System and method for optimizing carbon dioxide capture using temperature control

Abstract

A capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide, comprising at least one adsorption module and at least one adsorption bed containing an adsorbent. The at least one adsorption bed is directed to receive a gas flow, adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas flow via the adsorbent, and discharge the exhaust flow. The capture system also includes a contactor directed to receive a regulating fluid for use in controlling the temperature of the at least one adsorption module, the regulating fluid flow comprising a low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow, and the contactor includes a low-temperature flow valve directed to receive the low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow valve directed to receive the high-temperature flow. The capture system further includes a controller configured to regulate the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to capture systems, and more specifically to systems and methods for facilitating the optimization of the temperature of the adsorption bed for the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas.

[0002] At least some known industrial and power generation processes may 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 may be used to capture CO2 and store it underground to facilitate the reduction of the amount of CO2 unnecessarily released into the atmosphere. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,744,449 B2 [Overview of the project]

[0004] At least some known capture systems capture CO2 using an adsorption bed. In some such capture systems, an adsorbent material may be used along with the adsorption 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 adsorption bed. However, direct heating and cooling can contaminate the adsorbent material. Furthermore, increasing the temperature of the adsorption bed during adsorption can reduce the efficiency of the capture system. Therefore, there is a need for capture systems that use temperature control to optimize the efficiency and productivity of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption.

[0005] In one aspect, a capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The capture system includes at least one adsorption module and at least one adsorption bed containing an adsorbent, the at least one adsorption bed being configured to receive a gas stream, adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the adsorbent, and direct an exhaust stream out. The capture system also includes a contactor configured to receive a conditioning fluid for use in controlling the temperature of at least one adsorption module, the conditioning fluid stream including a cold stream and a hot stream, the contactor including a cold stream valve configured to receive the cold stream and a hot stream valve configured to receive the hot stream. The capture system further includes a controller configured to adjust the temperature of at least one adsorption module to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0006] In another aspect, a method for capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The method includes receiving a gas stream by at least one adsorption bed comprising at least one adsorption module and an adsorbent, and receiving a conditioning fluid stream for use in controlling the temperature of at least one adsorption module by a contactor, the conditioning fluid stream including a cold stream and a hot stream. The method also includes adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the adsorbent and discharging an exhaust stream by at least one adsorption bed. The method further includes adjusting the temperature of at least one adsorption module to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 2] Perspective schematic view of an exemplary adsorption module that can be used with the capture system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of an alternative exemplary capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of an exemplary control system that can be used with the capture systems of FIGS. 1 and 3. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of an alternative capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram of another alternative capture system that can be used to capture CO2. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for capturing CO2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods that use temperature management of adsorbents to optimize the efficiency and productivity of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption. Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the systems and methods described herein include, at least, (i) improvement in the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption by using the temperature of the adsorption bed, (ii) improvement in the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide desorption by using the temperature change of the adsorption bed, and (iii) improvement in the performance of the capture system by using a plurality of adsorption beds connected in series by valves.

[0009] When introducing the elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that one or more of the elements exist. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are inclusive and are intended to mean that additional elements other than the listed elements may exist.

[0010] Unless otherwise indicated, approximate terms used herein, such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about,” indicate that the terms thus modified may apply only to an approximate degree, as recognized by those skilled in the art, and not to an absolute or complete degree. Therefore, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are not limited to the exact values ​​specified. In at least some instances, approximate terms may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used herein solely as labels and do not impose any order, position, or hierarchical requirements on the items referred to by these terms. Moreover, a reference to a “second” item, for example, does not require or exclude the existence of, for example, a “first” item or an item with a lower number, or a “third” item or an item with a higher number.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system 100 that may be used to capture CO2 using an adsorption bed 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the adsorption bed 102 includes at least one adsorption module 104. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the adsorption 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 adsorption bed 102 includes an inlet 106 and an outlet 108. The inlet 106 and outlet 108 are directed so that during operation, a 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 adsorption bed 102 captures CO2 from the gas flow 110 and discharges a CO2-depleted exhaust flow 112 through the outlet 108.

[0012] 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%.

