Carbon Dioxide Capture System

Abstract

To provide a carbon dioxide recovery system which can recover carbon dioxide in air discharged from buildings efficiently and properly.SOLUTION: A carbon dioxide recovery system includes: multiple buildings 2; a processing device 3 which performs predetermined processing to building exhaust air generated by discharging air in the buildings 2 from the buildings 2; and a storage container 4 which stores the building exhaust air processed by the processing device 3 as processed air; a flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 which may adjust an inflow amount of the building exhaust air flowing from the buildings 2 into the processing device 3; and a control unit 7 which controls the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 to adjust the inflow amount of the building exhaust air flowing into the processing device 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a carbon dioxide capture system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from individual buildings. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an invention related to a vehicle control system aimed at reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. The vehicle control system described in Patent Document 1 is configured to control a vehicle equipped with a CO2 capture device that captures carbon dioxide from the air, and capture carbon dioxide in the air (exhaust from the building) emitted from a specified building outside the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-65807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the vehicle control system described in the above Patent Document 1, when the exhaust port of a specific building is connected to a vehicle equipped with a CO2 capture device, the exhaust of the building is sent to the vehicle, and the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust of the building is directly captured by the CO2 capture device mounted on the vehicle. Carbon dioxide, which is considered to be a cause of global warming, is emitted not only from large-scale power plants and manufacturing plants, but also from small and medium-sized buildings such as ordinary homes, stores, and offices, which are the targets of the vehicle control system described in the above Patent Document 1. By capturing carbon dioxide from the exhaust of such ordinary buildings, it is possible to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, and ultimately to contribute to the suppression of global warming to some extent. However, in the vehicle control system described in the above Patent Document 1, a single building that captures exhaust gas is connected to a single vehicle equipped with a CO2 capture device, and the carbon dioxide in the exhaust of the single building is captured. It is not assumed that a single vehicle equipped with a CO2 capture device will capture carbon dioxide in the exhaust emitted from multiple buildings. Therefore, for example, when targeting multiple (and a large number of) buildings in a given area and capturing carbon dioxide contained in exhaust gas emitted from each of these buildings, there is a risk that the carbon dioxide cannot be captured efficiently.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to efficiently transport the exhaust gas from each building to the CO2 capture device, it is possible to compress or liquefy the exhaust gas from the building to increase the amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume before transporting it to the CO2 capture device. However, the carbon dioxide concentration in the exhaust gas from each building is not constant, but varies depending on, for example, the number of people entering and leaving the building and their behavior. Therefore, if the exhaust gas from each building is uniformly compressed, liquefied, or otherwise treated, it may not be possible to efficiently transport the exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide, or the cost-effectiveness of carrying out the compression, liquefaction, or other treatments may decrease.

[0006] This invention was devised with a focus on the technical challenges described above, and aims to provide a carbon dioxide capture system that can efficiently and appropriately capture carbon dioxide in the air (building exhaust) emitted from multiple general buildings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a carbon dioxide capture system comprising a plurality of buildings, a treatment device which applies a predetermined treatment to the building exhaust air discharged from the buildings, and a storage container which stores the building exhaust air treated by the treatment device as treated air, the carbon dioxide capture system further comprising a flow control mechanism capable of adjusting the inflow rate of the building exhaust air flowing from the building into the treatment device, and a control unit which controls the flow control mechanism to adjust the inflow rate.

[0008] The control unit in the present invention may be configured to acquire information relating to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas, and control the flow rate adjustment mechanism based on the acquired information.

[0009] The present invention may also include a detection device that detects behavioral data relating to the number and behavior of people entering and exiting the building, and the control unit in the present invention may be configured to acquire the behavioral data as the information and adjust the inflow volume based on the acquired behavioral data.

[0010] The control unit in the present invention may be configured to increase the inflow amount as the number of people in the building increases.

[0011] The control unit according to the present invention may be configured to increase the inflow amount during a time period when a large number of people are present in the building compared to a time period when a small number of people are present.

[0012] The control unit in the present invention may be configured to stop the inflow of the building exhaust gas into the treatment device (ie, set the inflow rate to zero) when no one is present inside the building.

[0013] The control unit in the present invention may be configured to estimate a carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas based on the behavioral data, and to increase the inflow amount as the estimated carbon dioxide concentration increases.

[0014] In addition, the present invention may be provided with a CO2 sensor that detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust, and the control unit in this invention may be configured to increase the inflow amount as the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the CO2 sensor increases.

[0015] In addition, the control unit in this invention may be configured to obtain the amount of treated air stored in the storage container, and if the amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, to stop the flow of the building exhaust air into the treatment device (i.e., to set the inflow amount to zero).

[0016] The present invention also includes a recovery vehicle that transports the treated air stored in the storage container to a carbon dioxide recovery device that captures or separates and recovers carbon dioxide in the air, and the control unit in this invention may be configured to formulate an operation plan for the recovery vehicle and manage the operation of the recovery vehicle, and, if the storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, to formulate the operation plan by reflecting information related to the storage amount.

[0017] In addition, the flow rate control mechanism in this invention may be a valve mechanism installed between the building and the treatment device, and the control unit in this invention may be configured to adjust the inflow rate by controlling the operation (opening degree, open / closed state, etc.) of the valve mechanism.

[0018] In addition, the flow rate adjustment mechanism in this invention may be a blower installed between the building and the treatment device, and the control unit in this invention may be configured to adjust the inflow rate by controlling the output of the blower.

[0019] In addition, the treatment device in the present invention may be a compression device that compresses air, and the treatment air in the present invention may be compressed air obtained by compressing the building exhaust air in the compression device.

[0020] In addition, the treatment device in the present invention may be a liquefaction device that liquefies air, and the treated air in the present invention may be liquid air obtained by liquefying the building exhaust gas in the liquefaction device.

