Direct air capture module for use with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system

Abstract

A direct air capture module (120, 220) for use with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110) having a supply air conduit (112) and an exhaust air conduit (114) within a duct (190) of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110). The direct air capture module (120, 220) including a heating arrangement (129) mountable to a first sector of a segment of the duct (190), the first sector of the first segment of the duct (190) being within the exhaust air conduit (114) of the duct (190), the heating arrangement (129) operable to heat the first sector of the segment of the duct (190) in a manner such that the first sector of the segment of the duct (190) with the heating arrangement (129) defines a heating-and-regeneration zone (106). The direct air capture module (120, 220) further including an adsorbent unit (122, 222) mountable within the segment of the duct (190) of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110).

Description

DIRECT AIR CAPTURE MODULE FOR USE WITH A HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMTechnical Field

[0001] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a direct air capture (DAC) module. In particular, various aspects of this disclosure relate to a DAC module for use with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) system.Background

[0002] Conventional DAC technology focuses primarily on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere in an efficient and economical manner. The captured CO2 are then stored underground or utilized in various applications, such as carbon-neutral fuel production or carbon-negative processes. While the DAC technology has shown promising potential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon sequestration efforts, and contribute to more sustainable and climate-resilient future, little has been done to advance the application of DAC technology other than storage and / or utilization of captured CO2.Summary

[0003] Various embodiments concern a direct air capture module for use with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system having a duct that is partitioned longitudinally into a supply air conduit and an exhaust air conduit. The direct air capture module including a heating arrangement mountable to a first sector of a segment of the duct of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, the first sector of the first segment of the duct being within the exhaust air conduit of the duct, the heating arrangement operable to heat the first sector of the segment of the duct in a manner such that the first sector of the segment of the duct with the heating arrangement defines a heating-and-regeneration zone. A second sector of the segment of the duct within the exhaust air conduit without the heating arrangement defining a cooling zone. A third sector of the segment of the duct within the supply air conduit defining an adsorption zone. The direct air capture module further including an adsorbent unit mountable within the segment of the duct of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system. The adsorbent unit being rotatable relative to the duct about a rotational axis extending through the adsorbent unit. The rotational axis extending longitudinally of the duct. The adsorbent unit being rotatable about the rotationalaxis to cause a region of the adsorbent unit to cycle sequentially through the heating-and- regeneration zone, the cooling zone, and the adsorption zone. The adsorbent unit including adsorbent material disposed in a manner to interface with a flow of supply air directed through the adsorbent unit for adsorption when the adsorbent material is cycled into the adsorption zone of the segment of the duct, to interface with the heating arrangement for regeneration when the adsorbent material is cycled into the heating-and-regeneration zone of the segment of the duct, and to interface with a flow of exhaust air for cooling of the adsorbent material when the adsorbent material is cycled into the cooling zone of the segment of the duct.

[0004] Various embodiments concern a method of direct air capture within a duct of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system that is partitioned longitudinally into a supply air conduit and an exhaust air conduit. The method including rotating an adsorbent unit within a segment of the duct relative to the duct about a rotational axis, the rotational axis extending through the adsorbent unit and longitudinally of the duct, to cause a region of the adsorbent unit to cycle sequentially through: a heating-and-regeneration zone in a first sector of the segment of the duct within the exhaust air conduit and defined by a heating arrangement operable to heat the first sector of the segment of the duct, a cooling zone in a second sector of the segment of the duct within the exhaust air conduit without the heating arrangement, and an adsorption zone in a third sector of the segment of the duct within the supply air conduit, with adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit disposed in a manner to interface with a flow of supply air directed through the adsorbent unit for adsorption when the adsorbent material is cycled into the adsorption zone of the segment of the duct, to interface with the heating arrangement for regeneration when the adsorbent material is cycled into the heating-and-regeneration zone of the segment of the duct, and to interface with a flow of exhaust air for cooling of the adsorbent material when the adsorbent material is cycled into the cooling zone of the segment of the duct.Brief description of the drawings

