Adsorbent composite for improved desorption
The adsorbent composite, featuring a microwave transparent binder and an adsorbent filler, addresses the energy inefficiencies in TSA processes by enhancing microwave energy absorption and reducing energy consumption in the desorption phase.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2024/049529
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-10-02
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-10
AI Technical Summary
The energy-intensive nature of the desorption phase in temperature swing adsorption (TSA) processes, particularly due to the inefficiency of solid adsorbent materials in absorbing microwave energy when used with conventional binders.
Development of an adsorbent composite comprising an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder with a dielectric loss factor of 0.0001 to 0.1, which allows for efficient microwave energy absorption and reduces the energy required for desorption.
The adsorbent composite enhances the efficiency of the desorption phase in TSA processes by minimizing energy consumption and improving the desorption capacity compared to traditional adsorbent materials.
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Figure US2024049529_10042025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
ADSORBENT COMPOSITE FOR IMPROVED DESORPTIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 63 / 541 ,970, filed October 2, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposesFIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to adsorbent composites, processes and systems for adsorption and desorption of a substance, such as a compound from a fluid stream.BACKGROUND
[0003] Temperature swing adsorption (TSA) is a process that leverages cyclic variations in temperature and pressure fluctuations to separate gaseous components. The process can be used to separate a specific substance from a gaseous mixture, such as a target compound from a fluid stream. TSA can be separated into phases, including an adsorption step, which involves capturing an adsorbate on an adsorbent material, and a desorption step, which involves removing the captured adsorbate from the adsorbent material, such as for collection. While the adsorption phase of TSA occurs at relatively low temperatures to condense and capture gas molecules, the desorption phase requires energy to heat the adsorbent material and thereby facilitate release of the captured compound.
[0004] The process of heating the adsorbent material to trigger desorption of the captured target substance is a major source of energy consumption in the TSA process, and current methods, systems, and materials contribute to the time-and energy- intensive nature of the process. Microwave heating is one option to accelerate the process and reduce the amount of energy necessary for desorption. However, solid adsorbent materials, such as pure adsorbent powder, do not exhibit binding properties under such conditions. Solid adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, zeolites, silica, metal organic frameworks, and the like, must be processed into structured forms to facilitate absorption / desorption upon exposure to microwave radiation. Structure is often supplied in the form of a binder, such as commonly used bentonite, attapulgite, kaolin, alumina, and silica. However, these binder materials can absorb microwave energy, reducing the amount of microwave radiation absorbed by the adsorbentmaterial and necessitating increased energy input to achieve desorption. Thus, there is a need to improve aspects of TSA, including the efficiency of the desorption phase, to promote the overall efficiency of the process.SUMMARY
[0005] This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification, any or all drawings, and each claim.
[0006] According to one embodiment (Embodiment 1) the disclosure relates to an adsorbent composite such as an adsorbent composite for use in a microwave temperature swing adsorption (TSA) process including an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder, wherein the microwave transparent binder has a dielectric loss factor of from 0.0001 to 0.1. Herein, “microwave transparent” refers to a material through which microwaves pass through or penetrate with minimal distortion. In some examples, the property can be described according to its dielectric loss factor (E") and the dielectric constant (s'), such as upon application of microwave energy in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
[0007] Embodiment 2 is an adsorbent composite, wherein the microwave transparent binder includes a polymer. Embodiment 3 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 2, wherein the polymer includes a hydrocarbon polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyolefin, or a combination thereof.
[0008] Embodiment 4 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 3, wherein the polyolefin includes a compound selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, a random copolymer including at least one propylene group, at least one ethylene group, and at least one butene group and / or at least one hexene group, and combinations thereof.
[0009] Embodiment 5 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 2, wherein the polymer includes a compound selected from the group consisting of polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyimide (PI), polyethersulfone (PES), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyetherimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyamide (PA), cellulose, methylcellulose, cellulose ester, polystyrene (PS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA or PVOH), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyfluoroethylene propylene(PFEP), polyperfluoroacrylate (PPFA), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV), polychlorotrifluoro ethylene (PCFE), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluorethylene) (ETFE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyparaxylylene (PPX), polyactic acid (PLLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), expanded derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
[0010] Embodiment 6 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the polymer includes a compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyamide-imide (PAI), and polyimide (PI).
[0011] Embodiment 7 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the polymer has a dielectric constant of from 1 .5 to 4.
[0012] Embodiment 8 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the adsorbent composite includes a parallel passage contactor structure including one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets and substantially parallel ridges.
[0013] Embodiment 9 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 8, wherein the one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets are arranged in multiple, overlapping layers, which are spaced by the substantially parallel ridges to allow gas flow between the layers.
[0014] Embodiment 10 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the adsorbent composite has embossed ridges.
[0015] Embodiment 11 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 8 to 10, wherein each sheet of the one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets has a thickness of from 0.1 to 10 mm and a width of 30 to 1000 mm.
[0016] Embodiment 12 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11 , wherein the microwave transparent binder includes a microstructure of fibrils or fibrils and nodes.
[0017] Embodiment 13 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 9 to 12, wherein the adsorbent filler is partially or fully enmeshed into at least a portion of the space between the multiple, overlapping layers and / or the microstructure of the microwave transparent binder.
[0018] Embodiment 14 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 13, including the adsorbent filler in amount of from 10% to 95% (w / w), based on the total weight of the adsorbent composite.
[0019] Embodiment 15 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the adsorbent composite has a total porosity of from 30% to 95%.
[0020] Embodiment 16 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the adsorbent filler includes a high-loss dielectric material (loss tangent above 0.1 ), a low-loss dielectric material (loss tangent below 0.1 ), or a combination thereof.
[0021] Embodiment 17 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the adsorbent filler includes at least one amine group, activated carbon, carbon, graphene oxide, graphite, silica, metal organic frameworks, zeolite, alumina, alkaline metal oxide, polymeric sorbent, alkali carbonate, ion exchange resin, polyethyleneimine, or a combination thereof.
[0022] Embodiment 18 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 17, wherein the adsorbent filler including at least one amine group includes an impregnated amine, an amine supported on a polymer, an amine supported on a metal oxide, an amine supported on a carbon, an amine functionalized polymer, or a combination thereof.
[0023] Embodiment 19 is an adsorbent composite according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the adsorbent composite does not comprise a mineral binder.
[0024] Embodiment 20 is an adsorbent composite according to Embodiment 19, wherein the mineral binder includes a mineral selected from the group consisting of natural clay, bentonite, attapulgite, kaolin, alumina, silica, gypsum, and combinations thereof.
[0025] According to a twenty-first embodiment (Embodiment 21 ), the disclosure relates to a method for desorbing an adsorbate from an adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite of any one of Embodiments 1 to 20, where the method includes irradiating the adsorbent unit with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 1 MHz to 300 GHz; wherein the adsorbate is adsorbed to the adsorbent composite; and wherein the irradiating facilitates desorption of the adsorbate from the adsorbent composite.
[0026] Embodiment 22 is a method according to Embodiment 21 , wherein the irradiating includes subjecting the adsorbent composite to microwave radiation at a frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
[0027] Embodiment 23 is a method according to Embodiment 21 , wherein the irradiating includes subjecting the adsorbent composite to radio frequency (RF) heating at a frequency range of 1 MHz to 300 MHz.
[0028] Embodiment 24 is a method according to Embodiment any one of Embodiments 21 to 23, wherein the adsorbent composite is housed within the adsorbent unit.
[0029] Embodiment 25 is a method according to Embodiment any one of Embodiments 21 to 24, wherein the adsorbate includes hydrogen gas (H2), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), a nitrogen oxide (NOx), a sulfur oxide (SOx), a volatile organic compound (VOC), or a combination thereof.
[0030] In a twenty-sixth embodiment (Embodiment 26), the disclosure relates to a method of treating a fluid stream including providing a fluid stream; wherein the fluid stream includes an adsorbate, contacting the fluid stream with a device including the adsorbent composite of any one of Embodiments 1 to 20, and adsorbing the adsorbate onto the adsorbent composite, wherein the fluid stream has a temperature of at least - 50°C and experiences a pressure drop of 0.25 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite with superficial velocity from 0.1 to 2.0 meter / second.
[0031] Embodiment 27 is a method according to Embodiment 26, wherein the fluid stream has a dew point of at least -120°C.
[0032] Embodiment 28 is a method according to Embodiment 26 or 27 further including irradiating the device with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 1 MHz to 300 GHz; and desorbing the adsorbate.
[0033] Embodiment 29 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 26 to 28, wherein the adsorbate includes a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen monoxide (NO), dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur trioxide (SO3), a volatile organic compound (VOC), and combinations thereof; and wherein a single compound is present in a concentration of at least 10 ppb.
[0034] Embodiment 30 is a method according to Embodiment 25 or 29, wherein the VOC is selected from the group consisting of benzene, ethylene glycol,formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, acetaldehyde, ethane, propane, and 1 ,3-butadiene.
[0035] In a thirty-first embodiment (Embodiment 31 ), the disclosure relates to a system for adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate including an inlet opening, such as for entry of a fluid stream into the system, an adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite of any one of Embodiments 1 to 20, a microwave unit housing the adsorbent unit, wherein the microwave unit is used to subject the adsorbent unit to microwave irradiation, thereby facilitating desorption of the adsorbent from the adsorbent unit, and an outlet opening.
[0036] Embodiment 32 is a system according to Embodiment 31 , wherein the adsorbent unit includes a column. Embodiment 33 is a system according to Embodiment 31 , wherein the adsorbent unit includes a plurality of columns. Embodiment 34 is a system according to Embodiment 33, wherein the adsorbent unit includes an array of columns. Embodiment 35 is a system according to Embodiment 33, wherein the array of columns has a shell and tube orientation or a stacked sheet orientation.
[0037] Embodiment 36 is a system according to any one of Embodiments 31 to35, wherein the adsorbent unit further includes at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, such as for entry of a fluid intended to regulate the temperature of the system.
[0038] Embodiment 37 is a system according to any one of Embodiments 31 to36, wherein the inlet opening is a fluid stream inlet and the outlet is a fluid stream outlet. Embodiment 38 is a system according to Embodiment 31 , wherein the adsorbent unit includes a plurality of inlets and / or a plurality of outlets. Embodiment 39 is a system according to Embodiment 39, wherein the plurality of inlet openings includes a plurality of fluid stream inlets and the plurality of outlet openings includes fluid stream outlets.
[0039] The invention of this application has been described above both generically and with regard to specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite including an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder.
[0042] FIG. 2A shows SEM images of a non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite described herein, including 3A zeolite and expanded PTFE (ePTFE) as a microwave transparent binder, in a cross-sectional view.
[0043] FIG 2B shows SEM images of an additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite described herein, including 5A zeolite and ePTFE as a microwave transparent binder, in a cross-sectional view.
[0044] FIG 2C shows SEM images of an additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite described herein, including silica and ePTFE as a microwave transparent binder, in a cross-sectional view.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows an SEM image of a non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite including 13X zeolite and ePTFE as a microwave transparent binder as described herein, in a cross-sectional view.
[0046] FIG. 4 depicts an additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite described herein, where sheets of the adsorbent composite are spirally wound.
[0047] FIG. 5A shows a non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite material including an adsorbent filler and ePTFE.
[0048] FIG. 5B shows an adsorbent containing zeolite beads according to a comparative example.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary adsorption / desorption apparatus having a microwave unit, a gas inlet, an adsorbent column containing a structured adsorbent with a microwave transparent binder, and a gas outlet.
