Apparatus and method for passively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide using electrically swinging materials

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for passively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The device includes a release chamber having a sorbent regeneration system with a power source, and a capture structure connected to the release chamber and having a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along at least one collapsible support. Each disk includes an electric swing sorbent material. The capture structure is movable between a capture configuration and a release configuration. The capture configuration includes an upwardly extending capture structure that exposes the capture structure to an airflow, allowing the sorbent to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide while a capture voltage is established across the sorbent material. The release configuration includes a disk enclosed within the release chamber and conductively connected to a power source, and a release voltage is established across the electric swing sorbent material to release the captured carbon dioxide and form a concentrated gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 119,325, filed November 30, 2020, entitled "Device and Method for Passive Collection of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide With Electro-Swing Materials", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]

[0002] Aspects of this specification generally relate to the passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Background Art

[0003]

[0003] It has been well demonstrated that there is a need for technologies to remove carbon dioxide from ambient air. However, the technology is still new, and the initial air capture processes require large amounts of energy to operate. Since CO2 in air is very dilute (400 parts per million by volume), a CO2 recovery device must not expend an enormous amount of energy to draw in large volumes of air. Heating or cooling the air, drying the air, or significant variations in air pressure will exceed a reasonable energy balance. Further, conventional recovery systems often present the disadvantages of being costly and fragile. Conventional capture devices often incur high operating costs as well as substantial initial capital costs. Additionally, conventional capture devices may be suitable for certain environments in some cases but inefficient in others.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004]

[0004] According to one embodiment, a device for passively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide includes a release chamber having an opening, an sorbent regeneration system having a power supply, and a product outlet. The device also includes a capture structure connected to the release chamber and having at least one foldable support and a plurality of disks connected to the at least one foldable support and spaced apart along it, each disk having an electro-swing sorbent material, and the capture structure is movable between a capture configuration and a release configuration. The device also has a lid that covers the opening of the release chamber when the capture structure is in the release configuration. The capture configuration includes a capture structure extending upward from the release chamber to expose at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow and to allow the sorbent material of the plurality of disks to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, while a capture voltage is established across the electro-swing sorbent material in each of the plurality of disks. The release configuration includes at least one foldable support of a folded capture structure, a lid covering the opening of the release chamber, and a plurality of disks enclosed within the release chamber and electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, so that the plurality of disks receive power, an release voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk, so that captured carbon dioxide is released from the electroswing sorbent material and a concentrated gas is formed within the release chamber.

[0005]

[0005] A particular embodiment may include one or more of the following features: Each disk in the plurality of disks may include at least one pair of electrical contacts at the top of the disk and at least one pair of conductive posts at the bottom of the disk. Each pair of electrical contacts may be communicatively connected to the electroswing sorbent material of the disk, and each electrical contact may be communicatively connected to and aligned with a different conductive post, so that when the capture structure is in a release configuration, the electrical contacts of the lower disk of an adjacent pair of disks can make direct conductive contact with the conductive post of the upper disk of the adjacent pair. The sorbent regeneration system may include at least one pair of base electrical contacts below the plurality of disks, the at least one pair of base electrical contacts may be communicatively connected to and positioned to a power source, so that when the capture structure is in a release configuration, at least one pair of conductive posts of the plurality of disks can make direct conductive contact with at least one pair of base electrical contacts, and the plurality of disks receive power from the power source of the sorbent regeneration system. Each disk in the plurality of disks may include at least two edge contacts communicatively connected to the electroswing sorbent material of the disk. The discharge chamber may include at least one pair of power rails having opposite polarities. The power rails may be communicated and positioned to communicate with the sorbent regeneration system, so that when the multiple disks are in the discharge configuration, each disk of the multiple disks can contact at least one pair of power rails via at least two edge contacts, so that the electrically swinging sorbent material is communicated to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system via at least one pair of power rails. The at least one pair of power rails may be connected to the discharge chamber via multiple biasing elements, so that when the capture structure is in the discharge configuration, the power rails are biased toward the multiple disks, maintaining contact with the edge contacts of the multiple disks. Each disk of the multiple disks may include a battery and a voltage controller. The voltage controller may be communicated to the battery and the electrically swinging sorbent material of the disk. Each battery of the multiple disks may receive power from the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, at least while the capture structure is in the discharge configuration.The electroswing sorbent material of the multiple disks may be electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber while the capture structure moves between the recovery and release configurations. The multiple disks may be electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber via at least one foldable support. Each disk of the multiple disks may include a first segment defined as a disk with a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and a radius smaller than the first radius, and / or a second segment defined as a disk with a second radius measured from the center of gravity and a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius. The first segment may be electrically isolated from the second segment. The recovery voltage may be segmented and have a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage different from the first segment voltage. For each disk of the multiple disks, the recovery voltage may be established when the first segment voltage is established across the first segment and the second segment voltage is established across the second segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide sorbed onto the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. Each disk in the plurality of disks may include a first segment defined as a disk with a radius smaller than the first radius, having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk, and a second segment defined as a disk with a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, having a second radius measured from the center of gravity, the first segment being electrically isolated from the second segment. The release voltage is segmented and may have a third segment voltage and a fourth segment voltage different from the third segment voltage. For each disk in the plurality of disks, the release voltage may be established when the third segment voltage is established over the first segment and the fourth segment voltage is established over the second segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide released by the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The release chamber may include a trough embedded around the top of the release chamber, where the lid contacts the release chamber while the capture structure is in the release configuration, the trough having an inner wall and an outer wall, and the trough is at least partially filled with water.The lid may include a sealing spike protruding from the lid, the sealing spike being sized and positioned such that the lid covers the opening of the release chamber while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The sealing spike is located inside a trough and may be at least partially submerged in the water in the trough so that the water prevents gas movement between the atmosphere and the release chamber. The sorbent regeneration system may include a heat source. The heat source may be a steam source. The release chamber may include a sweep gas inlet connected to a sweep gas source and may be configured to introduce sweep gas into the release chamber to replace the concentrated gas. The sweep gas may be steam. Each disk of the plurality of disks may be substantially planar. For each disk of the plurality of disks, the electro-swing sorbent material may include a plurality of sorbent surfaces connected to the disk surface at an angle greater than zero. Each disk of the plurality of disks may include an aperture. The device may include an actuator connected to the capture structure. The device may include a control system communicatively connected to the actuator and configured to drive the actuator to move the capture structure between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. The device may also include at least one sensor communicatively connected to the control system. The control system may be configured to determine at least one ambient condition based on signals received from at least one sensor, and to autonomously drive an actuator to move the capture structure between a retrieval configuration and a release configuration based on at least one ambient condition. The at least one ambient condition may include at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The device may have at least one baffle.

[0006]

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for passive capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide includes the step of preparing a passive capture device for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide, having an release chamber and a capture structure, by moving the capture structure into a capture configuration using actuators driven by a control system. The capture structure has at least one foldable support and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, each disk having an electroswing sorbent material. The capture configuration has a capture structure extending upward from the release chamber, while a capture voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material. The method also includes the steps of exposing at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow so that the electroswing sorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, and placing the capture structure into a release configuration by driving actuators to lower the capture structure into the release chamber so that at least one foldable support is folded and the plurality of disks are fully within the release chamber and the plurality of disks are electrically connected to a power supply for an sorbent regeneration system so that they can receive power. The method includes the steps of closing the release chamber with a lid, confining a plurality of disks within the release chamber, regenerating the sorbent material of the plurality of disks by establishing a release voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk using an sorbent regeneration system to release the captured carbon dioxide, and forming a concentrated gas within the release chamber. Finally, the method includes the step of discharging the product flow of the concentrated gas through a product outlet that is in fluid communication with the inside of the release chamber by pushing the concentrated gas aside with a sweep gas introduced into the release chamber.

[0007]

[0007] A particular embodiment may include one or more of the following features: The method may include determining at least one ambient condition in the field of the passive recovery device based on signals received from at least one sensor communicatively connected to a control system. The method may include determining an optimal exposure time for the capture structure based on at least one ambient condition. The sweeping gas may be one of air, nitrogen, water vapor, and steam. Each of the plurality of disks may include at least one pair of electrical contacts on the top of the disk and / or at least one pair of conductive posts on the bottom of the disk. Each pair of electrical contacts may be communicatively connected to the electroswing sorbent material of the disk, and each electrical contact may be communicatively connected to a different conductive post and aligned so that, when the capture structure is in a release configuration, the electrical contacts of the lower disk of an adjacent pair of disks can make direct conductive contact with the conductive posts of the upper disk of the adjacent pair. Placing the capture structure in the release configuration may further include arranging at least one pair of conductive posts of a plurality of disks that directly conductively contact at least one pair of base electrical contacts of the sorbent regeneration system, the base electrical contacts being communicatively connected to a power supply. Establishing a release voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk may include powering the plurality of disks using the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system. Each disk of the plurality of disks may include at least two edge contacts communicatively connected to the electroswing sorbent material of that disk. The release chamber may further include at least one pair of power rails having opposite polarity, the power rails being communicatively connected to the sorbent regeneration system. Placing the capture structure in the release configuration may further include bringing all disks of the plurality of disks into contact with at least one pair of power rails via at least two edge contacts, thereby communicating the electroswing sorbent material with the sorbent regeneration system. Establishing a release voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk may include powering the plurality of disks using the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system via at least one pair of power rails.At least one pair of power rails may be connected to the release chamber via a plurality of biasing elements, so that when the capture structure is in the release configuration, the power rails are biased toward the plurality of disks, maintaining contact with the edge contacts of the plurality of disks. This method may further include supplying power to a battery and voltage controller for each of the plurality of disks, the voltage controller being communicably connected to the battery and the electrically swinging sorbent material of the disks using an sorbent regeneration system while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The recovery voltage may be established using power from the battery when the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The electrically swinging sorbent material of the plurality of disks may be electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber while the capture structure is moving between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. The plurality of disks may be electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber via at least one foldable support. Each disk in the plurality of disks may include a first segment defined as a disk with a radius smaller than the first radius, having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk, and a second segment defined as a disk with a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, having a second radius measured from the center of gravity, the first segment being electrically isolated from the second segment. The recovery voltage is segmented and may have a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage different from the first segment voltage. For each disk in the plurality of disks, establishing the recovery voltage may include establishing a first segment voltage across the first segment while simultaneously establishing a second segment voltage across the second segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide to be sorbed onto the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. Each disk in a plurality of disks may include a first segment defined as a disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as a disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, wherein the first segment is electrically isolated from the second segment.The release voltage is segmented and may have a third segment voltage and a fourth segment voltage different from the third segment voltage. For each disk of a plurality of disks, establishing the release voltage may include establishing the third segment voltage over the first segment while simultaneously establishing the fourth segment voltage over the second segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide released by the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The release chamber may include a trough embedded around the top of the release chamber, with the lid in contact with the release chamber when the capture structure is in the release configuration. The trough may have an inner wall and an outer wall, and the trough is at least partially filled with water. The lid may include a sealing spike protruding from the lid. Closing the release chamber with the lid may include inserting the sealing spike into the trough such that the sealing spike is at least partially immersed in the water in the trough, and the water prevents gas movement between the atmosphere and the release chamber.

[0008]

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for passive recovery of atmospheric carbon dioxide comprises at least one passive recovery cluster, each passive recovery cluster comprising at least two passive recovery devices. Each passive recovery device comprises a release chamber having an opening, an sorbent regeneration system with a power supply, and a capture structure connected to the release chamber and having at least one foldable support and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, wherein each disk has an electrically swinging sorbent material, and the capture structure is movable between a recovery configuration and a release configuration. Each passive recovery device also comprises a lid covering the opening of the release chamber when the capture structure is in the release configuration, an actuator connected to the capture structure, and a product outlet in fluid communication with the interior of the release chamber and configured to receive a product stream of concentrated gas. Each passive recovery device also comprises a control system communicatively connected to each passive recovery cluster and configured to drive the actuator to move the capture structure of at least one passive recovery device between a recovery configuration and a release configuration. The product outlets of each passive recovery device within the same cluster are in fluid communication. Each passive recovery unit, the recovery configuration includes a capture structure extending upward from the release chamber, exposing at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow, allowing the sorbent material of multiple disks to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, while a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material at each disk of the multiple disks. Each passive recovery unit, the release configuration includes at least one foldable support for the folded capture structure, a lid covering the opening of the release chamber, and multiple disks enclosed within the release chamber and electrically connected to a power supply for the sorbent regeneration system, so that the multiple disks receive power, establishing a release voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk, so that the captured carbon dioxide is released from the electroswing sorbent material and a concentrated gas is formed within the release chamber.

