressors. As an example, carbon dioxide generation in buildings, especially in metropolitan areas, significantly contributes to global carbon dioxide generation. Currently, carbon dioxide is designated as a global warming compound, and its reduction is globally required. Although carbon dioxide is an essential element for life and an indispensable element for breathing, it is important to suppress carbon dioxide generation for climate change countermeasures.

[0004] Furthermore, in order to improve the living environment, it has become more important to regulate the indoor air in buildings. Therefore, it has become clear that the accumulation of high concentrations of carbon dioxide or other gases in living spaces generally results in what is commonly referred to as "stagnant air." This stagnant air can pose a problem as it increases the health risks to occupants.

[0005] This disclosure provides building environmental air treatment and systems that can address carbon dioxide generation and / or accumulation within buildings, carbon dioxide capture from the air surrounding buildings, and carbon dioxide generation and diffusion from the combustion of fossil fuels in metropolitan areas. This disclosure provides methods for improving habitable air in buildings using embodiments provided herein. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] A building environment carbon capture system is provided that is operationally related to the building environment and includes a direct air carbon dioxide capture component that is operationally involved with the mechanical components of the building environment.

[0007] A carbon capture system that is operationally related to the building environment is provided. This system may include a direct air carbon dioxide capture component that is operationally involved with the building environment carbon capture system.

[0008] A method for capturing carbon dioxide associated with the building environment is provided. This method may involve engaging a direct air carbon dioxide capture component with the mechanical components of the building environment to generate both a reduced carbon dioxide air stream and a carbon dioxide stream. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the following attached drawings. [Figure 1] This is a description of a direct air recovery module related to a building environment, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a more detailed diagrammatic depiction of one implementation of a direct air recovery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a description of a direct air recovery module in combination with a building environment HVAC system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]This is a more detailed description of the integration of the HVAC system with the individual components of the direct air recovery module. [Figure 5] This is a description of a direct air recovery module in combination with a carbon capture component (carbon capture and utilization system, CCUS) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a description of a carbon capture system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a more detailed description of a part of a carbon capture system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a description of a direct air recovery module integrated with an HVAC system and carbon recovery components in a building environment, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a more detailed description of a direct air recovery system in combination with a building environment HVAC system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a description of a direct air recovery module and processing circuit in combination with a carbon recovery component (carbon capture and utilization system, CCUS) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 1-10. In this specification, a building environment can include one or more of the following building infrastructure environments: landfills, digesters, distributed power generation facilities (such as turbines, internal combustion engines, and fuel cells), compressors (stations), hydrogen production facilities, industrial plants, buildings (such as, but not limited to, industrial, commercial, municipal facilities, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings), and / or buildings as described in the following references, which are incorporated herein by reference. Before referring to the figures herein, the context of the disclosure should be considered in conjunction with the following published patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference: US2020 / 0340665, published October 29, 2020, entitled "Building Emission Processing and / or Sequestration Systems and Methods," by William A. Fuglevand et al.; WO2022 / 094124A1, published May 5, 2022, entitled "CO2 Separation Systems and Methods," by William A. Fuglevand et al.; WO2022 / 212719A1, published October 6, 2022, entitled "CO2 Separation Systems and Methods," by William A. Fuglevand et al.; and "Compositions, Systems, and Methods for Sequestering CO2 from WO2022 / 266377A1, titled "Combustion Flue Gas," by inventor William A. Fuglevand, and US2023 / 0112087A1, published on April 13, 2023, titled "Carbon Management Systems and Methods," by inventor Ken Byrd et al. In conjunction with the content referenced in the above references, the numbering of elements in this application can be made to match the numbering of the references.For example, building 30 is referenced in the reference materials and drawings herein, and further, processing component 10 (in this configuration, processing point source CO2 such as combustion products) includes, for example, combustion, separation, liquefaction, storage, and transfer, and for example, processing of combustion products containing CO2 (e.g., carbon capture and utilization system, CCUS) can be considered as point source processing.