[0050] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary adsorbent unit having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid stream inlet opening, a fluid stream outlet opening, and an adsorbent column.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a line graph depicting column air flow resistance in the units of differential pressure (kPa) per meter length of an additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite containing 3A zeolite and ePTFE as described herein and an adsorbent containing 3A zeolite beads according to a comparative example.
[0052] FIG. 9 is a bar chart showing the amount of water (H2O) desorbed froman additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite containing 13X zeolite and ePTFE as described herein and an adsorbent containing zeolite beads with microwave absorbing binder according to a comparative example, following microwave radiation.
[0053] FIG. 10 is a bar chart showing the amount of CO2 (mmol / g) desorbed from an additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite containing 13X zeolite and ePTFE as described herein and an adsorbent containing 13X zeolite beads with microwave absorbing binder according to a comparative example, following various lengths of exposure to microwave radiation: Group 1 : 75 sec; Group 2: 75 sec + 60 sec; and Group 3: 75 sec + 60 sec + 60 sec.
[0054] FIG. 11 is a bar chart showing the amount of water (H2O) desorption in percent from an additional non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite containing silica and ePTFE as described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosure that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given regarding the various embodiments of the disclosure which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
[0056] This disclosure is not meant to be read in a restrictive manner. For example, the terminology used in the application should be read broadly in the context of the meaning those in the field would attribute such terminology.Definitions and Terminology
[0057] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrases "in one embodiment," “in an embodiment,” and "in some embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases "in another embodiment" and "in some other embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. All embodiments of the disclosure are intended to be combinable without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
[0058] With respect to terminology of inexactitude, the terms “about” and“approximately” may be used, interchangeably, to refer to a measurement that includes the stated measurement and that also includes any measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement. Measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement deviate from the stated measurement by a reasonably small amount as understood and readily ascertained by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Such deviations may be attributable to measurement error, differences in measurement and / or manufacturing equipment calibration, human error in reading and / or setting measurements, minor adjustments made to optimize performance and / or structural parameters in view of differences in measurements associated with other components, particular implementation scenarios, imprecise adjustment and / or manipulation of objects by a person or machine, and / or the like, for example. In the event it is determined that individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts would not readily ascertain values for such reasonably small differences, the terms “about” and “approximately” can be understood to mean plus or minus 10% of the stated value.
[0059] As used herein, the term “between” does not necessarily require being disposed directly next to other elements. Generally, this term means a configuration where something is sandwiched by two or more other things. At the same time, the term “between” can describe something that is directly next to two opposing things. Accordingly, in any one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, a particular structural component being disposed between two other structural elements can be:
[0060] disposed directly between both of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural component is in direct contact with both of the two other structural elements;
[0061] disposed directly next to only one of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural component is in direct contact with only one of the two other structural elements;
[0062] disposed indirectly next to only one of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural component is not in direct contact with only one of the two other structural elements, and there is another element which juxtaposes the particular structural component and the one of the two other structural elements;
[0063] disposed indirectly between both of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural component is not in direct contact with both of the two other structural elements, and other features can be disposed therebetween; or
[0064] any combination(s) thereof.
[0065] As used herein, the term "based on" is not exclusive and allows for beingbased on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on."
[0066] As used herein, the terms “adsorbent” and “sorbent” may be used interchangeably and refer to a substance which has the property of collecting molecules of another substance by at least one of absorption, adsorption, or combinations thereof. In nonlimiting examples, the adsorbent material of the adsorbent composite, such as the adsorbent filler includes at least one of: activated carbon, coal-derived carbon, lignite- derived carbon, wood-derived carbon, coconut-derived carbon, alumina, alkaline metal oxide, metal organic frameworks, a polymeric sorbent, alkali carbonate, ion exchange resin, polyethyleneimine, silica, silica gel, zeolite, an impregnated amine, an amine supported on a polymer, an amine supported on a metal oxides, an amine supported on a carbon, an amine functionalized polymer, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the polymeric sorbent is a benzylamine functionalized polystyrene.
[0067] As used herein, the term “composite” refers to a material including two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties, whereby the combination of the two or more constituent materials results in a material with characteristics different from the individual components.
[0068] As used herein, an “adsorbent composite” is a composite that includes an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder. In embodiments, a microwave transparent material, such as the microwave transparent binder, may have a dielectric loss factor of from about 0.0001 to about 0.1. In embodiments, the adsorbent composite may include an adsorbent filler including sorbent particles that are incorporated, e.g., embedded or enmeshed, into a microstructure of a microwave transparent binder. In embodiments, the adsorbent filler may include a high-loss dielectric material (loss tangent above 0.1 ), a low-loss dielectric material (loss tangent below 0.1), or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the adsorbent composite may not include a mineral binder, which has microwave-absorbing activity.
[0069] As used herein, the term “microwave transparent” refers to a material that allows microwaves to pass through with minimal distortion, such as substantially without absorbance or reflection of microwaves. A “microwave transparent” material can be described according to its dielectric loss factor (E") and the dielectric constant (s'), upon application of energy in the microwave frequency range (300 MHz to 300 GHz). The microwave penetration depth (Pd) is calculated according to Formula 1 , where represents wavelength.[L00070]JFormula
[0071] In the context of applied microwave radiation, a material with a lower dielectric loss factor allows more microwave energy to pass through unabsorbed, such as with minimal loss to heat, relative to a material with a higher dielectric loss factor.
[0072] Alternatively, a “microwave transparent” material may be described in terms of its reflection coefficient and / or its transmission coefficient, as determined in the microwave frequency range. A reflection coefficient is used to define a reflected wave with respect to an incident wave, such as upon contact with the interface between two different materials, e.g., air and a microwave transparent material. Considering reflection coefficients ranging from 0 to 1 , lower values indicate reduced reflection in comparison to higher values.
[0073] A transmission coefficient describes the ratio of a transmitted particle current and an incident particle current, such as the amplitude, intensity, or total power of a transmitted wave relative to an incident wave upon contact with the interface between two different materials. Considering transmission coefficients ranging from 0 to 1 , higher values indicate increased transmission in comparison to lower values.
[0074] Reflection and transmission coefficients may be determined according to available methods in the art, including, e.g., use of microwave and radio frequency techniques, including vector network analyzers.
[0075] For context, exemplary materials recognized as “microwave transparent” include perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and the like.
[0076] In contrast, the term “microwave absorbing” refers to a material that efficiently absorbs microwaves and converts microwave energy into heat. Such absorbance and energy conversion decreases the intensity or the reflection of the applied microwave radiation.
[0077] When microwave absorption occurs, the conversion of electromagnetic energy into heat depends on the relation between the dielectric loss factor (E") and the dielectric constant (s') for a given material. This relation is known as the dissipation factor (or loss tangent, tan 5 = s7s'). The higher the dissipation capacity for a material, the greater the microwave absorbance, which thereby reduces the extent of microwave penetration. Materials with loss tangent above 0.1 are considered as high-loss dielectric materials.
[0078] As used herein, the term “polymer” refers to one or more homopolymers, iicopolymers or terpolymers. In a non-limiting example, the polymer may include a hydrocarbon polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyolefin, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, the polymer may be an expanded polymer, such as including pores in contrast to an unexpanded polymer.
[0079] As used herein, the terms “embedded” and “enmeshed” describe that a first material is distributed throughout a second material.
[0080] As used herein, the term “fluid stream” refers to a continuous flow of gas, liquid, or a combination thereof, such as within a system, apparatus, or adsorbent unit, as described herein. In some embodiments, the fluid stream includes a gas phase, such as a gas stream, a liquid phase, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include distinct phases, e.g., a combination of gas and liquid phases. In some embodiments, the phases of the fluid stream may be uniform, e.g., composed entirely of gases. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include at least one distinct chemical component. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a combination of chemically distinct gases and / or vaporized liquids. In some embodiments, the fluid stream includes a flue gas stream.
[0081] As used herein, the term “flue gas stream” refers to a gaseous mixture that may include at least one byproduct of a combustion process (such as, but not limited to, a coal combustion process). In some embodiments, a flue gas stream may consist entirely of byproducts of a combustion process. In some embodiments, a flue gas stream may include at least one gas in an elevated concentration relative to a concentration resulting from the combustion process. For instance, in one non-limiting example, a flue gas stream may be subjected to a “scrubbing” process during which water vapor may be added to the flue gas stream. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, the flue gas stream may include water vapor in an elevated concentration relative to the initial water vapor concentration due to combustion. Similarly, in some embodiments, a flue gas stream may include at least one gas in a lesser concentration relative to an initial concentration of the at least one gas output from the combustion process. This may occur, for example, by removing at least a portion of at least one gas after combustion. In some embodiments, a flue gas stream may take the form of a gaseous mixture that is a combination of byproducts of multiple combustion processes.
[0082] As used herein, the term “nitrogen oxide” refers to any oxide of nitrogen. In some nonlimiting embodiments, “nitrogen oxide” may specifically refer to gaseous oxides of nitrogen that are known environmental pollutants. Non-limiting examples of nitrogen oxide compounds include nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen monoxide (NO),dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4).
[0083] As used herein, the term “sulfur oxide” refers to any oxide of sulfur. In some nonlimiting embodiments, “sulfur oxide” may specifically refer to gaseous oxides of sulfur that are known environmental pollutants. Non-limiting examples of sulfur oxide compounds include sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3). Additional non-limiting examples of sulfur oxide compounds include sulfur monoxide (SO), disulfur monoxide (S2O), and disulfur dioxide (S2O2).
[0084] As used herein, the terms “volatile organic compound” and “VOC” refer to an organic compound that has a high vapor pressure at room temperature. In some nonlimiting embodiments, “VOC” may specifically refer to volatile organic compounds that are known environmental pollutants. Non-limiting examples of VOCs include benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, acetaldehyde, ethane, propane, and 1 ,3-butadiene.
[0085] All prior patents and publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.Description of Various Embodiments
[0086] Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure can be realized by any number of methods and apparatuses configured to perform the intended functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure, and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting.
[0087] The adsorbent composites disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of applications where improved desorption efficiency is desirable, such as the removal of an adsorbate from a sorbent material in a temperature swing adsorption process. In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may include an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder. Further disclosed herein is an article including an adsorbent composite.
[0088] FIG. 1 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite including an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder, such as a polymer, as described herein. In this configuration an adsorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler 102 (e.g., activated carbon, alumina, or zeolite) is partially or completely incorporated into the microstructure of the polymer material 104 (such as a nodal structure of expanded PTFE) to form an adsorbent composite 100. In other embodiments, theadsorbent composite may include adsorbent filler that may be embedded within a matrix of the polymer material. In some embodiments, the polymer material 104 may include fibrils. In some embodiments, the polymer material 104 may be expanded PTFE.
[0089] In some embodiments, the adsorbent filler may include activated carbon, silica, metal organic frameworks, zeolite, alumina, alkaline metal oxide, polymeric sorbent, alkali carbonate, ion exchange resin, polyethyleneimine (PEI), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the activated carbon may be derived from coal, lignite, wood, coconut shells, another carbonaceous material, or any combination thereof.
[0090] In some embodiments, the adsorbent filler may include at least one amine group. In some embodiments, the adsorbent filler may include an impregnated amine, an amine supported on a polymer, an amine supported on a metal oxide, an amine supported on a carbon, an amine functionalized polymer, or any combination thereof.