[0009]

[0009] A particular embodiment may have one or more of the following features: At least two passive recovery devices in each cluster may share the same actuator. The discharge chambers of each passive recovery device in the same cluster may be in fluid communication so that concentrated gas from one recovery device can be swept through the discharge chamber of an adjacent recovery device. The system may include at least one sensor communicated to a control system. The control system may determine at least one ambient condition based on signals received from at least one sensor, and based on at least one ambient condition, autonomously drive at least one actuator to move at least one capture structure between a recovery configuration and a discharge configuration. The at least one ambient condition may include at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The control system may operate the passive recovery devices in sequence to create a continuous product flow of concentrated gas. At least one passive recovery device in each cluster may share the same power supply.

[0010]

[0010] The aspects and uses of the present disclosure presented herein are described in the following drawings and detailed description. Unless expressly stated otherwise, words and phrases in this specification and in the claims are intended to have a plain, ordinary meaning familiar to those skilled in the art. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. As their own lexicographers, the inventors expressly choose to use only the plain, ordinary meaning of a term unless they explicitly state otherwise, and then further explicitly state a “special” definition of a term in this specification and in the claims, and explain how that term differs from its plain, ordinary meaning. Unless the intention to apply a “special” definition is so explicitly stated, it is the inventors’ intention and desire to apply the simple, plain, ordinary meaning of the term to the interpretation of this specification and in the claims.

[0011]

[0011] The inventors also recognize the standard teachings of English grammar. Therefore, where a noun, term, or expression is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in any way, such noun, term, or expression will explicitly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the standard teachings of English grammar. If such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers are not used, such noun, term, or expression will be given the plain, ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the art set forth above.

[0012]

[0012] Furthermore, the inventors are well informed of the criteria and application of the exceptions under Section 112(f) of the United States Patent Act. Therefore, the use of the words “function,” “means,” or “steps” in the modes for carrying out the invention, the description of the drawings, or the claims is not intended to indicate any desire to invoke the exception under Section 112(f) of the United States Patent Act to define the invention. On the contrary, if there were to be an attempt to invoke the provisions of Section 112(f) of the United States Patent Act to define the invention, the claims would have to contain specific and explicit, precise wording such as “means for” or “steps for,” and also contain the word “function” (i.e., “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), and such wording would not simultaneously describe any structures, materials, or actions supporting the function. Therefore, even if the claims include “means for performing the function of…” or “steps for performing the function of…”, if the claims also include any structure, material, or operation supporting that means or step, or performing the described function, this is the inventor’s clear intention not to invoke the provisions of 112(f) of the U.S. Patent Act. Furthermore, even if the provisions of 112(f) of the U.S. Patent Act are invoked to define the claimed embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to be limited to the specific structures, materials, or operations described in the preferred embodiments, but are intended to include any structure, material, or operation that performs the claimed function described in any alternative embodiments or forms of this disclosure, or any structure, material, or operation that is currently well known or hereafter developed to perform the claimed function.

[0013]

[0013] Other aspects, features, and advantages described above will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the brief description of the modes and drawings for carrying out the invention, as well as from the claims.

[0014]

[0014] This disclosure is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1A]

[0015] Perspective and side views of an apparatus for passively collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide using an electro-swing sorbent material. [Figure 1B] Perspective and side views of an apparatus for passively collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide using an electro-swing sorbent material. [Figure 2]

[0016] Cross-sectional view of the application of an electro-swing sorbent material. [Figure 3A]

[0017] Diagram showing the geometric shapes of various sorbent disks. [Figure 3B] Diagram showing the geometric shapes of various sorbent disks. [Figure 3C] Diagram showing the geometric shapes of various sorbent disks. [Figure 4A]

[0018] Side view of an apparatus for passively collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide with the recovery structure in the recovery configuration. [Figure 4B]

[0019] Side view of the apparatus of Figure 3A with the capture structure in the release configuration. [Figure 5A]

[0020] Side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a recovery device having an electro-swing sorbent material in the release configuration. [Figure 5B] Side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a recovery device having an electro-swing sorbent material in the release configuration. [Figure 6]

[0021] Schematic diagram of a passive carbon dioxide recovery system including a plurality of passive recovery clusters. [Figure 7A]

[0022] Figure 7A is a side and top view of a watertight lid for an apparatus for passively collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide.

[0016] FIG. 7B is a side view and a top view of a watertight lid for an apparatus for passively collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017]

[0023] The present disclosure, its aspects, and implementations are not limited to the specific types of materials, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. A number of additional types of materials, components, methods, and procedures known in the art are contemplated for use with specific implementations of the present disclosure. Thus, for example, even if a specific implementation is disclosed, such an implementation and implementation components may include any components, models, types, materials, versions, amounts, etc. known in the art for such systems and implementation components that are consistent with the intended operation.

[0018]

[0024] The words "exemplary", "example", or various forms thereof are used herein to mean functioning as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" or "example" is not necessarily construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other aspects or designs. Further, examples are provided for the sole purpose of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or related portions of the present disclosure in any way. It is to be understood that numerous additional or alternative examples of different ranges may have been presented but are omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0019]

[0025] While the present disclosure includes multiple embodiments in many different forms, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the present disclosure should be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosed concepts to the illustrated embodiments.

[0020]

[0026] The need for technologies to remove carbon dioxide from ambient air has become increasingly clear. However, the technology is still new, and early air capture processes require a large amount of energy to operate. Because CO2 in the air is extremely dilute (parts per million by 400 volumes), CO2 capture systems should not expend enormous amounts of energy to draw in large volumes of air. Heating or cooling the air, drying the air, or large fluctuations in air pressure will exceed a reasonable energy balance. Furthermore, conventional capture systems are often costly and fragile. Conventional capture systems often have high operating costs as well as high initial capital costs. In addition, conventional capture systems may be suitable in certain environments but inefficient in others.

[0021]

[0027] This specification envisions apparatus, systems, and methods for passively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide from natural airflow or wind, employing a simple design that is durable, energy-efficient, and adaptable to use with a variety of conditions and adsorbent materials, including electric swing materials. In some embodiments, these apparatuses may be organized into clusters and systems, enabling continuous CO2 capture and supplying a continuous flow of concentrated CO2 gas, as will be discussed in more detail below. In other embodiments, these apparatuses may be installed and operated as individual units. Furthermore, in some embodiments, some of these apparatuses, systems, and methods envisioned herein may be implemented autonomously or semi-autonomously and adapted to changing environmental conditions in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Some embodiments of the envisioned apparatuses and methods may be used to maintain a breathable oxygenated atmosphere by purging a closed atmospheric environment of exhaled carbon dioxide that accumulates over time.

[0022]

[0028] The following description focuses on the use of electroswing sorbent materials that are reversible with respect to the release of captured CO2 in response to back pressure and may have a larger capture volume per unit time than other types of sorbent materials. However, it should be noted that the systems, methods, and apparatus contemplated herein can be adapted to use various sorbents individually or in combination, including materials sensitive to vacuum, heat, moisture, and / or electrical vibrations.

[0023]

[0029] Figures 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a side view showing a non-definitive example of a device 100 for the passive capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide 102 (hereinafter referred to as the "passive capture device," "capture device," or simply "device"). Specifically, Figure 1A is a perspective view and Figure 1B is a side view.

[0024]

[0030] According to various embodiments, the recovery device 100 includes a capture structure 106 configured to expose the sorbent material 110 to ambient air, a release chamber 104 (or regeneration chamber) into which the capture structure 106 can be placed through an opening 116, a lid 114 for sealing or otherwise enclosing the capture structure 106 inside the release chamber 104, and means for extracting concentrated CO2 gas from inside the chamber through a product outlet 118. Some embodiments may include means for introducing heat and / or moisture into the release chamber 104 (separately or simultaneously) to facilitate the release of captured carbon dioxide from the sorbent material 110.

[0025]

[0031] In the context of this specification and the appended claims, the release chamber 104 is an enclosure through which captured carbon dioxide is released for subsequent sequestration, purification, or application. The release chamber 104 has at least one opening, namely opening 116, through which the release chamber 104 receives the captured carbon dioxide and the material in which the carbon dioxide is captured (e.g., the capture structure 106 and its sorbent material 110). The recovery device 100 has a vertical orientation and the capture structure 106 is lowered into the release chamber 104, but it should be noted that other embodiments may have different orientations and / or directions of movement. A non-limiting set of exemplary alternative geometric shapes is described with reference to Figures 5A to 5D below.

[0026]

[0032] The discharge chamber 104 may be constructed from a durable material suitable for both the external environment in which the recovery device 100 is used and the internal environment specific to the operation of the discharge chamber 104 (e.g., the properties of the sorbent regeneration system 406).

[0027]

[0033] According to various embodiments, the release chamber 104 comprises all the equipment or structures necessary to achieve regeneration of the sorbent material used to capture carbon dioxide, which include (but are not limited to) some or all of the steps of changing the voltage supplied to the capture structure 106, pushing sweep gas into the chamber, exhausting the chamber, and heating the chamber. As described below, some embodiments can supply constant power to the capture structure 106, while other embodiments may comprise the capture structure 106 using a battery that is periodically charged by the release chamber 104 during regeneration to maintain voltage across the sorbent material 110. The regeneration of the capture structure 106 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4B below.

[0028]

[0034] In some embodiments, the discharge chamber 104 includes an internal flow system with a fan or blower to generate a recirculating airflow. In other embodiments, the discharge chamber 104 may include a gas recirculation system in which the flow within the chamber 104 is pushed back to an external recirculation system by the gas injected into the chamber 104. In some embodiments, water vapor is used as the sweeping gas. In the passive recovery systems and / or clusters discussed below with respect to Figure 6, multiple recovery devices 100 may share a single gas recirculation system, or they may use a shared system in conjunction with their individual internal systems.

[0029]

[0035] In the context of this disclosure and the appended claims, the capture structure 106 is a structure or collection of structures in which atmospheric CO2 is captured in contact with or within it. As shown, the capture structure 106 consists of a plurality of disks 108 connected to and spaced apart along one or more foldable supports 112. The disks 108 include one or more electroswing sorbent materials 110 responsible for capturing carbon dioxide. The electroswing sorbent materials 110 are described further below. In some embodiments, the sorbent material 110 may be arranged on one or more surfaces of the disks 108, while in other embodiments, the disks 108 may comprise a plurality of electrodes made of the sorbent material 110. As described later, the sorbent material 110 releases the captured CO2 during regeneration (e.g., when the applied voltage is changed as part of the sorbent regeneration system 406 in the release chamber 104).

[0030]

[0036] As shown, once the capture structure 106 is "deployed" and exposed to the atmosphere to capture carbon dioxide, the discs 108 are suspended from (or along in some embodiments) one or more foldable supports 112 so that air can flow between the discs 108 from any direction. Such an arrangement is advantageous when used to capture CO2 from natural airflows or winds whose direction may change. Furthermore, although the disc-based structures intended herein are described in the context of use with passive airflows, it should be understood that they may also be used with displaced airflows.

[0031]

[0037] The non-limiting examples shown in Figures 1A and 1B are elongated cylindrical and utilize a circular disk. In some embodiments, the device and / or disk 108 may have a substantially circular cross-section, which may be advantageous for use in passively capturing air in situations where airflow may be coming from any direction. In other embodiments, the device and / or disk 108 may have a non-circular cross-section. Various disk 108 designs are discussed in further detail below with respect to Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C.

[0032]

[0038] As shown, the capture structure 106 may have overlapping disks 108. According to various embodiments, the overlapping of the capture structure 106 ranges from a small number (5 to 10 disks) to a large number (>1000 disks) of disks 108. Certain embodiments utilize overlapping disks of 50 to 200 disks.

[0033]

[0039] The disks 108 are supported by one or more foldable supports 112 and, when lifted, can hang freely by gravity to allow air to pass through the gaps between them. In many embodiments, when the capture structure 106 is folded within the release chamber 104, the disks 108 are stacked on top of each other, and small risers are used to maintain small gaps between the disks 108 when the disks 108 are stationary within the chamber 104. In some embodiments, these risers also electrically connect the multiple disks 108 when stacked within the release chamber 104, allowing them all to receive power from the same power source via contacts at the bottom of the chamber 104. See, for example, the embodiments shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0034]

[0040] In addition to capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide, the capture structure 106 can move between a configuration suitable for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide (e.g., a capture configuration or stage) and a configuration that allows the captured CO2 to be released into the release chamber 104 (e.g., a release configuration or stage). The capture and release configurations are described with reference to Figures 4A and 4B below.

