Heat transfer tray

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a heat transfer tray for particulate sorbent material, the heat transfer tray comprising a tray body formed of first and second tray panels, the second tray panel comprising an embossed raised portion for defining a heat transfer fluid flowpath between the tray panels. The present disclosure is further directed to methods of producing the heat transfer trays, methods of separating a gas component from a gas mixture using the heat transfer trays, and systems comprising the heat transfer trays for separating a gas component from a gas mixture.

Description

"Heat transfer tray"Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to heat transfer trays, and in particular to heat transfer trays for heating or cooling particulate material. The present disclosure also relates to methods of producing heat transfer trays, and systems and methods for gas separation using heat transfer trays according to the present disclosure.Background

[0002] Gas separation is an important and widespread industrial process for the separation of one or more gases from a gas mixture. Gas separation may be used, for example, to remove impurities and undesired compounds from the gas mixture or to separate and purify commercially important gases from the gas mixture.

[0003] One important application is capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas streams, e.g. from flue gases, exhaust gases, industrial waste gases, enclosed spaces (e.g. submarines or buildings) or atmospheric air (i.e. direct air capture (DAC)).

[0004] The most common processes for the separation of gases include separation by sorption processes, separation by cryogenic distillation, and separation with membranes.

[0005] In the sorption processes, the gas mixture is contacted with a sorbent, for example a solid or liquid, having an affinity for the gas to be separated from the mixture. The gas to be separated is selectively sorbed and retained by the sorbent. The gas captured by this method may be combined with long-term storage of the captured gas (e.g. direct air capture and storage (DACS)). Alternatively, the captured gas may be subsequently desorbed to provide a concentrated and purified gas stream for release or further processing.

[0006] Where a solid sorbent is used, desorption of the gas captured by the sorbent can be initiated through a change in the conditions acting on the loaded sorbent, for example the temperature, pressure and / or the humidity. In this way, the sorbent material can be regenerated for further sorption / desorption gas separation cycles.

[0007] Due to the selective affinity of the sorbent for the gas to be separated, the separation of gas by sorption can provide a relatively high purity separated gas product. However, gas sorption processes typically have high energy requirements, in particular associated with the desorption of the gas product / regeneration of the sorbent material.

[0008] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.Summary

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heat transfer tray for particulate sorbent material, the heat transfer tray comprising: a tray body comprising: a first tray panel, the first tray panel defining an upper tray surface for receiving the particulate sorbent material; and a second tray panel, the second tray panel comprising a bond portion and a raised portion, the raised portion comprising a network of embossed interconnected flow channels, a heat transfer fluid inlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet; anda heat transfer fluid flowpath between the first and second tray panels and fluidly connecting the heat transfer fluid inlet and the heat transfer fluid outlet, wherein the bond portion of the second tray panel is bonded to the first tray panel such that the network of embossed interconnected flow channels define the heat transfer fluid flowpath.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heat transfer tray may further comprise a plurality of apertures in the tray body for gas flow through the tray body, wherein the apertures are formed in bonded portions of the first and second tray panels. The apertures may the apertures comprise longitudinally extending slots. The apertures may be sized and shaped to retain the particulate sorbent material on the upper tray surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the heat transfer tray may further comprise one or more gas permeable layers configured to retain the particulate material on the upper tray surface.

[0012] The first and second heat tray panels may be formed of any suitable material, for example the first and second heat tray panels may be formed of metallic, polymer, or polymer composite material. For example, the first and second heat tray panels may be formed of aluminium.

[0013] In some embodiments, the heat transfer tray may further comprise a lip extending around the perimeter of the upper tray surface. The lip may comprise outer edges of the first tray panel and / or outer edges of the second tray panel. Where the lip comprises both the outer edges of the first and second tray panels, the outer edges of the first and second tray panels may be bonded.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of producing a heat transfer tray according to the present disclosure, the method comprising:providing a first tray panel and a second tray panel; embossing the second tray panel to define bond and raised portions; and bonding the bond portion of the second tray panel to the first tray panel.