[0021] Furthermore, the treatment device in this invention may be a carbon dioxide concentrating device that increases the carbon dioxide concentration in the air, and the treated air in this invention may be carbon dioxide enriched air in which the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust has been increased by the carbon dioxide concentrating device. Effect of the Invention

[0022] The carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention captures carbon dioxide from a plurality of buildings (e.g., houses, stores, factories, hospitals, warehouses, etc.) installed in a predetermined area or district, such as a smart city, which has been developed in recent years. Carbon dioxide is emitted from each building by breathing of people living or staying in the building. Carbon dioxide is also emitted from heating equipment, cooking equipment, and the like used in the building. The carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention transports the air (building exhaust) containing carbon dioxide emitted from each building as described above to, for example, a carbon dioxide capture device. In the carbon dioxide capture device, the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust sent from each building is separated or captured and captured. At that time, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, the building exhaust from each building containing carbon dioxide is temporarily stored in a storage container as treated air that has been subjected to a predetermined treatment by a predetermined treatment device. For example, the building exhaust is compressed by a gas compression device and stored in a storage container as compressed air. Alternatively, the building exhaust is liquefied by a gas liquefaction device and stored in a storage container as liquid air. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air is concentrated by the carbon dioxide concentrator and stored in the storage container as carbon dioxide-enriched air. Therefore, the building exhaust air from each building can be efficiently stored in the storage container with an increased amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume.

[0023] When the building exhaust gas from each building is treated by the treatment device as described above, the amount of carbon dioxide in the building exhaust gas discharged from each building, i.e., the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas, is not constant. Therefore, if the building exhaust gas from each building is uniformly fed into the treatment device, the building exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide cannot be efficiently stored, or the cost-effectiveness of operating the treatment device to treat the building exhaust gas may decrease. For example, when the carbon dioxide concentration of the building exhaust gas is low, the amount of carbon dioxide stored relative to the amount of energy consumed to operate the treatment device is smaller than when the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas is high. In other words, the cost-effectiveness of operating the treatment device decreases. Therefore, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, a flow rate adjustment mechanism is provided between each building and the treatment device, and the inflow amount of the building exhaust gas flowing into the treatment device from each building is adjusted. Therefore, the inflow amount of the building exhaust gas flowing into the treatment device can be adjusted according to the state of the building exhaust gas discharged from each building (for example, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas).

[0024] Specifically, information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is obtained (for example, a detected value of carbon dioxide concentration, an estimated value of carbon dioxide concentration, or information on people emitting carbon dioxide within the building, etc.), and the amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device is adjusted based on the information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust. For example, data related to the number of people in the building and their movements is obtained as information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust, and the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is estimated from the number of people and their movements. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is directly detected using a sensor or the like. Then, for example, when the estimated or detected carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is low, the amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device is reduced compared to when the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is high. This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device depending on the state of the building exhaust.

[0025] In addition, the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention is provided with a detection device (e.g., a camera, a human sensor, a portable information terminal, a G sensor, etc.) that detects the number of people entering and leaving the building and behavioral data related to their behavior (e.g., the number of people in the building, location information of the people, movement and motion information, etc.). Then, based on the behavioral data detected by the detection device, the inflow amount of the building exhaust air to be flowed into the processing device is adjusted. For example, a camera (surveillance camera, etc.) that observes the movements of people entering and leaving the building is used as the detection device, and the number of people entering and leaving the building is detected as the behavioral data. At the same time, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is estimated based on the detected number of people. It is estimated that the more people there are in the building, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air emitted from the building. Alternatively, the detection device is a location search function of a portable information terminal (e.g., a mobile phone, a GPS [Global Positioning System] transmitter, etc.) carried by a person entering and leaving the building, and location information of the people entering and leaving the building is detected as the behavioral data. At the same time, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is estimated based on the detected location information of the people. It is estimated that the more the position information of the portable information terminals carried by people in the building, the more people are in the building, and the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas emitted from the building. Alternatively, the schedule book function of the portable information terminal (e.g., a mobile phone, a personal computer, an electronic organizer, etc.) carried by the person entering and leaving the building is used as the detection device, and the schedule (movement, planned actions, etc.) of the person entering and leaving the building is detected as the behavior data. At the same time, based on the detected schedule, a time period when there are many people in the building is predicted. It is estimated that the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas emitted from the building is higher in the time period when there are many people than in the time period when there are few people. And, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas estimated as described above, the more the inflow amount of the building exhaust gas flowing into the treatment device is increased. Therefore, based on the estimated value or predicted value of the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas, the inflow amount of the building exhaust gas flowing into the treatment device can be appropriately adjusted.

[0026] Furthermore, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, the more people there are in the building, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is determined to be, and the inflow amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device is increased. Alternatively, during times when there are more people in the building, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is determined to be higher than during times when there are fewer people in the building, and the inflow amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device is increased. Alternatively, when there is no one in the building, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is determined to be low, and the inflow of building exhaust air into the treatment device is stopped, that is, the inflow amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device is set to zero. Therefore, the inflow amount of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the estimated or predicted value of the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust.

[0027] Furthermore, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, instead of estimating the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust as described above, a CO2 sensor may be used to directly detect the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust. The higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust detected by the CO2 sensor, the greater the inflow amount of the building exhaust that is allowed to flow into the treatment device. Also, for example, if the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust detected by the CO2 sensor is lower than a predetermined value, the inflow of the building exhaust into the treatment device is stopped, that is, the inflow amount of the building exhaust that is allowed to flow into the treatment device is set to zero. Therefore, the inflow amount of the building exhaust that is allowed to flow into the treatment device can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust that is actually detected.