[0011] First, referring to Figure 1, an exemplary building environment 30 is provided, which includes a direct air carbon dioxide recovery (DAC) component 20. The direct air recovery (DAC) component 20 can be coupled, for example, to draw in outside air and / or recirculated air from an HVAC system. Thus, the direct air recovery component 20 may have exhaust 24 coupled to an HVAC system and / or discharged directly from the building environment. The exhaust or stream 24 may include a composition of a stream 22 with low CO2. For example, stream 24 may include air from which CO2 has been removed. According to the exemplary implementation, the direct air recovery component 20 can provide an enhanced stream 26 of the substance removed from the direct air recovery component. Stream 26 may be a CO2-rich mixture, such as a CO2-rich air mixture. Stream 26 may also include, or essentially consist of, CO2, for example, mostly CO2 and trace-level fluid used to desorb CO2 from the component 20. According to the example implementation, the intake air 22 may contain carbon dioxide, and the carbon dioxide content of the stream 26 may be greater than that of the intake air 22.

[0012] Referring now to Figure 2, in a more detailed embodiment, the direct air recovery component is presented as two modules aligned in parallel. Although only two modules are represented here, multiple modules can also be represented, with multiple modules receiving air for recovery and multiple modules desorbing the recovered material. In the exemplary implementation, the intake air 22 is regulated through a control valve 31, and this intake air is directed to the DAC(A) module 28 for adsorption and can be discharged through a conduit 24. In another implementation, the control valve can regulate the airflow through the DAC(D) module 30 for desorption and discharge to an outlet 26.

[0013] The materials within these modules may be contactor materials such as substrate materials. These materials can be configured as monoliths, such as porous monoliths. The material can define linear channels that run in the direction of flow to limit the pressure drop between the intake and outlet. According to the exemplary implementation, these materials may have inner walls of linear channels coated with a certain amount of adsorbent. These adsorbents can be configured, for example, to selectively adsorb carbon dioxide compared to other components, and / or to desorb carbon dioxide, for example, in the event of pressure changes and / or heating of the material. According to the exemplary implementation, a series of processes can be carried out in which module 28 receives and adsorbs CO2, while module 30 desorbs CO2.

[0014] The adsorbent may include, but is not limited to, activated carbon, carbon molecular sieves, natural and synthetic zeolites (i.e., alkali metal aluminosilicates), aluminophosphate materials, nanoporous framework compositions such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and / or mesoporous silica having self-assembling ligands. The nanoporous framework composition may include at least two of the following materials: 1. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing multinuclear metal clusters bonded to an organic linker, and 2. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) containing multinuclear nonmetallic clusters bonded to an organic linker. The multinuclear clusters may be referred to as secondary structural units (SBUs) and impart structure and rigidity to the skeletal material. The nanoporous skeletal composition can further be functionalized with special ligands associated with the clusters and / or linkers.

[0015] Carbon adsorbents are readily available, low-cost, highly thermally stable, and have low sensitivity to moisture. These materials can be enhanced to improve surface area and pore structure, including functionalization with amine compounds and / or impregnation with amine compounds.

[0016] Zeolite adsorbents are low-cost, have high thermal stability, and may possess exchange cation properties. These materials can be enhanced to improve the Al / Si composition ratio and / or the exchange between alkali and alkaline earth cations. CO2 has a high linear quadrupole moment that interacts with cations inside the zeolite.

[0017] Mesoporous silica possesses high surface area, high pore volume, adjustable pore size, and excellent thermal and mechanical stability. These materials can be enhanced to provide novel material families such as SBA-n and ABS, modified to include amine compound supporting, and / or self-assemble amine-functionalized components into larger pore structures.

[0018] Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) may have high surface area, controllable pore structure, and / or pore surface properties. These materials can be constructed to provide novel types of MOFs and COFs, reduce synthesis and manufacturing costs, and / or improve stability to water vapor.

[0019] Furthermore, for any material, evaluations regarding specific functionalizations such as chemical attachment and / or self-assembly of amine-modified ligands, and control of the aluminum-to-silicon ratio in synthetic zeolites are possible.

[0020] The adsorbent material can include: activated carbon (AC), carbon molecular sieve (CMS), 3A zeolite (e.g., Grace 564 3A), 4A zeolite (e.g., Grace 514 4A), 5A zeolite (e.g., BASF, Grace 522 5A SYLOBEAD), 13X zeolite (e.g., Grace 544 13X, BASF 13X, Zeochem Z10-02), 13XAPG (e.g., UOP MOLSIV 13X APG), 13X APG III (i.e., UOP MOLSIV APG III), and Jalon JLPM3 molecular sieve, carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene-supported material, LiLSX zeolite (lithium-exchanged form of LSX zeolite, i.e., VSA-10), other cation exchange materials, and nanoporous framework composition materials.