[0015] In some embodiments embossing the second tray panel may comprises stamping and bonding the bond portion of the second tray panel to the first tray panel may comprise brazing. In other embodiments, bonding the bond portion of the second tray panel to the first tray panel may comprise roll-bonding.

[0016] The method of producing a heat transfer tray may further comprise forming a plurality of apertures in bonded portions of the first and second tray panels.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of separating a gas component from a gas mixture, the method comprising: a sorption phase comprising diffusing the gas mixture through a particulate sorbent material retained on a tray according to the present disclosure, such that the gas component is sorbed by the particulate sorbent material; and a desorption phase comprising flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath, thereby to raise the temperature of the particulate sorbent material above a desorption temperature for the particulate sorbent material such that the gas component is desorbed from the particulate sorbent material.

[0018] In some embodiments, the desorption phase may further comprise reducing pressure.

[0019] The method of separating a gas component from a gas mixture may be applied to any suitable gas mixture for separation by particulate sorbent material. In some embodiments, the gas component may be carbon dioxide and the gas mixture may be air.

[0020] The method of separating a gas component from a gas mixture may further comprise, after the desorption phase, flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath, thereby to lower the temperature of the particulate sorbent material below the desorption temperature for the particulate sorbent material.

[0021] The method of separating a gas component from a gas mixture may further comprise flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath during the sorption phase thereby to bring the temperature of the particulate sorbent material within a predetermined sorption temperature range.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for separating a gas component from a gas mixture, the system comprising: a tray chamber; a plurality of trays according to any one of claims 1 to 10 housed inside the tray chamber, each tray having a particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface; a valve bank for selectively permitting the flow of a gas mixture into the tray chamber; a fan for drawing the gas mixture through the tray chamber; at least one heat transfer fluid pump for feeding heat transfer fluid to each of the trays; and a vacuum pump for reducing pressure within the tray chamber.Brief Description of Drawings

[0023] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Figure l is a top perspective view of a heat transfer tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the heat transfer tray according to Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 3 is a top plan view of the heat transfer tray according to Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the heat transfer tray according to Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heat transfer tray according to Figure 1, showing heat transfer fluid channels of the tray;

[0029] Figure 6a is a heat map over time of a heat transfer tray according to the present disclosure following introduction of a heat transfer fluid;

[0030] Figure 6b is a heat map of a block and tube heat transfer tray 5 minutes after introduction of a heat transfer fluid;

[0031] Figure 7 is a graph of pressure drop versus heat transfer fluid flow rate;

[0032] Figure 8 is a first arrangement of heat transfer trays for gas separation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 9 is a second arrangement of heat transfer trays for gas separation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] Figure 10 is a system for gas separation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Definitions

[0035] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0036] Each example of the present disclosure described herein is to be applied mutatis mutandis to each and every other example unless specifically stated otherwise. The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific examples described herein, which are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally- equivalent products, compositions and methods are clearly within the scope of the disclosure as described herein.

[0037] The term "and / or", e.g., "X and / or Y" shall be understood to mean either "X and Y" or "X or Y" and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0039] The term “about” as used herein means within 5%, and more preferably within 1%, of a given value or range. For example, “about 3.7%” means from 3.5 to 3.9%, preferably from 3.66 to 3.74%. When the term “about” is associated with a range ofvalues, e.g., “about X% to Y%”, the term “about” is intended to modify both the lower (X) and upper (Y) values of the recited range. For example, “about 20% to 40%” is equivalent to “about 20% to about 40%”.

[0040] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS

[0041] As used herein, the term “sorption” is used to broadly describe the capture of a gas component by the particulate sorbent material and is not to be limited by the mechanism(s) by which the gas component is captured. “Sorption”, “sorb”, “sorbed”, “sorbing” and like terms as used herein may be directed to adsorption processes, absorption processes, or combinations of adsorption and absorption.