[0028] In addition, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, the flow rate adjustment mechanism is controlled based on the amount of treated air stored in the storage container, and the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be flowed into the treatment device is adjusted. In particular, when the amount of treated air stored is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the inflow of building exhaust air to the treatment device is stopped, that is, the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be flowed into the treatment device is set to zero. Therefore, when the amount of treated air stored in the storage container is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and there is no free space in the storage container, new treated air is not sent from the treatment device to the storage container. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the building exhaust air cannot be stored in the storage container even though it has been treated by the treatment device. In other words, it is possible to avoid operating the treatment device unnecessarily, and as a result, it is possible to efficiently capture carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air.

[0029] In addition, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, the treated air stored in the storage container is transported to the carbon dioxide capture device by the capture vehicle. For example, the treated air is transported from the storage location of the storage container installed in each building to the installation location of the carbon dioxide capture device. Alternatively, the treated air is transported from a storage location where a storage container that collects and stores exhaust from a predetermined number of buildings is installed to the installation location of the carbon dioxide capture device. Alternatively, the treated air is transported from a storage location where a plurality of storage containers are collected and installed to the installation location of the carbon dioxide capture device. An operation plan is formulated for the capture vehicle, and operation between the storage location of the treated air and the carbon dioxide capture device is managed. By transporting the treated air using such a capture vehicle, it is possible to easily transport the treated air, i.e., the building exhaust containing carbon dioxide, without laying special piping, pipelines, etc. between the storage location of the treated air and the carbon dioxide capture device. Furthermore, in the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, an operation plan for the capture vehicle is formulated taking into account the storage amount of the treated air stored in the storage container. In particular, when the storage amount of the treated air is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an operation plan for the capture vehicle is formulated by reflecting information on the storage amount of the treated air. For example, the operation plan of the collection vehicle is formulated so that the storage volume of treated air in the storage container reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, and the treated air in the storage container with no free capacity can be collected by the collection vehicle quickly. As a result, the carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas from the building can be collected efficiently.

[0030] In the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, for example, a valve mechanism is provided as the flow rate adjustment mechanism. Then, by controlling the operation (opening degree, open / closed state) of the valve mechanism, the inflow amount of building exhaust gas flowing into the treatment device can be appropriately adjusted. Alternatively, for example, a blower is provided as the flow rate adjustment mechanism. Then, by controlling the output (air volume) of the blower, the inflow amount of building exhaust gas flowing into the treatment device can be appropriately adjusted.

[0031] Therefore, according to the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, the treatment device can be operated in an efficient state where the amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume is high, taking into account the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air discharged from each building. Also, the building exhaust air (treated air) treated by the treatment device can be efficiently stored in the storage container. Therefore, the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air discharged from each building can be efficiently and appropriately captured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] This is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing the distribution path of air (building exhaust) exhausted from multiple buildings installed in a specified area (smart city), and air (treated air) that has been treated in a treatment device and stored in a storage container (storage tank) from the building exhaust, as well as a control system for operating a capture vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, and in particular is a diagram that shows a schematic diagram of a control system for adjusting the inflow rate of building exhaust gas sent from the building to the treatment device. [Diagram 3] This is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing the specific configuration of the control unit for managing the operation of the capture vehicle and adjusting the inflow rate of building exhaust gas sent from the building to the treatment device, as well as the communication and control system between the control unit and the flow rate adjustment mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a diagram for explaining an example of control performed by the carbon dioxide capture system of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the contents of the control for adjusting the inflow amount of building exhaust gas sent from the building to the treatment device, taking into account the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] The carbon dioxide capture system according to the embodiment of the present invention is intended for a number of buildings constructed in a specific region or area, such as a smart city, and separates or captures carbon dioxide in the air emitted from the buildings.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a carbon dioxide capture system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention captures carbon dioxide from air discharged from a plurality of buildings 2 (hereinafter, building exhaust air). The building exhaust air discharged from the buildings 2 is subjected to a predetermined process in a treatment device 3, and is temporarily stored as treated air in a storage container (storage tank) 4. For example, the building exhaust air is compressed and stored as compressed air in the storage container 4. Alternatively, the building exhaust air is liquefied and stored as liquid air in the storage container 4. Then, the treated air stored in the storage container 4, that is, the building exhaust air in a state in which the amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume is increased, is collected by a capture vehicle Ve and transported to a carbon dioxide capture device (CO2 capture device) 5. In the carbon dioxide capture device 5, carbon dioxide in the treated air (building exhaust air) is separated or captured. That is, carbon dioxide is captured from the air discharged from the buildings 2. Then, the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention includes a flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 that adjusts the inflow amount of the building exhaust air that flows into the treatment device 3, and a control unit 7 that manages the operation of the capture vehicle Ve and controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention may include a CO2 sensor 8 for detecting the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas emitted from the building 2. Also, a detection device 9 for detecting behavioral data related to the behavior of people residing in the building 2 or people entering and leaving the building 2 may be used.

[0036] Specifically, the building 2 is a house or structure built in a specific region or area, such as a house, a store, a restaurant, a factory, a hospital, or a warehouse. For example, even in a relatively small or medium-sized building 2 such as an ordinary home or a store or an office, carbon dioxide is emitted by the breathing of people living in or staying in the building 2. Carbon dioxide is also emitted from heating equipment, cooking utensils, and the like used in the building 2. The carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention captures carbon dioxide from such a relatively small or medium-sized building 2. Note that each of the buildings 2 may be connected to a control unit 7 described later, for example, via a public communication line or a dedicated communication line, so as to enable data communication.

