Air conditioning device, air conditioning system, and adsorbent regeneration method

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning apparatus, an air conditioning system, and an adsorbent regeneration method capable of suppressing deterioration in adsorption ability of an adsorbent by adsorbing / desorbing carbon dioxide repeatedly.SOLUTION: An air conditioning apparatus 1 includes: an adsorbing body 10 having an adsorbent with carbon dioxide adsorbing ability; adsorbing means 20 for causing the adsorbent to adsorb a part or all of carbon dioxide from air to be processed by bringing the air to be processed including carbon dioxide into contact with the adsorbing body 10; desorbing means 30 for desorbing part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed to the adsorbent by bringing fluid for regeneration into contact with the adsorbent to which the carbon dioxide is adsorbed; and drying means 40 for desorbing part or all of moisture adhering to the adsorbent by bringing drying fluid into contact with the adsorbent from which the carbon dioxide is desorbed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus, an air conditioning system, and an adsorbent regeneration method. [Background technology]

[0002] The Building Environmental Sanitation Management Standards stipulate that the carbon dioxide content in rooms equipped with air conditioning equipment must be 1000 ppm or less (volume basis; the same applies hereinafter in this specification). Thus, there is a demand for technology to remove carbon dioxide from the indoor air in buildings equipped with air conditioning equipment.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an air conditioning system that includes a rotor divided into a treatment zone in which air to be treated containing carbon dioxide is absorbed by an amine-supported solid absorbent, and a regeneration zone in which the carbon dioxide absorbed by the absorbent is desorbed into regeneration air, and that is configured so that the enthalpy difference between the air to be treated supplied to the treatment zone and the regeneration air supplied to the regeneration zone is within a specific range.The invention in Patent Document 1 aims to remove carbon dioxide from indoor air and improve air quality.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 2 proposes an air conditioning system that includes a removal section in which an adsorbent containing cerium oxide and having a specific pore volume is disposed, and that removes carbon dioxide contained in a gas to be treated in the removal section. According to the invention of Patent Document 2, an improvement in the amount of carbon dioxide adsorbed by the adsorbent is attempted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-75715 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-38940 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not take into consideration the decrease in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent due to repeated adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus, an air conditioning system, and an adsorbent regeneration method that can suppress the decrease in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent due to repeated adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following aspects. [1] An adsorbent having an adsorbent capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide; an adsorption means for bringing the air to be treated containing carbon dioxide into contact with the adsorbent, thereby adsorbing part or all of the carbon dioxide from the air to be treated onto the adsorbent; a desorption means for desorbing a part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent by bringing a regenerating fluid into contact with the adsorbent on which the carbon dioxide has been adsorbed; drying means for desorbing a part or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent by bringing a drying fluid into contact with the adsorbent from which the carbon dioxide has been desorbed. [2] an adsorption region in the adsorption means for bringing the air to be treated into contact with the adsorbent; a desorption region in the desorption means for contacting the regenerating fluid with the adsorbent; The air conditioning apparatus according to [1], wherein the drying means and the drying region in which the drying fluid is brought into contact with the adsorbent are independent of each other. [3] The air conditioning apparatus according to [2], wherein the adsorbent moves relatively to the adsorption region, the desorption region, and the drying region in this order. [4] The air conditioner according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a heating means for heating the drying fluid. [5] An air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air conditioners according to any one of [1] to [4] on different floors.

[0009] [6] an adsorption step of bringing the carbon dioxide-containing air to be treated into contact with an adsorbent to adsorb some or all of the carbon dioxide onto the adsorbent; a desorption step of desorbing part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with a regenerating fluid; a drying step, which follows the desorption step, of bringing a drying fluid into contact with the adsorbent from which the carbon dioxide has been desorbed, thereby desorbing part or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent, The method for regenerating an adsorbent, wherein the adsorption step is carried out after the drying step. [7] The adsorbent regeneration method according to [6], wherein the adsorption step, the desorption step, and the drying step are each carried out in an independent region. [8] The method for regenerating an adsorbent according to [6] or [7], wherein the adsorbent body having the adsorbent is moved relatively to one another, and the adsorption step, the desorption step, and the drying step are carried out in this order. [9] The method for regenerating an adsorbent according to any one of [6] to [8], further comprising a heating step of heating the drying fluid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the air conditioner, air conditioning system, and adsorbent regeneration method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent caused by repeated adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the air conditioner of FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of the AA' cross section. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioning system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [First embodiment] <Air conditioning equipment> The air conditioning apparatus of the present invention comprises an adsorbent having an adsorbent, adsorption means, desorption means, and drying means. An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment has an adsorbent 10 , adsorption means 20 , desorption means 30 , drying means 40 , a collection container 50 , and a room 100 . The adsorption means 20 has an adsorption region 21. The desorption means 30 has a desorption region 31. The drying means 40 has a drying region 41. The adsorbent 10 is located across the adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41.

[0014] The adsorption region 21 of the adsorption means 20 and the living room 100 are connected by a pipe L3. The adsorption means 20 and the living room 100 are also connected by a pipe L16. A pipe L4 is connected to the living room 100. The desorption means 30 and the collection container 50 are connected by a pipe L13 and a pipe L14. In this embodiment, the interior of the room 100 is a room in a building. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of movement of a fluid such as air.

[0015] <Adsorbent> The adsorbent 10 contains an adsorbent capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide. The adsorbent 10 is in the form of a disk-shaped rotor, and the adsorbent is supported on the rotor. The adsorbent 10 is supported by a rotation axis O located at the boundary between the adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41. The adsorbent 10 rotates around the rotation axis O.