[0042] As used herein, the term “gas mixture” refers to a gas stream comprising a mixture of compounds or elements and from which at least one said compound or element, e.g. “gas component” is to be separated.

[0043] As used herein, the term “desorption temperature” refers to the minimum temperature for a particulate sorbent material above which a gas component captured, or “sorbed” as used herein, by a particulate material will be released, or “desorbed” as used herein, from the particulate sorbent material.Description of EmbodimentsHEAT TRANSFER TRAY

[0044] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the present disclosure provides a heat transfer tray 100. The tray 100 is configured to retain, and transfer heat to and from, a particulate material retained by the tray. Although the tray will primarily be describedfor use in heating and cooling particulate sorbent material for sorption gas separation processes, it will be appreciated that the tray described herein may be applicable to other purposes, for example heating / cooling of a solid catalyst during thermochemical reactions.

[0045] The heat transfer tray comprises a tray body, a heat transfer fluid inlet 110, a heat transfer fluid outlet 120, and a heat transfer fluid flowpath within the tray body.

[0046] The tray body is formed from a first tray panel 130 and a second tray panel 140 such that the heat transfer fluid flowpath is between the first and second tray panels 130, 140. The outer surface of the first tray panel 130 is best shown in Figures 1 and 3, and the outer surface of the second tray panel 140 is best shown in Figures 2 and 4.

[0047] The first and second tray panels 130, 140 may be formed of any suitable material to provide the desired strength, heat transfer properties and suitability for bonding. For example, the first and second tray panels 130, 140 may be formed of a metallic material, a polymer material, a polymer composite material, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the first and second tray panels are formed of aluminium or copper.

[0048] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the first tray panel 130 defines an upper tray surface 132 for receiving a particulate material, for example a particulate sorbent material for selectively sorbing a gas component from a gas stream.

[0049] With reference to Figures 2 and 4, the second tray panel 140 is formed of a planar panel that has been embossed to provide raised portions 142 in the planar panel. The non-embossed, or non-raised, sections of the second tray panel 140 are referenced herein as the bond portion 144 of the second tray. That is, the sections of the second tray panel 140 that are not been embossed / raised lie in a plane that allows for bonding with the first tray panel.

[0050] The raised portion 142 of the second tray panel 140 comprises a network of embossed interconnected flow channels. The bond portion 144 of the second tray panel 140 is bonded to the first tray panel 130 such that the network of embossed interconnected flow channels define the heat transfer fluid flowpath.

[0051] The heat transfer fluid flowpath is selected to provide good heat transfer coverage to the entire tray 100. In addition, the heat transfer fluid flowpath is selected to promote heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid, through the tray, and to the particulate material retained by the tray 100. The heat transfer fluid flowpath is preferably selected to maximise heat distribution and minimise pressure drop.

[0052] With reference to Figure 2, the heat transfer fluid flowpath comprises a network of interconnected flow channels. The flow channels comprise a combination of main channels 150 which define the general direction of flow and cross-channels 160 that promote mixing and turbulence of the heat transfer fluid. The flow channels 150, 160 may further be provided with rounded corners to minimise the pressure drop and avoid the formation of flow dead zones which can reduce heat transfer efficiency of the tray.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the heat transfer fluid inlet 110 and heat transfer fluid outlet 120 are provided at one end of the heat transfer tray 100. In this embodiment, the heat transfer fluid flowpath is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the heat transfer tray 100, however it will be appreciated that asymmetrical flowpaths may also be employed. The main flow channels 150 extend longitudinally from the heat transfer fluid inlet 110 toward the other end of the tray, at which end the direction of flow is directed back to the heat transfer fluid outlet 120.

[0054] The heat transfer fluid inlet 110 and heat transfer fluid outlet 120 may each include fluid ports for connecting to external attachments such as pipes, hoses, or tubes for conveying the heat transfer fluid to and from the heat transfer tray 100.