[0005] The invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the non-limiting examples and the accompanying drawings, in which:- FIG. 1 A shows a side schematic view of a direct air capture module within a duct of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, according to various embodiments;- FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional view of the direct air capture module, within the duct, taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 A, according to various embodiments;- FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of an adsorbent unit and a heating arrangement, of the direct air capture module of FIG. 1 A, according to various embodiments;- FIG. ID shows an exploded view of the heating arrangement of FIG. 1C, with respect to the adsorbent unit, according to various embodiments;- FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a direct air capture module having a plurality of adsorbent units, according to various embodiments; and- FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of an air management system, according to various embodiments.Detailed description

[0006] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

[0007] Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar features in the other embodiments. Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the other embodiments, even if not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Furthermore, additions and / or combinations and / or alternatives as described for a feature in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar feature in the other embodiments.

[0008] In the context of various embodiments, the articles “a”, “an” and “the” as used with regard to a feature or element include a reference to one or more of the features or elements.

[0009] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0010] Various embodiments generally relate to a direct air capture (DAC) module which may be combined with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Accordingly, various embodiments may provide that the operation of DAC, e.g. the adsorption and the regeneration processes, occur continuously and synchronously so as to ensure uninterrupted operation of the HVAC system for providing a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. According to various embodiments, the DAC module may capture components of the air, for example, moisture and / or carbon dioxide (CO2), via adsorption, from ambient air being drawn into (or supplied) to the HVAC system. The adsorption of the moisture may reduce the latent cooling load of the HVAC system, while the adsorption of the CO2 may reduce an indoor CO2 level, which may in turn increase the utilization of return air by the HVAC system resulting in higher return air ratio. The higher return air ratio may reduce the amount of fresh ambient air being drawn and cooled by the HVAC. The reduction in latent cooling load and / or the reduction in the amount of fresh ambient air to be cooled may lead to energy savings which may contribute to indirect carbon footprint reduction. According to various embodiments, the DAC module may also be configured to regenerate and release the captured CO2 back into the atmosphere in order to provide a continuous operation of DAC without expensing energy for CO2 storage or utilization. Therefore, the various embodiments are capable of achieving indirect carbon footprint reduction through energy savings and provide a sustainable and resource-efficient approach to air treatment by adsorption of moisture and CO2 and by regeneration thereof.

[0011] FIG. 1 A shows a side schematic view of a DAC module 120 within a duct 190 of a HVAC system 110, according to various embodiments. FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional view of the DAC module 120, within the duct 190, taken along line A-A of FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments.

[0012] According to various embodiments, there may be provided the DAC module 120 for use with the HVAC system 110. Specifically, the DAC module 120 may be provided or fitted (e.g. removably fitted) to (or within) the duct 190 of the HVAC system 110. The HVAC system 110 may be configured to regulate and move heated / cooled air in an enclosed indoor environment for residential or commercial buildings so as to provide comfortable and acceptable indoor air quality. As some non-limiting examples, the duct 190 may be partof an air distribution system of the HVAC system 110, a framework of an Air Handling Unit (AHU) of the HVAC system 110 (e.g. a duct along or within the AHU), etc. Furthermore, the duct 190 may be, but is not limited to being, a cylindrical duct 190, in other words, defining a cylindrical internal space and having a circular cross-sectional area. According to various embodiments, the internal space of the duct 190 may include or may define a supply air conduit 112 (e.g. pathway) for a first airflow (e.g. for taking in ambient air) and an exhaust air conduit 114 for a second airflow (e.g. for exhaust air to be expelled into an ambient environment). The supply air conduit 112 and the exhaust air conduit 114 may be alongside each other, according to various embodiments. For example, according to various embodiments, the duct 190 may be partitioned (e.g. by a partition or baffle 105) longitudinally or lengthwise, such that a portion (e.g. half) of the duct 190 may be the supply air conduit 112 and another portion (e.g. another half) of the duct 190 may be the exhaust air conduit 114.