[0016] A honeycomb rotor is an example of the adsorbent 10. The honeycomb rotor is a cylindrical member made by corrugating a non-flammable sheet such as ceramic fiber paper or glass fiber paper and wrapping it around a rotor. An adsorbent is supported on the adsorber 10. The adsorbent is not particularly limited as long as it has the ability to adsorb carbon dioxide. Examples of the adsorbent include zeolite, silica gel, activated carbon, solid absorbents carrying amines such as triethanolamine and monoethanolamine, amine-based weakly basic anion exchange resins, etc. When the adsorbent is to be brought into contact with a gaseous regeneration fluid at high temperature, zeolite, silica gel, and activated carbon are preferred, and zeolite and silica gel are more preferred. In this specification, "high temperature" refers to a temperature at which carbon dioxide can be desorbed from the adsorbent at atmospheric pressure, for example, a temperature of 60°C or higher. Here, "atmospheric pressure" refers to a pressure when no particular pressure is applied, neither reduced nor increased, for example, 0.1 MPa.

[0017] The rotating shaft O may be, for example, a rod-shaped member made of metal or resin. A motor (not shown) is attached to the rotating shaft O, and the rotating shaft O rotates using the motor as a power source.

[0018] <Adsorption means> The adsorption means 20 brings the air to be treated, which contains carbon dioxide, into contact with the adsorbent 10, thereby causing a part or all of the carbon dioxide from the air to be treated to be adsorbed by the adsorbent. The adsorption means 20 has an air supply unit 22, a mixing chamber 23, an adsorption region 21, and a blower 26. The air supply unit 22 and the mixing chamber 23 are connected by a pipe L1. A damper D1 is provided in the pipe L1. The mixing chamber 23 and the adsorption region 21 are connected by a pipe L2. A filter 24 is provided inside the adsorption region 21. A blower 26 is provided inside the adsorption region 21. A pipe L3 is connected to the adsorption region 21, which is connected to the living room 100.

[0019] The air supply unit 22 supplies the air to be treated that contains carbon dioxide to the adsorption region 21 . The air supply unit 22 may be, for example, a fan or blower that provides energy to gas by the rotational movement of an impeller. The adsorption region 21 is a region where the air to be treated is brought into contact with the adsorbent 10. An example of a device for forming the adsorption region 21 is an air handling unit (AHU).

[0020] The pipe L1 may be, for example, a duct made of metal or resin. Examples of the damper D1 include an air volume regulator that can adjust the flow rate by opening and closing a valve, and a fire damper that has a fire spread prevention function and is used in an opening facing an exterior wall. The pipe L2 may be, for example, a duct similar to the pipe L1. The mixing chamber 23 may be, for example, a container made of metal or resin. The filter 24 may be, for example, a filter that can remove dust particles and the like from the atmosphere. The blower 26 may be, for example, a fan that imparts energy to gas by the rotational movement of an impeller.

[0021] <Detachment means> The desorption means 30 desorbs part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the adsorbent by bringing a regenerating fluid into contact with the adsorbent to which carbon dioxide has been adsorbed. The desorption means 30 has a regenerating fluid supply unit 32, a heater 33, a desorption region 31, a sprayer 34, and a sprayer 36. The regenerating fluid supply unit 32 and the heater 33 are connected by a pipe L5. The heater 33 and the sprayer 34 are connected by a pipe L6. The sprayer 34 is provided inside the desorption region 31. The heater 33 and the sprayer 36 are connected by a pipe L7. The sprayer 36 is provided inside the adsorption region 21. The desorption means 30 is connected to a pipe L13. The pipe L13 is connected to a pipe L14 at a branch 203. A valve V1 is provided in the pipe L13.

[0022] The regenerating fluid supply unit 32 supplies a regenerating fluid to the desorption region 31. The regenerating fluid supply unit 32 may supply a regenerating fluid to the adsorption region 21. The regenerated fluid supply unit 32 may be a fan, a blower, or the like similar to the air supply unit 22 . The desorption region 31 is a region where the regenerating fluid is brought into contact with the adsorbent 10 . The device forming the desorption region 31 may be, for example, a chamber for desorption or regeneration.

[0023] The pipe L5 may be, for example, a pipe made of metal or resin. The pipe L6 may be the same as the pipe L5. The pipe L7 may be the same as the pipe L5. The pipes L5, L6, and L7 may be provided with dampers, valves, and the like (not shown). The heater 33 may be, for example, a heater or a boiler. Examples of the sprayer 34 include a device for dispersing the regenerating fluid inside the desorption region 31 and a device for spraying the regenerating fluid onto the adsorbent 10. Examples of the sprayer 36 include a device for dispersing the regenerating fluid inside the adsorption region 21 and a device for pressurizing and spraying the regenerating fluid.

[0024] The pipe L13 may be, for example, a pipe made of metal or resin. The pipe L14 may be, for example, a duct made of metal or resin. The valve V1 may be, for example, a solenoid valve whose opening and closing can be controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0025] <Drying means> The drying means 40 brings the adsorbent from which carbon dioxide has been desorbed into contact with a drying fluid, thereby desorbing part or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent. The drying means 40 has a drying fluid supply unit 42, a heater 43, a drying region 41, and a sprayer 44. The drying fluid supply unit 42 and the heater 43 are connected by a pipe L8. The heater 43 and the sprayer 44 are connected by a pipe L9. A valve V2 is provided on the pipe L9. The sprayer 44 is provided inside the drying region 41. A pipe L15 is connected to the drying region 41. A valve V3 and a damper D4 are provided on the pipe L15. In this embodiment, the heater 43 is a heating means for heating the drying fluid. The air conditioner does not necessarily have to have a heating means. The drying fluid can desorb moisture adhering to the adsorbent even at room temperature (for example, 5 to 30°C). However, by heating the drying fluid, desorption of moisture can be further promoted. For this reason, it is preferable that the air conditioner has a heating means.