[0055] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the heat transfer tray 100 further comprises a plurality of apertures 170 in the tray body. In this way, in use, a gas mixture 500 to be separated can be directed to diffuse through a particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface 132 and through the apertures 170 provided therein. Preferably, the apertures 170 are sized and shaped to retain the particulate sorbent material on the upper tray surface 132. That is, preferably the width of the aperture 170 is smaller than the diameter of the particulate sorbent material such that the particulate sorbent material cannot pass through the aperture 170.

[0056] As will be appreciated, to ensure the fluid transfer fluid flowpath is sealed within the tray 100, the apertures 170 through the tray body are formed in the bonded portions 144 of the first and second tray panels 130, 140. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the apertures 170 are provided as slots extending substantially centrally in the provided bonded portions 144.

[0057] In some embodiments, the slots 170 may be from 50mm to 1000mm in length and from 4mm to 50mm in width.

[0058] The heat transfer tray 100 may be sized and shaped as required for a particular purpose. For example, the heat transfer tray 100 may be rectangular, square, circular, oval, or other geometric shape.

[0059] In an embodiment, the heat transfer tray 100 is rectangular. In one nonlimiting example, the heat transfer tray 100 may have a length of around 1000mm, a width of around 400mm, and a thickness of less than 3mm.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, one or more gas permeable layers configured to retain the particulate material may be provided to retain the particulate material on the upper tray surface. This may include a gas permeable layer positioned between the particulate sorbent material and the upper tray surface 132 to provide a barrier between the particulate sorbent material and the apertures 170. In other embodiments, a gas permeable layer may be provided over the particulate sorbent material to preventspillage of the particulate sorbent material from the tray 100, for example during movement or transport of a loaded tray.

[0061] In a further embodiment, to assist with retaining the particulate sorbent material on the upper tray surface 132 and to provide strength to the tray 100, the heat transfer tray 100 may further comprise a lip 180 extending around the perimeter of the upper tray surface 132. The lip 180 may be formed by outer edges of the first tray panel 130, bent to form the lip 180 around the perimeter of the upper tray surface 132. In an embodiment, the lip 180 is formed by the bonded outer edges of the first and second tray panels 130, 140, bent to form the lip 180 around the perimeter of the upper tray surface 132.

[0062] The height of the lip 180 may be selected on the basis of a thickness of a layer of particulate sorbent material to be retained in the tray 100. In an embodiment, the layer of particulate sorbent material to be retained in the tray 100 is from 5- 10mm. The height of the lip may be, for example, about 15mm.

[0063] An example performance of a heat transfer tray 100 according to the present disclosure is shown in Figures 6a and 7.

[0064] Thermal imaging cameras were utilised to visualise how the temperature distribution of the heat transfer tray 100 varied over time following introduction of the heat transfer medium to the tray. Figure 6a shows a heat map of temperature distribution over time at 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds and 120 seconds after water at 80°C began flowing through the heat transfer medium flowpath of a heat transfer tray 100. As can be seen from the heat maps shown in Figure 6a, by 120 seconds the tray reaches > 70°C for most of the surface.

[0065] With reference to Figure 6b, for comparison with existing methods, thermal imaging was conducted on a block and tube heat tray in which a tube for receiving a heat transfer medium is snaked through a block of heat transfer material such as aluminium. Figure 6b shows a heat map of temperature distribution at 5 minutes afterwater at 80°C began flowing through the heat transfer medium tube of the block and tube heat tray. As can be seen from the heat map shown in Figure 6b, even after 5 minutes, a significant variation in temperatures were seen across the surface of the tray, with cooler spots at the edges of the tray. In addition, it can be seen the surface of the tray exhibited cooler temperatures at the heat transfer medium outlet end of the tray relative to the heat transfer medium inlet end of the tray. The central area of the tray at a location between coils of the tube measured only 55°C.