[0013] 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.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, 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 and the contactor outlet 120 and extending from the contactor inlet 118 to the contactor outlet. In exemplary embodiments, the adsorption module 104 also includes a plate 204 (shown in Figure 2) coated in a solid form with an adsorbent 116 to facilitate the adsorption of CO2. For example, the adsorbent 116 may be, but is not limited to, a powder, a composite material mixed with a binder, a film or coating, a filled bed, and / or columnar form. In some embodiments, the adsorbent 116 may be the same within each adsorption module 104. In other embodiments, the adsorbent 116 may be different within at least one adsorption module 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 adsorbent 116 coated on the plate 204.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the flow 122 received through the contactor inlet 118 facilitates temperature control of the adsorbent 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 control temperature T of the adsorption module 104. cntl To increase or decrease the flow rate, adjust the temperature T of the flow 122. reg In some embodiments, the flow 122 may be liquid. In other embodiments, the flow 122 may be gaseous. Convection between the flow 122 flowing through the fluid circuit 202 and the adsorbent 116 coated on the plate 204 facilitates temperature control of the adsorbent 116 without the risk of contamination that may occur from direct contact with the flow 122.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, flow 122 consists of a mixture of low-temperature flow 132 and high-temperature flow 134, which exits from the contactor outlet 120 as a mixed flow 123. The mixing of low-temperature flow 132 and high-temperature flow 134 facilitates temperature control of the adsorbent 116. For example, the temperature T of the adsorption module 104 cntl To control the low temperature T of the low-temperature flow 132, cld and high temperature T of high temperature flow 134 hot The mixture of the flow 122 adjusts the temperature T reg It may be used to increase or decrease the concentration. In some embodiments, the low-temperature flow 132 and the high-temperature 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 low-temperature flow 132 and the high-temperature flow 134 in the range of about 50 v% to 100 v%. In other embodiments, the low-temperature flow 132 and the high-temperature flow 134 each may contain a non-aqueous fluid.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, 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 mixing of the low-temperature flow 132 and the high-temperature flow 134, as further described herein, thereby controlling the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104.cntl changing and / or adjusting the temperature T of stream 122 reg can facilitate the optimization of CO2 capture.

[0018] The controller 124 facilitates the regulation of the temperature of each adsorption module 104a - 104d by monitoring the temperature of stream 122 (shown in FIG. 2) and / or the temperature of the adsorbent 116 across the plate 204. For example, the controller 124 uses the contactor sensor 126 (shown in FIG. 4) to monitor the adjusted temperature T of stream 122 reg and can further, for example, use the module sensor 128 (shown in FIG. 4) of at least one adsorption module 104 to monitor the controlled temperature T cntl thereof.

[0019] At operating conditions where the controlled temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl is lower than desired, the controller 124 can selectively increase the adjusted temperature T of 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 is higher than desired, the controller 124 can selectively decrease the adjusted temperature T of stream 122, thereby indirectly decreasing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. cntl is higher than desired, the controller 124 can selectively decrease the adjusted temperature T of stream 122, thereby indirectly decreasing the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. reg The controller 124 can also use the first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) and the second valve sensor 129 (shown in FIG. 4) to monitor the adjusted temperature T of stream 122

[0020] and can monitor the adjusted temperature T of stream 122. For example, the first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) monitors the low temperature T of the low temperature stream 132 when the low temperature stream 132 flows through the first valve 142 reg and the low temperature temperature T of the low temperature stream 132 cldFurthermore, for example, the second valve sensor 129 (shown in Figure 4) can monitor the high temperature T of the high-temperature flow 134 as the high-temperature flow 134 flows through the second valve 144. hot It can be monitored.

[0021] Control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl Under operating conditions lower than desired, the controller 124 detects the high temperature T of the high-temperature flow 134 as detected by the first valve sensor 127 and / or the second valve sensor 129. hot and / or low temperature T of low-temperature flow 132 cld Based on this, the flow of high-temperature flow 134 through the second valve 144 can be selectively increased and / or the flow of low-temperature flow 132 through the first valve 142 can be selectively decreased. Alternatively, the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 can be controlled. cntl If the operating conditions are higher than desired, the controller 124 will determine the high temperature T of the high-temperature flow 134 detected by the first valve sensor 127 and / or the second valve sensor 129. hot and / or low temperature T of low-temperature flow 132 cld Based on this, the flow of high-temperature flow 134 through the second valve 144 can be selectively reduced, and / or the flow of low-temperature flow 132 through the first valve 142 can be selectively increased.