[0035]

[0041] As described above, the disk 108 is connected to one or more foldable supports 112, spaced apart along them. In some embodiments, the foldable supports 112 can supply power to the disk 108 they hold. Figures 1A and 1B show a non-limiting example having multiple foldable supports 112 extending along the edge of the disk 108. Examples of foldable supports 112 include, but are not limited to, thin ropes, straps, strings, or chains. In one embodiment, each disk 108 may be connected to an upper disk, thereby bearing the weight of all disks 108 below each disk. In another embodiment, the foldable supports 112 are continuous and designed to bear the entire weight of the disks 108, and the structure of the disks 108 is designed to bear only its own weight. To illustrate a concrete example of such a support system, imagine a series of slender, elongated ladders formed from long strings or chains and solid rods for the crossbars. These ladders are slender, for example, 1 cm wide, or several centimeters wide. A minimum of three such ladders are evenly spaced around the edge of the disc 108, and each disc 108 can be hooked onto one of the crossbars. The ladder structure supports the weight of all the discs 108, while each individual disc 108 only needs to support its own weight. Increasing the number of ladders allows for a reduction in the thickness of the ropes, including the sides of the ladders, making it easier to fold the ladders. Advantageously, if there are more than three ladders, during maintenance, one ladder can be removed and replaced while the capture structure 106 is in an open / recovery configuration.

[0036]

[0042] In another embodiment, the discs 108 may be held in place by a retractable tube or rigid rod that folds tangentially to the disc 108 in a zigzag pattern, or by creating a “dogbone” shape that protrudes from one disc 108 (e.g., the lower disc) into the empty space between adjacent discs (e.g., the upper disc). In this design, it may be necessary to fix the consecutive discs 108 at different positions, shifted by a slight angle along the rim of the discs, to allow space for the length of the dogbone so as not to interfere with the dogbone of the upper disc 108.

[0037]

[0043] In yet another embodiment, the foldable support 112 may be conical in shape, surrounding a central hole in the disc 108. The discs 108 rest on each other when stacked, and these distances increase when the cones move slightly apart. Such a design inevitably helps the discs 108 to naturally center themselves when stacked. If the cones are truncated and therefore open at the top, these cones create a vertical opening channel through the center of the overlapping folded discs 108, which can help guide the airflow during the regeneration of the discs 108. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other foldable configurations exist.

[0038]

[0044] According to various embodiments, the disks 108 of the recovery device 100 are separated from each other when in a recovery configuration or recovery phase, and overlap each other during a regeneration or discharge phase. Optionally, vulnerable portions of disks 108 may be protected by a buffer structure such as a pad or rim to prevent contact with other disks. The buffer may be configured in such a way as to guide airflow to increase recovery and / or intake. In some embodiments, the buffer or rim may be equipped with electrical contacts so that the disks 108 are charged when stacked and / or a voltage (i.e., discharge voltage 438) is applied during the discharge phase.

[0039]

[0045] When the overlap of discs 108 is not fixed and is hanging down, it may be advantageous to restrict its movement (for example, to prevent damage or to optimize the exposure of the adsorbent). One way to restrict the movement is to place the hanging overlap between guides when it is lifted. One example is a set of vertical poles, which can also provide structural support to the lifting structure. Three such poles are already sufficient to restrict the lateral movement of discs 108. Another embodiment may have discs 108 connected through guides along a central hole, thereby preventing relative movement of discs 108. If the discs 108 and lid 114 are ring-shaped, the guides can also pass through the inside of discs 108. Another option for restricting the movement of discs 108 is to anchor the lower disc 108 to the bottom of the discharge chamber 104.

[0040]

[0046] In various embodiments, the disk 108 may be connected to the lower part of the lid 114, and when the device 100 is opened to a retrieval configuration, the lid 114 is lifted together with the disk 108. In other embodiments, the lid 114 may open sideways by sliding or by being hinged like a door. A lifting mechanism is then connected to a fixture on the upper part of the capture structure 106 to lift the disk without the lid 114. Such a design is particularly beneficial in a cluster of retrieval devices 100 where the lifting mechanism can be shared among multiple devices 100. Optionally, the capture structure 106 may be attached to some form of support structure once fully lifted.

[0041]

[0047] Once the capture structure 106 is completely filled with captured carbon dioxide, it is moved into the release chamber 104, where CO2 is recovered and the sorbent material 110 is regenerated in preparation for further recovery. According to various embodiments, the recovery of captured CO2 and the regeneration of the sorbent material 110 are performed after the release chamber 104 is closed by placing a lid 114 over the opening 116. According to various embodiments, the lid 114 (and the capture structure 106) may be lowered over the opening 116 (and the capture structure into the chamber 104) by some form of actuator 120. In the context of this specification and the appended claims, the actuator 120 is any device capable of influencing the movement and may include, but is not limited to, a motor, piston, hydraulic, screw drive, elevator, roller, and other devices known in the art. Optionally, the actuator 120 may be connected directly to the capture structure 106, via the lid 114, or via some other structure. In some embodiments, the actuator 120 may also be connected to the discharge chamber 104. According to various embodiments, the lid 114 is configured to fit with the discharge chamber 104 to form a closed chamber. In some embodiments, the lid may form an hermetically sealed seal together with the discharge chamber 104.

[0042]

[0048] As shown, the passive recovery device 100 also includes a product outlet 118. The product outlet 118 enables fluid communication between the inside of the discharge chamber 104 and some structure outside the discharge chamber 104 (e.g., a storage device, an upgrade system, another discharge chamber 104, etc.) to enable the recovery of a CO2-rich product flow (e.g., a higher proportion of CO2 to other substances than CO2 present in the ambient air). In some embodiments, the product outlet 118 may be configured for a gaseous product flow, and in other embodiments, it may be configured to discharge a liquid product flow (e.g., CO2 trapped in brine, etc.).

[0043]

[0049] The term disk 108 is derived from one possible design in which the disk 108 is flat, but it is important to note that in the context of this disclosure, the term disk 108 is intended to correspond to a much wider range of shapes. In some embodiments, the disk 108 is made entirely from an adsorbent material, while in other embodiments, the disk 108 is made from a structural material that holds the adsorbent material 110 in place.

[0044]

[0050] In some embodiments, the disk 108 may have a circular cross-section (along the central axis of overlap). In other embodiments, other shapes may be used, including but not limited to circular shapes (e.g., higher-order polygons), triangles, quadrilaterals, squares, hexagons, star shapes, ring shapes, etc. While a circular cross-section may be suitable for use in environments where the wind direction is unpredictable, in other embodiments, a more elliptical disk 108 may be used when there is a known direction of wind.

[0045]

[0051] The capture structure 106 includes an electroswing sorbent material 110. In the context of this description and the subsequent claims, the electroswing sorbent material 110 is a material whose affinity for CO2 can be dramatically changed by changing the applied voltage. For the purposes of the following description, these materials will be described as having two states, capture and release, although in reality, some materials may respond to changes in the applied voltage in more than two states. In the capture state, the material has a high affinity for CO2 and absorbs CO2 from the atmospheric gas surrounding the material. In the release state, the material releases CO2 even against a certain amount of back pressure.

[0046]

[0052] According to various embodiments, these electrically swinging materials 110 can be classified into three types. Type 1 requires a stable voltage supply (i.e., recovery voltage 436) while CO2 is being recovered, but the CO2 can be released without current flowing or voltage maintenance and can float freely. Type 2 requires a stable voltage supply (i.e., release voltage 438) while CO2 is being released, but the CO2 can be recovered without current flowing or voltage maintenance that allows it to float freely. Type 3 requires a stable voltage supply (i.e., recovery voltage 436) while CO2 is being recovered, and requires a different voltage (i.e., release voltage 438) to be maintained when the CO2 is being released. The following description of how these materials 110 are implemented in the capture device 100 is made in relation to Type 3 materials, which require applied voltage at both stages of operation. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the designs and structures contemplated herein can be adapted for use with Type 1 and Type 2 materials, which require voltage between only one of the two phases. The electrical swing materials used in the intended design and structure can be adapted for use with various power sources. For example, in some embodiments, the power source may be a DC power source such as a battery, while in other embodiments, the power source may be a rectified AC power source. Optionally, in some embodiments, the power source may have minimal filtering.

[0047]

[0053] Figure 2 shows a non-limiting example of a cross-sectional view of the application of the electrical swing material 110. As shown, the electrical swing material 110 is wrapped around the electrode 200, and the two electrodes are separated by an electrolyte membrane 202 to prevent short circuits. The outer surface 204 of the electrical swing material 110 acts as a counter electrode to the core electrode 200. Applying opposite charges to the two electrodes via lead wires 206, 208 significantly changes the CO2 affinity of the electrical swing material 110. Exemplary electrical swing materials 110 include, but are not limited to, quinone compounds such as polyanthraquinone. Exemplary materials for the core electrode 200 include, but are not limited to, ferrocene compounds such as polyvinylferrocene.

[0048]

[0054] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate non-limiting examples of various disk 108 geometric shapes. Figure 3A shows a top view of a non-limiting example of a circular disk 300 having an electroswing adsorbent material 110. As shown, the circular disk 300 includes a central aperture 302 through which air can flow and / or through which a foldable support 112 can pass and connect to each disk 108.

[0049]

[0055] In some embodiments, the disks 108 may be continuously supplied with energy through one or more foldable supports 112, or through some other structure to which the disks 108 are electrically connected to a power source (i.e., the power source 408 of the sorbent regeneration system 406 will be described in relation to Figures 4A and 4B below). Optionally, in some embodiments, each disk 108 may have components not shared with other disks 108, providing redundancy and modularity in addition to the ability to operate the disks out of order (e.g., to facilitate gas flow in the discharge chamber 104 by applying different voltages to different disks at different times). For example, in some embodiments, each disk 108 may include its own voltage controller 306, all connected to the same power source.

[0050]

[0056] In other embodiments, the disk 108 may need to provide its own power to be recharged when not folded into the discharge chamber 104. A non-limiting example in Figure 3A shows an embodiment having a battery 304 and a voltage controller 306 that enable control of the voltage trajectory. According to various embodiments, the voltage controller 306 is communicably connected to the battery 304 and the electroswing adsorbent material 110 of the disk 108. When the capture structure 106 is lowered into the discharge chamber 104 and placed in the discharge configuration 412 (as shown in Figure 4B), the battery 304 is recharged when the disk 108 is electrically connected to the power supply 408 of the chamber 104. In yet another embodiment, the disk 108 may be disconnected from the main power supply 408 when not in the discharge configuration 412, but resources are shared among a group of two or more disks 108, such as the battery 304 and / or the voltage controller 306.

[0051]

[0057] In some embodiments, the discs 108 may be suspended from a structure such as a lid 114 while exposed to wind and then placed on top of each other when lowered into the discharge chamber 104. According to various embodiments, the discs 108 may have reinforcing pads, rims, or lips designed to bear the weight of the upper disc 108 when the overlap is folded. These pads may also extend further vertically than the more brittle parts of the discs 108 (e.g., the sorbent), thereby limiting physical contact between the discs 108 to the location designed to bear this weight. In some embodiments, the discs 108 (whether circular or angular) may have sorbent / resin hanging down from the discs 108, which may be in addition to the sorbent present throughout the discs 108.

[0052]

[0058] The structure of the disc 108 and the mechanism for suspending the disc 108 may be adjusted based on local terrain and weather conditions. For example, in windy areas, the disc 108 may be substantially more robust and may be completely separated from the chamber 104 to ensure optimal support. In some embodiments, there may be a support structure that folds or hides in strong winds to pull the sometimes fragile disc 108 into a shelter. The numerous options for the support structure for raising and lowering the disc 108 simply reflect the various needs that may exist for a device that can be deployed in almost any location in the world.

[0053]

[0059] In some embodiments, the disc 108 is essentially flat except for a rim or pad used in the overlap. In other embodiments, the disc 108 may be non-planar, such as bowl-shaped or helmet-shaped. In yet another embodiment, the disc 108 may have a framework that surrounds or otherwise protects the adsorbent material 110.

[0054]

[0060] Figure 3BC is a perspective view of a non-limiting example of a panel-mounted disk 310 containing multiple sorbent electrode surfaces 308 made from an electroswing sorbent material 110. In some embodiments, the disks 108 may be highly structured to facilitate contact between their surfaces and a gas. The disks 108 may have channels or passages that create a gas flow path from the top to the bottom of the disks 108, facilitating the flow of a gas that comes into close contact with the sorbent material 110 of the disks 108.

[0055]

[0061] As shown in the figure, each disk has an electrical contact 318 on one side and a conductive post 320 on the other side. When the disks are stacked during the discharge phase, the post 320 separates the disks and keeps them undamaged, while the contact 318 and post 320 allow all disks to receive the power necessary to recharge the battery or to apply the voltage required to discharge the captured CO2 (i.e., discharge voltage 438).