[0013] According to various embodiments, the DAC module 120 may include a heating arrangement 129 (e.g. at least one heater) to support regeneration of the adsorbent unit 122 (e.g. when the adsorbent unit 122 is saturated after adsorption of components of the air). The heating arrangement 129 may provide heat to the adsorbent unit 122 such that components of the air, for example, moisture and / or CO2, may be released from the adsorbent unit 122 for regeneration. The heating arrangement 129 may be mountable to a first sector of a segment (e.g. a lengthwise segment) of the duct 190 of the HVAC system 110. The first sector of the segment of the duct 190 may be within the exhaust air conduit 114 of the duct 190. Accordingly, the heating arrangement 129 may be disposed in (e.g. so as to be within only) the exhaust air conduit 114 of the duct 190, within the segment of the duct 190. According to various embodiments, the heating arrangement 129 may be operable to heat the first sector of the segment of the duct 190 in a manner such that the first sector of the segment of the duct 190 with the heating arrangement 129 defines a heating-and- regeneration zone 106. As an example, with reference to FIG. IB, the heating-and- regeneration zone 106 may correspond to (e.g. cover or encompass) a wedge-shaped sector of the segment of the duct 190 within the exhaust air conduit 114.

[0014] According to various embodiments, a second sector (or remaining sector) of the segment of the duct 190 within the exhaust air conduit 114, without the heating arrangement 129, may define a cooling zone 107. In other words, the cooling zone 107 may be adjacentand adjoining the aforementioned heating-and-regeneration zone 106. As an example, shown in FIG. IB, the cooling zone 107 may correspond to another wedge-shaped sector of the duct 190. According to various embodiments, with reference to FIG. IB, the cooling zone 107 may be larger (e.g. larger in terms of cross-sectional area) than the heating-and- regeneration zone 106. As a non-limiting example, a cross-sectional area of the cooling zone 107 may be (e.g. exactly) three times of a cross-sectional area of the heating-and- regeneration zone 106. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, the cooling zone 107 may have a similar or identical cross-sectional area (or shape and size) as the heating-and- regeneration zone 106 or the cooling zone 107 may be smaller than the heating-and- regeneration zone 106.

[0015] With reference to FIG. IB, according to various embodiments, a third sector of the segment of the duct 190, within the supply air conduit 112, may define an adsorption zone 108. In other words, the adsorption zone 108 may correspond to the entire portion of the segment of the duct 190 within the supply air conduit 112. In this manner, the adsorption zone 108, the heating-and-regeneration zone 106, and the cooling zone 107 may be disposed side-by-side one another about a longitudinal axis 190a of the duct 190. Accordingly, the segment of the duct 190 may be sliced into the adsorption zone 108, the heating-and- regeneration zone 106, and the cooling zone 107, whereby the the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 and the cooling zone 107 may fall within the exhaust air conduit 114 and the adsorption zone 108 may fall within the supply air conduit 112. According to various embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the adsorption zone 108 may be equal (e.g. substantially equal) to a total combined cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 and the cooling zone 107. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, a cross- sectional area of the adsorption zone 108 may differ from (e.g. may be larger or may be smaller than) a total combined cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 and the cooling zone 107. According to various embodiments, with reference to FIG. IB, a cross-sectional area of the adsorption zone 108 may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone 106. As a non-limiting example, a cross-sectional area of the adsorption zone 108 may be four times of a cross-sectional area of the heating-and- regeneration zone 106.

[0016] According to various embodiments, a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 to a total combined cross-sectional area of the heating-and-r egeneration zone 106, the cooling zone 107, and the adsorption zone 108 may fall within a range of 1 :8 to 1 :4. Accordingly, a cross-sectional area of the heating-and- regeneration zone 106 may correspond to a quarter, an eighth, or between a quarter and an eighth of the segment of the duct 190. According to various embodiments, the heating-and- regeneration zone 106 may correspond to less than 25%, or less than 10%, of the exhaust air conduit 114.