[0026] The drying fluid supply unit 42 supplies a drying fluid to the drying region 41. As the drying fluid supply unit 42, a fan, a blower, or the like similar to the air supply unit 22 can be used. The drying region 41 is a region where the drying fluid is brought into contact with the adsorbent 10 . An example of a device for forming the drying region 41 is a drying chamber.

[0027] The pipe L8 may be the same as the pipe L5. The pipe L9 may be the same as the pipe L5. The valve V2 may be, for example, a solenoid valve whose opening and closing can be controlled by a control unit (not shown). The valve V3 may be a solenoid valve similar to the valve V2. The damper D4 may be, for example, an air volume regulator that can adjust the flow rate by opening and closing a valve. The heater 43 may be a heater or a boiler similar to the heater 33. Examples of the sprayer 44 include a device for dispersing the drying fluid inside the drying region 41, a device for spraying the drying fluid onto the adsorbent 10, and the like.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41 are independent from each other. The adsorbent 10 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure around a rotation axis O. Therefore, the adsorbent 10 moves relatively through the adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41 in this order. Here, "moving relatively" is a concept that includes both the adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41 being fixed and the adsorbent 10 moving, and the adsorbent 10 being fixed and the adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41 moving. The adsorption region 21, the desorption region 31, and the drying region 41 are independent of each other, so that the adsorption of carbon dioxide and the regeneration of the adsorbent can be carried out continuously. The adsorption area, desorption area, and drying area do not have to be independent of each other; for example, the desorption area and drying area may be one area, or the adsorption area, desorption area, and drying area may be one area.

[0029] <Collection container> The recovery vessel 50 is a vessel for storing the carbon dioxide desorbed from the adsorbent. The recovery vessel 50 may be, for example, a tank capable of storing a mixed fluid of carbon dioxide and a regenerating fluid.

[0030] <Room> Room 100 is an indoor space such as an office where people are active. Room 100 has air intake port 101, air intake port 102, and exhaust port 110. Air intake port 101 and air intake port 102 are connected to pipe L3. Exhaust port 110 is connected to pipe L4. A pipe L16 is connected to the living room 100. The pipe L16 is connected to the pipe L1 at a branch 201 without passing through the mixing chamber 23. The pipe L16 is provided with a damper D5 and a blower B1.

[0031] The pipe L4 is connected to the pipe L11 and the pipe L12 at a branch 202. The pipe L12 is connected to the mixing chamber . The pipe L11 is provided with a damper D2, and the pipe L12 is provided with a damper D3. The pipe L4 may be a metal or resin duct, etc. The pipe L4 may be provided with a damper, a valve, a blower, etc. (not shown). The pipe L11 may be a duct similar to the pipe L4. The pipe L12 may be a duct similar to the pipe L4. The pipe L16 may be, for example, a pipe made of metal or resin.

[0032] An example of the damper D2 is an air volume regulator that can adjust the flow rate by opening and closing a valve. The damper D3 may be an air volume regulator similar to the damper D2. The damper D5 may be an air volume regulator similar to the damper D2. The blower B1 may be, for example, a blower that imparts energy to gas by the rotational movement of an impeller.

[0033] <<Adsorbent regeneration method>> The adsorbent regeneration method of the present invention includes an adsorption step, a desorption step, and a drying step. In the adsorbent regeneration method of the present invention, the adsorption step is carried out after the drying step. The adsorbent regeneration method of the present invention will be described using an air conditioning method that uses the air conditioner 1 as an example. Each step will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0034] <Adsorption process> The adsorption step is a step in which the air to be treated containing carbon dioxide is brought into contact with an adsorbent, thereby causing the adsorbent to adsorb some or all of the carbon dioxide.

[0035] In the adsorption step, first, damper D1 is opened and damper D5 is closed. The air supply unit 22 is operated to suck in outside air, and the outside air is transferred to the mixing chamber 23 via pipe L1. The outside air transferred to the mixing chamber 23 is mixed with indoor exhaust air (air exhausted from the living room 100) transferred to the mixing chamber 23 via pipes L4 and L12, to produce air to be treated that contains outside air (mixing operation). The air to be treated in this embodiment may contain carbon dioxide. Examples of the air to be treated include outside air and air containing outside air. Examples of air containing outside air include a mixture of air taken in from outside the building (outside air) and indoor exhaust air. Examples of indoor exhaust air include air discharged from the living room 100. Examples of indoor exhaust air include post-activity air in which the carbon dioxide concentration has increased due to human activity, post-combustion air produced by combustion, etc. In this embodiment, the air to be treated is only outdoor air or a mixture of outdoor air and indoor exhaust air from the room 100. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air to be treated is, for example, preferably 100 to 2000 ppm, more preferably 200 to 1500 ppm, and even more preferably 300 to 1000 ppm. When the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air to be treated is equal to or higher than the above-mentioned lower limit, more carbon dioxide can be adsorbed onto the adsorbent, and more carbon dioxide can be desorbed in the desorption process. When the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air to be treated is equal to or lower than the above-mentioned upper limit, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent is less likely to decrease. In addition, when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air to be treated is equal to or lower than the above-mentioned upper limit, cleaner treated air can be supplied to the living room 100.

[0036] Next, the air to be treated is supplied from the mixing chamber 23 to the adsorption region 21 of the adsorption means 20 via the pipe L2 (first supply operation). The air to be treated that has been supplied to the adsorption region 21 has contaminants such as dust removed by the filter 24, and then comes into contact with the adsorbent of the adsorbent 10 (first contact operation). A part or all of the carbon dioxide in the air to be treated that has come into contact with the adsorbent is adsorbed by the adsorbent (adsorption operation), resulting in treated air with a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide.