[0056]

[0062] In some embodiments, the disk 108 has a set of pairs of electrical contacts 318 and conductive posts 320, each pair capable of handling both polarities. Optionally, these pairs may be arranged symmetrically (see, for example, contact 318 in Figure 3A), which may help stabilize the disk 108 when it is stacked in the discharge chamber 104, in addition to supplying the necessary power to the electrical swing adsorbent material 110.

[0057]

[0063] In some embodiments, the disk 108 may be one large sorption structure. In other embodiments, including the non-limiting example shown in Figure 3B, the sorption material 110 may be segmented into slices or surfaces 308 that are individually attached to the surface 314 of the paneled disk 310, through which power is supplied. One such disk may be hexagonal, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0058]

[0064] To maximize air mixing, the surface of disk 108 may be uneven and rough, and adjacent disks 108 may have different shapes even when standing next to each other. For example, if disk 108 is made from multiple different disks, the surfaces that overlap each other in the vertical direction do not necessarily have to be identical or oriented in the same way. In some embodiments, the sorbent surface 312 may be inclined with respect to the surface 314 of disk 310 to form an angle 316.

[0059]

[0065] In some embodiments, the disk 108 may be fitted with triangular (or some other raised shape) raised sorbents and baffles that increase exposure and create turbulence to increase capture.

[0060]

[0066] As shown, in some embodiments, the disks may be arranged to be electrically in contact when stacked during the discharge phase. In other embodiments, the disks may remain electrically in contact with a power supply located in the body of the device. For example, in some embodiments, each disk may be wired to the top or bottom of a capture structure which is itself electrically connected to a power supply. Optionally, the wire may be located on a biased spool that pulls in the slack wire when the capture structure is folded into the discharge chamber.

[0061]

[0067] In other embodiments, the disk may be positioned to make electrical contact with the discharge chamber (and therefore the power supply) by contacting a connector along the inner wall of the chamber along its edge.

[0062]

[0068] For example, in one embodiment, a metal rod can be pressed against the contact point at the edge of each disk by a spring. Two such bars of opposite polarity can supply power to the disks. Optionally, some redundancy can be provided by using several such bars of each polarity in case the disks fail to make contact due to slight misalignment.

[0063]

[0069] According to various embodiments, the voltage applied to the electric swing sorbent material 110 can influence the rate at which the sorbed gas is sorbed or released. This provides a level of control not available in systems or devices using other swing sorbents. To optimize the gas flow, in some embodiments, the voltage supplied to the disks 108 can be segmented and shaped. For example, in some embodiments, the drive voltage may vary depending on the different radius within each disk 108.

[0064]

[0070] Figure 3C shows a top view of a non-limiting example of a circular disk 300 having a segmented electroswing sorbent material 110. As shown, in this non-limiting example, the sorbent material 110 is divided into two segments: a first segment 326 and a second segment 328. Two segments have been selected for visual clarity, but it should be understood that in other embodiments, three, four, five, or more segments may be used. Since these segments are electrically isolated from each other, different voltages may be applied simultaneously.

[0065]

[0071] In some embodiments, the disk 108 can be segmented radially. For example, here, a first segment 326 is defined as the disk 108 extending from its center of gravity 338 to a first radius 322, and a second segment 328 is defined as the disk 108 extending between the first radius 322 and a second radius 324 that is different from (and larger than) the first radius 322. In other embodiments, the segmentation may not have the same degree of rotational symmetry. For example, in one embodiment, the disk 108 can be segmented in a wedge shape, and its voltage can be manipulated sequentially to generate a rotating flow within the discharge chamber 104.

[0066]

[0072] As mentioned above, in some electrical swing materials 110, voltage is applied to only one of the two stages, recovery and release. In other cases, voltage is used on both phases. The same is true for segmented voltages. In some embodiments, a first segment voltage 330 and a second segment voltage 332, different from the first segment voltage 330, can be applied to each segment of an unspecified example of disk 300 shown in Figure 3C while in the recovery configuration 400. In other embodiments, when disk 300 is in the release configuration 412, a third segment voltage 334 may be applied to the first segment 326 and a fourth segment voltage 336 may be applied to the second segment 328. In yet another case, these segmented voltages may be applied to both configurations. In some embodiments, the first segment voltage 330 may be the same as, or just the same magnitude but opposite in sign as, the third segment voltage 334 on the same disk 300, and / or the second segment voltage 332 may be the same as, or just the same magnitude but opposite in sign as, the fourth segment voltage 336. In yet another embodiment, all four voltages may be different. In additional embodiments, some or all of these voltages may change over time. Optionally, the voltage difference between segments may remain constant even as the voltage changes (e.g., due to changes in the load of the adsorbent material by the adsorbent).

[0067]

[0073] The edge contacts 340 are also shown in a non-limiting example in Figure 3C. In some embodiments, the aforementioned electrical contacts 318 may be located on a surface that contacts a conductive post 320 on an adjacent disk when stacked in the discharge chamber 104. In other embodiments, power can be supplied to the disk from the side. Specifically, in some embodiments, one or more pairs of edge contacts 340 may be present on the disk and contact a power structure in the discharge chamber 104. Such a structure is described below with reference to Figure 5A.

[0068]

[0074] Figures 4A and 3B are side views of non-limiting examples of a recovery device 100 having a capture structure 106 of a recovery configuration 400 and a release configuration 412, respectively. A portion of the release chamber 104 has been removed to show the inside of the release chamber 104, which contains the sorbent regeneration system 600.

[0069]

[0075] Figure 4A shows a capture structure 106 of the recovery configuration 400, which comprises a capture structure 106 extending upward from the discharge chamber 104, with at least a portion 402 of the capture structure 106 exposed to an airflow 404. According to various embodiments, ambient air comes into contact with the sorbent material 110 of the capture structure 106 by natural air movement (e.g., wind), induced flow (e.g., thermally induced flow, or flow induced by a pressure drop resulting from passing natural flow through a channel), flow induced by a blower, fan, or other mechanical system, or by a combination of these methods and other methods known in the art.

[0070]

[0076] Figure 4B shows the recovery device 100 of Figure 4A, in which the capture structure 106 is located in the release configuration 412. In the context of this disclosure and the appended claims, the release configuration 412 comprises a capture structure 106 (e.g., a plurality of disks 108 and one or more foldable supports 112) enclosed within a release chamber 104, intended for the regeneration of the sorbent material 110 and the recovery of the captured carbon dioxide 414. As discussed above, the release configuration 412 may further comprise a lid 114 connected to, fitted to, or sealed with respect to the release chamber 104 so that the chamber 104 is sufficiently closed to achieve regeneration and recovery.

[0071]

[0077] When the capture structure 106 or a portion of the capture structure 106 is filled with CO2 and moved into the release chamber 104, the sorbent material 110 is regenerated and releases the captured CO2 414 into the release chamber 104. As previously discussed, this regeneration and release is achieved by the sorbent regeneration system 406.

[0072]

[0078] The following description of the regeneration or release stages of the passive recovery device 100 is made in relation to the electroswing sorbent material. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the passive recovery device 100, its capture structure 106, and release chamber 104 may be adapted for use with any of the sorbents described above and their associated regeneration processes. In some embodiments, heat may be used in conjunction with the electroswing sorbent, thereby amplifying the release of carbon dioxide driven by the applied release voltage 438. The description of the use of the electroswing material in relation to heat and moisture illustrates other embodiments using other sorbents. Such a description should not be construed as limiting.

[0073]

[0079] According to various embodiments, the sealed release chamber 104 may be filled with air, nitrogen, or other sweeping gas 422, which may be supplied from a sweeping gas source 420 via a sweeping gas inlet 418. The chamber 104 may be evacuated or partially evacuated to remove most of the background gas. In some embodiments, the release chamber 104 may be evacuated or otherwise prepared before regeneration. The sorbent material 110 takes in a large amount of CO2 from the open air and releases the CO2 inside the release chamber 104. As a result, CO2 loss during the exhaust or other preparation steps can be minimized because the exhaust or these other preparation steps are performed before heat, moisture, and / or voltage are introduced.

[0074]

[0080] In some embodiments, the release chamber 104 is evacuated before the electrical polarity is changed, and water vapor is introduced as a sweep gas or released from there if water vapor is present on the electrode surface. If the sorbent 110 does not require power during regeneration, the recovery voltage 436 is maintained until the apparatus 100 is ready to unload. Once the voltage for CO2 release (i.e., release voltage 438) is set, the CO2 is recovered into the release chamber 104 and drawn out by a vacuum compressor or other apparatus capable of reducing the pressure in the chamber to recover the gas stream. The process stops when the CO2 partial pressure in the release chamber 104 reaches a minimum value selected to optimize overall performance. If the optimal release voltage depends on the load condition of the electrode surface, the control system can monitor and set the applied release voltage to optimize the release of CO2 from the electrode surface.

[0075]

[0081] In some embodiments, the recovery voltage 436 is reapplied before the chamber 104 is opened again, causing any residual CO2 to bounce back onto the sorbent. After this step is complete, the chamber 104 is filled with air, then the lid is opened, and the disc is lifted again for another capture cycle.

[0076]

[0082] In some embodiments, the product stream 426 may be formed by replacing the concentrated gas 424 with a sweep gas 422 introduced into the discharge chamber 104. In some embodiments, the sweep gas 422 is water vapor, while in other embodiments, the sweep gas 422 is air or another readily available gas.

[0077]

[0083] In some embodiments, steam may be used as the sweeping gas 422, and steam can offer certain advantages. The use of steam provides a means for temperature manipulation within the regeneration chamber. The temperature can be increased by injecting steam, and the chamber and its contents can be intentionally cooled by discharging steam. See, for example, the steam source 410 in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0078]

[0084] In some embodiments, air may be removed from chamber 104 before releasing the CO2 in order to increase the small gas flow containing CO2. Options may include using vacuum along with heat.

[0079]

[0085] In some embodiments, the discharge chamber 104 may be at least partially vacuumed during the regeneration or discharge phase. In these embodiments, it is important to minimize the inflow of gas by sealing between the lid 114 and the discharge chamber 104. For this purpose, a gasket 416 may be present between the lid 114 and the top of the chamber 104. Attaching the gasket 416 to the bottom of the lid 114 may help protect the lid 114 from the accumulation of fouling. In some embodiments, this gasket seal may be reinforced or replaced with an additional seal. For example, in some embodiments, the discharge chamber 104 may be sealed using a water seal, which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 7A and 7B.

[0080]

[0086] During the regeneration of the sorbent 110, the partial pressure of CO2 is raised above the ambient level. In embodiments in which the discharge chamber 104 is substantially evacuated, the then-existing water vapor may act as the sweep gas 422. This means that the temperature (and consequently the water vapor pressure) from the channel through which the sweep gas 422 enters to the channel through which it is discharged must be adjusted for the gas to flow from one chamber 104 to the other. At a minimum, the temperature fluctuations must compensate for the increase in CO2 pressure that occurs during the regeneration process.

[0081]

[0087] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment in which the discharge chamber 104 has the shape of a vertically aligned drum, the mixed flow pattern delivers gas axially along the central opening of the capture structure (e.g., hole 302 of a circular disk 300) and returns the gas along an annular region along the cylindrical wall of the chamber 104, creating a radial airflow from the central flow to the outer annular flow at all horizontal levels of the chamber 104. In such embodiments, the flow resistance experienced by the vertical section is minimal, while the radial connection is the main flow impedance. As a result, each level will experience the same pressure drop and therefore be placed at a similar flow rate. The impedance to the flow can be maintained by forming walls with small openings around the inner flow cylinder and the outer flow path through the annular shape. Another option involves a flow that travels axially through the main portion of the chamber 104 and returns through an annular cap between the overlap of the sorbent material and the wall of the chamber 104.

[0082]

[0088] In some embodiments, the released CO2 may be collected and flowed as a gas stream through the release chamber 104. The gas may be recirculated over the sorbent by mechanical means. This gas may be mainly water vapor and carbon dioxide, or may contain most of the components of air, or may contain pure nitrogen, or may be any other gas selected as the sweep gas 422. Furthermore, the airflow through the chamber may be controlled by a pump, fan, or blower that guides heated air to the sorbent and another fan that extracts CO2-rich air from the chamber.

[0083]

[0089] After CO2 is released from the sorbent material 110 of the capture structure 106 inside the chamber 104, the CO2 is mixed to produce a concentrated gas 424. According to various embodiments, the concentrated gas 424 is then removed from the chamber 104 as a product flow 426 through a product outlet 118. In some embodiments, the product outlet 118 may be a valve, and in other embodiments, it may be a pump. The product outlet 118 is in fluid communication with the inside of the discharge chamber 104.