[0022] Furthermore, the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl Under operating conditions that are lower or higher than desired, the high temperature T of the high-temperature flow 134 hot and / or low temperature T of low-temperature flow 132 cld The adjustment temperature T of flow 122 is reg It may be adjusted to change this.

[0023] Generally, the temperature T of flow 122 is adjusted. regThe temperature of the adsorption module 104 thereon may be any suitable temperature known in the art that facilitates CO2 capture by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment temperature T of the flow 122 reg This is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d. In some embodiments, the flow temperature T of 122 is adjusted. reg This can be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104. In other embodiments, the flow temperature T of 122 is adjusted. reg This may vary across different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0024] Furthermore, the controller 124 adjusts the flow temperature T in one of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. reg The temperature 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). Therefore, the controller 124 adjusts the flow temperature T in any or all of the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. reg A temperature profile containing various values ​​can be created.

[0025] Adjustment 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 by convection transfer through one or more heat exchangers (not shown), either directly instead of mixing the low-temperature flow 132 and the high-temperature flow 134, or indirectly to heat the high-temperature flow 134.

[0026] Furthermore, the controller 124 can easily adjust the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-104d by monitoring the flow 122. For example, the controller 124 can monitor the flow of the low-temperature flow 132 and / or the high-temperature flow 134 entering the adsorption module 104 using a first valve sensor 127 (shown in Figure 4) and / or a second valve sensor 129 (shown in Figure 4). The control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl Under operating conditions lower and / or higher than desired, the controller 124 can selectively alter the flow of the low-temperature flow 132 through the first valve 142 and / or the high-temperature flow 134 through the second valve 144, depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing CO2. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates temperature control of each adsorption module 104a-104d by simultaneously monitoring the flow and temperature of the flow 122.

[0027] Furthermore, the controller 124 can easily adjust the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-104d by monitoring the flow of the mixed flow 123 through the third valve 146. For example, the controller can monitor the flow of the mixed flow 123 leaving the adsorption module 104 using the third valve sensor 147 (shown in Figure 4). The control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104 cntl Under operating conditions lower and / or higher than desired, the controller 124 can selectively alter the flow of the mixed flow 123 through the third valve 146 depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing CO2. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates temperature control of each adsorption module 104a-104d by simultaneously monitoring the flow and temperature of the mixed flow 123.

[0028] Generally, the high temperature T of the high-temperature flow 134 hot and the low temperature T of the low-temperature flow 132 cld Therefore, the temperature T of the flow 122 is adjusted. regand the control temperature T of the adsorption module 104 cntl This can be any suitable temperature known in the art that facilitates CO2 capture by the system described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment temperature T of flow 122 is reg This is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d. In some embodiments, the flow temperature T of 122 is adjusted. reg The flow can be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a to 104d. In other embodiments, the flow temperature T of 122 is adjusted. reg This may vary across different adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0029] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 is the high temperature T of the high-temperature flow 134. hot and / or low temperature T of low-temperature flow 132 cld Based on this, it is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d. In some embodiments, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a-104d. In other embodiments, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 may differ across different adsorption modules 104a-104d.

[0030] In general, the flows of flow 122 and mixed flow 123 can be any suitable flows known in the art that facilitate CO2 capture by the system described herein. In exemplary embodiments, the flow of flow 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-104d. In some embodiments, the flow of flow 122 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a-104d. In other embodiments, the flow of flow 122 may differ across different adsorption modules 104a-104d.