[0017] According to various embodiments, the DAC module 120 may further include an adsorbent unit 122. According to various embodiments, adsorbent unit 122 may include or may be a wheel structure. Accordingly, the adsorbent unit 122 may be cylindrical in shape (e.g. resembling a wheel, circular plate, puck, etc., and / or may correspond to a shape or cross-sectional area of the segment of the cylindrical duct 190). According to various embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may include adsorbent material for adsorption of components of the air, for example, moisture (H2O) and / or CO2. For example, wheel structure may be filled with adsorbent material for adsorption of components of the air, for example, moisture and / or CO2. According to various other embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may be composed of a circular slab of adsorbent material. The adsorbent unit 122 having the adsorbent material may be a full-bodied and / or integrally formed adsorbent unit 122. Accordingly, a center region (or central portion) of the adsorbent unit 122 may be free from any substantially-sized linear openings or linear through-holes (apart from any irregular pores of the adsorbent material, e.g. when the adsorbent material is porous). According to various embodiments, the adsorbent material may be configured for and / or may be capable of co-adsorption and regeneration of one or more distinct (or different) components of the air that is directed across the adsorbent unit 122 (e.g. in a direction parallel to its central axis or a rotational axis 121, described later). In particular, as an example, the adsorbent material may be capable of adsorption and regeneration of at least CO2. According to various embodiments, the adsorbent material may be capable of capturing or adsorption of both CO2 as well as moisture from air directed across the adsorbent unit 122. According to various embodiments, the adsorbent material may be configured with high moisture and CO2 adsorption capacities. According to various other embodiments, the adsorbent material may be configured for moisture adsorption, with some capacity for CO2 adsorption. According to various embodiments, the adsorbent material may be porous and / or may be a homogeneous adsorbent material (or material composite).

[0018] According to various embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may be mountable within the segment of the duct 190 of the HVAC system 110. Specifically, referring to FIG. 1 A, the adsorbent unit 122 may extend substantially across the segment of the duct 190 such that a region (or portion) of the adsorbent unit 122 (e.g. a wedge-shaped region, portion, or a sector of the adsorbent unit 122) may be within (e.g. entirely within) the heating-and- regeneration zone 106, while a second region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be within the cooling zone 107, and a third region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be within the adsorption zone 108.

[0019] Additionally, according to various embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may be rotatable relative to the duct 190 about a rotational axis 121. The rotational axis 121 may be extending through the adsorbent unit 122, in particular, through a center of the adsorbent unit 122. Furthermore, the rotational axis 121 may be extending longitudinally or lengthwise of the duct 190. According to various embodiments, the rotational axis 121 may be parallel and / or coincident with a longitudinal axis 190a of the duct 190. According to various embodiments, the DAC module 120 may include one or more actuators (not shown). The one or more actuators may be coupled to the adsorbent unit 122 of the DAC module 120 for actuating (e.g. rotating) the adsorbent unit 122. Accordingly, each adsorbent unit 122 may be actuated or rotated via rotating the adsorbent unit 122. Hence, the one or more actuators may impart a rotation motion to the adsorbent unit 122 to cause respective regions (or each region) of the adsorbent unit 122 to rotate or cycle sequentially, through the heating-and- regeneration zone 106, the cooling zone 107, and the adsorption zone 108, etc., of the segment of the duct 190.

[0020] According to various embodiments, the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit 122 may be disposed in a manner (i) to interface with a flow of supply air that is directed through the adsorbent unit 122 (e.g. in a direction parallel to the rotational axis 121) for adsorption of at least one component of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) when the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit 122 is cycled into the adsorption zone 108 of the segment of the duct 190, (ii) to interface with the heating arrangement 129 for regeneration of the at least one component of the air when the adsorbent material is cycled into the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 of the segment of the duct 190, and (iii) to interface with a flow of exhaust (or return) air (e.g. from an internal environment of a building) for coolingof the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit 122 when the adsorbent material is cycled into the cooling zone 107 of the segment of the duct 190.

[0021] As an illustration, a region (or portion) of the adsorbent unit 122 that may initially be within the adsorption zone 108 may be capable of at least CO2 (and / or moisture) adsorption from a flow of supply air that flows across said region of the adsorbent unit 122 in a direction parallel to the rotational axis 121. Thereafter, that region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be cycled to the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 where it may be heated by the heating arrangement 129 which may cause that region of the adsorbent unit 122 to undergo at least CO2 (and / or moisture) regeneration. Subsequently, the aforementioned region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be cycled to the cooling zone 107 where it may be cooled by a flow of exhaust (or return) air that flows across that region of the adsorbent unit 122 to cool that region of the adsorbent unit 122. According to various embodiments, the aforementioned region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be cooled to room temperature (e.g. between 15°C to 35°C), before being cycled to the adsorption zone 108 (e.g. for a new adsorption cycle).