[0091] In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may not include a mineral binder. In some embodiments, the mineral binder may include a mineral selected from the group including natural clay, bentonite, attapulgite, kaolin, alumina, silica, gypsum, and combinations thereof.
[0092] The microwave transparent binder may be a material having a low dielectric loss factor. Examples of such materials may include polymers, such as polystyrene, PTFE, and polyethylene.
[0093] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a dielectric loss factor of 0.1 or less.
[0094] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a dielectric loss factor of from about 0.0001 to 0.1 , 0.002 to 0.1 , 0.003 to 0.1 , 0.004 to 0.1 , 0.005 to 0.1 , 0.006 to 0.1 , 0.007 to 0.1 , 0.008 to 0.1 , or from about 0.009 to 0.1.
[0095] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a dielectric loss factor of from about 0.01 to 0.1 , 0.015 to 0.1 , 0.02 to 0.1 , 0.025 to 0.1 , 0.03 to 0.1 , 0.035 to 0.1 , 0.04 to 0.1 , 0.045 to 0.1 , 0.05 to 0.1 , 0.055 to 0.1 , 0.06 to 0.1 , 0.065 to 0.1 , 0.07 to 0.1 , 0.075 to 0.1 , 0.08 to 0.1 , 0.085 to 0.1 , 0.09 to 0.1 , or from about 0.095 to 0.1 .
[0096] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have the microwave transparent binder may have a dielectric loss factor of from about 0.0025 to 0.05, 0.005 to 0.0525, 0.0075 to 0.055, 0.01 to 0.0575, 0.0125 to 0.06, 0.015 to 0.0625, 0.0175 to 0.065, 0.02 to 0.0675, 0.0225 to 0.07, 0.025 to 0.0725, 0.0275 to 0.075, 0.03 to 0.0775, 0.0325 to 0.08, 0.035 to 0.0825, 0.0375 to 0.085, 0.04 to 0.0875, 0.0425 to0.09, 0.045 to 0.0925, 0.0475 to 0.095, 0.05 to 0.0975, or 0.055 to 0.1 .
[0097] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a reflection coefficient of less than 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1. In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a reflection coefficient of from about 0.15 to 0.45, 0.2 to 0.45, 0.25 to 0.45, 0.15 to 0.4, 0.2 to 0.4, 0.25 to 0.4, 0.15 to 0.35, 0.2 to 0.35, or 0.25 to 0.35.
[0098] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a transmission coefficient of at least 0.7, 0.8, or 0.9. In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may have a reflection coefficient of from about 0.7 to 1 , 0.8 to 1 , 0.9 to 1 , 0.7 to 0.975, 0.8 to 0.975, 0.9 to 0.975, 0.7 to 0.95, 0.8 to 0.95, or 0.9 to 0.95.
[0099] In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may include a polymer.[000100] In some embodiments, the polymer may have a dielectric constant of from about 0.5 to 5, 1 to 4.5, 1 .5 to 4, 2 to 3.5, or 2.5 to 3. In some embodiments, the polymer may have a dielectric constant of from about 0.5 to 4, 1 to 4, 1 .5 to 4, 2 to 4, or 2.5 to 4, 3 to 4, or 3.5 to 4.[000101] In some embodiments, the polymer may include a hydrocarbon polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyolefin, or a combination thereof.[000102] In some embodiments, the polyolefin may be selected from the group including a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, and a random copolymer including at least one propylene group, at least one ethylene group, and at least one butene group and / or hexene group.[000103] In some embodiments, the polymer may include a compound selected from the group including polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyimide (PI), polyethersulfone (PES), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyetherimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyamide (PA), cellulose, methylcellulose, cellulose ester, polystyrene (PS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA or PVOH), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyfluoroethylene propylene (PFEP), polyperfluoroacrylate (PPFA), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV), polychlorotrifluoro ethylene (PCFE), poly(ethylene-co- tetrafluorethylene) (ETFE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyparaxylylene (PPX), polyactic acid (PLLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), cyclic olefin polymer (COP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), expanded derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.[000104] In preferred embodiments, the polymer may include cellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), an expanded derivative thereof, or a combination thereof. In some examples, an expanded polymer, e.g., ePTFE, differs from an unexpanded polymer, e.g., PTFE, in that it has pores.[000105] In some embodiments the polymer may have a density ranging from 0.1 g / cm3to 2.2 g / cm3In other examples, the expanded polymer may have a density ranging from 0.5 g / cm3to 2 g / cm3, from 1 g / cm3to 1 .5 g / cm3, or from 0.2 g / cm3to 2 g / cm3.[000106] In preferred embodiments, the polymer may include expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), expanded polyethylene (ePE), expanded polypropylene (ePP), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), and cellulose.[000107] In one illustrative example of an exemplary polymer, the structure of the PTFE is advantageous in that, upon stretching, the polymer material becomes porous, with micropores formed between polymer fibrils and nodes, depending upon the stretching conditions used. When an adsorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler is mixed with PTFE or a polymer having similar properties, the adsorbent filler can be embedded or enmeshed into the various void structures of the polymer.[000108] FIGS. 2A-2C show the cross-section structure of a sheet of various exemplary adsorbent composites, as resolved using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).[000109] FIG. 2A shows the exemplary structure of an adsorbent composite 200 including 3A zeolite powder and a microwave transparent binder. For reference, 3A zeolite has the chemical formula Ki2[(AIO2)i2(SIO2)] X H2O, a silica to alumina ratio of about 2, and a pore size of approximately 3A. The structure of the sheet includes a flat surface 220 opposed by a ridged surface 240 including at least one ridge 210. In this nonlimiting embodiment, the adsorbent composite has a peak-to-bottom thickness of 1.83 mm, the sheet has a width of 280 mm, and the space between two ridges is 1490 pm. Peak-to-bottom thickness was measured from the bottom of the flat surface 220 to the peak of the ridge 230. The space between two ridges was measured from the lowest point of one ridge to the lowest point of the adjacent ridge 260, such as the “valley-to-valley distance.” The amount of adsorbent filler, i.e. , 3A zeolite, in theexemplary adsorbent composite was 85% wt / wt, which should not be construed as limiting.[000110] FIG. 2B shows the exemplary structure of an adsorbent composite 200b including 5A zeolite powders and a microwave transparent binder. For reference, 5A zeolite has the chemical formula 3 / 4Ca2O • 1 / 4Na2O • AI2O3 • 2SiO2 • 9 / 2H2O, a silica- alumina ratio of about 2, and a pore size of approximately ~5A. In this nonlimiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite, the amount of the adsorbent filler, i.e. , 5A zeolite, was 85% wt / wt. The structure includes a flat surface 220b opposed by a ridged surface 240b including at least one ridge 210b. In this nonlimiting embodiment, the adsorbent composite has a peak-to-bottom thickness of 1.14 mm, the sheet has a width of 280 mm, and the space between two ridges is 1120 pm. Peak-to-bottom thickness was measured from the bottom of the flat surface 220b to the peak of the ridge 230b. The space between two ridges was measured from the lowest point of one ridge to the lowest point of the adjacent ridge 260b, such as the “valley-to-valley distance.” The amount of adsorbent filler, i.e., 5A zeolite, in the exemplary adsorbent composite was 85% wt / wt, which should not be construed as limiting.[000111 ] FIG. 2C shows the exemplary structure of an adsorbent composite 200c including silica and a microwave transparent binder. The structure includes a flat surface 220c opposed by a ridged surface 240c including at least one ridge 210c. In this nonlimiting embodiment, the adsorbent composite has a peak-to-bottom thickness of 1.96 mm, the sheet has a width of 280 mm, and the space between two ridges is 1490 pm. Peak-to-bottom thickness was measured from the bottom of the flat surface 220c to the peak of the ridge 230c. The space between two ridges was measured from the lowest point of one ridge to the lowest point of the adjacent ridge 260c, such as the “valley-to-valley distance.” The amount of adsorbent filler, i.e., silica, in the exemplary adsorbent composite was 85% wt / wt, which should not be construed as limiting.[000112] These exemplary structures, such as including a plurality of ridges opposed by a flat surface, including sheets having the same structure arranged in multiple overlapping layers, serves as a parallel passage contactor through which a gas stream can flow. Various orientations may be contemplated from the provided structure, including, e.g., stacked sheets, such as arranged ridge-to-ridge, flat surface-to-flat surface, ridge-to-flat surface, or a combination thereof, and sheets spirally wound in a circular shape, with the ridge peaks facing the inner center of the circle, the outer edges of the circle, or a combination thereof.[000113] FIG. 3 shows the cross-section structure of an exemplary adsorbentcomposite 300, as resolved using SEM, including 13X zeolite and a microwave transparent binder. The adsorbent composite 300 has repeating quadrilateral units, such as a plurality of rhombus or diamond shapes 320, which have a hollow cavity 340. The points of the rhombus that directly oppose each other 310 are separated by a defined space that extends in horizontal and vertical directions, which creates the hollow cavity 340. Additionally, the points of adjacent rhombi meet directly without a space in between 350. In this nonlimiting embodiment, the adsorbent composite has a peak-to-peak thickness of 1 .83 mm, the sheet has a width of 50 mm, and the space between adjacent ridges is 484 pm. Peak-to-peak thickness was measured as the maximum distance between two directly opposing peaks. For reference, 13X zeolite powder has the chemical formula Na2O • AI2O3 • (2.8 ± 0.2) SiO2 • (6-7) H2O, a silica to alumina ratio of about 2.6 to 3.0, and a pore size of approximately 9A. In this nonlimiting embodiment, the adsorbent composite may include the adsorbent filler, i.e.,13X zeolite, in an amount of 65% wt / wt. This exemplary structure, including sheets having the same structure arranged in multiple overlapping layers serves as a parallel passage contactor through which a gas stream can flow.[000114] In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may include a parallel passage contactor structure. In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may include one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets. In some embodiments, selfsupported means that the sheets do not require a supportive layer or a backing. In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may include substantially parallel ridges disposed on one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets.[000115] In some embodiments, the sheet may include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. In some embodiments, the first surface is configured such that, when a gas stream (such as but not limited to a flue gas stream) having at least one gaseous component, for example, CO2, is flowed over (and by) the first surface of the at least one sheet, the at least one gaseous component adsorbs onto the adsorbent material, such as the adsorbent filler of the adsorbent composite. In some embodiments, the at least one gaseous component may be flowed over (and by) both the first surface and the second surface of the at least one sheet.[000116] In some embodiments, the one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets are arranged in multiple, overlapping layers. In some embodiments, the multiple, overlapping layers are spaced by the substantially parallel ridges to allow gas flow between the layers. In some embodiments, the ridges may be created by embossing, carving, molding or stamping.[000117] In some embodiments, the adsorbent sheets are arranged horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. In some embodiments, the sheets are spirally wound. In some embodiments, the sheets are folded into a quadrilateral form, such as a square or a rectangle. In some embodiments, at least two sheets are in the form of a shape having at least three sides, such as a polygon. In some embodiments, the polygon is a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, septagon, octagon, nonagon, or decagon. In some embodiments, at least two sheets are in the form of a shape having at least three sides, where at least one of the sides is curved. In some embodiments, the at least two sheets are stacked.