[0066] The heat transfer trays according to the present disclosure were further tested for pressure drop versus water flow rate. The results shown in Figure 7 show that the pressure drop is very low for the flow rate range of < 1 L / min. This is beneficial as it minimises energy consumption and reduces the material requirements of associated infrastructure such as hoses, pipes and pumps.

[0067] Advantageously, it has been found that embodiments of heat transfer trays 100 in accordance with the present disclosure demonstrate a pressure drop up to an order of magnitude lower than existing methods of heat transfer such as bent tubing embedded in aluminium blocks.

[0068] The trays 100 have been found to evenly heat particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface within about 2°C with pressure drop through the heat transfer tray of less than 100 mbar at a heat transfer flow rate of around 1 L / min.HEAT TRANSFER TRAY ARRANGEMENTS

[0069] Figure 8 shows a first example arrangement of heat transfer trays 100 according to the present disclosure. In accordance with the arrangement shown in Figure 8, the gas mixture 500 flows between topsides and undersides of the heat transfer trays 100. That is, the gas mixture 500 flows over the particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface.

[0070] Figure 9 shows a second example arrangement of heat transfer trays 100 according to the present disclosure. In accordance with the arrangement shown in Figure 9, angled shrouds 200 are provided between adjacent trays 100. The gas mixture 500 of this arrangement enters between the underside of a shroud 200 and a topside of a tray 100, diffuses through a layer of particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface 132, and flows through the apertures 170 to exit between the bottom of the heat transfer tray 100 and the topside of the shroud 200 below.METHOD OF PRODUCING A HEAT TRANSFER TRAY

[0071] The present disclosure further provides a method of producing a heat transfer tray 100 as disclosed herein. The method comprises embossing the second tray panel 140 to define the bond and raised portions 144, 142, and bonding the bond portion 144 of the second tray panel 140 to the first tray panel 130.

[0072] Methods of producing a heat transfer tray 100 as disclosed herein may include a stamp and braze method, or a roll-bonding method.

[0073] The stamp and braze method comprises use of a custom machined die to stamp sheets of metal to create the required second tray panel 140 having the bond and raised portions 144, 142. The stamped plate is then brazed to a planar first tray panel 130 such that the bond portion 144 of the second tray panel 140 is bonded to the first tray panel 130 with a filler metal having a lower melting point than that of the first and second tray panels 130, 140.

[0074] The roll-bonding method relies on bonding the bond portions 144 of the second tray panel 140 to the first tray panel 130 through the application of sufficient pressure, via rollers, to bond the two layers together. The applied pressure is high enough to deform the material of the tray panels 130, 140 and reduce the combined thickness of the layered material.

[0075] Both the stamp and braze method and the roll-bonding method allow for manufacturing of the heat transfer trays 100 with thin sheets of material (i.e. the tray panels), resulting in low weight trays. Reducing the weight of the trays 100 provides a number of advantages such as minimising parasitic heat loss to the tray 100, minimising thermal resistance between the heat transfer fluid and the particulate material retained by the tray 100, and lower material costs. In addition, the described methods are easily scalable to semi-automated mass production with relatively low production cost after initial tooling.

[0076] The selection of the stamp and braze method or the roll-bonding method may depend on a number of factors. The stamp and braze process provides higher precision in the final product dimensions than the roll-bonding process, however roll-bonding can be more cost effective being around 10% cheaper than the stamp and braze process.

[0077] The method may further comprise, after formation of the tray via the stamp and braze method or the roll bonding method, forming a plurality of apertures 170 in bonded portions 144 of the first and second tray panels 130, 140.METHOD OF SEPARATING A GAS COMPONENT FROM A GAS MIXTURE

[0078] The present invention further provides a method of separating a gas component from a gas mixture 500, the method comprising an sorption phase and a desorption phase.

[0079] The sorption phase comprises diffusing the gas mixture 500 through a particulate sorbent material retained on a tray 100 as disclosed herein, such that the gas component is sorbed by the particulate sorbent material.