[0022] As another illustration, with reference to FIG. IB, a region (or portion) of the adsorbent unit 122 within a first sub-zone (or a sub-sector) 108 A of the adsorption zone 108 may have component(s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) with levels of saturation varying between 0% to 25%, before it may be cycled to an adjacent second sub-zone 108B of the adsorption zone 108 where it may further capture component(s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) through adsorption until it contains those component(s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) with levels of saturation varying between 25% to 50%. Subsequently, the aforementioned region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be cycled to an adjacent third subzone 108C of the adsorption zone 108 where it may further capture component(s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) through adsorption until it contains those component(s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) with levels of saturation varying between 50% to 75% and, thereafter, cycled to a fourth sub-zone 108D of the adsorption zone 108 where it may further capture component(s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) through adsorption until it contains those component s) of the air (e.g. CO2 and / or moisture) with levels of saturation varying between 75% to 120%. Then, it may be cycled to the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 where it may be heated and regenerated to release the captured component s) of the air. Subsequently, it may be cycled to a first sub-zone 107A of the cooling zone 107 where it may be cooled to a temperature lower than the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 (e.g. toapproximately 40°C), to an adjacent second sub-zone 107B of the cooling zone 107 where it may be further cooled to room (or ambient air) temperature (e.g. between 15°C to 35°C), and to a third sub-zone 107C of the cooling zone 107 where it may remain at room (or ambient air) temperature, before being cycled back to the first sub-zone 108 A of the adsorption zone 108 (e.g. for a new adsorption cycle).

[0023] In the above manner, the entire adsorbent unit 122 may be utilized for simultaneous adsorption, regeneration, and cooling processes at different (e.g. discrete and / or adjoining) regions of the adsorbent unit 122, depending on which zone each region of the adsorbent unit 122 is at (or cycled to). Specifically, at any given time of operation of the DAC module 120, at least one region of the adsorbent unit 122 may perform adsorption, at least one other region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be heated and regenerated, and at least one other region of the adsorbent unit 122 may be cooled (before a new adsorption cycle). Accordingly, the DAC module 120, according to the various embodiments, when operated, may simultaneously undergo adsorption and regeneration processes as well as continuously perform adsorption of component(s) of the air from supply air (e.g. by continuously cycling or feeding a regenerated or “fresh” region of the adsorbent unit 122 into the adsorption zone 108). As such, the DAC module 120, according to the various embodiments, may sustain continuous adsorption and regeneration by actuating the adsorbent unit 122 to shuttle each region of the adsorbent unit 122 between at least the adsorption zone 108 (in the supply air conduit 112) for adsorption and the heating-and- regeneration zone 106 (in the exhaust air conduit 114) for regeneration.

[0024] According to various embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may be configured to be rotatable about the rotational axis 121 at a plurality of discrete rotational steps. As some non-limiting examples, each discrete rotational step of the adsorbent unit 122 may correspond to approximately 45° (e.g. when the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 corresponds to an eighth of the segment of the cylindrical duct 190). Accordingly, as an example, with reference to FIG. IB, the adsorption process may occur over four consecutive rotational steps, while the regeneration process may occur over a single rotational step. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, each discrete rotational step may correspond to any other suitable value, for example, 90° (e.g. when the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 has a quadrant shape or corresponds to a quarter of the segment of the cylindrical duct 190), or any value less than 180°. Additionally, according to various embodiments, a rotationfrequency of the adsorbent unit 122 may be aligned with a regeneration time (e.g. occurring within the heating-and-regeneration zone 106). In particular, as an example, a frequency of rotation of the adsorbent unit 122 by a single discrete rotational step may be based on a duration it takes for regeneration of the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit 122 (e.g. regeneration of CO2 and / or moisture) at the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 to be performed or complete. Accordingly, adsorption and regeneration processes may occur continuously and synchronously with the DAC module 120 within the HVAC system 110. According to various embodiments, synchronization of the adsorption time / phase and regeneration time / phase may result in maintenance of an efficient regeneration process and may uphold overall performance of the DAC module 120 within the HVAC system 110. According to various embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may be, but is not limited to being, rotatable in a single (e.g. clockwise) rotational direction.