[000118] FIG. 4 depicts a top down view of sheets of a nonlimiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite arranged in a spirally wound orientation 400. The overlapping layers 420 are spaced by hollowed repeating quadrilateral units 440, such as providing voids 460 resulting in a parallel passage contactor structure, which allows gas flow through the plurality of voids 460 and between the layers 420.[000119] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a thickness of from about 0.01 to 3 mm, 0.02 to 3 mm, 0.03 to 3 mm, 0.04 to 3 mm, 0.05 to 3 mm, 0.06 to 3 mm, 0.07 to 3 mm, 0.08 to 3 mm, 0.09 to 3 mm, 0.1 to 3 mm, 0.15 to 3 mm, 0.2 to 3 mm, 0.25 to 3 mm, 0.3 to 3 mm, 0.35 to 3 mm, 0.4 to 3 mm, 0.45 to 3 mm, or 0.5 to 3 mm.[000120] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a thickness of from about 0.01 to 1 mm, 0.02 to 1 mm, 0.03 to 1 mm, 0.04 to 1 mm, 0.05 to 1 mm, 0.06 to 1 mm, 0.07 to 1 mm, 0.08 to 1 mm, 0.09 to 1 mm, 0.1 to 1 mm, 0.15 to1 mm, 0.2 to 1 mm, 0.25 to 1 mm, 0.3 to 1 mm, 0.35 to 1 mm, 0.4 to 1 mm, 0.45 to 1 mm, or 0.5 to 1 mm.[000121 ] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a thickness of from about 0.1 to 10 mm, 0.5 to 9.5 mm, 1 to 9 mm, 1.5 to 8.5 mm, 2 to 8 mm, 2.5 to 7.5 mm, 3 to 7 mm, 3.5 to 6.5 mm, 4 to 6 mm, 4.5 to 5.5 mm. 0.2 mm to 2 mm, from 0.4 mm to 2 mm, from 0.5 mm to 2 mm, from 0.5 mm to 1 .75 mm or from 0.5 mm to 1 .5 mm.[000122] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a thickness of from about 0.2 mm to 2 mm, 0.3 mm to 2 mm, 0.4 mm to 2 mm, 0.5 mm to2 mm, 0.6 to 2 mm, 0.7 to 2 mm, 0.8 to 2 mm, 0.8 to 2 mm, 0.9 to 2 mm, 1 to 2 mm, 1.1 to 2 mm 1 .2 to 2 mm, 1 .3 to 2 mm, 1 .4 to 2 mm, 1 .5 to 2 mm, 1 .6 to 2 mm, 1 .7 to 2 mm, 1.8 to 2 mm, or 1.9 to 2 mm.[000123] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a thickness of from about 0.2 mm to 1.75 mm, 0.3 mm to 1 .6 mm, 0.4 mm to 1 .6 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.55 mm, or 0.5 to 1.5 mm.[000124] In some examples, the thickness of the adsorbent composite may be measured using cross section scanning electron microscopy. In some examples, the thickness of the sheet may be measured by determining the distance from one surface of the sheet to the opposing surface of the sheet which has the greatest distance, e.g., from the bottom of a flat surface to a peak of ridge, such as the peak-to-bottom thickness, or the maximum distance from one peak directly opposing another peak, such as the peak-to-peak thickness, as described herein. In other examples, considering a ridged adsorbent composite, such as a sheet having a ridged surface opposed by a flat surface, thickness may be measured from the base of the ridge to the bottom of the flat surface, such as a ridge-base-to-bottom thickness.[000125] In some embodiments, a sheet of ridged adsorbent composite may have a peak-to-bottom thickness to ridge-base-to-bottom thickness ratio of about 10:1 to 1 :10, 8:1 to 1 :8, 6:1 to 1 :6, 4:1 to 1 :4, or 2:1 to 1 :2. In some embodiments, a sheet of ridged adsorbent composite may have a peak-to-bottom thickness to ridge-base-to- bottom thickness ratio of about 5:1 , 4:1 , 3:1 , 2:1 , 1 :1 , 1 :2, 1 :3, 1 :4, or 1 :5. In some embodiments, a sheet of ridged adsorbent composite may have a peak-to-bottom thickness to ridge-base-to-bottom thickness ratio of about 5:4, 5:3, 5:2, 4:3, 3:2, 2:3, 3:4, 2:5, 3:5, or 4:5. In some embodiments, the ridged adsorbent composite includes a plurality of convex ridges. In some embodiments, the ridged adsorbent composite includes a plurality of concave ridges. In some embodiments, the ridged adsorbent composite includes a combination of convex and concave ridges.[000126] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a width of from about 10 to 1500 mm, 20 to 1250 mm, 30 to 1000 mm, 40 to 750 mm, 50 to 500 mm, or 60 to 250 mm.[000127] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a width of from about 25 to 2500 mm, 50 to 2000 mm, 100 to 1750 mm, 150 to 1500 mm, 200 to 1250 mm 250 to 1000 mm, 300 to 750 mm, or 350 to 500 mm.[000128] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a width of from about 25 to 500 mm, 50 to 500 mm, 100 to 500 mm, 150 to 500 mm, 200 to 500 mm 250 to 500 mm, 300 to 500 mm, or 350 to 500 mm.[000129] In some embodiments, a sheet of the adsorbent composite may have a width of from about 25 to 250 mm, 50 to 250 mm, 100 to 250 mm, 150 to 250 mm, 200to 250 mm, 10 to 100 mm, 20 to 100 mm, 30 to 100 mm, 40 to 100 mm, 50 to 100 mm, 60 to 100 mm, 70 to 100 mm, 80 to 100 mm, or 90 to 100 mm. In some embodiments, the width of the adsorbent composite may be measured using cross section scanning electron microscopy.[000130] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include at least one ridge. In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include a plurality of ridges.[000131] In some embodiments, the space between adjacent ridges may be up to and including 5 pm, 15 pm, 75 pm, 150 pm, 250 pm, 500 pm, 750 pm, 1000 pm, 1250 pm, 1500 pm, 1750 pm, 2000 pm, 2250 pm, 2500 pm, 2750 pm, 3000 pm, 3250 pm, 3500 pm, 3750 pm, 4000 pm, 4250 pm, 4500 pm, 4750 pm, 5000 pm, 5250 pm, 5500 pm, 5750 pm, 6000 pm, 6250 pm, 6500 pm, 6750 pm, 7000 pm, 7250 pm, 7500 pm, 7750 pm, 8000 pm, 8250 pm, 8500 pm, 8750 pm, 9000 pm, 9250 pm, 9500 pm, 9750 pm, or 10000 pm.[000132] In some embodiments, the space between adjacent ridges may be from about 200 to 2000 pm, 250 to 2000 pm, 300 to 2000 pm, 350 to 2000 pm, 400 to 2000 pm, 450 to 2000 pm, 500 to 2000 pm, 550 to 2000 pm, 600 to 2000 pm, 650 to 2000 pm, 700 to 2000 pm, 750 to 2000 pm, 800 to 2000 pm, 850 to 2000 pm, 900 to 2000 pm, 950 to 2000 pm, 1000 to 2000 pm, 1050 to 2000 pm, 1100 to 2000 pm, 1150 to 2000 pm, 1200 to 2000 pm, 1250 to 2000 pm, 1300 to 2000 pm, 1350 to 2000 pm, 1400 to 2000 pm, 1450 to 2000 pm, 1500 to 2000 pm, 1550 to 2000 pm, 1600 to 2000 pm, 1650 to 2000 pm, 1700 to 2000 pm, 1750 to 2000 pm, 1800 to 2000 pm, 1850 to 2000 pm, 1900 to 2000 pm, or 1950 to 2000 pm.[000133] In some embodiments, the space between adjacent ridges may be from about 5 pm to 10000 pm, 15 pm to 10000 pm, 150 pm to 10000 pm, 250 pm to 10000 pm, 500 pm to 10000 pm, 750 pm to 10000 pm, 1000 pm to 10000 pm, 1250 pm to 10000 pm, 1500 pm to 10000 pm, 1750 pm to 10000 pm, 2000 pm to 10000 pm, 2250 pm to 10000 pm, 2500 pm to 10000 pm, 2750 pm to 10000 pm, 3000 pm to 10000 pm, 3250 pm to 10000 pm, 3500 pm to 10000 pm, 3750 pm to 10000 pm, 4000 pm to 10000 pm, 4250 pm to 10000 pm, 4500 pm to 10000 pm, 4750 pm to 10000 pm, 5000 pm to 10000 pm, 5250 pm to 10000 pm, 5500 pm to 10000 pm, 5750 pm to 10000 pm, 6000 pm to 10000 pm, 6250 pm to 10000 pm, 6500 pm to 10000 pm, 6750 pm to 10000 pm, 7000 pm to 10000 pm, 7250 pm to 10000 pm, 7500 pm to 10000 pm, 7750 pm to 10000 pm, 8000 pm to 10000 pm, 8250 pm to 10000 pm, 8500 pm to 10000 pm, 8750 pm to 10000 pm, 9000 pm to 10000 pm, 9250 pm to 10000 pm, 9500 pm to 10000 pm, or 9750 pm to 10000 pm.[000134] In some embodiments, the distance between ridges may be uniform throughout the structure of the adsorbent composite. In some embodiments, the distance between ridges may be non-uniform or varied throughout the structure of the adsorbent composite. In preferred embodiments, the distance between two adjacent ridges may be measured from the lowest point of one ridge to the lowest point of the adjacent ridge, such as the valley-to-valley distance.[000135] FIG. 5A shows a nonlimiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite including an adsorbent filler and a microwave transparent binder housed within the adsorbent column as described herein, such as facilitating uniform parallel passage constriction. In some embodiments, the adsorbent column is made from aluminum, steel, stainless steel, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyetherimide, PFA, FEP, PTFE, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). The diameter of the column may be from 0.001 meter to 20 meter. In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite is housed within a shrink tubing.[000136] In contrast, FIG. 5B shows an adsorbent including beads, such as zeolite beads of a comparative example.[000137] A packed bed of beads refers to a plurality of spherical particles, such as solid spherical particles, that are closely packed within a container. When gas flows through such a bed, it encounters a complex and irregular network of interstitial spaces between the beads, which can lead to tortuous gas flow paths. Such gas flow paths can lead to non-uniform flow distribution. In contrast, a parallel passage contactor is a structure designed to regulate or direct flow of a gas stream through a series of parallel passages. In one example, considering the exemplary embodiment having a repeating hollow diamond cross-section, such a structure facilitates controlled constriction of the gas flow. The symmetrical and regular arrangement facilitates uniformity in gas flow such that gas flow through each passage has the same degree of constriction. Additionally, the controlled constriction of gas flow in a parallel passage contactor can lead to reduced pressure drops relative to a packed bed of beads due to streamlined flow paths, which can be adjusted to have gradual changes in passage size.[000138] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include a microwave transparent binder. In some embodiments, the microwave transparent binder may include a microstructure of fibrils or fibrils and nodes. In some embodiments, the microstructure of the microwave transparent binder may have a void volume.[000139] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include an adsorbent, such as an adsorbent filler. In some embodiments, the adsorbent filler ispartially or fully enmeshed into at least a portion of the microstructure of the microwave transparent binder, the space between layers of the microwave transparent binder arranged in multiple layers, the void volume of the microwave transparent binder, or a combination thereof.[000140] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include an adsorbent filler in an amount of from about 5% to 99% (w / w), 10% to 95% (w / w), 15% to 90%(w / w), 20% to 85%(w / w), 25% to 80%(w / w), 30% to 75%(w / w), 35% to 70%(w / w), 40% to 65%(w / w), 45% to 60%(w / w), or 50% to 55%(w / w), based on the total weight of the adsorbent composite.[000141 ] In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may have a total porosity of from about 10% to 95%, 20% to 95%, 30% to 95%, 40% to 95%, 50% to 95%, 60% to 95%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 95%, or 90% to 95%.[000142] In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may have a total porosity of from about 25% to 95%, 30% to 90%, 35% to 85%, 40% to 80%, 45% to 75%, 50% to 70%, or 55% to 65%.[000143] In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite may include an adsorbent filler including a high-loss dielectric material, a low-loss dielectric material, or a combination thereof.[000144] In some embodiments, the high-loss dielectric material may have a loss tangent of at least 0.1 . In some embodiments, the high-loss dielectric material may have a loss tangent of from about 0.1 to 1 .0, 0.2 to 0.9, 0.3 to 0.8, 0.4 to 0.7, 0.5 to 0.6. In some embodiments, the high-loss dielectric material may have a loss tangent of from about 0.1 to 1.0, 0.2 to 1.0, 0.3 to 1.0, 0.4 to 1.0, 0.5 to 1.0, 0.6 to 1.0, 0.7 to 1.0, 0.8 to 1.0, or 0.9 to 1.0.[000145] In some embodiments, the low-loss dielectric material may have a loss tangent of less than about 0.1 , 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, 0.06, or 0.05. In some embodiments, the low-loss dielectric material may have a loss tangent of about to 0.001 to 0.1 , 0.002 to 0.09, 0.003 to 0.08, 0.004 to 0.07, 0.005 to 0.06, 0.006 to 0.05, 0.007 to 0.04, 0.008 to 0.03, 0.009 to 0.02. In some embodiments, the low-loss dielectric material may have a loss tangent of about to 0.01 to 0.1 , 0.02 to 0.09, 0.03 to 0.0.7, 0.04 to 0.06, 0.05 to 0.55.[000146] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% of a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler, and the balance a microwave transparent binder.[000147] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include from about 5% to 95%, 10% to 90%, 15% to 85%, 20% to 80%, 25% to 75%, 30% to 70%, 35% to 65%, 40% to 60%, 45% to 55%, 60% to 95%, 65% to 90%, 70% to 85%, or 75% to 80% of a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler, and the balance a microwave transparent binder.