[0084]

[0090] As shown, the recovery device 100 further comprises a control system 428. According to various embodiments, the control system 428 is responsible for the cyclic operation of the recovery device 100. In the context of this specification and the appended claims, the control system 428 is a device capable of executing a set of predetermined commands to cyclically operate the recovery device 100 to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and release it into the release chamber 104. Examples include, but are not limited to, embedded systems, conventional computer systems, and mobile devices. The control system 428 is communicably connected to various components that provide information (e.g., sensors) or perform actions (e.g., actuators 120, sorbent regeneration system 600). In some embodiments, the control system 428 may perform further functions. In some embodiments, the control system 428 may enable automation of the recovery device 100 so that the recovery device 100 can be operated unattended.

[0085]

[0091] The recovery device 100 may further include one or more sensors 430 (e.g., a CO2 sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, an airflow sensor, a voltage / current sensor, a light sensor, etc.) connected to a processor configured with algorithms for the efficient operation of the device 100. Some sensors 430 may monitor external conditions to the recovery device 100 (e.g., observation of weather conditions that may affect the operation of the device). Other sensors 430 may observe the operation of the device 100 itself (e.g., the level of carbon dioxide in the release chamber, a voltage or current applied across one or more disks, the temperature in the release chamber, etc.). The passive recovery device 100 may further include an actuator 120 or other means for performing mechanical work to raise or lower the capture structure 106. The passive recovery device 100 may also include communication equipment for remote monitoring and remote operation. In some embodiments, the passive recovery device 100 may be configured to perform autonomous operation to adapt to ambient conditions 432 as needed. Power can be supplied directly to all operations of the device, via batteries or a municipal power supply, or from a renewable power source such as solar, wind, or thermoelectric power. According to various embodiments, this power is supplied via a power supply 408 of the sorbent regeneration system 406.

[0086]

[0092] In various embodiments, one or more measurements may be taken using the sensor 430, and the signal 434 may be observed by the control system 428. These measurements may include, but are not limited to, wind speed and other weather data, humidity inside and outside the chamber, time, CO2 removal gas ratio, internal temperature of the chamber 104, flow velocity (for detecting obstacles), malfunction and / or instability of components during operation, ambient temperature and internal temperature, etc. Using this information, the control system 428 may be configured to perform one or more actions in response to detected ambient or internal conditions. These actions may include, but are not limited to, commands to lower the disk 108 due to strong wind or excessive moisture, time-specified commands to raise or lower the disk 108 to change the exposure time, start, stop, increase or decrease flow rate, and extend or shorten the time in the discharge chamber 104 in response to the amount of CO2 deposited.

[0087]

[0093] Some embodiments of the passive recovery device 100 may utilize algorithms developed to produce the best reaction from the sorbent 110. These algorithms are designed to operate efficiently in electric swing applications. These algorithms are deployed to optimize the CO2 supply at the optimal rate and partial pressure of the applied voltage to optimize the balance between performance and operating costs. According to various embodiments, the optimization may take into account ambient temperature, load conditions of the sorbent 110, weather conditions, electricity costs, and other relevant parameters. In some embodiments, the CO2 release temperature in the chamber 104 can be targeted to rise above the ambient temperature. The optimal temperature will vary depending on environmental conditions and the heat resistance of the material, and may also be influenced by the cost of available heat. In certain embodiments, the range is ambient temperature ~150°C, but may preferably operate in the range of 45~50°C depending on the sorbent. For many sorbents, this temperature range is still sufficient and the cost of heat is relatively low.

[0088]

[0094] In various embodiments, the control system 428 may further include, or be commanded by, an artificial intelligence system 417 (AIS) which monitors the performance of the apparatus 100 and iteratively adapts its performance to maximize output and learn different optimizations depending on weather conditions and the physical state of the apparatus 100. This AIS 417 improves efficiency, reduces energy costs, and minimizes maintenance. For example, an AIS 417 connected to the control system 428 of the apparatus 100 may "learn" that certain warnings are not critical and adjust the behavior of those warnings to provide notifications accordingly. Reducing the number of warnings requiring a response significantly contributes to reducing operating costs.

[0089]

[0095] The control system 428 may utilize software configured to control one or more operations or characteristics, including but not limited to internal temperature, sweep gas flow rate, pumping rate for extracting product gas, timing of exposure to air, and time spent in the discharge chamber 104. This software may be configured to optimize various characteristics such as yield, water consumption, and / or energy consumption.

[0090]

[0096] The automated system may further include, but is not limited to, wind / weather measurement and response, CO2 capture monitoring, automatically time-specified movement of the capture structure 106 and / or support structure 108, water and air control systems, temperature measurement and control, internal flow measurement, timing control to adapt to the functions of other systems, and the like.

[0091]

[0097] In some embodiments, the passive recovery device 100 may further comprise a series of baffles for modifying the airflow and / or protecting various aspects of the device 100. In the context of this specification and the appended claims, a baffle is a structure having at least one surface capable of at least partially blocking and redirecting the airflow or concentrating the airflow. Some baffles may also at least partially block light and may be used to protect sensitive sorbent materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, sails, walls, fins, wings, etc. Some baffles may be rigid, some flexible, or may comprise flexible surfaces attached to a rigid frame. In some embodiments, baffles may be used to introduce or enhance turbulence in local airflow to increase exposure to the sorbent material.

[0092]

[0098] According to various embodiments, baffles may be used in various contexts. In some embodiments, one or more baffles may be used outside the capture device 100. For example, see baffle 608 shown in Figure 6, which will be discussed further below. In other embodiments, one or more baffles may be implemented inside or as part of the capture device 100. For example, in one embodiment, the disk 108 may have one or more baffles above and around the central hole 302 to promote and / or control airflow. In another embodiment, baffles may be used on the disk 108 to protect the sorbent material 110 from exposure to harmful UV light. Furthermore, baffles may be used on the disk 108 so that when the capture structure 106 is in the recovery configuration 400, air turbulence is increased and the airflow is directed towards the sorbent 110.

[0093]

[0099] In some embodiments, the baffles may be articulated, further mechanized to respond to different ambient conditions, and programmatically movable. In some embodiments, the baffles may be located at the bottom and along the sides within the chamber 104 to increase airflow and moisture distribution. However, in other embodiments, the passive recovery device 100 may not utilize baffles at all.

[0094]

[0100] The following description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting, to the operation of a passive recovery device 100 using sorbent discs 108 according to one embodiment. The operating cycle of the passive recovery device 100 begins in a closed position with all sorbent discs 108 inside the release chamber 104 and CO2 empty. (Empty in this context means lean; CO2 may remain in the sorbent.) The lid is lifted by the actuator 120, raising all discs 108 that have moved out of the chamber, where one disc 108 is placed on top of the next, to a recovery configuration 400 where all discs 108 are suspended from at least one foldable support 112. When the lid 114 reaches the uppermost position, all sorbent discs 108 are exposed to air movement. Because gaps exist between the discs 108, air can flow across all discs 108, and the capture phase begins. The exposure time for the CO2 capture phase may vary depending on climatic conditions and the selection of the electroswing sorbent. With some electroswing sorbents,

[0101] After exposure, the lid 114 is lowered again. Recovery begins as soon as the lid closes the release chamber 104. The applied voltage is changed depending on the type of electroswing sorbent 110 used. The air in the chamber is now concentrated with CO2 and is discharged through the product outlet 118. When the disk 108 is empty, the disk 108 rises again, and the cycle in which the sorbent 110 recovers CO2 from the air begins. To avoid a gradual decrease in the CO2 concentration in the product stream 426, it is possible to connect multiple recovery units 100, in which case the sweep gas from a nearly empty passive recovery unit 100 enters a passive recovery unit 100 that has a higher equilibrium concentration of CO2.

[0095]

[0102] The following is a non-limiting example of the potential performance of one embodiment of the apparatus 100 intended herein. Directly capturing air makes it difficult to achieve a high CO2 flux. The reason is simple: there is little CO2 in the air. Furthermore, it is difficult to avoid the formation of a thin boundary layer of air on the surface of the material. Diffusion through this layer takes time. For example, the boundary layer may be several millimeters thick. At this point, the flux is limited to the CO2 density in the air divided by the diffusion constant by the thickness of the layer. Numerically, this is 1.6 e-2 moles / m³ * 1 e-5 m 2 / s*1 / 0.003m or 50 micromoles / m³ 2 While the result will be measured in seconds, it is possible to achieve results that are an order of magnitude better.

[0096]

[0103] Objectively speaking, the charge that needs to flow is approximately 200,000 coulombs per mole, or 0.2 coulombs per micromole. One micromole per second operates at a current of 0.2 A per square meter. Therefore, such a device can support a current of approximately 10 amperes per square meter of surface. In some embodiments, this can be pushed up to 100 amperes per square meter. The range for most electrochemical devices is approximately 0.1–5 A / cm². 2 These units range from 1,000 to 50,000 A / m². 2Therefore, if the yield is 50 micromoles per square meter per second, then 30 * 50 moles (30 million seconds per year) can be recovered per square meter in one year. This makes it possible to harvest 1500 moles per year, or about 70 kg.

[0097]

[0104] To set the scale, in some examples, the wind cross-sectional area of ​​a single disk could be 1.50m × 0.04m. At a flow velocity of 1m / s, the velocity of such a disk could be 0.06m³ / s. Assuming there are 40 moles of air per cubic meter, the CO2 density is 0.016 moles / m³, meaning the total flow rate is 1m mole / s. If the energy requirement is 50kJ / mol, this suggests a power requirement of 50W per disk, and a 1000-second run would require 50,000J or 14W hours. This easily yields 0.5kg. In other words, a 10-volt battery would need to be able to maintain a current of 5A for 1000 seconds. In reality, this could be less than one-third, as recovery efficiency is unlikely to be 100%. Furthermore, a significant portion of the power demand can occur during retrieval, but in this non-limiting example, the power demand is simply coupled on the recovery side. The amount described here corresponds to 7kg per stack of disks, per cycle.

[0098]

[0105] The passive recovery device 100 may be standalone, or it may be the main axis of a larger air capture system, such as a passive recovery cluster 602 consisting of two or more integrated recovery devices 100, or a passive recovery system 600 including at least one cluster 602. A complete passive recovery system 600 may be built around two recovery devices 100, or it may consist of a complex network of interconnected thousands of recovery devices 100. In one embodiment, an interconnected system of 5 to 20 recovery devices 100 constitutes a passive recovery cluster 602, while in other embodiments, the cluster 602 may simply be two devices 100 operating in harmony. In some embodiments, the passive recovery cluster 602 may be a block comprising a self-contained system mounted on a skid, but it may also be constructed on-site.

[0099]

[0106] Figures 5A and 5B are side cross-sectional views of non-limiting examples of a passive recovery device 100 using an electro-swing sorbent material 110 in an evacuation configuration 412. Specifically, Figures 5A and 5B show non-limiting examples of two embodiments that power a plurality of disks 108 in different ways. As illustrated, the evacuation chamber 104 of the device in Figure 5A has a pair of power rails 500 that are communicatively connected to a power supply 408 of the sorbent regeneration system 406. In this description and the following claims, the power rails 500 are conductive rails or other rigid structures that extend across the height of the disks when the disks are stacked. The disks draw power from the power rails by making direct contact with the pair (paired to provide a positive and negative terminal). In some embodiments, the disks make contact with the power rails 500 as soon as they enter the evacuation chamber 104 and maintain that contact while sliding downwards. Optionally, as shown in Figure 5A, the power rail 500 may be connected to the discharge chamber 104 via a number of biasing elements 502 (e.g., coil springs, leaf springs, arc springs, etc.) that maintain slight pressure on the connection between the rail and the edge contacts.

[0100]

[0107] This has the advantage of minimizing the number of moving parts, but it requires a low-friction interface between the rail 500 and the edge contact 340. If there is any unwanted material on either surface, the connection may wear down to the point where it can no longer supply the necessary power.

[0101]

[0108] In other embodiments, electrical contact between the rail and the edge contact may be initiated after the disk is positioned and achieved through secondary movement of the rail and / or the disk or a portion of the disk. Specifically, in one embodiment, the rail 500 may be biased toward the disk 108 but not ejected until the disk 108 is ejected into the ejection configuration 412.