[0080] The desorption phase comprises flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath, thereby to raise the temperature of the particulate sorbent material above a desorption temperature for the particulate sorbent material such that the gas component is desorbed from the particulate sorbent material. The desorptionphase may further comprise reducing pressure in order to facilitate desorption of the gas component. In an example, the sorption phase may be undertaken at ambient pressure, and the desorption phase undertaken under vacuum.

[0081] The method may further comprise a cooling phase after the desorption phase. The cooling phase comprises flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath, thereby to lower the temperature of the particulate sorbent material below the desorption temperature for the particulate sorbent material.

[0082] In some embodiments, it may be necessary to heat or cool the particulate sorbent material during the sorption phase, to improve efficiency of the sorption process in cold climates. Therefore, the method may further comprise flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath during the sorption phase thereby to bring the temperature of the particulate sorbent material within a predetermined sorption temperature range.SYSTEM FOR SEPARATING A GAS COMPONENT FROM A GAS MIXTURE

[0083] With reference to Figure 10, according to the present disclosure, there is further provided a system 300 for separating a gas component from a gas mixture 500. The system 300 comprises a tray chamber 310 and a plurality of trays 100 disclosed herein housed inside the tray chamber 310. Each tray 100 has a particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface 132. At least one heat transfer fluid pump (not shown) is provided for feeding heat transfer fluid to the trays 100 via their respective inlets 110.

[0084] The system 300 further comprises filters 320 for filtering solid material from the gas mixture 500, a valve bank 330 for selectively permitting flow of a gas mixture 500 into the tray chamber 310, a fan 340 for drawing the gas mixture 500 through the tray chamber 310, and a vacuum pump (not shown) for reducing pressure within the tray chamber 310.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10, the system 300 may comprise additional tray chambers 310. One or more pieces of ancillary equipment, for example heat transfer fluid pipes, the vacuum pump, motors for operating the fan etc, may be positioned in the space 350 between the tray chambers 310.

[0086] In an embodiment, the system 300 is a direct air carbon capture (DAC) system configured to draw air through the tray chambers 310 in order to separate carbon dioxide from the air. The particulate sorbent material may be any suitable material for separating carbon dioxide from the air. In one embodiment, the particulate sorbent material comprises CarbonAssist™ liquid amine particles (LAP).

[0087] In the case of CarbonAssist™ the LAPs will adsorb CO2 at temperatures of below around 50°C and will desorb CO2 at temperatures above around 65°C. An example operating method of the described system for direct air carbon capture using LAPs is described as follows.(1) Sorption Phase

[0088] The valve banks 330 are opened and the induced draft fan 340 operated, drawing air through the tray chamber(s) 310;

[0089] CO2 rich air is drawn over the trays 100 at ambient pressure and temperature, with the CO2 is adsorbed from the incoming air by the LAP in the trays;

[0090] Air exits the outlet valve bank 330 and is sent to atmosphere through the induced draft fan 340; and

[0091] After loading, the valve banks 330 are closed, sealing the tray chamber(s) 310.(2) Desorption Phase

[0092] The vacuum pump (not shown) reduces the pressure inside the tray chambers 310 to a set vacuum pressure;

[0093] Hot water is circulated through the heat transfer trays 100 through a series of fluid channels which heats the LAP retained on the upper tray surfaces 132;

[0094] When the LAP reaches >70°C, CO2 is desorbed and flows out of the tray chambers 310 through the instrumented exhaust line;

[0095] Instrumentation is used to monitor the quality and quantity of the exhausted CO2 gas which is vented to atmosphere (pressure, temperature, composition, mass flow rate); and

[0096] Once released CO2 is evacuated, the vacuum pump stops.(3) Cooling

[0097] Cold water is circulated through the trays to reduce the LAP temperature to <60°C.

[0098] Once the LAP is <60°C the valve banks 330 are opened and a new sorption phase can be begun.