[000148] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include from about 5% to 95%, 10% to 90%, 15% to 85%, 20% to 80%, 25% to 75%, 30% to 70%, 35% to 65%, 40% to 60%, or 45% to 55%, of a microwave transparent binder and the balance a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler.[000149] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include from about 1% to 20%, 5% to 20%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 20%, 1 % to 15%, 5% to 15%, 10% to 15%, 1% to 10%, or 5% to 10% of a microwave transparent binder and the balance a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler.[000150] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include from about 5% to 95%, 10% to 90%, 15% to 85%, 20% to 80%, 25% to 75%, 30% to 70%, 35% to 65%, 40% to 60%, 45% to 55%, 60% to 95%, 65% to 90%, 70% to 85%, or 75% to 80% total of a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler, including activated carbon, silica, metal organic frameworks, zeolite, alumina, alkaline metal oxide, polymeric sorbent, alkali carbonate, ion exchange resin, polyethyleneimine (PEI), an impregnated amine, an amine supported on a polymer, an amine supported on a metal oxide, an amine supported on a carbon, an amine functionalized polymer, or a combination thereof and the balance a microwave transparent binder including a hydrocarbon polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyolefin, or a combination thereof.[000151] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include from about 5% to 95%, 10% to 90%, 15% to 85%, 20% to 80%, 25% to 75%, 30% to 70%, 35% to 65%, 40% to 60%, or 45% to 55%, total of a microwave transparent binder including a hydrocarbon polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyolefin, or a combination thereof, and the balance a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler including activated carbon, silica, metal organic frameworks, zeolite, alumina, alkaline metal oxide, polymeric sorbent, alkali carbonate, ion exchange resin, polyethyleneimine, an impregnated amine, an amine supported on a polymer, an amine supported on a metal oxide, an amine supported on a carbon, an amine functionalized polymer, or a combination thereof.[000152] In some embodiments, an adsorbent composite may include from about 5% to 95%, 10% to 90%, 15% to 85%, 20% to 80%, 25% to 75%, 30% to 70%, 35% to 65%, 40% to 60%, 45% to 55%, 60% to 95%, 65% to 90%, 70% to 85%, or 75% to 80%of a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler including zeolite and / or silica, and the balance a microwave transparent binder including PTFE.[000153] In preferred embodiments an adsorbent composite may include from about 1% to 20%, 5% to 20%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 20%, 1 % to 15%, 5% to 15%, 10% to 15%, 1 % to 10%, or 5% to 10% of a microwave transparent binder including PTFE and the balance a sorbent material, such as an adsorbent filler including zeolite and / or silica.[000154] FIG. 6 depicts a nonlimiting embodiment of a system for adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate 600, such as from a gas stream, including an inlet opening 620; an adsorbent unit 640 including an adsorbent composite 660, and a microwave unit 680 housing the adsorbent unit 640; and an outlet opening 690. The adsorbate, such as a gas stream or saturated humidity, enters the system through the inlet opening 620 and is adsorbed onto the adsorbent composite 660 housed within the adsorbent unit 640. In one embodiment, the adsorbate is present in a gas stream, such as a fluid stream. In an alternative embodiment, the adsorbate is water introduced to the system by the passage of water vapor through the inlet opening. In some embodiments, water is adsorbed onto the adsorbent composite then desorbed from the adsorbent composite prior to entry of a gas stream through the inlet opening and subsequent adsorption of a gas stream adsorbate. The adsorbent unit 640 including the adsorbent composite 660 is present within the microwave unit 680, which is used to subject the adsorbent unit 640 to microwave irradiation, thereby facilitating desorption of the adsorbent from the adsorbent composite 660. The desorbed adsorbate then exits the system through the outlet opening 690, where it can be collected for analysis, such as in determining desorption efficiency.[000155] FIG. 7 depicts a nonlimiting embodiment of an adsorbent unit 700. In some embodiments, the adsorbent unit 700 houses a total of one adsorbent column 720, such as an adsorbent column containing an adsorbent composite 730 as described herein. In some embodiments, the adsorbent unit 700 houses a plurality of adsorbent columns. In some embodiments, the adsorbent unit 700 may have at least one fluid inlet 740 and at least one fluid outlet 760. In one example, cooling fluid, such as a cooling gas, a cooling liquid, or a combination thereof, can be introduced into the adsorbent unit through a fluid inlet 740 to accelerate the cooling or control the temperature during the adsorption process. Fluid can exit the adsorbent unit through a fluid outlet 760. In another example, hot fluid, such as steam, can be introduced to the adsorbent unit 700to accelerate the heating. In some embodiments, the cooling fluid and / or the hot fluid, may contact the exterior of a column[000156] In some embodiments, an adsorbent unit may have at least one fluid stream inlet 770, such as to introduce a fluid stream into the adsorbent unit 700, and at least one fluid stream outlet 780, where a fluid stream may exit the adsorbent unit 700. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fluid stream introduced into the adsorbent unit 700 passes through an adsorbent column 720, such as an adsorbent column containing an adsorbent composite 730 as described herein. In some embodiments, a fluid stream includes at least one gas, at least one liquid, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fluid stream includes an adsorbate.[000157] In some embodiments, an adsorbent unit 700 houses an array of adsorbent columns 750, such as multiple columns arranged in a systematic orientation. In some embodiments, an adsorbent column 720 may have a vertical orientation, a horizontal orientation, or a diagonal orientation in an adsorbent unit 700. In some embodiments, in an adsorbent unit 700 housing a plurality of adsorbent columns 720, each adsorbent column may have the same orientation, e.g., each of the multiple adsorbent columns is arranged in a horizontal orientation in a plane. In some embodiments, in an adsorbent unit 700 housing a plurality of adsorbent columns 720, the plurality of adsorbent columns may have distinct orientations, e.g., some columns may be in a vertical orientation and other in a horizontal orientation in a plane. In some embodiments, the adsorbent unit 700 can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or diagonally in a plane.[000158] In some embodiments, the plurality of adsorbent units can be stacked, such as arranged in multiple layers. In some embodiments, a fluid, such as a fluid for temperature control, e.g., a fluid for cooling and / or a fluid for heating, can be introduced through the fluid inlet(s) into the space in between the layers, such as to accelerate cooling and heating.[000159] In some embodiments, the array of adsorbent columns 750 may have a shell and tube orientation. In one example, a fluid stream including a mixture of gases containing an adsorbate enters the “shell” and flows through the “tube” or “tubes.” In some examples, a shell is an outer housing or vessel containing an array of adsorbent columns 750. In some examples, the tube or tubes in a shell and tube orientation may be an adsorbent column 720, such as an adsorbent column housing an adsorbent composite 730 as described herein. The shell may be cylindrical, rectangular, oranother shape designed to withstand the pressure and temperature fluctuations in a temperature swing adsorption process.[000160] In some embodiments, the array of adsorbent columns 750 may have a stacked sheet orientation. In one example, a stacked sheet orientation may include a plurality of sheets in a stacked, such as a layered orientation. In some examples, the sheets are parallel and closely spaced, thereby creating narrow channels or passages between them.[000161 ] Other embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods including use of an adsorbent composite to separate gaseous components from a gaseous mixture in a temperature swing adsorption process.[000162] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a method for desorbing an adsorbate, such as from a gas stream, from an adsorbent unit including an adsorbent composite as described herein including irradiating the adsorbent unit with an electromagnetic wave wherein the adsorbate is adsorbed to the adsorbent composite; and wherein the irradiating facilitates desorption of the adsorbate from the adsorbent composite.[000163] In some embodiments, a fluid stream may include an adsorbate. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a flue gas stream. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include water vapor. In some embodiments, the adsorbate may be or may include hydrogen gas (H2), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), a nitrogen oxide (NOx), a sulfur oxide (SOx), a volatile organic compound (VOC), or a combination thereof.[000164] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of at least 10 ppb (0.01 ppm), 50 ppb (0.5 ppm), 100 ppb (0.1 ppm), 200 ppb (0.2 ppm), 300 ppb (0.3 ppm), 400 ppb (0.4 ppm), 500 ppb (0.5 ppm), 600 ppb (0.6 ppm), 700 ppb (0.7 ppm), 800 ppb (0.8 ppm), 900 ppb (0.9 ppm), 1000 ppb (1 ppm).[000165] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of at least 1 ppm, 100000 ppm, 200000 ppm, 300000 ppm, 400000 ppm, 500000 ppm, 600000 ppm, 700000 ppm, 800000 ppm, or 900000 ppm.[000166] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of up to and including about 10 ppm, 100 ppm, 1000 ppm, 2000 ppm, 3000 ppm, 4000 ppm, 5000 ppm, 6000 ppm, 7000 ppm, 8000 ppm, 9000 ppm, 10000 ppm, 11000 ppm, 12000 ppm, 13000 ppm, 14000 ppm,15000 ppm, 16000 ppm, 17000 ppm, 18000 ppm, 19000 ppm, 20000 ppm, 21000 ppm, 22000 ppm, 23000 ppm, 24000 ppm, or 25000 ppm.[000167] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of up to and including about 30000 ppm, 35000 ppm, 40000 ppm, 45000 ppm, 50000 ppm, 55000 ppm, 60000 ppm, 65000 ppm, 70000 ppm, 75000 ppm, 80000 ppm, 85000 ppm, 90000 ppm, 95000 ppm, or 100000 ppm.[000168] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of up to and including about 150000 ppm, 200000 ppm, 300000 ppm, 400000 ppm, 500000 ppm, 600000 ppm, 700000 ppm, 800000 ppm, 900000 ppm, or 999900 ppm.[000169] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of from about 0.01 ppb to 5000 ppb, 0.1 ppb to 5000 ppb, 1 ppb to 5000 ppb, 10 ppb to 5000 ppb, 100 ppb to 5000 ppb, 1000 ppb to 5000 ppb, 2000 ppb to 5000 ppb, 3000 ppb to 5000 ppb, or 4000 ppb to 5000 PPb.[000170] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of from about 0.01 ppm to 5000 ppm, 0.1 ppm to 5000 ppm, 1 ppm to 5000 ppm, 10 ppm to 5000 ppm, 100 ppm to 5000 ppm, 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm, 2000 ppm to 5000 ppm, 3000 ppm to 5000 ppm, or 4000 ppm to 5000 ppm.[000171] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may include a single compound, such as a single adsorbate, in a concentration of from about 0 ppm to 990000 ppm, 50000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 100000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 150000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 200000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 250000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 300000 ppm to 990000 ppm,350000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 400000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 450000 ppm to 990000 ppm,500000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 550000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 600000 ppm to 990000 ppm,650000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 700000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 750000 ppm to 990000 ppm,800000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 850000 ppm to 990000 ppm, 900000 ppm to 990000 ppm, or 950000 ppm to 990000 ppm.[000172] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a temperature of at least -50°C, -40°C, -30°C, -20°C, -10°C, 0°C, 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a temperature of up to and including 80°C.