[0102]

[0109] Figure 5B shows a device in a stage of the regeneration cycle similar to that shown in Figure 5A. However, as shown in Figure 5B, power is supplied to multiple disks 108 by using the disks 108 themselves as a means of transmitting power throughout the stack. As illustrated, within each pair of adjacent disks 506 are an upper disk 510 and a lower disk 508. All disks have at least one pair of electrical contacts 318 and at least one pair of conductive posts 320. In the context of this description and the subsequent claims, the conductive posts 320 may be any conductive structure or material that extends outward from the disk and on which electricity can be conducted to the adsorbent material and electrical contacts of that disk and flow to the next disk.

[0103]

[0110] As shown, when the disks 108 are stacked in the discharge chamber 104 as part of the discharge configuration 412, the contact-and-post pairs are aligned so that the post 320 of the upper disk 510 is communicatively connected to the contacts of the lower disk 508. The post 320 of the lowest disk rests on a base electrical contact 504 which is deposited on the floor of the discharge chamber or on other structures beneath the capture structure. The base electrical contact 504 is communicatively connected to the sorbent regeneration system 406 and its power supply 408. According to various embodiments, once the disks are stacked in the discharge configuration 412, the entire stack can receive power from the power supply 408 through these connections.

[0104]

[0111] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a system 600 for passive capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide, including multiple passive capture clusters 602. In the context of this specification, a passive capture system 600 is a combination of multiple capture devices 100 or a single capture device, associated hardware, connectors, control systems, and software for internal processing, and auxiliary equipment, control systems, and software for post-processing of the output of the capture devices 100. To distinguish between a system 600 and a cluster 602, a system 600 consists of at least one cluster 602, while a cluster 602 consists of at least two devices 100. Furthermore, a passive capture system 600 is a set of capture devices 100 that are particularly tightly connected and grouped into one or more clusters 602. For example, passive capture systems may be bundled together and mounted on a single skid to form a containerized subsystem. The use of the terms system and cluster partially overlaps. Passive capture clusters 602 are typically tighter connected than passive capture systems 600.

[0105]

[0112] The recovery devices are interconnected to form a passive recovery system 600, which, by coordinating regeneration, can generate a nearly continuous product flow 606. This continuous product flow 606 can be increased by sweeping the product gas from nearly empty units through units that still exhibit higher deposit levels. For example, in one embodiment, recovery device 100a of cluster 602 may be nearly empty, and its product gas may be swept into an adjacent recovery device 100b (within the same cluster 602) with a higher deposit level. Devices 100a and 100b are in fluid communication with each other (for example, device 100b is in fluid communication with the product outlet 118 of device 100a) and share a sweep gas source in a sense.

[0106]

[0113] By using a passive recovery system 600 or cluster 602, a continuous product flow 606 can be provided, which is flexible and can be adjusted to changing weather and climatic conditions. In some embodiments, the system 600 and / or cluster 602 may be equipped with a control system 604, which may replace or operate in conjunction with the control system 428 of the individual apparatus 100. The control system 604 may be configured to operate the apparatus sequentially to keep such a system 600 running continuously, and may efficiently upgrade CO2 from a typical parts per 600 million with respect to ambient air to a few percent, i.e., in the range of 1-10%. The advantages of the systems and methods intended herein are that energy costs are minimized and they can operate optimally under changing conditions. It should be noted that all the operations and measurements intended with respect to the control system 428 of the individual apparatus 100 described above may be performed by the control system 604 of the cluster 602 or system 600.

[0107]

[0114] In some embodiments, the individual recovery devices 100 of the passive recovery system 600 may be held in place by various means and interconnected in such a way that concentrated gas 424 can be extracted from one passive recovery device 100 via a series of regenerating recovery devices 100. Connections for gas handling, water, steam, or power handling may be switched between all recovery devices 100 or between subsets thereof as needed. Alternatively, the recovery devices 100 may be organized into a hierarchical structure such as individual recovery devices 100, clusters of recovery devices 100 602, clusters of clusters, or systems of clusters.

[0108]

[0115] The passive recovery system 600 may include a system of process units for introducing sweep gas into the recovery device 100, or alternatively, a system of process units for vacuuming the recovery device 100 and extracting CO2 from it. These process units may include piping, pumps, fans, valves, sensors, actuators, control software, and other components necessary for interconnecting the recovery device 100. Furthermore, the passive recovery system 600 may include a system of piping and valves for delivering water to the recovery device 100, recovering wastewater, and / or recovering and recirculating water.

[0109]

[0116] Some passive recovery systems 600 and / or clusters 602 may have shared resources. For example, as shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments, multiple passive recovery devices 100 may share the same actuator 120 to move their respective capture structures 106 between the recovery configuration 400 and the release configuration 412. This actuator 120 may be shared among the multiple devices 100 using mechanical devices such as gears, arms, pulleys, and / or any other mechanical devices known in the art.

[0110]

[0117] In some embodiments, the passive recovery system 600 may include a shared system for supplying power to multiple recovery devices 100, while in other embodiments, each passive recovery device 100 may have its own power source. The passive recovery system 600 may also include a support structure for holding the multiple recovery devices 100 in place. The support structure may include, but is not limited to, a foundation, a tent-like structure for holding the upper structure for raising and lowering the capture structure 106, protection from sunlight, and panels for guiding wind through the system in various ways.

[0111]

[0118] As shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments, the passive recovery system 600 and / or cluster 602 may further comprise one or more baffles 608 for diverting the direction of airflow to increase the exposure of the capture device 100 to the sorbent material. In some embodiments, these baffles 608 may be articulated and configured to adapt to changes in ambient conditions (e.g., wind direction, position of the sun in the sky, weather, etc.). The purpose of these panel or sail-like structures is to guide the wind toward or away from the passive recovery device 100 to increase the operating range of the passive recovery device 100 with respect to wind speed. At low wind speeds, the air will be drawn into the passive recovery device 100, while at high wind speeds it will be deflected away.

[0112]

[0119] Furthermore, some passive recovery systems 600 and / or clusters 602 may utilize automated systems. These automated systems may include, but are not limited to, wind / weather measurement and response, CO2 recovery monitoring, automatically timed movement of disks 108 and lids, water and air control systems, temperature measurement and control, internal flow measurement, timing control to match the functions of other recovery devices 100 within the same system or cluster, blowdown control, and any other automations intended herein with respect to individual devices 100.

[0113]

[0120] In some embodiments, the cluster 602 of the device 100 or the recovery device 100 can be raised above other equipment. This is to reduce the footprint and land use, and / or to enhance recovery, as there are terrains where airflow increases with higher recovery positions.

[0114]

[0121] In some embodiments, the passive retrieval system 600 may include panels for guiding the wind. The purpose of these panels or sail-like structures is to guide the wind toward or away from the passive retrieval device 100 in order to extend the operating range of the passive retrieval device 100 with respect to wind speed. At low wind speeds, the air is fed into the passive retrieval device 100, and at high wind speeds, the air is diverted. The panels may also be used with a single retrieval device 100 outside the context of system 600 or cluster 602.

[0115]

[0122] In various embodiments, the passive recovery system 600 may also include an electrical system, a sensor system, and a control system for powering and managing the recovery device 100. Some passive recovery systems 600 may also include an upgrade system for improving the quality of the product flow 426. In some embodiments, the passive recovery system 600 may be configured to deliver a dry CO2 / air mixture with a CO2 concentration in the range of 0.1% to 95% or higher. Some passive recovery systems 600 may utilize a system for binding CO2 to a second sorbent, from which pure CO2 may be produced. Other passive recovery systems 600 may use a system that starts with a low-pressure flow that becomes nearly pure CO2 and water vapor, and this low-pressure flow is then dried and compressed to produce a pure, concentrated flow of CO2. Still other passive recovery systems 600 may use a system that dissolves CO2 into a carbonate / bicarbonate solution. Some passive recovery systems 600 may utilize multiple systems to upgrade the system output. However, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the recovery device 100 and system 600 are designed to recover CO2 from the atmosphere and provide it in a useful form for downstream applications. The recovery device 100 and system 600 are by no means limited by the selection of sorbent material or the intended downstream application.

[0116]

[0123] In some embodiments, the discharge chamber 714 can be evacuated as part of the regeneration process, creating a low level of vacuum inside. According to various embodiments, the maintenance of this vacuum is facilitated by a seal formed between the lid 114 and the discharge chamber 714. As discussed above, in some embodiments, this seal is formed using a gasket 416 located between the lid 114 and the discharge chamber 714. In other embodiments, the seal may be a water seal.

[0117]

[0124] Figures 7A and 7B are cross-sectional and top views of non-limiting examples of embodiments using the water seal 700. Specifically, Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view along the central axis of the discharge chamber 714 and lid 114 in the discharge configuration. Figure 7B is a top view of the discharge chamber 714 of Figure 7B without water 712.

[0118]

[0125] As shown, the discharge chamber 714 is equipped with a trough 702 along its upper edge, forming a gap between the inner wall 706 and the outer wall 704 of the discharge chamber 714. The lid 114 is equipped with a sealing spike 708 sized to fit inside the trough 702, leaving a small space for water 712 between the spike 708 and the inner / outer wall 704s of the discharge chamber 714. Because the resistance to flow is much greater for liquids than for gaseous air, the water 712 in the trough 702 effectively prevents air from entering the sealed chamber.

[0119]

[0126] The use of water seal 700 offers several advantages over conventional seals such as gasket seal 416. Water seals make leak detection easier. Furthermore, water seals are more robust against the ingress of foreign matter. Various embodiments of the intended capture device may be deployed in remote locations. Because the intended device is highly efficient, the release chamber 714 could be automatically opened and closed as part of the capture / release cycle to allow for autonomous operation. However, while the chamber is open, debris may fall onto the edge of the chamber 104 or be blown away. The effectiveness of the gasket seal 416 can be significantly reduced by the introduction of foreign matter, even if it is very small. This can reduce the amount of time the capture device can remain autonomously operating and increase the amount of service required, thus potentially increasing operating costs.

[0120]

[0127] However, the water seal 700 can adequately cope with the inevitable intrusion of debris. Whether the debris is submerged or floating, the seal provided by the water 712 will not be compromised by these foreign objects, as long as they are not large, separated, or bound together enough to prevent the insertion of the spike 708 into the trough 702. For example, if the debris is larger than the gap between the spike 708 and the wall of the trough 702, it may prevent the lid 114 from closing completely. In some embodiments, the space between the discharge chamber 714 and the bottom of the spike 708 can be increased to allow for a larger amount of debris before human intervention is required.

[0121]

[0128] The depth of the spike and the size of the water trough may vary based on a number of parameters, including, but not limited to, the diameter of the discharge chamber, the vacuum pressure, various properties of the material of the discharge chamber (e.g., coefficient of thermal expansion, flexibility, tendency to warp over time, etc.), and / or the expected environmental conditions at the site where the capture device will be used. In a particular non-limiting example, in one embodiment, a 12.7 cm (5 inch) spike 708 may be paired with a trough 702 with a depth of 15.24 cm (6 inch). In another embodiment, if the discharge chamber 714 is made of metal and manufactured to higher tolerances, the spike 708 and trough 702 may be smaller, while in yet another embodiment, if the discharge chamber 714 and lid 114 are made of fiberglass, the spike 708 and trough 702 may be larger.

[0122]

[0129] As shown, in some embodiments, the lid 114 may extend beyond the discharge chamber 714 to form a lip 710. In some embodiments, this lip 710 may be several inches long. In other embodiments, the lip 710 may be approximately the same size as the depth of the spike 708. Optionally, in some embodiments, the lip 710 may extend downward to form a better fit with the outer wall 704 of the discharge chamber 714. Of course, in other embodiments, the lid 114 may not have a lip 710.

[0123]

[0130] According to various embodiments, the level of water 712 in the trough 702 is maintained at a specific level or within a specific range. For example, in some embodiments, the level of water 712 can be maintained to maximize the amount of water 712 while minimizing the amount of overflow when the spike 708 is inserted. In other embodiments, the trough 702 may be maintained at half-fill. The trough 702 holds water 712 throughout the operating cycle, but may be provided with means for replacing water 712 lost by evaporation. In some embodiments, water 712 may be added to the trough 702 through a small pump and water 712 line incorporated into the discharge chamber 714. In some embodiments, the water 712 for the trough 702 may be supplied from the same source used for regenerating the sorbent (e.g., moisture swing sorbent).

[0124]

[0131] In some embodiments, if the level of water 712 is determined to be outside a predetermined range, water 712 can be added to the trough 702. For example, in one embodiment, one or more water 712 sensors can be used to determine the level of water 712. In other embodiments, water 712 can be added to the trough 702 at regular intervals, or in amounts and / or intervals that may vary depending on ambient conditions observed by the aforementioned sensors, which are used to modify the operation of the recovery / regeneration cycle.