[0031] 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 to third adsorption modules 104a to 104c, due to the heat generated by the exothermic process of adsorbing CO2. Therefore, the temperature of the gas flow 110 generally rises from CO2 adsorption as the gas flow 110 is guided from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 is the control temperature T of each adsorption module 104a to 104d. cntl Furthermore, based on the heat generated within each adsorption module 104a to 104d, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 varies across the different adsorption modules 104a to 104d. For example, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 may be lowest for the fourth adsorption module 104d to maximize CO2 capture from the gas flow 110 with its lowest CO2 content across the adsorption modules 104a to 104d. In addition, for example, the temperature of the mixed flow 123 may be highest for the first adsorption module 104a to manage CO2 capture during the adsorption operation mode for the gas flow 110 with its highest CO2 content across the adsorption modules 104a to 104d.

[0032] Adjusting the flow temperature T 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 CO2 adsorption on the adsorption bed 102 by increasing the adsorption capacity of the adsorption bed 102. Generally, the efficiency of the capture system 100 is improved by increasing the proportion of module capacity used by at least one adsorption module 104a-104d. For example, the control temperature T of the subsequent adsorption modules 104a-104d cntl To reduce the flow rate, the 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 (such as adsorption modules 104b-104d) may increase, thereby improving the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0033] Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the adsorption bed 102 may be increased, for example, by changing the adsorption and / or desorption cycle time in at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d. In general, the efficiency of the capture system 100 is improved by changing the adsorption and / or desorption cycle time based on temperature. For example, by simultaneously increasing the adsorption cycle time and controlling the temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d cntl By reducing this, the proportion of module capacity used by at least one adsorption module 104a to 104d may increase, thereby improving the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0034] 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 an adsorbent 116 to adsorb CO2. 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 adsorbent coated on the plate 204.

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary capture system 300 that may be used to capture CO2 using multiple adsorption beds 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the system 300 includes three adsorption beds 102a-102c. The capture system 300 shown in Figure 3 is similar to the capture system 100 (shown in Figure 1), although there are differences described below, and therefore the same reference numerals are used in Figure 3 for the same components as used in Figure 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the inlets 106 of each adsorption 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 adsorption beds 102a-102c.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the gas flow 110 is guided through an inlet line 302, and the flow of the gas flow 110 through each respective adsorption 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 adsorption bed 102. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, inlet valve 304a controls the flow of the gas flow 110 to the adsorption bed 102a. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlets 108 of each adsorption bed 102a-102c are coupled in parallel by an outlet line 308, and as a result, exhaust flow 112 is guided from each adsorption bed 102 through the outlet line 308 and discharged from the capture system 300. Furthermore, the mixed flow 123 output from one or more adsorption beds 102a-102c may be processed or transferred via a heat addition exchanger or heat removal exchanger (not shown in the figure) for reuse as a high-temperature flow 134 and / or low-temperature flow 132 in one or more other adsorption beds 102a-102c.

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the controller 124 can control the flow of the gas stream 110 to the adsorption beds 102a-102c via the control of the inlet valves 304a-304c. Selective use of at least one adsorption bed 102a-102c to capture CO2 from the gas stream 110 can facilitate the optimization of the efficiency of the capture system 300. For example, the controller 124 can facilitate the optimization of CO2 capture from the gas stream 110 by using the minimum number of adsorption beds 102a-102c as needed. Thus, the flow of the gas stream 110 to at least one adsorption bed 102a-102c may be regulated by the controller 124 by selectively opening and closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a-304c. When the adsorption bed 102 is not receiving the gas stream 110, the exhaust isolation valve 306 may be closed. Furthermore, for example, the controller 124 can optimize the capture of CO2 from the gas flow 110 by using two or more of the adsorption beds 102a to 102c in parallel. Thus, the flow of the gas flow 110 entering and leaving at least one of the adsorption beds 102a to 102c may be variably adjusted by the controller 124 by selectively opening and closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a to 304c. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactor outlet 120 of each adsorption module 104 is connected in parallel to the outlet line 308.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary control system 400 that may be used to capture CO2 in conjunction with 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 temperature T of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 (shown in Figure 1), but is not limited to these controls. reg Based 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 regThe 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.

[0039] Furthermore, the controller 124 controls the temperature T of one or more adsorption modules 104, but is not limited to this. 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.