[000173] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a temperature of -50°Cto 80°C, -40°C to 80°C, -30°C to 80°C, -20°C to 80°C, -10°C to 80°C, 0°C to 80°C, 10°C to 80°C, 20°C to 80°C, 30°C to 80°C, 40°C to 80°C, 50°C to 80°C, 60°C to 80°C, or 70°C to 80°C. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a temperature of -50°C to 50°C, -40°C to 40°C, -30°C to 30°C, -20°C to 20°C, or -10°C to 10°C.[000174] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a temperature of -50°C to 50°C, -40°C to 50°C, -30°C to 50°C, -20°C to 50°C, -10°C to 50°C, 0°C to 50°C, 10°C to 50°C, 20°C to 50°C, 30°C to 50°C, or 40°C to 50°C. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a temperature of -50°C to 25°C, -40°C to 25°C, -30°C to 25°C, -20°C to 25°C, -10°C to 25°C, 0°C to 25°C, 10°C to 25°C, or 20°C to 25°C.[000175] In some embodiments, the pressure of the fluid stream may decrease by up to and including about 0.5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite with superficial velocity up to 0.2 meter per second, 2 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite with superficial velocity up to 0.5 meter per second, or 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite with superficial velocity up to 2 meters per second upon contact with the adsorbent composite.[000176] In some embodiments, the pressure of the fluid stream may decrease by about from 0.05 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.15 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.25 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.35 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.45 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.55 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.65 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.75 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 0.85 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 1 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 2 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, 3 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, or 4 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite, upon contact with the adsorbent composite.[000177] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a superficial velocity of up to and including 1 meters per second, 1 .5 meters per second, 2 meters per second, 2.5 meters per second, 3 meters per second, 3.5 meters per second, 4 meters per second, 4.5 meters per second, 5 meters per second, 5.5 meters per second, 6 meters per second, 6.5 meters per second, 7 meters per second, 7.5 meters per second, 8 meters per second, 8.5 meters per second, 9 meters per second, 9.5 meters per second, or 10 meters per second.[000178] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a superficial velocity of from about 0.1 to 10 meters per second, 1 to 10 meters per second, 2 to 10 meters per second, 3 to 10 meters per second, 4 to 10 meters per second, 5 to 10 meters per second, 6 to 10 meters per second, 7 to 10 meters per second, 8 to 10 meters persecond, or 9 to 10 meters per second.[000179] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a superficial velocity of from about 0.1 to 2 meters per second, 0.2 to 2 meters per second, 0.3 to 2 meters per second, 0.4 to 2 meters per second, 0.5 to 2 meters per second, 0.6 to 2 meters per second, 0.7 to 2 meters per second, 0.8 to 2 meters per second, 0.9 to 2 meters per second, 1 to 2 meters per second, 1.1 to 2 meters per second, 1 .2 to 2 meters per second, 1.3 to 2 meters per second, 1 .4 to 2 meters per second, 1 .5 to 2 meters per second, 1.6 to 2 meters per second, 1 .7 to 2 meters per second, 1 .8 to 2 meters per second, or 1 .9 to 2 meters per second.[000180] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a superficial velocity of from about 0.1 to 1 meter per second, 0.2 to 1 meter per second, 0.3 to 1 meter per second, 0.4 to 1 meter per second, 0.5 to 1 meter per second, 0.6 to 1 meter per second, 0.7 to 1 meter per second, 0.8 to 1 meter per second, 0.9 to 1 meter per second.[000181] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a relative humidity of up to and including 100%. In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a relative humidity of 100%.[000182] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a dew point of at least - 120°C, -100°C, -80°C, -60°C, -40°C, -20°C, 0°C, 20°C, or 40°C.[000183] In some embodiments, the fluid stream may have a dew point of from about -120°C to 40°C, -100°C to 35°C, -80°C to 30°C, -60°C to 25°C, -40°C to 20°C, - 20°C to 15°C, or 0°C to 10°C.[000184] In some embodiments, the microwave unit may include a microwave, wherein the microwave irradiates the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite with an electromagnetic wave at a frequency range of from 300 MHz (3 x 108Hz; A = 1 m) to 300 GHz (3 x 1011Hz; A = 1 mm).[000185] In some embodiments, the microwave unit may include a microwave, wherein the microwave irradiates the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite with an electromagnetic wave at a frequency range of from 500 MHz to 50 GHz, 1 GHz to 100 GHz, 50 GHz to150 GHz, 100 to GHz to 200 GHz, 150 GHz to 250 GHz, or 200 GHz to 300 GHz.[000186] In some embodiments, the microwave unit may include a microwave, wherein the microwave irradiates the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite at a frequency range of from about 0.5 GHz to 3 GHz, 1 GHz to 3 GHz, 1.5 GHz to 3 GHz, 2 GHz to 3 GHz, or 2.5 GHz to 3 GHz.[000187] In some embodiments, the microwave unit, such as a microwave generating unit, irradiates the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite at a frequency range of from about 0.5 to 2.5 GHz, 1 GHz to 2.5 GHz, 1 .5 GHz to 2.5 GHz, or 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz.[000188] In some embodiments, the output power of the microwave unit may be from about 10 Wt to 100 kW, 50 Wt to 100 kW, 100 Wt to 100 kW, 150 Wt to 100 kW, 200 Wt to 100 kW, 250 Wt to 100 kW, 300 Wt to 100 kW, 350 Wt to 100 kW, 400 Wt to 100 kW, 450 Wt to 100 kW, 500 Wt to 100 kW, 550 Wt to 100 kW, 600 Wt to 100 kW, 650 Wt to 100 kW, 700 Wt to 100 kW, 750 Wt to 100 kW, 800 Wt to 100 kW, 850 Wt to 100 kW, 900 Wt to 100 kW, 950 Wt to 100 kW, or 1 kW to 100 kW.[000189] In some embodiments, the output power of the microwave unit may be from about 10 kW to 100 kW, 20 kW to 100 kW, 30 kW to 100 kW, 40 kW to 100 kW, 50 kW to 100 kW, 60 kW to 100 kW, 70 kW to 100 kW, 80 kW to 100 kW, or 90 kW to 100 kW.[000190] In some embodiments, the output power of the microwave unit may be from about 10 Wt to 5 kW, 50 Wt to 5 kW, 100 Wt to 5 kW, 150 Wt to 5 kW, 200 Wt to 5 kW, 250 Wt to 5 kW, 300 Wt to 5 kW, 350 Wt to 5 kW, 400 Wt to 5 kW, 450 Wt to 5 kW, 500 Wt to 5 kW, 550 Wt to 5 kW, 600 Wt to 5 kW, 650 Wt to 5 kW, 700 Wt to 5 kW, 750 Wt to 5 kW, 800 Wt to 5 kW, 850 Wt to 5 kW, 900 Wt to 5 kW, 950 Wt to 5 kW, 1 kW to 5 kW, 2 kW to 5 kW, 3 kW to 5 kW, or 4 kW to 5 kW.[000191 ] In some embodiments, the output power of the microwave unit may be from about 10 Wt to 2.5 kW, 50 Wt to 2.5 kW, 100 Wt to 2.5 kW, 150 Wt to 2.5 kW, 200 Wt to 2.5 kW, 250 Wt to 2.5 kW, 300 Wt to 2.5 kW, 350 Wt to 2.5 kW, 400 Wt to 2.5 kW, 450 Wt to 2.5 kW, 500 Wt to 2.5 kW, 550 Wt to 2.5 kW, 600 Wt to 2.5 kW, 650 Wt to 2.5 kW, 700 Wt to 2.5 kW, 750 Wt to 2.5 kW, 800 Wt to 2.5 kW, 850 Wt to 2.5 kW, 900 Wt to 5 kW, 950 Wt to 2.5 kW, 1 kW to 2.5 kW, 2 kW to 2.5 kW.[000192] In some embodiments, microwave irradiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of up to and including about 50°C, 75°C, 100°C, 125°C, 150°C, 175°C, 200°C, 225°C, 250°C, 275°C, or 300°C.[000193] In some embodiments, microwave irradiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of up to and including about 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 105°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, or 125°C.[000194] In some embodiments, microwave irradiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of from about 50°C to 300°C, 75°C to 300°C, 100°C to 300°C, 125°C to 300°C, 150°C to 300°C, 175°C to 300°C, 200°C to 300°C,225°C to 300°C, 250°C to 300°C, or 275°C to 300°C. In some embodiments, microwave irradiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of from about 50°C to 150°C, 75°C to 150°C, 100°C to 150°C, or 125°C to 150°C.[000195] In some embodiments, microwave radiation may be combined with any one or a combination of infrared radiation, radio frequency, electromagnetic induction, ultraviolet radiation, electric heating, and direct heating to heat the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite.[000196] In some embodiments, the radiation irradiates the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite with an electromagnetic wave at a frequency range of from 1 MHz to 300 MHz.[000197] In some embodiments, the “microwave transparent” material described herein, such as a microwave transparent binder, may be transparent to radio frequency and ultraviolet radiation.[000198] In some examples, an alternative source of energy aside from microwave irradiation may be used to irradiate an adsorbent composite or an adsorbent unit housing an adsorbent composite, thereby desorbing an adsorbed adsorbate. In alternative embodiments, the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite may not be housed within a microwave unit. In alternative embodiments, the adsorbent unit including the adsorbent composite may not be subjected to microwave irradiation.[000199] In some embodiments, an adsorbent unit including an adsorbent composite may be subjected to heating by infrared radiation, radio frequency, electromagnetic induction, ultraviolet radiation, electric heating, direct heating, or a combination thereof.[000200] In some embodiments, an adsorbent unit including an adsorbent composite may be subjected to radiofrequency radiation at a frequency of from about 1 MHz to 300 MHz.[000201] In some embodiments, an adsorbent unit including an adsorbent composite may be subjected to radiofrequency radiation at a frequency of from 1 MHz up to and including 50 MHz, 100 MHz, 150 MHz, 200 MHz, 250 MHz, or 300 MHz.[000202] In some embodiments, an adsorbent unit including an adsorbent composite may be subjected to radiofrequency radiation at a frequency of from about 1 MHz to 300 MHz, 25 MHz to 300 MHz, 50 MHz to 300 MHz, 75 MHz to 300 MHz, 100 MHz to 300 MHz, 125 MHz to 300 MHz, 150 MHz to 300 MHz, 175 MHz to 300 MHz, 200 MHz to 300 MHz, 225 MHz to 300 MHz, 250 MHz to 300 MHz, 275 MHz to 300 MHz.[000203] In some embodiments, radiofrequency radiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of up to and including about 50°C, 75°C, 100°C, 125°C, 150°C, 175°C, 200°C, 225°C, 250°C, 275°C, or 300°C.[000204] In some embodiments, radiofrequency radiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of up to and including about 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 105°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, or 125°C.[000205] In some embodiments, radiofrequency radiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of from about 50°C to 300°C, 75°C to 300°C, 100°C to 300°C, 125°C to 300°C, 150°C to 300°C, 175°C to 300°C, 200°C to 300°C, 225°C to 300°C, 250°C to 300°C, or 275°C to 300°C. In some embodiments, radiofrequency radiation heats the adsorbent composite to a maximum temperature of from about 50°C to 150°C, 75°C to 150°C, 100°C to 150°C, or 125°C to 150°C.[000206] Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems for adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, including use of an adsorbent composite to separate gaseous components from a gaseous mixture in a temperature swing adsorption process.[000207] In some embodiments, disclosed systems include an inlet opening, an adsorbent unit including an adsorbent composite as described herein, an adsorbent unit including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a microwave unit housing the adsorbent unit, and an outlet opening, where the microwave unit may be used to subject the adsorbent unit to microwave irradiation, thereby facilitating desorption of the adsorbent from the adsorbent unit. In some embodiments, the adsorbent unit includes a column.[000208] In some aspects, provided are methods of manufacturing an adsorbent composite as described herein. In some embodiments, a cylindrical adsorber column can be fabricated from an adsorbent composite by rolling an adsorbent composite sheet with ridges into a cylinder. In some embodiments, a metal rod with threads tapped into both ends is used as a core to initiate winding of the sheet. In some embodiments, the rod is aluminum. In some embodiments, the rod is less than 3 centimeters in diameter. In some embodiments, the rod is greater than 3 centimeters in diameter. In some embodiments, the rod is less than 35 centimeters in length. In some embodiments, the rod is greater than 35 centimeters in length.