[0025] According to various embodiments, the heating arrangement 129 may be configured to heat the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 at or to a temperature that falls within a range of 40°C to 70°C, in particular, within a range of 50°C to 60°C or, more specifically, at or to a temperature of 60°C (or substantially 60°C). As a non-limiting example, a stream of heated gas / ambient air at approximately 60°C may be introduced into the heating-and-regeneration zone 106 for heating the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit 122, thereby regenerating the adsorbent material and causing it to release any accumulated components of the air, for example, CO2 and / or moisture.

[0026] FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the adsorbent unit 122 and heating arrangement 129 of the DAC module 120 of FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments. FIG. ID shows an exploded view of the heating arrangement 129 of FIG. 1C, with respect to the adsorbent unit 122, according to various embodiments.

[0027] As an example, shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. ID, the heating arrangement 129 may include a heater shell 127 (e.g. a bracket-shaped heater shell or heating shell) having at least a first plate 127 A and a second plate 127B which may be opposing and aligned with each other. The first plate 127 A and the second plate 127B may be, but is not limited to being, identical in shape to each other, and their shapes may correspond to a shape of the heating- and-regeneration zone 106 (see FIG. IB). The heater shell 127 may further include a third plate 127C connecting the first plate 127A and the second plate 127B. Specifically, as shown, the third plate 127C may extend between a pair of opposing end edges of the first plate 127Aand the second plate 127B. According to various embodiments, the adsorbent unit 122 may be disposed between the first plate 127A and the second plate 127B, with a first side (or surface, e.g. substantially planar surface) of the adsorbent unit 122 (e.g. that is perpendicular to the rotational axis 121, see FIG. 1A) facing the first plate 127A and with an opposite second side of the adsorbent unit 122 facing the second plate 127B. Further, a portion of a circumferential side (or curved surface) of the adsorbent unit 122 (which extends between the first side and the second side of the adsorbent unit 122) may face the third plate 127C. It is envisaged that each plate of the heater shell 127 may be spaced apart from the adsorbent unit 122, so that the heater shell 127 would not inhibit any rotational motion of the adsorbent unit 122 when it is rotated about the rotational axis 121. According to various embodiments, with reference to FIG. ID, the heater shell 127 may include a plurality of apertures (e.g. small holes) 127D (e.g. at the first plate 127A) which may serve as pressure relief vents. Accordingly, component(s) of the air that is regenerated by a corresponding region of the adsorbent unit 122 encased (or enclosed or surrounded) by the heater shell 127 may exit through the plurality of apertures 127D, thereby preventing accumulation of pressure within the heater shell 127.

[0028] According to various embodiments, supply air may flow within the supply air conduit 112 and across the adsorbent unit 122 from the first side to the second side of the adsorbent unit 122, while exhaust air may flow within the exhaust air conduit 114 and across the adsorbent unit 122 from the second side to the first side of the adsorbent unit 122. That is, according to various embodiments, the supply air and exhaust air may flow in different or opposite directions from each other. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, both the supply air and exhaust air may flow in a same direction as each other.

[0029] Accordingly, component(s) of the air that exits through the plurality of apertures 127D of the heater shell 127 may be carried by the exhaust air and released into the atmosphere.

[0030] FIG. 2 A shows a perspective view of a DAC module 220 having a plurality of adsorbent units 222, according to various embodiments.

[0031] According to various embodiments, the DAC module 220 of FIG. 2 A may include any one or more or all the features of the DAC module 120 of FIG. 1A to FIG. ID. Accordingly, features, changes, modifications, and variations that are applicable to the DAC module 120 of FIG. 1 A to FIG. ID may also be applicable to the DAC module 220 of FIG.2A. Further, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their corresponding descriptions is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on the various possible additional features and details.

[0032] According to various embodiments, the DAC module 220 may include a plurality of (e.g. two, or more than two) adsorbent units 222. According to various embodiments, the adsorbent units 222 may be identical (in other words, configured identically in shape, size, material composition, etc.) to each other.

[0033] As shown, the adsorbent units 222 may be aligned with each other such that the rotational axis 121 extends through the plurality of adsorbent units 222, at their respective centers. Furthermore, the adsorbent units 222 may be aligned with each other within the internal space of the duct 190 (e.g. a linear duct 190).