[0125]

[0132] In some embodiments, the water seal can be used alone, while in other embodiments, it can be used in combination with the gasket 416, as described above. In yet another embodiment, the water seal may be used in conjunction with other sealing techniques known in the art.

[0126]

[0133] Where the above examples, embodiments, and implementations refer to examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other passive recovery devices, systems, and methods, and examples may be mixed with or substituted for the provided passive recovery devices, systems, and methods, and examples. Where the above description refers to specific embodiments of passive recovery devices, systems, and methods, numerous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and it should be readily apparent that these embodiments and implementations may also be applicable to other carbon dioxide recovery devices, systems, and methods. Accordingly, the subject matter disclosed is intended to encompass all such changes, modifications, and variations that are included in the spirit and scope of this disclosure and in the knowledge of those skilled in the art. <Note> [Form 1] An outlet chamber including an opening, an sorbent regeneration system with a power supply, and a product outlet, A capture structure comprising, connected to the discharge chamber, at least one foldable support, and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, wherein each disk comprises an electroswing sorbent material, and the capture structure is movable between a recovery configuration and a discharge configuration. When the capture structure is in the release configuration, a lid covers the opening of the release chamber. Includes, The recovery configuration includes the capture structure extending upward from the release chamber so that at least a portion of the capture structure is exposed to the airflow and the sorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, In each of the plurality of disks, a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing adsorbent material. The release configuration includes the at least one foldable support of the folded capture structure, the lid covering the opening of the release chamber, and the plurality of disks enclosed within the release chamber and electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, wherein the plurality of disks receive power, an release voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk, captured carbon dioxide is released from the electroswing sorbent material, and a concentrated gas is formed within the release chamber. A device for passively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. [Form 2] Each of the plurality of disks includes at least one pair of electrical contacts on the top of the disk and at least one pair of conductive posts on the bottom of the disk. Each pair of electrical contacts is communicably connected to the electrical swing adsorbent material of the disk, Each electrical contact is connected to a different conductive post and aligned in a communicative manner. When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the electrical contact of the lower disk of an adjacent pair of disks makes direct conductive contact with the conductive post of the upper disk of the adjacent pair. The adsorbent regeneration system further includes at least one pair of base electrical contacts beneath the plurality of disks, The at least one pair of base electrical contacts are communicateably connected to and positioned with respect to the power supply, and when the capture structure is in the release configuration, at least one pair of conductive posts of the plurality of disks are in direct conductive contact with at least one pair of base electrical contacts, and the plurality of disks receive power from the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 3] Each of the plurality of disks includes at least two edge contacts that are communicably connected to the electroswing adsorbent material of the disk, The discharge chamber further includes at least one pair of power rails having opposite polarities, The power rail is connected to and positioned to communicate with the adsorbent regeneration system. When the plurality of disks are in the discharge configuration, each disk of the plurality of disks is in contact with the at least one pair of power rails via the at least two edge contacts, and the electroswing sorbent material is communicably connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system via the at least one pair of power rails. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 4] The at least one pair of power rails are connected to the discharge chamber via a plurality of biasing elements, When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the power rail is biased toward the plurality of disks, and contact with the edge contacts of the plurality of disks is maintained. The apparatus described in Form 3. [Form 5] Each of the aforementioned disks further includes a battery and a voltage controller. The voltage controller is communicateable to the battery and the electro-swing adsorbent material of the disk. Each of the batteries of the plurality of disks receives power from the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, at least while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 6] The electroswing sorbent material of the plurality of disks is electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber while the capture structure moves between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. The plurality of disks are electrically connected to the power supply of the discharge chamber via the at least one foldable support. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 7] Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically isolated from the second segment. The recovered voltage is segmented and includes a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage different from the first segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, when the first segment voltage is established across the first segment and the second segment voltage is established across the second segment, the recovery voltage is established, and the capture structure controls the flow of carbon dioxide that is adsorbed onto the electro-swing adsorbent material while the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 8] Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically isolated from the second segment. The discharge voltage is segmented and includes a third segment voltage and a fourth segment voltage different from the third segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, when the third segment voltage is established across the first segment and the fourth segment voltage is established across the second segment, the release voltage is established, and the capture structure controls the flow of carbon dioxide released by the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 9] The discharge chamber includes a trough embedded around the upper part of the discharge chamber, where the lid contacts the discharge chamber when the capture structure is in the discharge configuration. The trough has an inner wall and an outer wall, The trough was at least partially filled with water. The lid includes a sealing spike protruding from the lid, The sealing spike is located inside the trough and is sized and positioned such that it is at least partially submerged in the water in the trough, while the lid covers the opening of the release chamber while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 10] The aforementioned sorbent regeneration system includes a heat source. The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 11] The heat source is a steam source. The apparatus described in Form 10. [Form 12] The discharge chamber further comprises a sweep gas inlet connected to a sweep gas source and configured to introduce sweep gas into the discharge chamber to push away the concentrated gas. The apparatus according to form 1, 10, or 11. [Form 13] The sweeping gas is steam. The apparatus described in Form 12. [Form 14] Each of the aforementioned plurality of disks is substantially planar. The apparatus described in form 1 or 10. [Form 15] For each of the plurality of disks, the electroswing sorbent material includes a plurality of sorbent surfaces connected to the surface of the disk at an angle greater than zero. The apparatus described in Form 14. [Form 16] Each of the aforementioned plurality of disks includes an aperture. The apparatus described in form 1 or 14. [Form 17] An actuator connected to the aforementioned capture structure, A control system is connected to the actuator in a communication manner and is configured to drive the actuator to move the capture structure between the retrieval configuration and the release configuration. Further including, The apparatus described in form 1 or 10. [Form 18] The control system further comprises at least one sensor that is communicably connected to the control system, The control system is configured to determine at least one ambient condition based on a signal received from at least one sensor, and to autonomously drive the actuator to move the capture structure between the retrieval configuration and the release configuration based on the at least one ambient condition. The aforementioned at least one ambient condition includes at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The apparatus described in Form 17. [Form 19] It also has at least one more baffle, The apparatus described in Form 1. [Form 20] A step of preparing a passive recovery device, comprising: a release chamber and a capture structure, which recover atmospheric carbon dioxide by moving the capture structure to a recovery configuration using actuators driven by a control system, wherein the capture structure comprises at least one foldable support and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, each disk comprising an electroswing sorbent material, and the recovery configuration comprises the capture structure extending upward from the release chamber while a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material; The steps include: exposing at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow so that the electroswing adsorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide; The steps of placing the capture structure into the release configuration by driving the actuator to lower the capture structure into the release chamber such that at least one foldable support is folded, the plurality of disks are fully within the release chamber, and the plurality of disks are electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system so that they can receive power, The steps include closing the discharge chamber with a lid to confine the plurality of disks inside the discharge chamber, The steps include: regenerating the sorbent material of the plurality of disks by establishing a release voltage across the electroswing sorbent of each disk using the sorbent regeneration system, releasing the captured carbon dioxide, and forming a concentrated gas in the release chamber; The steps include: replacing the concentrated gas with a sweep gas introduced into the discharge chamber, thereby releasing a product stream of the concentrated gas through a product outlet that is in fluid communication with the inside of the discharge chamber; including, A method of passively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. [Form 21] The steps include determining at least one ambient condition at the site of the passive recovery device based on a signal received from at least one sensor that is communicably connected to the control system, A step of determining the optimal exposure time for the capture structure based on at least one of the aforementioned ambient conditions. Further including, The method described in Form 20. [Form 22] The sweeping gas is one of the following: air, nitrogen, water vapor, and steam. The method according to form 20 or 21. [Form 23] Each of the plurality of disks includes at least one pair of electrical contacts on the top of the disk and at least one pair of conductive posts on the bottom of the disk. Each pair of electrical contacts is communicably connected to the electrical swing adsorbent material of the disk, Each electrical contact is connected to a different conductive post and aligned in a communicative manner. When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the electrical contacts of the lower disk of an adjacent pair of disks make direct conductive contact with the conductive posts of the upper disk of the adjacent pair. The step of placing the capture structure in the release configuration further includes arranging at least one pair of conductive posts of the plurality of disks that make direct conductive contact with at least one pair of base electrical contacts of the sorbent regeneration system, The base electrical contact is connected to the power supply in a communication manner. Establishing the discharge voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk includes supplying power to the plurality of disks using the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system. The method described in Form 20. [Form 24] Each of the plurality of disks includes at least two edge contacts that are communicably connected to the electroswing adsorbent material of the disk, The discharge chamber further includes at least one pair of power rails having opposite polarities, the power rails being communicatively connected to the sorbent regeneration system, The step of placing the capture structure in the release configuration further includes the step of bringing all of the disks of the plurality of disks into contact with the at least one pair of power rails via the at least two edge contacts, The electro-swing sorbent material is connected to the sorbent regeneration system in a manner that allows communication between them. Establishing the discharge voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk includes supplying power to the plurality of disks using the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system via the at least one pair of power rails, The method described in Form 20. [Form 25] The at least one pair of power rails are connected to the discharge chamber via a plurality of biasing elements, When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the power rail is biased toward the plurality of disks, and contact with the edge contacts of the plurality of disks is maintained. The method described in morphology 24. [Form 26] Further includes supplying power to the battery and voltage controller of each of the plurality of disks, The voltage controller is communicated to the battery and the electro-swing sorbent material of the disk using the sorbent regeneration system while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The recovery voltage is established using power from the battery when the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The method described in Form 20. [Form 27] The electroswing sorbent material of the plurality of disks is electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber while the capture structure moves between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. The plurality of disks are electrically connected to the power supply of the discharge chamber via the at least one foldable support. The method described in Form 20. [Form 28] Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically isolated from the second segment. The recovered voltage is segmented and includes a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage different from the first segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, establishing the recovery voltage includes establishing the second segment voltage over the second segment and simultaneously establishing the first segment voltage over the first segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide absorbed into the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The method described in Form 20. [Form 29] Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically isolated from the second segment. The discharge voltage is segmented and includes a third segment voltage and a fourth segment voltage different from the third segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, establishing the emission voltage includes establishing the fourth segment voltage over the second segment and simultaneously establishing the third segment voltage over the first segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide released by the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the emission configuration. The method described in Form 20. [Form 30] The discharge chamber includes a trough embedded around the top of the discharge chamber, in which the lid contacts the discharge chamber while the capture structure is in the discharge configuration. The trough has an inner wall and an outer wall, The trough was at least partially filled with water. The lid includes a sealing spike protruding from the lid, Closing the discharge chamber with the lid includes inserting the sealing spike into the trough such that the sealing spike is at least partially immersed in the water in the trough. The water prevents gas movement between the atmosphere and the release chamber. The method described in Form 20. [Form 31] A system for passively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide, comprising at least one passive capture cluster, Each passive recovery cluster includes at least two passive recovery devices. Each passive recovery device, An opening and a discharge chamber including an sorbent regeneration system having a power supply, A capture structure comprising, connected to the discharge chamber, at least one foldable support, and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, wherein each disk comprises an electroswing sorbent material, and the capture structure is movable between a recovery configuration and a discharge configuration. A lid that covers the opening of the release chamber when the capture structure is in the release configuration, An actuator connected to the aforementioned capture structure, A product outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of the discharge chamber and to receive a product stream of concentrated gas, A control system is communicated to each passive recovery cluster and configured to drive the actuators to move the capture structure of at least one passive recovery device between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. Includes, The product outlets of each passive recovery device within the same cluster are in fluid communication. For each passive recovery device, the recovery configuration includes a capture structure extending upward from the release chamber to expose at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow, so that the sorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, while a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material in each of the plurality of disks. For each passive recovery device, the release configuration includes the at least one foldable support of the folded capture structure, the lid covering the opening of the release chamber, and the plurality of disks enclosed within the release chamber and electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, wherein the plurality of disks receive power, an release voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk, captured carbon dioxide is released from the electroswing sorbent material, and a concentrated gas is formed within the release chamber. system. [Form 32] The at least two passive recovery devices in each cluster share the same actuator. The system described in form 31. [Form 33] The discharge chambers of each passive recovery device within the same cluster are in fluid communication. The concentrated gas from one recovery device can be swept through the discharge chamber of an adjacent recovery device. The system according to form 31 or 32. [Form 34] The control system further comprises at least one sensor that is communicably connected to the control system, The control system is configured to determine at least one ambient condition based on a signal received from the at least one sensor, and to autonomously drive at least one actuator based on the at least one ambient condition to move at least one capture structure between the retrieval configuration and the release configuration. The aforementioned at least one ambient condition includes at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. A system described in any one of the forms 31 to 33. [Form 35] The control system is configured to sequentially operate the passive recovery device to create a continuous flow of concentrated gas products. The system described in Form 34. [Form 36] The at least one passive recovery device in each cluster shares the same power supply. The system described in form 31.