[0037] By operating the blower 26, the treated air is discharged from the adsorption region 21 via the pipe L3 (first discharge operation). The carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air is lower than the carbon dioxide concentration in the air to be treated. The carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air is, for example, preferably 1000 ppm or less, more preferably 800 ppm or less, and even more preferably 500 ppm or less. When the carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air is equal to or less than the above upper limit, the carbon dioxide concentration can be made to satisfy the building environmental sanitation management standards, and cleaner treated air can be supplied to the living room 100. The lower limit of the carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air is not particularly limited, but is substantially 10 ppm.

[0038] The temperature inside the adsorption region 21 during the adsorption step is, for example, preferably 0 to 40°C, more preferably 5 to 35°C, and even more preferably 10 to 30°C. When the temperature inside the adsorption region 21 is equal to or higher than the above-mentioned lower limit, treated air at a comfortable temperature can be supplied to the living room 100. When the temperature inside the adsorption region 21 is equal to or lower than the above-mentioned upper limit, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent can be further improved. The temperature inside the adsorption region 21 can be adjusted by a cooling device or the like (not shown) installed inside the adsorption region 21. The pressure inside the adsorption region 21 during the adsorption step is not particularly limited, but is, for example, atmospheric pressure.

[0039] The treated air discharged from the adsorption region 21 is transferred to the air supply ports 101 and 102 via the pipe L3 and supplied to the room 100 (second supply operation). In the living room 100, for example, the carbon dioxide concentration increases when a person is active, and the carbon dioxide is discharged as post-activity air from the exhaust port 110 through the pipes L4 and L11 to the outside (second discharge operation).

[0040] Damper D3 is opened, damper D2 is closed, and post-activation air is supplied to the mixing chamber 23 via branch 202 and pipe L12 (third supply operation). By having the third supply operation, indoor exhaust air and outside air can be mixed in the mixing chamber 23. In addition, by having the third supply operation, carbon dioxide in the post-activity air can be adsorbed in the adsorption step and supplied to the living room 100 as treated air. In this way, by having the third supply operation, the air inside the living room 100 can be circulated more efficiently. In addition, by having the third supply operation, the amount of outside air introduced from the air supply unit 22 can be reduced, and the air conditioning load due to the outside air load can be reduced.

[0041] For example, if a large amount of carbon dioxide is generated in room 100, damper D3 may be opened, damper D2 may be closed, damper D1 may be closed, and damper D5 may be opened, so that only post-activity air is supplied to mixing chamber 23. Outside air is sent directly to room 100 (outside air supply process), and in adsorption region 21, only carbon dioxide in the post-activity air is adsorbed (adsorption process). In this case, the air supply unit 22 functions as an external air supply unit, and the mixing chamber 23 and the pipe L2 function as an internal air supply unit. By adopting such a configuration, carbon dioxide can be efficiently adsorbed from indoor exhaust air with a high carbon dioxide concentration. In the air conditioner 1, the living room 100 may be, for example, a room equipped with a combustion-type heater, a baking device, or the like.

[0042] Alternatively, damper D2 may be opened and damper D3 may be closed to exhaust the post-activation air outside the building, thereby supplying more outside air to adsorption region 21 without supplying indoor exhaust air to mixing chamber 23.

[0043] Outside air may be directly supplied to the living room 100. In this case, the damper D1 is closed and the damper D5 is opened. By operating the air supply unit 22 and the blower B1, the outside air flows through the pipe L1, the branch 201, and the pipe L16, and the outside air can be supplied to the living room 100.

[0044] <Desorption process> The desorption step is a step in which a regenerating fluid is brought into contact with the adsorbent to which carbon dioxide has been adsorbed, thereby desorbing part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed by the adsorbent.

[0045] In the desorption step, first, a regenerating fluid is supplied from the regenerating fluid supply unit 32 to the desorption region 31 (fourth supply operation). At this time, a fluid that is a raw material for the regenerating fluid (hereinafter also referred to as raw material fluid) is transferred from the regenerating fluid supply unit 32 to the heater 33 via the pipe L5. In this embodiment, the raw material fluid is heated by the heater 33 to produce a gaseous regenerating fluid. The regenerating fluid is preferably a high-temperature gaseous fluid. The regenerating fluid is supplied from the sprayer 34 to the inside of the desorption region 31 via the pipe L6. The regenerating fluid supplied to the inside of the desorption region 31 comes into contact with the adsorbent in the adsorbent 10 (second contact operation). When the regenerating fluid comes into contact with the adsorbent, the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent is desorbed (desorption operation) according to the principle of temperature swing adsorption (TSA). The desorbed carbon dioxide and the regenerating fluid are discharged from the pipe L13 by opening the valve V1 (third discharge operation). In the fourth supplying operation, it is preferable to spray the regenerating fluid onto the adsorbent of the adsorber 10. By spraying the regenerating fluid onto the adsorbent of the adsorber 10, a larger amount of carbon dioxide can be desorbed.

[0046] The regenerating fluid may be any fluid capable of desorbing carbon dioxide from the adsorbent. Examples of the regenerating fluid include water vapor, helium gas, hydrogen gas, argon gas, and ammonia gas. As the regenerating fluid, water vapor and helium gas are preferred, with water vapor being more preferred, because they are harmless and can be easily separated from carbon dioxide.

[0047] The temperature of the regenerating fluid in the heater 33 may be any temperature at which carbon dioxide can be desorbed from the adsorbent at normal pressure. The temperature of the regenerating fluid in the heater 33 is, for example, preferably 60°C or higher, more preferably 60 to 200°C, even more preferably 100 to 180°C, and particularly preferably 120 to 160°C. When the temperature of the regenerating fluid in the heater 33 is equal to or higher than the above lower limit, a larger amount of carbon dioxide can be desorbed. When the temperature of the regenerating fluid in the heater 33 is equal to or lower than the above upper limit, deterioration of the adsorbent can be suppressed. In addition, when the temperature of the regenerating fluid in the heater 33 is equal to or lower than the above upper limit, energy can be saved. When the regenerating fluid is steam, the temperature of the regenerating fluid is 100°C or higher. If the temperature of the regenerating fluid is less than 100°C, the steam will turn into liquid water, making it difficult to regenerate the adsorbent.