[000209] In some embodiments, the rod is 0.25 cm, 0.35 cm, 0.45 cm, 0.55 cm, 0.65 cm, 0.75 cm, 0.85 cm, 0.95 cm, 1.05 cm, 1.15 cm, 1.25 cm, 1.35 cm, 1.45 cm, 1.55 cm, 1.65 cm, 1.75 cm, 1.85 cm, 1.95 cm, 2.05 cm, 2.15 cm, 2.25 cm, 2.35 cm, 2.45 cm, 2.55 cm, 2.65 cm, 2.75 cm, 2.85 cm, or 2.95 cm in diameter. In some embodiments, therod is about 25 cm, 25.5 cm, 26 cm, 26.5 cm, 27 cm, 27.5 cm, 28 cm, 28.5 cm, 29 cm, 29.5 cm, 30 cm, 30.5 cm, 31 cm, 31.5 cm, 32 cm, 32.5 cm, 33 cm, 33.5 cm, 34 cm, 34.5 cm, or 35 cm long.[000210] The sheet may be attached to the core either through the use of pins originating from the core and perforating the sheet, or by using an adhesive (e.g., cyanoacrylate). The use of a metal core may prevent the formation of a bypass channel in the center of the roll where there is a very small radius of curvature, as well as to facilitate subsequent handling of the roll. In some embodiments, the sheet is then wound onto the core to the desired diameter to fit into the inner diameter of an adsorber column, e.g., a metal pipe). In some embodiments, the winding can be accomplished manually or through the use of a mechanical winding apparatus. The winding is carried out to the target diameter, which may be slightly less than the inner diameter of the metal column. In some embodiments, the edges of the roll can be trimmed to create uniform channel openings, such as the voids 460 pictured in FIG. 4.[000211 ] In some embodiments, the adsorbent composite roll is then placed into a piece of shrink tubing fabricated from a polymer that can withstand the temperatures expected during use. In preferred embodiments, a fluorinated polymer, such as FEP, can be used for most PSA and TSA applications.[000212] In preferred embodiments, the tubing is designed so that the initial diameter is large enough to allow insertion of the adsorbent roll and the final shrunken diameter is slightly smaller than the final roll diameter such that excessive compression of the roll is avoided during the heating to perform the shrinkage. The use of a removable form can be employed to prevent shrinking the ends of the tubing to a diameter less than that of the adsorbent roll. In some embodiments, the length of the shrink tubing is sized to be slightly longer than the axial length of the adsorbent roll in order to seal the ends. In some embodiments, the assembly may then be inserted into the metal column and a snap ring is used to press the ends of the shrink tubing tightly against the metal column to prevent process gases from bypassing the flow channels. In some embodiments, a snap ring is attached to one end of the roll. In preferred embodiments, snap rings are attached to both ends of the roll. In some embodiments, the length of the shrink tubing can then be trimmed to remove the excess. In some embodiments, a flow distributor is then added to both ends of the column, e.g., glass beads, prior to installation of the end flanges to complete the adsorber column.TEST METHODS[000213] It should be understood that although certain methods and equipment are described below, other methods or equipment determined suitable by one of ordinary skill in the art may be alternatively utilized.[000214] Preparation of Adsorbent Composites[000215] A series of composites containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and an adsorbent powder were prepared using the general dry blending methodology taught in U.S. Patent No. 7,791 ,861 to Zhong et al. The resulting porous fibrillated adsorbent composites included adsorbent particles durably enmeshed and immobilized within the ePTFE node and fibril matrix. Table 1 outlines the properties of the various adsorbent composites.[000216] Table 1 . Physical characteristics of exemplary adsorbent composites[000217] Thickness of the adsorbent composite was measured from the top of the ridge, such as the ridge peak, to the bottom of the flat surface of the samples by Hitachi scanning electron microscope (SEM). Space between ridges was measured at the closest spots between two adjacent ridges, such as the valley-to-valley distance.[000218] Porosity Measurement[000219] Porosity measurements were performed on a Micromeritics AutoPore V mercury porosimeter (Micromeritics, Norcross, Ga., USA), using Micromeritics MicroActive software version 2.0. Quadruple Distilled Virgin Mercury - 99.9995% purity (Bethlehem Apparatus, Bethlehem, PA) was used as received for tests. Tests used a solid type penetrometer with a bulb volume of 5 cm3and a stem volume of 0.392 cm3(SN: 07-0979). Pieces of the composite samples were cut into 1 cm X 2 cm strips and enough of these strips were weighed on an analytical balance to provide a total mass of approximately 0.25 g. After noting the mass, the sample pieces were placed in the penetrometer.[000220] Total Porosity[000221] The total porosity within a substrate, such as an adsorbent composite, isthe void volume of the sample divided by the total volume of the sample. Porosity can be calculated as:[000222] %Porosity = 100 * (total intrusion volume at 60,000 psia (~ 413.7MPa)) / (volume of the sample at 0.5 psia (~3.5 kPa)[000223] Table 2 shows the physical properties of exemplary adsorbent composite containing zeolite beads according to comparative examples.[000224] Table 2. Diameter and total porosity of exemplary adsorbent containing zeolite beads[000225] Pressure Drop Measurement[000226] The pressure drop measurement was conducted by loading the 3A- composite or the 3A beads in a vertically positioned column with an inner diameter of 2.5 inches. The height of the loaded sample, either the 3A-composite or the 3A beads, in the column is 11 inches. Air flows in from the bottom of the column and flows out from the top of the column with superficial velocity in the range from 0.025 to 1 .0 meter / second. Air pressure before passage through the column and after passing through the column are measured using the Magnehelic® differential pressure gauge. Pressure drop is calculated based on the differential pressure (kPa) per meter length of the sample.[000227] Operating Condition #1[000228] To assess water desorption, test adsorbent composites were presaturated with humid air (~30% RH) prior to microwaving. Following exposure to microwave radiation, the amount of desorbed water was calculated based on the mass spectrometry signal of water downstream from the structured adsorbent. Microwave radiation is supplied by a 1000WWINIA microwave oven at 2.45 GHz frequency.[000229] Operating Condition #2[000230] To evaluate CO2 desorption, test adsorbent composites were presaturated with humid air as described in Operating Condition #1 then subjected to microwave radiation for different lengths of time to remove adsorbed H2O. Group 1 was exposed to 75 sec of microwave radiation; Group 2 was exposed to two periods of microwave radiation, 75 sec followed by 60 sec for a total of 135 sec, and Group 3 was exposed to 75 sec followed by two 60 sec periods of microwaving for a total of 195 secof microwave radiation.[000231] Following H2O desorption, CO2 adsorption was facilitated by introducing a 12% CO2 in N2 gas mixture to the adsorbent composite of each test group at room temperature. After CO2 adsorption, 60 sec microwave was applied to heat the adsorbent composite containing zeolite beads or the adsorbent composite containing PTFE to subsequently desorb the CO2.[000232] Operating Condition #3[000233] To assess complete water desorption, test adsorbent composites were pre-saturated with humid air (~30% RH) prior to microwaving. Following exposure to microwave radiation, the amount of desorbed water was calculated based mass difference before and after the microwave radiation. Microwave radiation is supplied by a 1000W WINIA microwave oven at 2.45 GHz frequency.EXAMPLESExamples - Comparative Pressure Drop Measurements[000234] The reduction in pressure of a fluid stream applied either to a nonlimiting embodiment of an adsorbent composite including the adsorbent filler 3A zeolite and the microwave transparent binder ePTFE or a packed bed of 3A zeolite beads was compared. As shown in FIG. 8 the differential pressure (kPa / meter), or pressure drop, associated with passage through the exemplary composite was reduced relative to that associated with passage through the 3A zeolite beads packed bed comparator, across a range of superficial velocities. At a superficial velocity of 0.5 meter / second, the pressure drop of the fluid stream applied to the exemplary adsorbent composite was approximately half of the pressure drop determined for the fluid stream applied to the packed bed of 3A beads. At a superficial velocity of 1 .0 meter / second, the pressure drop measured for the exemplary adsorbent composite was about one-third of the pressure differential measured from the 3A zeolite sample.Examples - Adsorbate Desorption from an Adsorbent Composite Containing Either a Microwave Absorbing Binder or a Microwave Transparent Binder by Microwave Radiation[000235] 13X-composite was prepared using the general dry blending methodology taught in U.S. Patent No. 7,791 ,861 to Zhong et al. The resulting porous fibrillated adsorbent composites included adsorbent particles durably enmeshed and immobilized within the ePTFE node and fibril matrix.[000236] Zeolite 13X molecular sieve beads are available from Sigma-Aldrich.Example 1[000237] The desorptive capacities of an adsorbent composite containing a microwave absorbing binder (13X beads) or an adsorbent composite containing a microwave transparent binder (13X-composite) were evaluated in a comparative study of water vapor desorption by microwave radiation.[000238] Table 3 outlines the chemical composition of the exemplaryl 3X- composite and the 13X zeolite bead comparator. A mineral binder (bentonite) containing Mg, Ca and Fe was identified in 13X zeolite beads by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (Hitachi TM3030 Plus Tabletop Microscope). However, no mineral binder was detected in the 13X-composite.[000239] Table 3. Chemical composition of 13X bead and 13X-composite[000240] Table 4 outlines the dielectric properties of bentonite and PTFE.Dielectric properties of bentonite and PTFE were obtained from Ellison et al., Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy, 2018; 52(1 ):3-15 and Goyal et al., Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022; 430(Pt 4): 133183). The loss tangent is the ratio of dielectric loss factor over dielectric constant. Penetration depth (Pd) is calculated according to the following equation:[000242] Where is the wavelength, s' is dielectric constant, and E" is dielectric loss factor.[000243] Table 4. Dielectric properties of bentonite and PTFE[000244] Bentonite, which has a dielectric loss factor of 0.8 and a loss tangent of 0.27 (greater than 0.1 ), is considered a high-loss microwave absorbing material. In comparison, the dielectric loss factor and loss tangent of PTFE are about three orders of magnitude less, and PTFE is considered a low-loss microwave transparent material Bentonite’s ability to absorb and consume microwave energy is further reflected in the0.042 meter penetration depth of a 2.45 GHz microwave. In contrast, the penetration depth of a 2.45 GHz microwave through PTFE is about 35 meters.[000245] With the same microwave energy input (microwave on for 45 seconds), the exemplary adsorbent composite containing the microwave transparent binder (13X- composite) desorbed about 12% more water compared to the adsorbent composite containing the microwave absorbing binder (13X beads), as shown in FIG. 9.