Claims

1. An outlet chamber including an opening, an sorbent regeneration system with a power supply, and a product outlet, A capture structure comprising, connected to the discharge chamber, at least one foldable support, and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, wherein each disk comprises an electroswing sorbent material, and the capture structure is movable between a recovery configuration and a discharge configuration. When the capture structure is in the release configuration, a lid covers the opening of the release chamber. Includes, The recovery configuration includes the capture structure extending upward from the release chamber so that at least a portion of the capture structure is exposed to the airflow and the sorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, In each of the plurality of disks, a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing adsorbent material. The release configuration includes the at least one foldable support of the folded capture structure, the lid covering the opening of the release chamber, and the plurality of disks enclosed within the release chamber and electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, wherein the plurality of disks receive power, an release voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk, captured carbon dioxide is released from the electroswing sorbent material, and a concentrated gas is formed within the release chamber. A device for passively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

2. Each of the plurality of disks includes at least one pair of electrical contacts on the top of the disk and at least one pair of conductive posts on the bottom of the disk. Each pair of electrical contacts is communicably connected to the electrical swing adsorbent material of the disk, Each electrical contact is connected to a different conductive post and aligned in a communicative manner. When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the electrical contact of the lower disk of an adjacent pair of disks makes direct conductive contact with the conductive post of the upper disk of the adjacent pair. The adsorbent regeneration system further includes at least one pair of base electrical contacts beneath the plurality of disks, The at least one pair of base electrical contacts are communicateable to and positioned with respect to the power supply, and when the capture structure is in the release configuration, at least one pair of conductive posts of the plurality of disks are in direct conductive contact with at least one pair of base electrical contacts, and the plurality of disks receive power from the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Each of the plurality of disks includes at least two edge contacts that are communicably connected to the electroswing adsorbent material of the disk, The discharge chamber further includes at least one pair of power rails having opposite polarities, The power rail is connected to and positioned to communicate with the adsorbent regeneration system. When the plurality of disks are in the discharge configuration, each disk of the plurality of disks is in contact with the at least one pair of power rails via the at least two edge contacts, and the electroswing sorbent material is communicably connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system via the at least one pair of power rails. The apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The at least one pair of power rails are connected to the discharge chamber via a plurality of biasing elements, When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the power rail is biased toward the plurality of disks, and contact with the edge contacts of the plurality of disks is maintained. The apparatus according to claim 3.

5. Each of the aforementioned disks further includes a battery and a voltage controller. The voltage controller is communicateable to the battery and the electro-swing adsorbent material of the disk. Each of the batteries of the plurality of disks receives power from the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, at least while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The electroswing sorbent material of the plurality of disks is electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber while the capture structure moves between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. The plurality of disks are electrically connected to the power supply of the discharge chamber via the at least one foldable support. The apparatus according to claim 1.

7. Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically insulated from the second segment. The recovered voltage is segmented and includes a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage different from the first segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, when the first segment voltage is established across the first segment and the second segment voltage is established across the second segment, the recovery voltage is established, and the capture structure controls the flow of carbon dioxide to be adsorbed onto the electro-swing adsorbent material while the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The apparatus according to claim 1.

8. Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically insulated from the second segment. The discharge voltage is segmented and includes a third segment voltage and a fourth segment voltage different from the third segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, when the third segment voltage is established across the first segment and the fourth segment voltage is established across the second segment, the release voltage is established, and the capture structure controls the flow of carbon dioxide released by the electro-swing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The discharge chamber includes a trough embedded around the upper part of the discharge chamber, where the lid contacts the discharge chamber when the capture structure is in the discharge configuration. The trough has an inner wall and an outer wall, The trough was at least partially filled with water. The lid includes a sealing spike protruding from the lid, The sealing spike is located inside the trough and is sized and positioned such that it is at least partially submerged in the water in the trough, while the lid covers the opening of the release chamber while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The aforementioned sorbent regeneration system includes a heat source. The apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The heat source is a steam source. The apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The discharge chamber further comprises a sweep gas inlet connected to a sweep gas source and configured to introduce sweep gas into the discharge chamber to push away the concentrated gas. The apparatus according to claim 1, 10, or 11.

13. The sweeping gas is steam. The apparatus according to claim 12.

14. Each of the aforementioned plurality of disks is planar. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 10.

15. For each of the plurality of disks, the electroswing sorbent material includes a plurality of sorbent surfaces connected to the surface of the disk at an angle greater than zero. The apparatus according to claim 14.

16. Each of the aforementioned plurality of disks includes an aperture. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 14.

17. An actuator connected to the aforementioned capture structure, A control system is connected to the actuator in a communication manner and is configured to drive the actuator to move the capture structure between the retrieval configuration and the release configuration. Further including, The apparatus according to claim 1 or 10.

18. The control system further comprises at least one sensor that is communicably connected to the control system, The control system is configured to determine at least one ambient condition based on a signal received from at least one sensor, and to autonomously drive the actuator to move the capture structure between the retrieval configuration and the release configuration based on the at least one ambient condition. The aforementioned at least one ambient condition includes at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The apparatus according to claim 17.

19. A step of preparing a passive recovery device, comprising a release chamber and a capture structure, wherein the capture structure includes at least one foldable support and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, each disk containing an electroswing sorbent material, and the recovery structure includes the capture structure extending upward from the release chamber while a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material, The steps include: exposing at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow so that the electroswing adsorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide; The steps include: placing the capture structure into the release configuration by driving the actuator to lower the capture structure into the release chamber such that at least one foldable support is folded, the plurality of disks are fully within the release chamber, and the plurality of disks are electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system so that they can receive power; The steps include closing the discharge chamber with a lid to confine the plurality of disks inside the discharge chamber, The steps include: regenerating the sorbent material of the plurality of disks by establishing a release voltage across the electroswing sorbent of each disk using the sorbent regeneration system, releasing the captured carbon dioxide, and forming a concentrated gas in the release chamber; The steps include: replacing the concentrated gas with a sweep gas introduced into the discharge chamber, thereby releasing a product stream of the concentrated gas through a product outlet that is in fluid communication with the inside of the discharge chamber; including, A method of passively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

20. The steps include determining at least one ambient condition at the site of the passive recovery device based on a signal received from at least one sensor that is communicably connected to the control system, A step of determining the optimal exposure time for the capture structure based on at least one of the aforementioned ambient conditions. Further including, The method according to claim 19.

21. The sweeping gas is one of the following: air, nitrogen, water vapor, and steam. The method according to claim 19 or 20.

22. Each of the plurality of disks includes at least one pair of electrical contacts on the top of the disk and at least one pair of conductive posts on the bottom of the disk. Each pair of electrical contacts is communicably connected to the electrical swing adsorbent material of the disk, Each electrical contact is connected to a different conductive post and aligned in a communicative manner. When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the electrical contacts of the lower disk of an adjacent pair of disks make direct conductive contact with the conductive posts of the upper disk of the adjacent pair. The step of placing the capture structure in the release configuration further includes arranging at least one pair of conductive posts of the plurality of disks that make direct conductive contact with at least one pair of base electrical contacts of the sorbent regeneration system, The base electrical contact is connected to the power supply in a communication manner. Establishing the discharge voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk includes supplying power to the plurality of disks using the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system. The method according to claim 19.

23. Each of the plurality of disks includes at least two edge contacts that are communicably connected to the electroswing adsorbent material of the disk, The discharge chamber further includes at least one pair of power rails having opposite polarities, the power rails being communicatively connected to the sorbent regeneration system, The step of placing the capture structure in the release configuration further includes the step of bringing all of the disks of the plurality of disks into contact with the at least one pair of power rails via the at least two edge contacts, The electro-swing sorbent material is connected to the sorbent regeneration system in a manner that allows communication between them. Establishing the discharge voltage across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk includes supplying power to the plurality of disks using the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system via the at least one pair of power rails, The method according to claim 19.

24. The at least one pair of power rails are connected to the discharge chamber via a plurality of biasing elements, When the capture structure is in the release configuration, the power rail is biased toward the plurality of disks, and contact with the edge contacts of the plurality of disks is maintained. The method according to claim 23.

25. Further includes supplying power to the battery and voltage controller of each of the plurality of disks, The voltage controller is communicated to the battery and the electro-swing sorbent material of the disk using the sorbent regeneration system while the capture structure is in the release configuration. The recovery voltage is established using power from the battery when the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The method according to claim 19.

26. The electroswing sorbent material of the plurality of disks is electrically connected to the power supply of the release chamber while the capture structure moves between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. The plurality of disks are electrically connected to the power supply of the discharge chamber via the at least one foldable support. The method according to claim 19.

27. Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically insulated from the second segment. The recovered voltage is segmented and includes a first segment voltage and a second segment voltage different from the first segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, establishing the recovery voltage includes establishing the second segment voltage over the second segment and simultaneously establishing the first segment voltage over the first segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide absorbed into the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the recovery configuration. The method according to claim 19.

28. Each of the plurality of disks includes a first segment defined as the disk having a first radius measured from the center of gravity of the disk and having a radius smaller than the first radius, and a second segment defined as the disk having a second radius measured from the center of gravity and having a radius smaller than the second radius but larger than the first radius, The first segment is electrically insulated from the second segment. The discharge voltage is segmented and includes a third segment voltage and a fourth segment voltage different from the third segment voltage. For each of the plurality of disks, establishing the emission voltage includes establishing the fourth segment voltage over the second segment and simultaneously establishing the third segment voltage over the first segment, thereby manipulating the flow of carbon dioxide released by the electroswing sorbent material while the capture structure is in the emission configuration. The method according to claim 19.

29. The discharge chamber includes a trough embedded around the top of the discharge chamber, in which the lid contacts the discharge chamber while the capture structure is in the discharge configuration. The trough has an inner wall and an outer wall, The trough was at least partially filled with water. The lid includes a sealing spike protruding from the lid, Closing the discharge chamber with the lid includes inserting the sealing spike into the trough such that the sealing spike is at least partially immersed in the water in the trough. The water prevents gas movement between the atmosphere and the release chamber. The method according to claim 19.

30. A system for passively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide, comprising at least one passive capture cluster, Each passive recovery cluster includes at least two passive recovery devices. Each passive recovery device, An opening and a discharge chamber including an sorbent regeneration system having a power supply, A capture structure comprising, connected to the discharge chamber, at least one foldable support, and a plurality of disks connected to and spaced apart along the at least one foldable support, wherein each disk comprises an electroswing sorbent material, and the capture structure is movable between a recovery configuration and a discharge configuration. A lid that covers the opening of the release chamber when the capture structure is in the release configuration, An actuator connected to the aforementioned capture structure, A product outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the inside of the discharge chamber and to receive a product stream of concentrated gas, A control system is configured to be communicatively connected to each passive recovery cluster and to drive the actuators to move the capture structure of at least one passive recovery device between the recovery configuration and the release configuration. Includes, The product outlets of each passive recovery device within the same cluster are in fluid communication. For each passive recovery device, the recovery configuration includes a capture structure extending upward from the release chamber to expose at least a portion of the capture structure to an airflow, so that the sorbent material of the plurality of disks can capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, while a recovery voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material in each of the plurality of disks. For each passive recovery device, the release configuration includes the at least one foldable support of the folded capture structure, the lid covering the opening of the release chamber, and the plurality of disks enclosed within the release chamber and electrically connected to the power supply of the sorbent regeneration system, wherein the plurality of disks receive power, an release voltage is established across the electroswing sorbent material of each disk, captured carbon dioxide is released from the electroswing sorbent material, and a concentrated gas is formed within the release chamber. system.

31. The at least two passive recovery devices in each cluster share the same actuator. The system according to claim 30.

32. The discharge chambers of each passive recovery device within the same cluster are in fluid communication. The concentrated gas from one recovery device can be swept through the discharge chamber of an adjacent recovery device. The system according to claim 30 or 31.

33. The control system further comprises at least one sensor that is communicably connected to the control system, The control system is configured to determine at least one ambient condition based on a signal received from at least one sensor, and to autonomously drive at least one actuator based on the at least one ambient condition to move at least one capture structure between the retrieval configuration and the release configuration. The aforementioned at least one ambient condition includes at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The system according to any one of claims 30 to 32.

34. The control system is configured to sequentially operate the passive recovery device to create a continuous flow of concentrated gas products. The system according to claim 33.

35. The at least one passive recovery device in each cluster shares the same power supply. The system according to claim 30.

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