[0048] The regenerating fluid may be supplied to the inside of the adsorption region 21 through the pipe L7 (fifth supply operation). By supplying the regenerating fluid to the inside of the adsorption region 21, the temperature of the treated air can be increased, and the energy load for heating, particularly in winter, can be reduced. When the regenerating fluid is supplied to the inside of the adsorption region 21, the temperature of the regenerating fluid is a temperature at which carbon dioxide does not desorb inside the adsorption region 21. An example of a temperature range at which carbon dioxide does not desorb is above the temperature of the air to be treated and below 60°C. If the temperature of the regenerating fluid is above the above lower limit, the energy load for heating can be reduced. If the temperature of the regenerating fluid is below the above upper limit, desorption of carbon dioxide inside the adsorption region 21 can be suppressed. When the regenerating fluid is steam (water), liquid water may be sprayed into the adsorption region 21 via the sprayer 36. In this case, the treated air can be heated and the humidity of the treated air can be adjusted.

[0049] The temperature inside the desorption zone 31 in the desorption step may be any temperature at which carbon dioxide can be desorbed from the adsorbent at normal pressure. The temperature inside the desorption zone 31 in the desorption step is, for example, preferably 60°C or higher, more preferably 60 to 200°C, even more preferably 100 to 180°C, and particularly preferably 120 to 160°C. When the temperature inside the desorption zone 31 is equal to or higher than the above lower limit, more carbon dioxide can be desorbed. When the temperature inside the desorption zone 31 is equal to or lower than the above upper limit, deterioration of the adsorbent can be suppressed. In addition, energy can be saved. The temperature inside the desorption region 31 can be adjusted by introducing a heating device or the like (not shown) inside the desorption region 31.

[0050] The carbon dioxide concentration in the mixed fluid (carbon dioxide and regenerating fluid) in the third discharging operation is, for example, preferably 1000 ppm or more, more preferably 1000 to 5000 ppm, and even more preferably 2000 to 4000 ppm. When the carbon dioxide concentration in the mixed fluid is equal to or higher than the above lower limit, more carbon dioxide can be reused. When the carbon dioxide concentration in the mixed fluid is equal to or lower than the above upper limit, management of the mixed fluid becomes easier. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the mixed fluid can be adjusted by the type, amount, and temperature of the regenerating fluid, the temperature inside the desorption zone 31, the time in the desorption step, and combinations thereof.

[0051] <Drying process> The drying step is a step in which the adsorbent from which carbon dioxide has been desorbed is brought into contact with a drying fluid to desorb some or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent. The moisture adhering to the adsorbent may be moisture present in the air to be treated, or may be moisture derived from the regenerating fluid.

[0052] In the drying step, first, a drying fluid is supplied from the drying fluid supply unit 42 to the drying region 41 (sixth supplying operation). At this time, the drying fluid is transferred from the drying fluid supply unit 42 to the heater 43 via the pipe L8. In this embodiment, the drying fluid is heated by the heater 43 to become a gaseous drying fluid (dry gas) (heating step). By opening the valve V2, the drying fluid is supplied from the sprayer 44 to the inside of the drying region 41 via the pipe L9. The drying fluid supplied to the inside of the drying region 41 comes into contact with the adsorbent of the adsorbent 10 (third contact operation). When the drying fluid comes into contact with the adsorbent, the moisture adhering to the adsorbent is desorbed, and the adsorbent is dried (drying operation). In particular, when steam is used as the regeneration fluid, the effect of the drying step is significant because a large amount of moisture adheres to the adsorbent. Because moisture adhered to the adsorbent acts as an interfering substance when adsorbing carbon dioxide, the inclusion of the drying step can further increase the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency in the subsequent adsorption step. In addition, because moisture adhered to the adsorbent can be a substance that reduces the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent, the inclusion of the drying step can further suppress the reduction in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent due to repeated adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide.

[0053] The desorbed moisture and drying fluid are discharged from the pipe L15 by opening the valve V3 and the damper D4 (fourth discharge operation). The desorbed moisture and drying fluid may be discharged near a third-class ventilation zone such as a toilet and used as air balance gas. In the sixth supplying operation, it is preferable to spray a drying fluid onto the adsorbent of the adsorbent 10. By spraying a drying fluid onto the adsorbent of the adsorbent 10, more water can be desorbed, and the efficiency of drying the adsorbent can be further improved.

[0054] The drying fluid may be any fluid capable of desorbing moisture from the adsorbent. Examples of the drying fluid include nitrogen gas, helium gas, argon gas, dry air, etc. Nitrogen gas and dry air are preferred as drying fluids, with nitrogen gas being more preferred, since they are naturally contained in the atmosphere and do not harm the atmospheric environment.

[0055] The temperature of the drying fluid in the heater 43 is, for example, preferably 40°C or higher, more preferably 40 to 200°C, even more preferably 60 to 180°C, and particularly preferably 80 to 160°C. When the temperature of the drying fluid in the heater 43 is equal to or higher than the above-mentioned lower limit, a larger amount of moisture can be desorbed. When the temperature of the drying fluid in the heater 43 is equal to or lower than the above-mentioned upper limit, deterioration of the adsorbent can be suppressed. In addition, when the temperature of the drying fluid in the heater 43 is equal to or lower than the above-mentioned upper limit, energy can be saved. The higher the temperature of the drying fluid, the more advantageous it is for desorption of moisture from the adsorbent. In this embodiment, the heating step is included, so that the efficiency of desorption of moisture from the adsorbent can be further increased.