[0037] The treatment device 3 is a device for subjecting the building exhaust gas discharged from the building 2 to a predetermined treatment. Specifically, the treatment device 3 is a gas compression device (air compressor) that compresses the building exhaust gas. The compressed building exhaust gas becomes compressed air as treated air processed by the treatment device 3. Alternatively, the treatment device 3 is a gas liquefaction device that liquefies the building exhaust gas by compressing and cooling it. The liquefied building exhaust gas becomes liquid air as treated air processed by the treatment device 3. Alternatively, the treatment device 3 is a carbon dioxide concentration device that concentrates carbon dioxide in the building exhaust gas. For example, carbon dioxide is adsorbed on a predetermined filter, and air containing the adsorbed carbon dioxide, or building exhaust gas with the adsorbed carbon dioxide returned to increase the carbon dioxide concentration becomes carbon dioxide-enriched air as treated air processed by the treatment device 3. Figures 1 and 2 show an image of the treatment device 3 provided for each building 2 treating the building exhaust gas discharged from each building 2. In the carbon dioxide capture system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a gas compressor and a carbon dioxide concentrator may be combined to configure the treatment device 3, and compressed air obtained by compressing carbon dioxide enriched air may be used as the treated air. Alternatively, a gas liquefaction device and a carbon dioxide concentrator may be combined to configure the treatment device 3, and liquid air obtained by liquefying carbon dioxide enriched air may be used as the treated air.

[0038] The storage vessel 4 stores or retains the treated air treated by the treatment device 3. Specifically, the storage vessel 4 is a pressure vessel called a gas cylinder or an air tank. For example, the storage vessel 4 stores compressed air compressed by a gas compressor as the treated air. Alternatively, the storage vessel 4 stores liquid air liquefied by a gas liquefaction device as the treated air. Alternatively, the storage vessel 4 stores carbon dioxide enriched air in which the carbon dioxide concentration is increased by a carbon dioxide enrichment device as the treated air. The storage vessel 4 may also store treated air (i.e., compressed air compressed from carbon dioxide enriched air) treated by a treatment device 3 combining a gas compressor and a carbon dioxide enrichment device as described above. Alternatively, the storage vessel 4 may store treated air (i.e., liquid air liquefied from carbon dioxide enriched air) treated by a treatment device 3 combining a gas liquefaction device and a carbon dioxide enrichment device as described above. The storage vessel 4 is connected to a control unit 7 described later so as to be capable of data communication via, for example, a public communication line or a dedicated communication line.

[0039] Thus, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2 is treated by the treatment device 3 and stored as treated air in the storage container 4. For example, the building exhaust air is compressed by a gas compression device and stored as compressed air in the storage container 4. Alternatively, the building exhaust air is liquefied by a gas liquefaction device and stored as liquid air in the storage container 4. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air is concentrated by a carbon dioxide concentrating device and stored as carbon dioxide concentrated air in the storage container 4. Therefore, the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2 can be efficiently stored in the storage container 4 with an increased amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume.

[0040] In the carbon dioxide capture system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the above-mentioned treatment device 3 and storage container 4 may be installed together in a predetermined storage location. Then, building exhaust air discharged from each of the multiple buildings 2 may be collected in a predetermined storage location and treated by the treatment device 3, and the treated treated air may be stored in the storage container 4. Alternatively, the above-mentioned treatment device 3 may be installed for each of the multiple buildings 2, and the storage container 4 may be installed together in a predetermined storage location. Then, the treated air treated by the treatment device 3 for each of the multiple buildings 2 may be collected in a predetermined storage location and stored in the storage container 4.

[0041] The carbon dioxide capture device 5 captures and captures carbon dioxide in the air or exhaust air. As described above, the carbon dioxide capture device 5 in this embodiment of the invention captures and captures the treated air stored in the storage container 4, i.e., the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air treated by the treatment device 3. The carbon dioxide capture device 5 is connected to a control unit 7 described later so as to be able to communicate data with it via, for example, a public communication line or a dedicated communication line.

[0042] The carbon dioxide recovery in the carbon dioxide recovery device 5 can be performed by applying various well-known methods and techniques, such as the "physical adsorption method," "physical absorption method," "chemical absorption method," and "cryogenic separation method" as described in JP 2021-8852 A. In the "physical adsorption method," for example, a solid adsorbent such as activated carbon or zeolite is brought into contact with the exhaust gas to adsorb carbon dioxide onto the solid adsorbent, and the carbon dioxide is desorbed from the solid adsorbent by heating or reducing the pressure of the solid adsorbent to which the carbon dioxide is adsorbed. In the "physical absorption method," for example, an absorption liquid capable of dissolving carbon dioxide, such as methanol or ethanol, is brought into contact with the exhaust gas to physically absorb carbon dioxide into the absorption liquid under high pressure and low temperature, and the carbon dioxide is recovered from the absorption liquid by heating or reducing the pressure of the absorption liquid that has absorbed the carbon dioxide. In the "chemical absorption method," for example, an amine or other absorbing liquid capable of selectively dissolving carbon dioxide is brought into contact with the exhaust gas, causing a chemical reaction that causes the carbon dioxide to be absorbed into the absorbing liquid, and the absorbing liquid that has absorbed the carbon dioxide is heated to dissociate the carbon dioxide from the absorbing liquid and recover it. In the "cryogenic separation method," the exhaust gas is compressed and cooled to liquefy the carbon dioxide, and the liquefied CO2 is selectively distilled to recover the carbon dioxide.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is provided midway through a flow path 10 between the building 2 and the treatment device 3. The flow path 10 distributes building exhaust air discharged from the building 2 to the treatment device 3. For example, the flow path 10 is configured by a vent pipe that connects an exhaust port (not shown) of the building 2 with an inlet (not shown) of the treatment device 3. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the flow path 10 distributes building exhaust air, i.e., air containing gaseous carbon dioxide.

[0044] The flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the inflow amount of building exhaust air flowing from the building 2 to the processing device 3 through the flow path 10. Specifically, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is configured by a "valve mechanism" provided between the building 2 and the processing device 3. In this case, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 can use, as the "valve mechanism", for example, a flow control valve that changes the flow rate depending on the opening degree of the valve, or an opening / closing valve that opens or closes the flow path 10 between the building 2 and the processing device 3 depending on the position of the valve body. In addition, as the "valve mechanism", for example, a shutter provided at the exhaust port of a general ventilation fan can be used as a kind of "valve mechanism" or a mechanism equivalent to the "valve mechanism". Therefore, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the inflow amount of building exhaust air flowing into the processing device 3 by controlling the opening degree or open / close state of the valve in the "valve mechanism" as described above, or the open / close state of the shutter.