[0040] The controller 124 can 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, including, but not limited to, the temperature and / or flow of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123. The controller 124 can adjust the temperature and / or flow of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123 based on a comparison with data stored in memory 402, including a desired range of temperature and / or flow of the flow 122 and / or mixed flow 123, instructions stored in memory 402, and / or data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a capture system 500 that may be used to capture CO2 using an adsorption 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), although there are differences described below, and therefore the same reference numerals are used in Figure 5 for the same components as used 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 control of at least one of the adsorption modules 104a-104d, and each of the adsorption modules 104a-104d is connected in a series flow relationship from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d.

[0042] The controller 124 facilitates temperature control of at least one of the adsorption modules 104a-104d by monitoring the temperature of the flow 122 as it travels through each adsorption module 104a-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-122d in each of the adsorption modules 104a-104d. cntl Under operating conditions higher than desired, the controller 124 can selectively lower the temperature of the flow 122, thereby lowering the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, the controller can lower the control temperature T of at least one adsorption module 104. 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 can selectively increase the flow rate of the flow 122, thereby lowering the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104.

[0043] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a capture system 600 that may be used to capture CO2 using an adsorption bed 102. The capture system 600 shown in Figure 6 is similar to the capture system 500 (shown in Figure 5), with the differences described below, and therefore the same reference numerals are used in Figure 6 for the same components as used in Figure 5. In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth adsorption module 104d includes a contactor inlet 118, and the first adsorption module 104a includes a contactor outlet 120. The flow 122d received by the contactor inlet 118 facilitates temperature control of at least one adsorption module 104a-104d, and each adsorption module 104a-104d is connected in a series flow relationship from the fourth adsorption module 104d to the first adsorption module 104a.

[0044] Figure 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 700 for capturing CO2. In an exemplary embodiment, method 700 includes receiving a gas flow 702 through at least one adsorption bed comprising at least one adsorption module and adsorbent, and receiving a regulating fluid flow 704 for use in controlling the temperature of at least one adsorption module, the regulating fluid flow including a low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow. Method 700 also includes adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow via the adsorbent 706 and discharging the exhaust flow 708 through at least one adsorption bed. Method 700 further includes regulating the temperature of at least one adsorption module 710 to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed. Method 700 may be used with, but is not limited to, the capture systems described herein.

[0045] Exemplary systems and methods for optimizing the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide by adsorption beds using temperature control are described herein. Compared to conventional designs and processes, the exemplary systems and methods described herein offer several advantages, including at least improved efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption enabled by the use of temperature variations in the adsorption beds, improved efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide desorption by the use of temperature variations in the adsorption beds, and improved performance of the capture system by using multiple adsorption beds connected in series by valves.

[0046] The above description is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may 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 are intended to 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 independently of and separately from other systems described herein.

[0047] Certain features of various embodiments of the present invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but this is for convenience only. Furthermore, the reference to “one embodiment” in the above description is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of further embodiments that also incorporate the enumerated 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.

[0048] Further aspects of the present invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses.

[0049] A capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide, comprising: at least one adsorption bed comprising at least one adsorption module and adsorbent, wherein the at least one adsorption bed is directed to receive a gas flow, adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas flow via the adsorbent, and discharge an exhaust flow; a contactor directed to receive a regulating fluid for use in controlling the temperature of at least one adsorption module, wherein the regulating fluid flow comprises a low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow, and the contactor comprises a low-temperature flow valve directed to receive the low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow valve directed to receive the high-temperature flow; and a controller configured to adjust the temperature of at least one adsorption module to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0050] The capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, further configured to lower the temperature of at least one adsorption module in order to facilitate an improvement in the efficiency of the capture system by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0051] The capture system described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to lower the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow in order to facilitate the temperature reduction of at least one adsorption module.

[0052] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein reducing the fluid temperature of a regulated fluid flow regulates the flow of at least one of a low-temperature flow through a low-temperature flow valve and a high-temperature flow through a high-temperature flow valve.

[0053] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, further configured to regulate the flow of at least one of the low-temperature flow through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow through the high-temperature flow valve by selectively opening and closing at least one of the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow valve.

[0054] A capture system as described in any of the preceding clauses, which increases the flow of cold fluid through a cold flow valve.

[0055] A capture system as described in any of the preceding clauses, which reduces the flow of high-temperature fluid through a high-temperature fluid valve.