[0099] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.Reference numerals100 - Heat transfer tray110 - Heat transfer fluid inlet120 - Heat transfer fluid outlet130 - First tray panel132 - Upper tray surface140 - Second tray panel142 - Raised portion144 - Bond portion150 - Main flow channel160 - Cross-channel170 - Aperture180 - Lip200 - Shroud300 - System310 - Tray chamber320 - Filters330 - Valve bank340 - Induced draft fan350 - Space for ancillary equipment500 - Gas mixture

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A heat transfer tray for particulate sorbent material, the heat transfer tray comprising: a tray body comprising: a first tray panel, the first tray panel defining an upper tray surface for receiving the particulate sorbent material; and a second tray panel, the second tray panel comprising a bond portion and a raised portion, the raised portion comprising a network of embossed interconnected flow channels, a heat transfer fluid inlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet; and a heat transfer fluid flowpath between the first and second tray panels and fluidly connecting the heat transfer fluid inlet and the heat transfer fluid outlet, wherein the bond portion of the second tray panel is bonded to the first tray panel such that the network of embossed interconnected flow channels define the heat transfer fluid flowpath.

2. A heat transfer tray according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures in the tray body for gas flow through the tray body, wherein the apertures are formed in bonded portions of the first and second tray panels.

3. A heat transfer tray according to claim 2, wherein the apertures comprise longitudinally extending slots.

4. A heat transfer tray according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the apertures are sized and shaped to retain the particulate sorbent material on the upper tray surface.

5. A heat transfer tray according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more gas permeable layers configured to retain the particulate material on the upper tray surface.

6. A heat transfer tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second heat tray panels are formed of metallic, polymer, or polymer composite material.

7. A heat transfer tray according to claim 6, wherein the first and second heat tray panels are formed of aluminium.

8. A heat transfer tray according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lip extending around the perimeter of the upper tray surface.

9. A heat transfer tray according to claim 8, wherein the lip comprises outer edges of the first tray panel.

10. A heat transfer tray according to claim 9, wherein lip further comprises outer edges of the second tray panel bonded to the outer edges of the first tray panel.

11. A method of producing a heat transfer tray according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: providing a first tray panel and a second tray panel; embossing the second tray panel to define bond and raised portions; and bonding the bond portion of the second tray panel to the first tray panel.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein: embossing the second tray panel comprises stamping; andbonding the bond portion of the second tray panel to the first tray panel comprises brazing.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein: bonding the bond portion of the second tray panel to the first tray panel comprises roll-bonding.

14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising forming a plurality of apertures in bonded portions of the first and second tray panels.

15. A method of separating a gas component from a gas mixture, the method comprising: a sorption phase comprising diffusing the gas mixture through a particulate sorbent material retained on a tray according to any one of claims 1 to 10, such that the gas component is sorbed by the particulate sorbent material; and a desorption phase comprising flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath, thereby to raise the temperature of the particulate sorbent material above a desorption temperature for the particulate sorbent material such that the gas component is desorbed from the particulate sorbent material.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the desorption phase further comprises reducing pressure.

17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the gas component is carbon dioxide and the gas mixture is air.

18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising, after the desorption phase, flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath, thereby to lower the temperature of the particulate sorbent material below the desorption temperature for the particulate sorbent material.

19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising flowing a heat transfer fluid through the heat transfer fluid flowpath during the sorption phase thereby to bring the temperature of the particulate sorbent material within a predetermined sorption temperature range.

20. A system for separating a gas component from a gas mixture, the system comprising: a tray chamber; a plurality of trays according to any one of claims 1 to 10 housed inside the tray chamber, each tray having a particulate sorbent material retained on the upper tray surface; a valve bank for selectively permitting the flow of a gas mixture into the tray chamber; a fan for drawing the gas mixture through the tray chamber; at least one heat transfer fluid pump for feeding heat transfer fluid to each of the trays; and a vacuum pump for reducing pressure within the tray chamber.

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