[0034] According to various embodiments, the adsorbent units 222 may employ coadsorption of at least two distinct components of the air, for example, CO2 and moisture, thereby decreasing a latent cooling load and improving energy efficiency in HVAC system 110 applications. To illustrate, a first adsorbent unit 222A may be employed primarily for (or to primarily target) moisture adsorption from supply air directed across it, which may thereby reduce the latent cooling load of the HVAC system 110, while a second (or further) adsorbent unit 222B (located downstream of the first adsorbent unit 222A) may be employed to primarily target CO2 adsorption from the (dryer) supply air which passed through the first adsorbent unit 222 A. According to various embodiments, the duct 190 of the HVAC system 110 may include a shell (e.g. casing) which envelops the supply air conduit 112 and, in turn, envelops at least a region (e.g. a lower half) of both the first and second adsorbent units 222A, 222B which are within the supply air conduit 112. According to various embodiments, indoor humidity levels may be adjusted based on the area ratio between the shell (e.g. the casing) and an inlet for the air (e.g. duct inlet, AHU inlet, etc.), along with controlling or adjusting a speed of the supply airflow.

[0035] FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of an air management system 200, according to various embodiments.

[0036] According to various embodiments, the HVAC system 110 having the duct 190 and the DAC module 120, 220 mounted to the HVAC system 110 may together form, or be part of, an air management system 200.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments, the air management system 200 (or the HVAC system 110 of the air management system 200) may further include a heat exchanger 182 and a heating / cooling coil 184. As shown in FIG. 2B, the ambient air drawn into the supply air conduit 112 may pass through the adsorbent units 222A, 222B followed by the heat exchanger 182 and the heating / cooling coil 184 before being supplied to the indoor environment. As shown, the DAC module 220 may include at least two adsorbent units 222A, 222B upstream of the heat exchanger 182 and / or the heating / cooling coil 184. In other words, the heat exchanger 182 and / or the heating / cooling coil 184 may be positioned downstream of the adsorbent units 220A, 222B of the DAC module 220.

[0038] According to various embodiments, the HVAC system 110 may draw indoor air from the indoor environment and channel some indoor air as return air to the heat exchanger 182 and / or the heating / cooling coil 184 of the air management system 200 (or the HVAC system 110 of the air management system 200) (see arrow 186). The remaining indoor air may be directed into the exhaust air conduit 114 for flowing out into the ambient environment.

[0039] According to various embodiments, the air management system 200 (or the DAC module 120, 220 itself) may further include a controller 224 (see FIG. 2B) configured to control any one or more or all components of the DAC module 120, 220, such as the adsorbent unit(s) 122, 222 (e.g. to control rotation or rotational steps thereof), the heating arrangement 129, the actuators, etc. According to various embodiments, the controller 224 and / or any one or more or all other components of the DAC module 120, 220 may be in communication (e.g. interconnected) with the HVAC system’s 110 controls, thereby ensuring synchronized operation and seamless communication. Such integration may allow for efficient monitoring and regulation, optimizing energy consumption and performance.

[0040] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modification, variation in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A direct air capture module (120, 220) for use with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110) having a duct (190) that is partitioned longitudinally into a supply air conduit (112) and an exhaust air conduit (114), the direct air capture module (120, 220) comprising: a heating arrangement (129) mountable to a first sector of a segment of the duct (190) of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110), the first sector of the first segment of the duct (190) being within the exhaust air conduit (114) of the duct (190), the heating arrangement (129) operable to heat the first sector of the segment of the duct (190) in a manner such that the first sector of the segment of the duct (190) with the heating arrangement (129) defines a heating-and-regeneration zone (106), wherein a second sector of the segment of the duct (190) within the exhaust air conduit (114) without the heating arrangement (129) defines a cooling zone (107), and wherein a third sector of the segment of the duct (190) within the supply air conduit (112) defines an adsorption zone (108); and an adsorbent unit (122, 222) mountable within the segment of the duct (190) of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110); wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) is rotatable relative to the duct (190) about a rotational axis (121) extending through the adsorbent unit (122, 222), wherein the rotational axis (121) extends longitudinally of the duct (190); wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) is rotatable about the rotational axis (121) to cause a region of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) to cycle sequentially through the heating- and-regeneration zone (106), the cooling zone (107), and the adsorption zone (108); wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) comprises adsorbent material disposed in a manner to interface with a flow of supply air directed through the adsorbent unit (122, 222) for adsorption when the adsorbent material is cycled into the adsorption zone (108) of the segment of the duct (190), to interface with the heating arrangement (129) for regeneration when the adsorbent material is cycled into the heating-and-regeneration zonecooling of the adsorbent material when the adsorbent material is cycled into the cooling zone (107) of the segment of the duct (190).

2. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) comprises a wheel structure which includes the adsorbent material.

3. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the cooling zone (107); or wherein a cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the adsorption zone (108).

4. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) to a total combined cross-sectional area of the heating-and-regeneration zone (106), the cooling zone (107), and the adsorption zone (108) falls within a range of 1 :8 to 1 :4.

5. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) corresponds to a wedge-shaped sector of the segment of the duct (190) within the exhaust air conduit (114).

6. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein the heating arrangement (129) comprises a heater shell (127), the heater shell (127) comprising:a first plate (127 A) and a second plate (127B) opposing one another; and a third plate (127C) extending between a pair of opposing end edges of the first plate (127 A) and the second plate (127B); wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) is disposed between the first plate (127A) and the second plate (127B), with a first side of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) that is perpendicular to the rotational axis (121) facing the first plate (127A) and with an opposite second side of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) facing the second plate (127B); wherein a portion of a circumferential side of the adsorbent unit (122, 222), which extends between the first side and the second side of the adsorbent unit (122, 222), faces the third plate (127C).

7. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 6, wherein the heater shell (127) comprises a plurality of apertures (127D) at the first plate (127A).

8. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein the heating arrangement (129) is configured to heat the heating-and- regeneration zone (106) to a temperature that falls within a range of 40°C to 70°C.

9. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) is configured to be rotatable about the rotational axis (121) at a plurality of discrete rotational steps; wherein the adsorbent unit (122, 222) rotates 45° at each discrete rotational step.

10. The direct air capture module (120, 220) of claim 9,wherein a frequency of rotation of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) by a single discrete rotational step is based on a duration for the regeneration of the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) within the heating-and-regeneration zone (106).

11. A method of direct air capture within a duct (190) of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110) that is partitioned longitudinally into a supply air conduit (112) and an exhaust air conduit (114), the method comprising: rotating an adsorbent unit (122, 222) within a segment of the duct (190) relative to the duct (190) about a rotational axis (121), the rotational axis (121) extending through the adsorbent unit (122, 222) and longitudinally of the duct (190), to cause a region of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) to cycle sequentially through: a heating-and-regeneration zone (106) in a first sector of the segment of the duct (190) within the exhaust air conduit (114) and defined by a heating arrangement (129) operable to heat the first sector of the segment of the duct (190), a cooling zone (107) in a second sector of the segment of the duct (190) within the exhaust air conduit (114) without the heating arrangement (129), and an adsorption zone (108) in a third sector of the segment of the duct (190) within the supply air conduit (112), with adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) disposed in a manner to interface with a flow of supply air directed through the adsorbent unit (122, 222) for adsorption when the adsorbent material is cycled into the adsorption zone (108) of the segment of the duct (190), to interface with the heating arrangement (129) for regeneration when the adsorbent material is cycled into the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) of the segment of the duct (190), and to interface with a flow of exhaust air for cooling of the adsorbent material when the adsorbent material is cycled into the cooling zone (107) of the segment of the duct (190).

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: heating the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) to a temperature that falls within a range of 40°C to 70°C.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: rotating the adsorbent unit (122, 222) about the rotational axis (121) at a plurality of discrete rotational steps, each discrete rotational step being 45°.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: rotating the adsorbent unit (122, 222) about the rotational axis (121) by a single discrete rotational step of 45° when the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) within the heating-and-regeneration zone (106) is regenerated.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: cooling the adsorbent material of the adsorbent unit (122, 222) within the cooling zone (107) to a temperature that falls within a range of 15°C to 35°C.

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