[0045] The flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 can also be configured by a "blower" installed between the building 2 and the processing device 3. The "blower" changes the amount of air sent, i.e., the amount of building exhaust air flowing through the flow path 10 between the building 2 and the processing device 3, depending on the output. Therefore, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the amount of building exhaust air flowing into the processing device 3 by controlling the output of the "blower" as described above. Note that, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 may be a combination of the "valve mechanism" and the "blower" as described above. The flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is connected to the control unit 7 described later, for example, via a public communication line or a dedicated communication line, so as to be capable of data communication.

[0046] The recovery vehicle Ve transports the treated air, which has been treated in the treatment device 3 and stored in the storage container 4, to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. For example, the recovery vehicle Ve is a transport vehicle equipped with a loading platform or a luggage compartment for loading the storage container 4, and collects the treated air stored in the storage container 4 together with the storage container 4, and transports it to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. Alternatively, the recovery vehicle Ve is a transport vehicle equipped with a tank (pressure container) in which the treated air is filled, and transfers the treated air stored in the storage container 4 from the storage container 4 to the tank of the transport vehicle, collects it, and transports it from the storage location where the storage container 4 is installed to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. The recovery vehicle Ve is connected to a control unit 7 described later, for example, via a public communication line or a dedicated communication line, so as to be able to perform data communication. The recovery vehicle Ve travels between the storage location of the storage container 4 and the carbon dioxide capture device 5 based on an operation plan formulated by the control unit 7 described later.

[0047] The control unit 7 is an electronic control device mainly composed of, for example, a server computer or a microcomputer, and constitutes a main part of the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 7 manages the operation of the capture vehicle Ve that transports the above-mentioned treated air to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. Specifically, the control unit 7 formulates an operation plan for the capture vehicle Ve and outputs it as a control command. At the same time, the control unit 7 controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 to adjust the inflow amount of building exhaust air that flows from the building 2 to the treatment device 3. The control unit 7 is connected to an external server (not shown) or a website on the Internet, for example, via a public communication line or a dedicated communication line. In addition, the control unit 7 is connected to, for example, a controller (not shown) installed in each building 2 or in the storage container 4 that stores the building exhaust air (treated air) of each building 2, and an on-board controller (not shown) mounted on the capture vehicle Ve, so that data communication is possible between them, respectively, via a public communication line, a dedicated communication line, or a predetermined communication device. Various data are input to the control unit 7 from, for example, a CO2 sensor 8, which will be described later, a predetermined detection device 9, and the like.

[0048] The control unit 7 also performs calculations using various input data and pre-stored data, calculation formulas, and the like. The control unit 7 is configured to output the calculation results as control command signals and manage the operation of the above-mentioned collection vehicle Ve. For example, the control unit 7 formulates the operation time or operation date and time of the collection vehicle Ve, and the operation route, travel route, or collection route of the treated air, as an operation plan for the collection vehicle Ve. At the same time, the formulated operation plan for the collection vehicle Ve is output to the collection vehicle Ve. For example, as the operation plan, the operation date and time and the operation route are displayed on the dashboard of the collection vehicle Ve to make the driver of the collection vehicle Ve aware of them. The driver of the collection vehicle Ve drives the collection vehicle Ve in accordance with the displayed operation plan, and the collection vehicle Ve travels between each building 2 or storage vessel 4 and the carbon dioxide capture device 5. That is, the control unit 7 manages the operation of the collection vehicle Ve based on the formulated operation plan.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 7 is configured to control the operation of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 described above. For example, the control unit 7 controls the opening degree and open / close state of the valve in the "valve mechanism" as the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6. Alternatively, the control unit 7 controls the output of the "blower" as the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6. In this way, the control unit 7 adjusts the inflow amount of building exhaust air that flows from the building 2 into the treatment device 3. Specifically, the control unit 7 acquires information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2. At the same time, the control unit 7 controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 based on the acquired information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air. A more specific configuration of this control unit 7 will be described later.

[0050] The CO2 sensor 8 is installed, for example, near an exhaust port (not shown) of the building 2 or in a flow path 10 between the building 2 and the processing device 3. The CO2 sensor 8 directly detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air emitted from the building 2 as information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air.

[0051] The detection device 9 detects behavioral data related to the number and behavior of people entering and leaving the building 2. For example, a camera (such as a surveillance camera) that observes people entering and leaving the building 2, or a human presence sensor that detects people entering and leaving the building 2, is used as the detection device 9. Using such a camera or human presence sensor, the number of people entering and leaving the building 2 is detected as behavioral data related to the behavior of people entering and leaving the building 2. Alternatively, the number of people present in the building 2 is detected. Then, based on the detected number of people, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is estimated as information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust. It is estimated that the more people present in the building 2, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust emitted from the building 2. Alternatively, a portable information terminal (not shown) carried by a person entering and leaving the building 2, such as a mobile phone, a personal computer, or an electronic notebook, is used as the detection device 9. The detection device 9 acquires behavioral data related to the number and behavior of people entering and leaving the building 2, for example, by using a schedule book function of the portable information terminal as described above, as information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust. Specifically, schedules (travel plans, action plans, etc.) of people entering and leaving building 2 are detected as behavioral data of people entering and leaving building 2. In addition, time periods when there will be many people in building 2 are predicted based on the detected schedules. It is estimated that the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas emitted from building 2 will be higher in time periods when there are many people than in time periods when there are few people. Alternatively, it is predicted that the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas emitted from building 2 will be higher.