[0056] The temperature inside the drying area 41 in the drying step may be any temperature at which moisture can be desorbed from the adsorbent at normal pressure. The temperature inside the drying area 41 in the drying step is, for example, preferably 40°C or higher, more preferably 40 to 200°C, even more preferably 60 to 180°C, and particularly preferably 80 to 160°C. When the temperature inside the drying area 41 is equal to or higher than the above lower limit, more moisture can be desorbed. When the temperature inside the drying area 41 is equal to or lower than the above upper limit, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency in the subsequent adsorption step can be further improved. In addition, energy can be saved. The temperature inside the drying area 41 can be adjusted by installing a heating device or the like (not shown) inside the drying area 41 and using the heating device.

[0057] <Recovery process> The mixed fluid discharged from the desorption region 31 is supplied to the recovery container 50 via the pipes L13 and L14 (sixth supply operation). At this time, the mixed fluid may be merged with a mixed fluid discharged from another air conditioning apparatus and flowing through the pipe L14.

[0058] The mixed fluid supplied to the recovery vessel 50 is stored (storage operation). When the regenerating fluid is steam, the stored mixed fluid can be easily separated into gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid water, for example, by cooling the temperature inside the recovery vessel 50 to 60°C or less (separation operation). When the regenerating fluid is something other than steam, the two can be separated by utilizing the difference in molecular weight between the carbon dioxide and the regenerating fluid, for example.

[0059] The separated carbon dioxide is collected in a cylinder or the like (collection operation) and can be reused as a carbon source (carbon recycling). The regenerating fluid can be reused by transferring it to the regenerating fluid supply unit 32. When the regenerating fluid is steam, the water separated in the separation operation can be used as a heat source for the heater 33 in the regenerating fluid supply unit 32.

[0060] Thus, in the recovery step, carbon dioxide is recovered as a mixed fluid. In the recovery step, the carbon dioxide and the regenerating fluid may be separated in the flow path of the pipe L13 or the pipe L14 and recovered separately.

[0061] <Air conditioning system (building air conditioning system)> The air conditioning system (building air conditioning system) of the present invention is provided with a plurality of the above-described air conditioning apparatuses on different floors. In a building air conditioning system, it is sufficient for one or more air conditioning apparatuses of the present invention to be installed on one floor. For example, by installing air conditioning units on two or more floors, the amount of mixed fluid that can be stored can be increased, and the amount of carbon dioxide recovered can be increased. In this case, the mixed fluid discharged from the air conditioning units on different floors can be stored on each floor, or they can be stored together in one place. The amount of mixed fluid that can be stored can be increased according to the number of air conditioning units.

[0062] The air conditioning system of the present invention will now be described with reference to an example. The air conditioning system 300 in FIG. 3 has a plurality of air conditioning units 310, a pipe L50, a pipe L51, and a collection container 60. An air conditioning unit 310 is provided on each ground floor F of the building 301. Pipe L51 extends vertically within the building 301, from the top ground floor to the basement floor B. Pipe L51 is connected to the collection container 60 on the basement floor B via a booster blower 312. The air conditioning unit 310 on each ground floor F is connected to pipe L51 via pipe L50.

[0063] The air conditioning unit 310 is an apparatus in which the pipes L13 and L14 and the recovery container 50 in the air conditioning apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 have been removed. The pipe L50 may be the same as the pipe L13. The pipe L51 may be a duct similar to the pipe L14. An example of the booster blower 312 is a blower that imparts energy to gas by the rotational movement of an impeller. The collection container 60 may be a tank similar to the collection container 50 .

[0064] In the air conditioning system 300 of this embodiment, the mixed fluid discharged from the air conditioning unit 310 on each upper floor F flows through the pipe L50 and reaches the pipe L51. The mixed fluid that has reached the pipe L51 flows down the pipe L51 and is filled into the recovery container 60 by the booster blower 312. In this way, by capturing carbon dioxide on each floor and collecting it, more carbon dioxide can be captured.

[0065] As described above, the air conditioning apparatus of this embodiment can remove carbon dioxide from the outside air and the air inside a room. Therefore, treated air with a reduced carbon dioxide concentration can be supplied to the room. According to the air conditioning apparatus of this embodiment, in addition to adsorbing and desorbing carbon dioxide, moisture adhering to the adsorbent can be dried, thereby suppressing a decrease in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent due to repeated adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide. According to the air conditioner of this embodiment, the removed carbon dioxide can be recovered, and therefore the recovered carbon dioxide can be used as an energy source such as a carbon source. According to the air conditioner of this embodiment, the treated air can be circulated and reused, so there is no need to rely on outside air to supply air to the living room. This reduces the outside air load, which is said to account for 40% of the air conditioning load. According to the air conditioning apparatus of this embodiment, the air conditioning load can be reduced, which reduces the air conditioning cost and the energy required for air conditioning, leading to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the power plant. The air conditioning device of this embodiment can directly capture carbon dioxide from outside air, which, if widely used, will lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. In addition, because it can directly capture carbon dioxide from outside air, it can capture carbon dioxide in large quantities and more stably than conventional technology that absorbs carbon dioxide only from indoor exhaust. The carbon dioxide adsorbed and recovered by the air conditioning device and air conditioning system of this embodiment can be stably supplied in the amount necessary for industrial use. Therefore, the recovered carbon dioxide is suitable as a material for synthesizing C1 compounds such as carbon monoxide, methane, methanol, and formic acid, C2 compounds such as ethane, ethylene, and ethanol, or olefinic compounds such as propylene and butene, in chemical engineering processes such as artificial photosynthesis. Thus, the technology of the present invention is beneficial to the global environment.