[0021] Furthermore, one or more of these adsorbent materials can be improved. Certain materials, including reinforcing materials, can reduce the pressure or temperature required for PSA and TSA assemblies, thereby obtaining a system that reduces the energy required for operation. For example, mesoporous silica can be reinforced to include self-assembled functionalized amine ligands. Thus, synthetic porous materials can be modified to improve the effective CO2 adsorption capacity and selectivity through one or more of the following changes: a. Changing the SI / AL ratio in the zeolite structure. b. Selecting various metal cations in the zeolite. c. Impregnating the pores and cages with amine compounds. d. Chemically attaching amine ligands to surface features. e. Self-assembly of amine ligands within the pores (mesoporous silica).

[0022] Referring to Figure 3, the DAC 20 can be operationally integrated with the HVAC system 32 via a conduit line 34. According to the exemplary implementation, this integration may include receiving intake air 20 through recycled air from the HVAC system and returning it through the HVAC system. In this implementation, the outlet 24 may not exit the building, or may exit the building in combination with returning the carbon dioxide-reduced air to the HVAC system 32. The HVAC system may be any conventional HVAC system used in residential to industrial buildings.

[0023] Referring next to Figure 4, a more detailed integration of DAC modules 28 and 30 is shown, with the HVAC system configured to involve module 30 and module 28 individually. According to the exemplary implementation, during adsorption, the HVAC system may be configured to supply cold air to DAC module 28, thereby promoting the adsorption of CO2 onto a selected material within module 28, and during desorption, the HVAC system may be configured to supply warm air to DAC module 30, thereby promoting the desorption of CO2 from the material within module 30.

[0024] Referring to Figure 5, the DAC module 20 can be integrated into the point source isolation system 10, as seen within the building 30. This isolation system, along with its management and operation, is described in detail in the reference materials. Specifically, referring to Figure 6, the stream 26 can be operably coupled to the isolation component 14 of the complete or partial system 10.

[0025] Referring now to Figure 7, a more detailed embodiment shows a stream 26 operably coupled before the inlet compressor, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows an exemplary CO2 separation and / or recovery flow including sensors configured to measure the flow rate and amount of CO2 at predetermined points in the process. As shown in the figure, there is a flow meter and flow rate assumption.

[0026] According to at least one exemplary implementation, the carbon capture system may include an inlet compressor configured to receive flue gas from a combustion source within the building environment (in one embodiment, the building). The combustion source within the building environment may be, for example, a natural gas combustion source within a residential building.

[0027] This inlet compressor can be operably coupled to a VPSA assembly. The VPSA assembly can be operably coupled to, for example, a liquefaction assembly configured to supply liquid CO2. The system may include multiple flow / sensor assemblies operably involved between the inlet compressor and the VPSA, and between the VPSA and the liquefaction assembly. The system may also include a processing circuit configured to receive flow data from the multiple flow / sensor assemblies and process that data to determine one or more system performance parameters. The system performance parameters may include the system recovery rate, and / or the processing circuit may be configured to use CO2 flow data to determine one or more system performance parameters.

[0028] Referring next to Figure 8, as seen within the building environment 30, the DAC module 20, the HVAC system 32, and the carbon capture system 10 are all integrated into the building environment 30 and can be utilized accordingly. A more detailed diagram of this integration is shown according to the exemplary implementation and referring to Figure 9. As shown, outside air flows in and undergoes heat exchange, and is then supplied to the DAC module via a control valve. The DAC module can be integrated with the HVAC system, and the control valve can be configured to return the air that leaves the DAC module to the room's supply air and / or to discharge the air from the building environment. According to the exemplary implementation, the air leaving the building environment and the air flowing into the building environment are controllable via coupled heat exchange. According to the exemplary implementation, as described herein, CO2 volatile substances released from the DAC module can be supplied to the carbon capture system.

[0029] Direct air recovery (DAC), integrated with building heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems, is designed to remove CO2 from incoming air, recirculating air, and building exhaust. Furthermore, the DAC is synergistically integrated with a point-source building CCUS system that receives DAC emissions and processes them through existing CO2 purification, liquefaction, and storage functions. The CCUS system can also assist in removing residual water vapor or other volatile substances contained in DAC emissions. Overall, this integrated building DAC and CCUS system provides high-quality indoor air to support human activity while exceeding building emission reduction standards.

[0030] In practice, DAC modules can be standalone or integrated into HVAC system equipment. DAC emissions are sent to a point-source CCUS system, where the recovered CO2 is further purified to produce commercially grade liquid CO2 products that are ready for collection.