[0052] In the carbon dioxide capture system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a so-called smart city 11 is assumed as an example of a region or district where a plurality of buildings 2 are built, or a city. The smart city 11 is, for example, a city or region defined as "a sustainable city or district where management (planning, facilities, management, operation) is performed while utilizing new technologies such as ICT [Information and Communication Technology] and the like to address various problems faced by the city, and overall optimization is achieved" (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). In recent years, development of such a smart city 11 has been progressing toward demonstration experiments and practical application. It is also assumed that carbon dioxide emitted on a daily basis in the smart city 11 is captured, and the captured carbon dioxide is effectively used, for example, as fuel for power generation or fertilizer for agriculture. As a result, carbon dioxide is circulated in the smart city 11, and carbon dioxide emissions can be substantially reduced or suppressed.

[0053] 1 and 2 show an image in which building exhaust air (specifically, treated air treated by a treatment device 3 and stored in a storage container 4) discharged from each building 2 built in a smart city 11 is collected by a collection vehicle Ve for each house and transported to a carbon dioxide capture device 5. The carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention may, for example, collect building exhaust air discharged from each building 2 and store it in a predetermined storage container 4, and collect treated air from a predetermined storage location where the storage container 4 is installed by the collection vehicle Ve and transport it to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. Alternatively, the treated air may be collected by the collection vehicle Ve from a predetermined storage location where a plurality of storage containers 4 are installed together and transported to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. The treated air may be loaded into the collection vehicle Ve together with the storage container 4 and transported to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. Alternatively, the treated air may be transferred from the storage container 4 to the collection vehicle Ve and transported to the carbon dioxide capture device 5.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 7 is installed in a predetermined facility in the smart city 11 as described above. The control unit 7 in the embodiment of the present invention may be installed in a predetermined facility outside the smart city 11. Although an image in which one control unit 7 is provided is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the control unit 7 in the embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a plurality of control units 7, for example, for each control content or control target. Alternatively, a plurality of individually installed servers (not shown) may be integrated together to be the control unit 7.

[0055] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 7 in the embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a control information acquisition unit 21, a storage tank monitoring unit 22, an inflow amount calculation unit 23, and an inflow amount control unit 24.

[0056] The control information acquisition unit 21 acquires various data to be applied to the control. In particular, the control information acquisition unit 21 acquires information related to the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the building exhaust gas discharged from the building 2, that is, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas. For example, the control information acquisition unit 21 acquires data (actual detection value) related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas detected by the CO2 sensor 8. In addition, as behavioral data related to the number of people entering and leaving the building 2 and their behavior, for example, data related to the number of people in the building 2 detected by a detection device 9 such as a security camera or a human presence sensor is acquired. Alternatively, for example, data related to the number of people in the building 2 and the behavior of the people detected by a detection device 9 such as a mobile information terminal is acquired. Then, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust gas is estimated from the various data.

[0057] The storage tank monitoring unit 22 constantly monitors the amount (storage volume) of treated air (building exhaust air) stored in the storage container 4. For example, to grasp the free capacity of the storage container 4, the storage volume of treated air stored in the storage container 4 for each building 2 or data related to the storage volume is acquired. If the acquired storage volume of treated air is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the free capacity of the storage container 4 is exhausted.

[0058] The inflow amount calculation unit 23 calculates the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be flowed from the building 2 into the processing device 3 based on the various data acquired by the control information acquisition unit 21 and the free capacity of the storage container 4 acquired by the storage tank monitoring unit 22. For example, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is low, the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be flowed into the processing device 3 is reduced compared to when the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is high. Alternatively, when the number of people in the building 2 is large, it is estimated that the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is high compared to when the number of people in the building 2 is small, and the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be flowed into the processing device 3 is increased. In addition, for a processing device 3 connected to a storage container 4 whose storage amount of processing air is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and which is determined to have no free capacity, the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be flowed into the processing device 3 is set to 0. In other words, the inflow of building exhaust air into the processing device 3 is stopped.

[0059] The inflow volume control unit 24 controls the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 based on the inflow volume of the building exhaust air calculated by the inflow volume calculation unit 23. That is, it controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 so as to realize the inflow volume of the building exhaust air calculated by the inflow volume calculation unit 23. For example, the inflow volume control unit 24 controls the opening degree and open / close state of a valve in a "valve mechanism" serving as the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6. Alternatively, the inflow volume control unit 24 controls the output of a "blower" serving as the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6.

[0060] Note that the control unit 7 in the embodiment of the present invention may have a predetermined control section in addition to the above-mentioned control information acquisition section 21, storage tank monitoring section 22, inflow amount calculation section 23, and inflow amount control section 24. For example, it has a time measurement section (not shown) that acquires data related to time in order to set the execution interval and timing of control, and an operation plan creation section (not shown).

[0061] For example, the operation plan creation unit creates an operation plan for the collection vehicle Ve based on the various data acquired by the control information acquisition unit 21 and the free capacity of the storage container 4 acquired by the storage tank monitoring unit 22. Specifically, the operation plan creation unit creates at least the operation time (or operation period, collection date and time, etc.) of the collection vehicle Ve and the operation route (or collection order, collection route, etc.) of the collection vehicle Ve as the operation plan for the collection vehicle Ve. For example, the operation time and the operation route of the collection vehicle Ve are created so that the storage volume of the treated air (building exhaust) stored in the storage container 4 of each building 2 is compared and the storage container 4 with a large storage volume of treated air is preferentially collected, or the storage container 4 with a small remaining free capacity is quickly collected. In addition, for example, the operation time and the operation route of the collection vehicle Ve are created so that the storage container 4 estimated or predicted to have a high carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air is preferentially collected.

[0062] As described above, the main purpose of the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is to efficiently and appropriately capture carbon dioxide in building exhaust gas emitted from a plurality and large number of buildings 2. To this end, the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to execute the control shown in the flowchart of the following Fig. 4, for example.