[0066] [Second embodiment] <Air conditioning equipment> An air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioning apparatus 2 of this embodiment has an adsorbent 72, adsorption means 20B, desorption means 30B, and drying means 40B. The adsorption means 20B has an adsorption region (container 70). The desorption means 30B has a desorption region (container 70). The drying means 40B has a drying region (container 70). The container 70 serves as an adsorption region, a desorption region, and a drying region. The adsorbent 72 is located inside the container 70. The adsorbent 72 has an adsorbent capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide. Pipes L22, L32, and L42 are connected to the container 70. Pipe L22 is provided with a valve V22. Pipe L32 is provided with a valve V32. Pipe L42 is provided with a valve V42.

[0067] The adsorption means 20B has an air supply unit 22, a pipe L21, a valve V21, and an adsorption region. The valve V21 is provided in the pipe L21. The air supply unit 22 and a container 70 are connected by the pipe L21. The container 70 also serves as the adsorption region.

[0068] The desorption means 30B includes a regenerated fluid supply unit 32, a pipe L31, a valve V31, and a desorption region. The valve V31 is provided in the pipe L31. The regenerated fluid supply unit 32 and a container 70 are connected by the pipe L31. The container 70 also serves as the desorption region.

[0069] The drying means 40B has a drying fluid supply unit 42, a pipe L41, a valve V41, and a drying region. The valve V41 is provided in the pipe L41. The drying fluid supply unit 42 and a container 70 are connected by the pipe L41. The container 70 also serves as the drying region.

[0070] The pipe L21 may be, for example, a pipe made of metal or resin. The pipe L31 may be the same as the pipe L21. The pipe L41 may be the same as the pipe L21. The pipes L21, L31, and L41 may be provided with a damper, a blower, a heater, and the like (not shown). The valve V21 may be, for example, a solenoid valve whose opening and closing can be controlled by a control unit (not shown). The valve V31 may be a solenoid valve similar to the valve V21. The valve V41 may be a solenoid valve similar to the valve V21. The container 70 may be a metal or resin chamber or the like. The adsorbent 72 may be a case capable of supporting an adsorbent. The adsorbent may be the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0071] The pipe L22 may be, for example, a pipe made of metal or resin. The pipe L32 may be the same as the pipe L22. The pipe L42 may be the same as the pipe L22. The pipes L22, L32, and L42 may be provided with dampers, blowers, and the like (not shown). The valve V22 may be, for example, a solenoid valve whose opening and closing can be controlled by a control unit (not shown). The valve V32 may be a solenoid valve similar to the valve V22. The valve V42 may be a solenoid valve similar to the valve V22.

[0072] <<Adsorbent regeneration method>> The adsorbent regeneration method of this embodiment will be described using an air conditioning method that uses an air conditioner 2 as an example. Each step will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0073] <Adsorption process> Valves V22, V32, and V42 are kept closed. In the adsorption step, first, valve V21 is opened, valve V31 is closed, and valve V41 is closed. The air supply unit 22 is operated to suck in outside air, and the air to be treated (outside air) is supplied to the container 70 via the pipe L21. The air to be treated supplied to the container 70 comes into contact with the adsorbent in the adsorbent 72. A part or all of the carbon dioxide in the air to be treated that has come into contact with the adsorbent is adsorbed by the adsorbent, resulting in treated air with a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide.

[0074] By opening valve V22, the treated air is supplied to a room or the like via pipe L22. At this time, the treated air may be supplied to the room or the like using a blower or the like (not shown) provided in container 70. The carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air is similar to the carbon dioxide concentration in the treated air in the first embodiment. The temperature inside the container 70 in the adsorption step is the same as the temperature inside the adsorption region 21 in the adsorption step of the first embodiment. The temperature inside the container 70 can be adjusted by a cooling device or the like (not shown) installed inside the container 70.

[0075] <Desorption process> Next, valves V21 and V22 are closed. In the desorption step, the valve V31 is opened, and the regenerating fluid supply unit 32 is operated to supply the regenerating fluid to the vessel . As the regenerating fluid, the same fluid as the regenerating fluid in the first embodiment can be applied. The regenerating fluid supplied to the vessel 70 comes into contact with the adsorbent in the adsorber 72. When the regenerating fluid comes into contact with the adsorbent, some or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed to the adsorbent is desorbed due to the TSA principle, which utilizes a temperature difference.

[0076] The temperature inside the container 70 in the desorption step is the same as the temperature inside the desorption region 31 in the desorption step of the first embodiment. The temperature inside the container 70 can be adjusted by introducing a heating device or the like (not shown) inside the container 70 and using the heating device.

[0077] By opening valve V32, the desorbed carbon dioxide and regenerating fluid are supplied to a recovery container or the like via pipe L32. At this time, the carbon dioxide and regenerating fluid may be supplied to the recovery container or the like using a blower or the like (not shown) provided in container 70. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the mixed fluid of carbon dioxide and the regenerating fluid is the same as the concentration of carbon dioxide in the mixed fluid in the third discharging operation in the first embodiment. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the mixed fluid can be adjusted by the type, amount, and temperature of the regenerating fluid, the temperature inside the vessel 70, the time in the desorption step, and combinations thereof.

[0078] <Drying process> Next, valves V31 and V32 are closed. In the drying step, the valve V41 is opened, and the drying fluid supply unit 42 is operated to supply a drying fluid to the container 70. As the drying fluid, the same drying fluid as in the first embodiment can be used. The drying fluid supplied to the container 70 comes into contact with the adsorbent in the adsorbent 72. When the drying fluid comes into contact with the adsorbent, the moisture adhering to the adsorbent is desorbed, drying the adsorbent. The moisture adhering to the adsorbent may be moisture present in the air to be treated, or may be moisture derived from the regenerating fluid.