[0056] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein reducing the fluid temperature of a regulated fluid flow modifies the flow temperature of at least one of a low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow.

[0057] A capture system as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the duration of the adsorption cycle of at least one adsorption module in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0058] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the adsorption cycle of at least one adsorption module is based on the carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust flow discharged from at least one adsorption bed.

[0059] A capture system as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the duration of the desorption cycle of at least one adsorption module in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0060] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the desorption cycle of at least one adsorption module is based on the carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust flow discharged from at least one adsorption bed.

[0061] The capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, further configured to increase the temperature of at least one adsorption module in order to facilitate an improvement in the efficiency of the capture system by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide desorbed by at least one adsorption bed.

[0062] The capture system described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to increase the fluid temperature of a regulated fluid flow in order to facilitate the temperature rise of at least one adsorption module.

[0063] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein increasing the fluid temperature of a regulated fluid flow regulates the flow of at least one of a low-temperature flow through a low-temperature flow valve and a high-temperature flow through a high-temperature flow valve.

[0064] A capture system according to any of the preceding clauses, further configured to regulate the flow of at least one of the low-temperature flow through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow through the high-temperature flow valve by selectively opening and closing at least one of the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow valve.

[0065] A capture system as described in any of the preceding clauses, which reduces the flow of cold fluid through a cold flow valve.

[0066] A capture system as described in any of the preceding clauses, which increases the flow of high-temperature fluid through a high-temperature fluid valve.

[0067] A method for capturing carbon dioxide, comprising receiving a gas flow through at least one adsorption bed comprising at least one adsorption module and an adsorbent; receiving a regulating fluid for use in controlling the temperature of at least one adsorption module by a contactor, wherein the regulating fluid flow includes a low-temperature flow and a high-temperature flow; adsorbing carbon dioxide from the gas flow via an adsorbent; discharging an exhaust flow through at least one adsorption bed; and regulating the temperature of at least one adsorption module to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0068] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising lowering the temperature of at least one adsorption module to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0069] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising lowering the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow in order to facilitate the temperature reduction of at least one adsorption module.

[0070] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the contactor receives a regulated fluid flow, which includes receiving a low-temperature flow through a low-temperature flow valve and receiving a high-temperature flow through a high-temperature flow valve.

[0071] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein reducing the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow regulates the flow of at least one of the low-temperature flow through a low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow through a high-temperature flow valve.

[0072] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising adjusting the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycles and desorption cycles of at least one adsorption module in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by at least one adsorption bed.

[0073] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein adjusting the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycles and desorption cycles of at least one adsorption module is based on the carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust flow discharged from at least one adsorption bed.

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

[0075] 100 Capture Systems 102 Adsorption bed 104 Adsorption Module 104a Adsorption Module 104b Adsorption Module 104c Adsorption Module 104d Adsorption Module 106 Entrance 108 Exit 110 Gas flow 112 Exhaust flow 114 Contactor 116 Adsorbent 118 Contactor inlet 120 Contactor outlet 122 Flow 122a Flow 122b Flow 122c flow 122d Flow 123 Mixed flow 124 Controllers 126 Contactor Sensor 127 First valve recovery 128 Module Sensors 129 Second valve sensor 132 Low-temperature flow 134 High-temperature flow 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 Inlet Valve 304b Inlet valve 304c Inlet Valve 306 Exhaust isolation valve 308 Exit Line 400 Control Systems 402 memory 404 Processor 500 Capture System Line 502 600 Capture System 700 methods

Claims

1. A capture system (100) for use in capturing carbon dioxide, wherein the capture system (100) An adsorption bed (102) comprising at least one adsorption module (104) and an adsorbent (116), wherein the at least one adsorption bed (102) is Receiving the gas flow (110), Carbon dioxide is adsorbed from the gas flow (110) via the adsorbent (116). Exhaust flow (112) is discharged. At least one adsorption bed (102) oriented in such a way, A contactor (114) oriented to receive a regulating fluid flow for use in controlling the temperature of at least one adsorption module (104), wherein the regulating fluid flow includes a low-temperature flow (132) and a high-temperature flow (134), and the contactor (114) comprises a low-temperature flow valve oriented to receive the low-temperature flow (132) and a high-temperature flow valve oriented to receive the high-temperature flow (134), To facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102), a controller (124) is configured to adjust the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104) and A capture system (100) comprising the following.