[0063] The flowchart in Fig. 4 shows an example of control for adjusting the inflow rate of building exhaust air sent from the building 2 to the treatment device 3, taking into consideration the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air. Note that the control shown in the flowchart in Fig. 4 is executed for all of the multiple (many) buildings 2 targeted by the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, as well as all of the flow rate adjustment mechanisms 6, all of the treatment devices 3, and all of the storage containers 4 connected to each of the buildings 2.

[0064] In the flow chart shown in Fig. 4, first, in step S1, it is determined whether the amount of treated air (building exhaust air) stored in the storage container 4 is less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value in this case is a threshold value for grasping the free capacity of the storage container 4 and determining the remaining amount of air that can be stored in the storage container 4, and is determined in advance based on the results of, for example, demonstration tests and simulations. When the amount of treated air stored in the storage container 4 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it is determined that the free capacity of the storage container 4 is low and that the treated air in the storage container 4 needs to be quickly collected.

[0065] If the answer to step S1 is affirmative because the amount of treated air stored in the storage container 4 is still less than the predetermined value, i.e., there is still free capacity in the storage container 4, proceed to step S2.

[0066] In step S2, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous control timing. Specifically, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 was last controlled to adjust the inflow rate of building exhaust air sent from the building 2 to the treatment device 3. The predetermined time in this case is a time for adjusting the inflow rate of building exhaust air by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 at appropriate time intervals, and is determined in advance based on the results of, for example, demonstration tests or simulations.

[0067] If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the previous control timing and therefore the answer is negative in step S2, the routine shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 is terminated without executing any further control. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous control timing and therefore the answer is positive in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0068] In step S3, the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the air discharged from the building 2 is estimated. That is, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is obtained. Specifically, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is estimated as information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust from the behavior data of people entering and leaving the building 2 detected by the detection device 9. For example, as behavior data of people entering and leaving the building 2, data on the number of people in the building 2 is detected by the detection device 9 such as a surveillance camera or a human presence sensor. Alternatively, data on the number of people in the building 2 and the behavior of the people is detected by the detection device 9 such as a mobile information terminal. Such various data are obtained as information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust. Then, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust is estimated based on the information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust. As described above, the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust may be directly detected by the CO2 sensor 8, and the detected value of the carbon dioxide concentration may be the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust based on the information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust.

[0069] Next, in step S4, the amount of treated air to be collected is calculated based on the estimated (or detected) carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air. Specifically, the building exhaust air discharged from the building 2 is treated by the treatment device 3, and the amount of treated air to be stored in the storage container 4 is calculated. The carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2 is not constant. Therefore, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is low, if the building exhaust air is treated by the treatment device 3, the cost-effectiveness of operating the treatment device 3 is low. On the other hand, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is high, if the building exhaust air is treated by the treatment device 3, the treated air with a high carbon dioxide concentration can be stored in the storage container 4, and the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air can be efficiently captured by collecting the treated air and transporting it to the carbon dioxide capture device 5. Therefore, in this step S4, the amount of treated air to be collected is calculated according to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air, so that the amount of treated air to be stored in the storage container 4 increases as the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air increases.

[0070] Next, in step S5, the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be sent from the building 2 to the treatment device 3 is calculated. Specifically, the inflow amount of building exhaust air required to actually treat the amount of treatment air calculated in step S4 above in the treatment device 3 is calculated. That is, taking into account the performance, treatment capacity, etc. of the treatment device 3, the inflow amount of building exhaust air to be caused to flow into the treatment device 3 is calculated from the amount of treatment air calculated in step S4.

[0071] Then, in step S6, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is controlled based on the calculated inflow rate of the building exhaust air. Specifically, the opening degree of the "valve mechanism" is controlled as the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 so as to realize the inflow rate of the building exhaust air calculated in step S5 above. Alternatively, the output of the "blower" is controlled as the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6. For example, it is estimated that the more people there are in the building 2, the higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air. Therefore, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is controlled so that the more people there are in the building 2, the higher the inflow rate of the building exhaust air. In addition, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is controlled so that the inflow rate of the building exhaust air is larger during the time period when the number of people in the building 2 is large than during the time period when the number of people in the building 2 is small. In addition, when there is no person in the building 2, or when there are only a few people in the building 2, less than a predetermined number of people, it is estimated that the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air is considerably low. Therefore, when the number of people in building 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined number, or when there is no one in building 2, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is controlled to stop the flow of building exhaust air into the treatment device 3, i.e., to set the inflow rate of building exhaust air to 0. Therefore, based on information related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is controlled to adjust the inflow rate of building exhaust air.

[0072] In this step S6, the flow control mechanism 6 is controlled to adjust the inflow rate of building exhaust gas (the inflow rate is increased or decreased, or set to zero), and then the routine shown in the flowchart of Figure 4 is temporarily terminated.

[0073] On the other hand, if the storage amount of treated air stored in the storage container 4 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, i.e., the free space in the storage container 4 is full, and therefore the result of the above-mentioned step S1 is negative, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0074] In step S7, an operation plan of the collection vehicle Ve that collects the treated air from the storage container 4 is formulated or updated. Specifically, when the storage amount of the treated air stored in the storage container 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an operation plan of the collection vehicle Ve is formulated to reflect information on the storage amount of the treated air. Or, an operation plan of the collection vehicle Ve is updated to reflect information on the storage amount of the treated air. For example, information that the storage amount of the treated air stored in the storage container 4 has reached a predetermined value or more is transmitted as information on the storage amount of the treated air to an operation plan creation section of the control unit 7 that formulates the operation plan of the collection vehicle Ve, or to an operation plan creation section of an external server (not shown) that formulates the operation plan of the collection vehicle Ve. Then, the operation plan creation section formulates an operation plan of the collection vehicle by reflecting the information on the storage amount of the treated air. Or, an operation plan of the collection vehicle is updated. For example, an operation plan of the collection vehicle Ve is formulated or updated so as to preferentially collect the storage container 4 in which the storage amount of the treated air has reached a predetermined value or more. Therefore, the treated air in the storage container 4 that does not have a sufficient free capacity is promptly collected by the collection vehicle Ve. Therefore, the carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas from the building can be efficiently collected.