[000246] Additionally, in comparison to the adsorbent composite containing zeolite beads, the temperature (measured by FLUKE infrared camara) of the adsorbent composite containing PTFE was found to reach a higher temperature after microwave radiation (microwave on for 45 seconds). Relative to the maximum temperature reached by the adsorbent composite containing 13X zeolite beads (85.5 °C) the maximum temperature reached by 13X-composite (98.4°C) was increased by about 15%.Example 2[000247] As determined in Example 1 , the desorptive capacity of the adsorbent composite containing the PTFE binder was improved relative to that of the adsorbent composite containing the mineral binder. FIG. 10 shows the comparative CO2 desorption from 13X beads and 13X composite. Across Groups, the amount of CO2 desorbed from the adsorbent composite containing microwave transparent PTFE ranged from 20-50% greater compared to the amount of CO2 desorbed from the adsorbent composite containing microwave absorbing binder (13X beads). The most striking differences in desorptive capacity were observed in Group 1 and Group 2, where the amount of CO2 recovered 13X-composite was at least or nearly doubled in comparison to the amount of CO2 desorbed from13X beads.Example 3[000248] The removal of water from an exemplary adsorbent composite containing silica as an adsorbent filler and PTFE as a microwave transparent binder was evaluated across a range of microwave radiation (60-480 kJ). The dry weight of the silica- composite containing 85% wt / wt silica was measured after drying under a vacuum oven at 110°C for 16 hours. The amount of water absorbed was measured after presaturating the silica-composite with humid air (~30% RH) prior to microwaving. The amount of desorbed water was measured after microwaving. The percentage of water removed was calculated based on the removed amount water / absorbed water x 100%. As shown in FIG. 11 , over 60% of water was removed following 240 kJ of microwave energy consumption, and 100% water removal was achieved upon 480 kJ of microwave energy consumption.Examples - Fabrication of Adsorber Column from Adsorbent Composite Sheet with Ridges[000249] A cylindrical adsorber column can be fabricated from an adsorbent composite by essentially rolling an adsorbent composite sheet with ridges into a cylinder. Generally, a metal rod (e.g., 3 / 8” diameter, 11” long aluminum rod with threads tapped into both ends) is used as a core to initiate winding of the sheet. The sheet is attached to the core either through the use of pins originating from the core and perforating the sheet, or by using an adhesive (e.g., cyanoacrylate). The use of a metal core may prevent the formation of a bypass channel in the center of the roll where there is a very small radius of curvature, as well as to facilitate subsequent handling of the roll. The sheet is then wound onto the core to the desired diameter to fit into the inner diameter of an adsorber column (e.g., metal pipe). The winding can be accomplished manually or through the use of a mechanical winding apparatus. The winding of is then carried out to the target diameter. This is typically slightly less than the inner diameter of the metal column. If needed, the edges of the roll can be trimmed to create uniform channel openings, such as the plurality of voids 460 shown in FIG. 4.[000250] The adsorbent composite roll is then placed into a piece of shrink tubing fabricated from a polymer that can withstand the temperatures expected during use. Typically, the fluorinated polymer FEP is a good choice for most PSA and TSA applications. This tubing should be designed so that the initial diameter is large enough to allow insertion of the adsorbent roll and the final shrunken diameter is slightly smaller than the final roll diameter such that excessive compression of the roll is avoided during the heating to perform the shrinkage. The use of a removable form can be employed to prevent shrinking the ends of the tubing to a diameter less than that of the adsorbent roll. The length of the shrink tubing is sized to be slightly longer than the axial length of the adsorbent roll in order to seal the ends. The assembly is then inserted into the metal column and a snap ring is used to press the ends of the shrink tubing tightly against the metal column to prevent process gases from bypassing the flow channels. Although the use of snap rings at both ends of the roll is recommended, excellent results can also be obtained using snap rings on only one of the end roll. The length of the shrink tubing can then be trimmed to remove the excess. A flow distributor is then added to both ends of the column (e.g., glass beads) prior to installation of the end flanges to complete the adsorber column.[000251] The foregoing Examples are just that, and should not be read to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of any of the inventive concepts otherwise provided by theinstant disclosure. While multiple examples are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative examples. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature rather than restrictive in nature.
Claims
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An adsorbent composite for microwave temperature swing adsorption (TSA) comprising: an adsorbent filler; and a microwave transparent binder; wherein the microwave transparent binder has a dielectric loss factor of from 0.0001 to 0.1.
2. The adsorbent composite of claim 1 , wherein the microwave transparent binder comprises a polymer.
3. The adsorbent composite of claim 2, wherein the polymer comprises a hydrocarbon polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyolefin, or a combination thereof.
4. The adsorbent composite of claim 3, wherein the polyolefin comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, a random copolymer comprising at least one propylene group, at least one ethylene group, and at least one butene group and / or at least one hexene group, and combinations thereof.
5. The adsorbent composite of claim 2, wherein the polymer comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyimide (PI), polyethersulfone (PES), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyetherimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyamide (PA), cellulose, methylcellulose, cellulose ester, polystyrene (PS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA or PVOH), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyfluoroethylene propylene (PFEP), polyperfluoroacrylate (PPFA), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV), polychlorotrifluoro ethylene (PCFE), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluorethylene) (ETFE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyparaxylylene (PPX), polyactic acid (PLLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), cyclicolefin polymer (COP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), expanded derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
6. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the polymer comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyamide-imide (PAI), and polyimide (PI).
7. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the polymer has a dielectric constant of from 1 .5 to 4.
8. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adsorbent composite comprises a parallel passage contactor structure comprising one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets and substantially parallel ridges.
9. The adsorbent composite of claim 8, wherein the one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets are arranged in multiple, overlapping layers, which are spaced by the substantially parallel ridges to allow gas flow between the layers.
10. The adsorbent composite of claim 8 or 9, wherein the adsorbent composite has embossed ridges.11 . The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each sheet of the one or more self-supported adsorbent sheets has a thickness of from 0.1 to 10 mm and a width of 30 to 1000 mm.
12. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the microwave transparent binder comprises a microstructure of fibrils or fibrils and nodes.
13. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the adsorbent filler is partially or fully enmeshed into at least a portion of the space between the multiple, overlapping layers and / or the microstructure of the microwave transparent binder.
14. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the adsorbent filler in an amount of from 10% to 95% (w / w), based on the total weight of the adsorbent composite.
15. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the adsorbent composite has a total porosity of from 30% to 95%.
16. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the adsorbent filler comprises a high-loss dielectric material (loss tangent above 0.1 ), a low-loss dielectric material (loss tangent below 0.1), or a combination thereof.
17. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the adsorbent filler comprises at least one amine group, activated carbon, carbon, graphene oxide, graphite, silica, metal organic frameworks, zeolite, alumina, alkaline metal oxide, polymeric sorbent, alkali carbonate, ion exchange resin, polyethyleneimine, or a combination thereof.
18. The adsorbent composite of claim 17, wherein the adsorbent filler comprising at least one amine group comprises an impregnated amine, an amine supported on a polymer, an amine supported on a metal oxide, an amine supported on a carbon, an amine functionalized polymer, or a combination thereof.
19. The adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the adsorbent composite does not comprise a mineral binder.
20. The adsorbent composite of claim 19, wherein the mineral binder comprises a mineral selected from the group consisting of natural clay, bentonite, attapulgite, kaolin, alumina, silica, gypsum, and combinations thereof.21 . A method for desorbing an adsorbate from an adsorbent unit comprising the adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising: irradiating the adsorbent unit with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 1 MHz to 300 GHz; wherein the adsorbate is adsorbed to the adsorbent composite; andwherein the irradiating facilitates desorption of the adsorbate from the adsorbent composite.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the irradiating comprises subjecting the adsorbent composite to microwave radiation at a frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the irradiating comprises subjecting the adsorbent composite to radio frequency (RF) heating at a frequency range of 1 MHz to 300 MHz.
24. The method of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the adsorbent composite is housed within the adsorbent unit.
25. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the adsorbate comprises hydrogen gas (H2), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), a nitrogen oxide (NOx), a sulfur oxide (SOx), a volatile organic compound (VOC), or a combination thereof.
26. A method of treating a fluid stream, comprising: providing a fluid stream; wherein the fluid stream comprises an adsorbate; contacting the fluid stream with a device comprising the adsorbent composite of any of claims 1 to 20; and adsorbing the adsorbate onto the adsorbent composite; wherein the fluid stream has a temperature of at least -50°C and experiences a pressure drop of 0.25 to 5 kPa per meter of adsorbent composite with superficial velocity from 0.1 to 2.0 meter / second.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the fluid stream has a dew point of at least - 120°C.
28. The method of claim 26 or 27, further comprising irradiating the device with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 1 MHz to 300 GHz; and desorbing the adsorbate.
29. The method of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the adsorbate comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen monoxide (NO), dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur trioxide (SO3), a volatile organic compound (VOC), and combinations thereof; and wherein a single compound is present in a concentration of at least 10 ppb.
30. The method of claim 25 or 29, wherein the VOC is selected from the group consisting of benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, acetaldehyde, ethane, propane, and 1 ,3- butadiene.31 . A system for adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate comprising: a) an inlet opening; b) an adsorbent unit comprising the adsorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 20; c) a microwave unit housing the adsorbent unit; wherein the microwave unit is used to subject the adsorbent unit to microwave irradiation, thereby facilitating desorption of the adsorbent from the adsorbent unit; and d) an outlet opening.
32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the adsorbent unit comprises a column.
33. The system of claim 31 , wherein the adsorbent unit comprises a plurality of columns.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the adsorbent unit comprises an array of columns.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein the array of columns has a shell and tube orientation or a stacked sheet orientation.
36. The system of any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the adsorbent unit further comprises at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet.
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