[0031] The DAC module incorporates a large-surface-area contactor or channeled airflow guide designed to minimize pressure drop and promote high-flow airflow. The contactor surface is coated with a CO2-selective solid adsorbent such as MOF, COF, zeolite, silica, or other functionalized porous material. The DAC module is compartmentalized to simultaneously support CO2 adsorption and desorption using separation processes such as PSA, VSA, TSA, and ESA.

[0032] Figure 10 is a depiction of system 100, which includes a DAC component 20 operably coupled to the mechanical components of both the CCUS 110, which is associated with the building and has components 14, 16, 18, and 19, and the HVAC system 120. System 100 may also include processing circuit components 130, 140, and 150 for optimizing, controlling, and / or managing carbon capture of carbon dioxide inside and outside the building.

[0033] The systems and methods of this disclosure can be configured to perform either or both of the following: remove CO2 and / or avoid CO2 emissions. For example, a DAC assembly can be configured to remove CO2 from the air surrounding the building environment, and / or a CCUS can be configured to avoid CO2 emissions. Thus, the systems and methods can be configured and processing circuits operated to track and calculate both removed CO2 and avoided CO2 emissions. According to the exemplary implementations, these systems and methods can be used to make the building environment carbon neutral, and in some cases carbon negative, in terms of emissions. In at least one configuration, the DAC assembly can be configured to receive and remove CO2 associated with the building environment, then feed the CO2 concentrated stream to the CCUS, where it is further processed and / or liquefied together with the CO2 recovered from the combustion sources of the building environment. The processing circuits can also be configured to track the energy associated with each process and provide both the total amount of CO2 molecules recovered and net CO2 after calculating the carbon emissions from the processes.

[0034] In accordance with the law, embodiments of the present invention are described to some extent in specific terms with respect to their structural and methodological features. However, since the disclosed embodiments include forms for carrying out the present invention, it should be understood that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and / or embodiments illustrated and / or described.

Claims

1. A carbon capture system that is operationally related to a building environment, the system comprising a direct air carbon dioxide capture component that is operationally related to the mechanical components of the building environment.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the direct air carbon dioxide recovery component includes one or more direct air recovery modules.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the air treatment component is operably engaged with at least two operably aligned direct air recovery modules.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical components include an air treatment system for the building environment.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the air treatment system includes an HVAC system, and the direct air carbon dioxide recovery component is configured to receive intake air from the HVAC system.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein the air treatment system includes an HVAC system, and the direct air carbon dioxide recovery component is configured to supply air with reduced carbon dioxide to the HVAC system.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a carbon capture system operably involved with the combustion source of the building environment, wherein the direct air carbon dioxide capture component operably involved with the carbon capture system.

8. A carbon capture system operationally related to a building environment, the system comprising a direct air carbon dioxide capture component operationally involved with the building environment carbon capture system.

9. The carbon capture system according to claim 8, wherein the carbon capture system includes either or both of a separation component and / or a liquefaction component, and the direct air carbon dioxide capture component is operably engaged with either the separation component or the liquefaction component.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the direct air carbon dioxide recovery component is operably involved with the liquefaction component.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the direct air carbon dioxide recovery component is operably engaged with the separation component.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the separation component includes a VPSA operably engaged with the liquefaction component.

13. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a processing circuit configured to operate to manage, control, and / or optimize the building carbon capture system, the direct air carbon dioxide capture component, and / or the combustion carbon capture system.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processing circuit is operably involved with the air treatment control unit of the building environment.

15. A method for capturing carbon dioxide associated with a building environment, the method comprising engaging a direct air carbon dioxide capture component with the mechanical components of the building environment, and simultaneously engaging in the generation of both a reduced carbon dioxide air stream and a carbon dioxide stream.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the mechanical component includes an HVAC system, and the method further includes involving the direct air carbon dioxide capture component in the HVAC system of the building environment.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising using the HVAC system to supply cooling air to the direct air carbon dioxide component, recovering carbon dioxide in the direct air carbon dioxide component, and forming the stream of reduced carbon dioxide air.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising using the HVAC system to supply heated air to the direct air carbon dioxide component and desorbing the carbon dioxide recovered from the direct air carbon dioxide component to form a carbon dioxide-containing stream.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the mechanical component is a carbon recovery unit.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising supplying the stream of carbon dioxide to either or both of the separation component and / or liquefaction component of the carbon recovery unit.

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