[0075] When the operation plan for the collection vehicle Ve is established or updated in step S7, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is then temporarily terminated.

[0076] As described above, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the building exhaust air from each building 2 containing carbon dioxide is temporarily stored in the storage container 4 as treated air that has been subjected to a predetermined process such as compression or liquefaction by the treatment device 3. Therefore, the building exhaust air from each building 2 can be efficiently stored in the storage container 4 with an increased amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume.

[0077] Furthermore, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is provided between each building 2 and the treatment device 3, and the inflow rate of building exhaust air flowing from each building 2 into the treatment device 3 is adjusted. Therefore, the inflow rate of building exhaust air flowing into the treatment device 3 can be appropriately adjusted according to the state of the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2, in particular the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air.

[0078] Furthermore, in the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 6 is controlled based on information relating to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air flowing from the building 2 to the processing device 3 (for example, an estimated or predicted value of the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air estimated from behavioral data of people entering and leaving the building 2, or a detected value of the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air actually detected by the CO2 sensor 8), and the inflow rate of the building exhaust air flowing into the processing device 3 is adjusted. Therefore, the inflow rate of the building exhaust air flowing from the building 2 to the processing device 3 can be appropriately adjusted according to the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air.

[0079] Therefore, according to the carbon dioxide capture system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the treatment device 3 can be operated in an efficient state where the amount or concentration of carbon dioxide per unit volume is high, taking into account the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2. Furthermore, the building exhaust air (treated air) treated by the treatment device 3 can be efficiently stored in the storage container 4. Therefore, the carbon dioxide in the building exhaust air discharged from each building 2 can be efficiently and appropriately captured. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Carbon dioxide capture system 2. Building 3 Processing equipment (compression equipment, liquefaction equipment, carbon dioxide concentration equipment) 4. Storage containers (storage tanks) 5 Carbon dioxide capture equipment (CO2 capture equipment) 6 Flow rate control mechanism (valve mechanism, blower) 7. Control Unit 8 CO2 Sensor 9. Detection Equipment 10 Flow path (between building and treatment equipment) 11. Smart Cities 21 (Control unit) control information acquisition section 22 (Control Unit) Storage Tank Monitoring Section 23 Inflow calculation section (of control unit) 24 Inflow control section (of control unit) Ve recovery vehicle

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide capture system including a plurality of buildings, a treatment device that performs a predetermined treatment on building exhaust air discharged from the buildings, and a storage container that stores the building exhaust air treated by the treatment device as treated air, a flow rate adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting an inflow rate of the building exhaust air that flows from the building into the treatment device; A control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment mechanism to adjust the inflow rate. A carbon dioxide capture system.

2. 2. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 1, The control unit includes: obtaining information related to a carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust; The flow rate adjusting mechanism is controlled based on the acquired information. A carbon dioxide capture system.

3. 3. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 2, A detection device is provided for detecting behavioral data relating to the number and behavior of people entering and exiting the building; The control unit includes: Acquire the behavioral data as the information; The inflow amount is adjusted based on the acquired behavioral data. A carbon dioxide capture system.

4. 4. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 3, The control unit includes: The more people in the building, the larger the inflow amount is. A carbon dioxide capture system.

5. 4. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 3, The control unit includes: The inflow amount is increased during a time period when the number of people in the building is large compared to a time period when the number of people in the building is small. A carbon dioxide capture system.

6. In the carbon dioxide recovery system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The control unit includes: If the building is unoccupied, the flow of building exhaust air to the treatment device is stopped. A carbon dioxide capture system.

7. 4. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 3, The control unit includes: estimating a carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust based on the behavioral data; The higher the estimated carbon dioxide concentration, the larger the inflow amount is set. A carbon dioxide capture system.

8. The carbon dioxide recovery system according to claim 1 or 2, CO detecting the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust ２ Equipped with a sensor, The control unit includes: The CO ２ The higher the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the sensor, the larger the inflow amount is set. A carbon dioxide capture system.

9. The carbon dioxide capture system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The control unit includes: obtaining a storage amount of the process air stored in the storage vessel; If the storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the flow of the building exhaust air to the treatment device is stopped. A carbon dioxide capture system.

10. 10. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 9, A recovery vehicle is provided to transport the treated air stored in the storage container to a carbon dioxide recovery device that captures or separates and recovers carbon dioxide in the air, The control unit includes: Developing an operation plan for the collection vehicle and managing the operation of the collection vehicle; When the storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the operation plan is formulated by reflecting information on the storage amount. A carbon dioxide capture system.

11. In the carbon dioxide capture system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The flow rate adjustment mechanism includes: a valve mechanism provided between the building and the treatment device; The control unit includes: The inflow amount is adjusted by controlling the operation of the valve mechanism. A carbon dioxide capture system.

12. In the carbon dioxide capture system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The flow rate adjustment mechanism includes: a blower provided between the building and the treatment device, The control unit includes: The inflow amount is adjusted by controlling the output of the blower. A carbon dioxide capture system.

13. 13. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 1, the processing device is a compression device that compresses air, The process air is compressed air obtained by compressing the building exhaust air in the compressor. A carbon dioxide capture system.

14. 13. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 1, the treatment device is a liquefaction device for liquefying air, The process air is liquid air obtained by liquefying the building exhaust air in the liquefaction device. A carbon dioxide capture system.

15. 13. The carbon dioxide capture system according to claim 1, The treatment device is a carbon dioxide concentration device that increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, The treated air is carbon dioxide enriched air in which the carbon dioxide concentration in the building exhaust air has been increased by the carbon dioxide concentrator. A carbon dioxide capture system.

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