[0079] The temperature inside the container 70 in the drying step is the same as the temperature inside the drying area 41 in the drying step of the first embodiment. The temperature inside the container 70 can be adjusted by introducing a heating device or the like (not shown) inside the container 70 and using the heating device.

[0080] The desorbed moisture and drying fluid are discharged from the pipe L42 by opening the valve V42. The adsorbent that has undergone the drying process has carbon dioxide and moisture desorbed therefrom. Therefore, by performing the adsorption process using an adsorbent that has undergone the drying process, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency can be further improved. In addition, by performing the drying process, it is possible to further suppress the decrease in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent that is caused by repeated adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide.

[0081] In this embodiment, the adsorption process, desorption process, and drying process can be switched at any interval. The arbitrary interval can be, for example, 1 hour to 24 hours. When the arbitrary interval is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned lower limit, adsorption / desorption of carbon dioxide and drying of the adsorbent can be carried out sufficiently. When the arbitrary interval is equal to or less than the above-mentioned upper limit, purification of the air to be treated (adsorption of carbon dioxide) can be carried out more efficiently. The desired interval can be adjusted by the concentration of carbon dioxide in the treated air, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the mixed fluid, the temperature inside the vessel 70, and combinations thereof.

[0082] In the adsorbent regeneration method of this embodiment, the adsorption step, desorption step, and drying step can be carried out in sequence by switching the fluid to be supplied and the valve. In this embodiment, one container 70 serves as the adsorption area, desorption area, and drying area, so the air conditioner 2 can be made compact. In this embodiment, the adsorbent can be accommodated inside the container 70 to form the adsorbent 72. This makes it possible to easily adsorb and desorb carbon dioxide and dry the adsorbent with a simple structure. In this embodiment, the adsorbent can be supported on the entire adsorbent body 72 inside the container 70, so that a larger amount of carbon dioxide can be adsorbed onto the adsorbent than in the first embodiment. Therefore, a larger amount of carbon dioxide can be recovered.

[0083] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0084] In the first embodiment described above, there is one adsorbent 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of adsorbents may be two or more. By using two or more adsorbents, more adsorbents can be applied, and more carbon dioxide can be adsorbed and desorbed. In the second embodiment described above, the number of containers 70 is one, but the number of containers that serve as the adsorption region, desorption region, and drying region may be two or more. By having two or more containers, the adsorption step can be performed in any container, and the desorption step and drying step can be performed in any other container. This allows carbon dioxide adsorption and adsorbent regeneration to be performed continuously. In the above-described embodiment, one air conditioner is installed on one floor, but the number of air conditioners on one floor may be two or more. When two or more air conditioners are installed on one floor, these air conditioners may be of the same type or different types. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1, 2... air conditioning apparatus, 10, 72... adsorbent, 20, 20B... adsorption means, 21... adsorption region, 22... air supply section, 23... mixing chamber, 24... filter, 26, B1... blower, 30, 30B... desorption means, 31... desorption region, 32... regenerated fluid supply section, 33, 43... heater, 34, 36, 44... sprayer, 40, 40B... drying means, 41... drying region, 42... drying fluid supply section, 50, 60... collection container, 70... container, 100... living room, 101, 102... air intake port, 110... exhaust port 300...Air conditioning system, 301...Building, 310...Air conditioning unit, 312...Booster blower, O...Rotating shaft, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16, L21, L22, L31, L32, L41, L42, L50, L51...Piping, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5...Damper, V1, V2, V3, V21, V22, V31, V32, V41, V42...Valve, 201, 202, 203...Branch

Claims

1. an adsorbent having an adsorbent capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide; an adsorption means for bringing the air to be treated containing carbon dioxide into contact with the adsorbent, thereby adsorbing part or all of the carbon dioxide from the air to be treated onto the adsorbent; a desorption means for desorbing a part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent by bringing a regenerating fluid into contact with the adsorbent on which the carbon dioxide has been adsorbed; a drying means for desorbing a part or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent by bringing a drying fluid into contact with the adsorbent from which the carbon dioxide has been desorbed, One container containing the adsorbent, an adsorption region in the adsorption means for bringing the air to be treated into contact with the adsorbent; a desorption region in the desorption means for contacting the regenerating fluid with the adsorbent; a drying area in the drying means for bringing the drying fluid into contact with the adsorbent, The container contains: a first pipe that supplies treated air to a room after bringing the treatment target air into contact with the adsorbent to adsorb part or all of the carbon dioxide onto the adsorbent; and a second pipe for supplying the carbon dioxide and the regenerating fluid to a recovery container after the regenerating fluid is brought into contact with the adsorbent to desorb a part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the adsorbent; and a third pipe that discharges the moisture and the drying fluid after the drying fluid has been brought into contact with the adsorbent from which the carbon dioxide has been desorbed to desorb some or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent.

2. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a heating means for heating the drying fluid.

3. An air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air conditioners according to claim 1 or 2 on different floors.

4. 3. A method for regenerating an adsorbent using the air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: an adsorption step of bringing the carbon dioxide-containing air to be treated into contact with an adsorbent to adsorb part or all of the carbon dioxide onto the adsorbent; a desorption step of desorbing part or all of the carbon dioxide adsorbed on the adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with a regenerating fluid; a drying step, which follows the desorption step, of bringing a drying fluid into contact with the adsorbent from which the carbon dioxide has been desorbed, thereby desorbing part or all of the moisture adhering to the adsorbent, The adsorption step is carried out after the drying step, The adsorbent regeneration method, wherein the adsorption step, the desorption step, and the drying step are performed inside the single container.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of heating the drying fluid.

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