2. The capture system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to lower the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104) in order to facilitate an improvement in the efficiency of the capture system (100) by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102).

3. The capture system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to lower the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow in order to facilitate the lowering of the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104).

4. The capture system (100) according to claim 3, wherein lowering the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow includes regulating at least one flow (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) passing through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow (134) passing through the high-temperature flow valve.

5. The capture system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to regulate at least one of the flows (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) passing through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow (134) passing through the high-temperature flow valve (144) by selectively opening and closing at least one of the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow valve.

6. The capture system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the flow (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) passing through the low-temperature flow valve is increased.

7. The capture system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the flow (122) of the high-temperature flow (134) passing through the high-temperature flow valve is reduced.

8. The capture system (100) according to claim 3, wherein lowering the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow includes adjusting the flow temperature of at least one of the low-temperature flow (132) and the high-temperature flow (134).

9. The capture system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to adjust the duration of the adsorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module (104) in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102).

10. The capture system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the duration of the adsorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module (104) is based on the carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust flow (112) discharged from the at least one adsorption bed (102).

11. The capture system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to adjust the duration of the desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module (104) in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102).

12. The capture system (100) according to claim 11, wherein the duration of the desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module (104) is based on the carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust flow (112) discharged from the at least one adsorption bed (102).

13. The capture system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to raise the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104) in order to facilitate an improvement in the efficiency of the capture system (100) by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide desorbed by the at least one adsorption bed (102).

14. The capture system (100) according to claim 13, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to increase the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow in order to facilitate the temperature rise of the at least one adsorption module (104).

15. The capture system (100) according to claim 14, wherein increasing the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow includes regulating at least one flow (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow (134) through the high-temperature flow valve.

16. The capture system (100) according to claim 15, wherein the controller (124) is further configured to regulate at least one of the flows (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) passing through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow (134) passing through the high-temperature flow valve by selectively opening and closing at least one of the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow valve (144).

17. The capture system (100) according to claim 16, wherein the flow (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) passing through the low-temperature flow valve is reduced.

18. The capture system (100) according to claim 16, wherein the flow (122) of the high-temperature flow (134) passing through the high-temperature flow valve is increased.

19. A method (700) for capturing carbon dioxide, wherein the method (700) The system receives a gas flow (110) (702) through at least one adsorption bed (102) comprising at least one adsorption module (104) and an adsorbent (116), The contactor (114) receives (704) a regulating fluid flow for use in controlling the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104), wherein the regulating fluid flow includes a low-temperature flow (132) and a high-temperature flow (134), The adsorbent (116) is used to adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas flow (110) (706), The exhaust flow (112) is discharged (708) by the at least one adsorption bed (102), To facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102), the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104) is adjusted (710) and Method (700), including.

20. The method according to claim 19 (700), further comprising lowering the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104) in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102).

21. The method according to claim 20 (700), further comprising lowering the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid flow in order to facilitate the lowering of the temperature of the at least one adsorption module (104).

22. The method according to claim 21 (700), wherein the contactor (114) receiving the regulated fluid flow (704) includes receiving the low-temperature flow (132) through the low-temperature flow valve and receiving the high-temperature flow (134) through the high-temperature flow valve.

23. The method according to claim 22 (700), wherein lowering the fluid temperature of the regulated fluid flow includes regulating at least one flow (122) of the low-temperature flow (132) passing through the low-temperature flow valve and the high-temperature flow (134) passing through the high-temperature flow valve.

24. The method according to claim 19 (700), further comprising adjusting the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycles and desorption cycles of the at least one adsorption module (104) in order to facilitate an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorption bed (102).

25. The method according to claim 24 (700), wherein adjusting the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycles and desorption cycles of the at least one adsorption module (104) is based on the carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust flow (112) discharged from the at least one adsorption bed (102).

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