A synchronization based control strategy for continuous direct air capture moudle with wheel structure in an air management system

Abstract

An air management system (100) and a method of controlling the air management system (100). The air management system (100) includes a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110) having a supply air conduit (112) for taking in ambient air, and an exhaust air conduit (114) for expelling exhaust air into an ambient environment; a direct air capture module (120) comprising one or more adsorbent units (122), each adsorbent unit (122) definable by three regions; and a synchronization module (124) operably coupled to the direct air capture module (120), wherein the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) are co-operable to actuate each adsorbent unit (122) to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduit (112) for an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit (114) for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell (129) for a regeneration process, based a condition of the three regions.

Description

A SYNCHRONIZATION BASED CONTROL STRATEGY FOR CONTINUOUS DIRECT AIR CAPTURE MOUDLE WITH WHEEL STRUCTURE IN AN AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEMTechnical field

[0001] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to an air management system and a method of controlling the air management system.Background

[0002] Traditional direct air capture (DAC) technology focuses primarily on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere efficiently and economically. However, such traditional DAC technology overlooks potential synergy from combining DAC system with other system / apparatus. For example, research on interaction of DAC system with indoor air quality were reported but the configuration in such systems was straightforward / simple, wherein the nature of operation of another system / apparatus had not been considered. Also, traditional DAC technology may not simultaneously address adsorption capacity in humid climates, limited carbon footprint reduction, high operation energy consumption / loss, and inflexible / poor structural design.Summary

[0003] Various embodiments describe for an air management system, which includes a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system having a supply air conduit for taking in ambient air, and an exhaust air conduit for expelling exhaust air into an ambient environment. Various embodiments of the air management system include a direct air capture module that includes one or more adsorbent units, each adsorbent unit definable by three regions, and a synchronization module operably coupled to the direct air capture module. The direct air capture module and the synchronization module are co-operable to actuate each adsorbent unit to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduit for an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell for a regeneration process, based on a condition of the three regions.

[0004] Various embodiments also describe for a method of controlling the air management system. The method includes having a direct air capture module comprising one or more adsorbent units with each adsorbent unit definable by three regions, configuring a synchronization module and the direct air capture module to be operably coupled, and configuring the direct air capture module and the synchronization module to be co-operable for actuating each adsorbent unit so as to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduitfor an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell for a regeneration process, based on a condition of the three regions.Brief description of the drawings

[0005] The present disclosure can 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 shows a schematic diagram of an air management system according to various embodiments;- FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a supply air conduit, an exhaust air conduit, and adsorbent units (heater and heater shell not shown) of the air management system of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments.- FIG. 3 shows a wheel cycle of an adsorbent unit of the air management system of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments;- FIG. 4 shows positioning of sensors at an adsorbent unit based on the wheel cycle of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments;- FIG. 5 shows a control strategy for an adsorbent unit based on the wheel cycle of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments.- FIG. 6 shows a comparison of two control strategies, i.e., with and without intervention from a synchronization module on a regeneration process of an adsorbent unit based on the wheel cycle of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments; and- FIG. 7 shows a comparison of two control strategies, i.e., with and without intervention from a synchronization module on a regeneration process for an adsorbent unit based on the wheel cycle of FIG. 3 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 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 relate to an air management system, and for brevity, referred to herein as the system. Particularly, various embodiments relate to an air management system employing the use of direct air capture (DAC) technology that involves an advantageous process control of actuatable adsorbent units in the system based on one or more conditions of the adsorbent units, so as to indirectly reduce carbon footprint in the air management system. The indirect carbon footprint reduction may be achieved through energy savings, which includes saving on latent cooling load of inlet air and high return air ratio, with the application of a DAC module of the present disclosure.

[0011] In various embodiments, the air management system includes a synergistic combination of the DAC module with a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Various embodiments may provide that the operation of the DAC module, e.g., the adsorption and the regeneration processes, occur continuously and synchronously in the air management system 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 one or more components of the air, e.g., moisture and carbon dioxide (CO2), via adsorption, from ambient air drawn or supplied to the HVAC system. The adsorption of moisture may reduce latent cooling load of the HVAC system. Further, adsorption of the CO2 may reduce indoor CO2 level, which may in turn increase utilization of return air by the HVAC system to render higher return air ratio. The higher return air ratio may reduce the amount of fresh ambient air drawn and cooled by the HVAC. The reduction in latent cooling load and 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 be configured to regenerate and release the captured CO2 back into the atmosphereso as to provide continuous operation of the DAC module without expending energy for CO2 storage or utilization via an advantageous process control, wherein a synchronization module receives one or more signals from sensor(s) advantageously arranged at various positions around each adsorbent unit and the synchronization module identifies from the signal(s) one or more conditions of the adsorbent unit, such that the synchronization module and the DAC module are co-operable to actuate each adsorbent unit (or even more than one adsorbent unit, such as a pair of adsorbent units) based on the one or more conditions. 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 of sorbents in the adsorbent units via a strategic method of control (also referred to as process control). Further advantageously, with the synchronization module of the present disclosure, the humidity and CO2 level (e.g., in an internal environment, such as a building or enclosed room) can be intelligently adjusted through actuating the one or more adsorbent units (e.g., a pair of adsorbent units) via cooperation of the synchronization module and the DAC module.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an air management system 100 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the air management system 100 may include a HVAC system 110. The HVAC system 110 may be configured to regulate and move heated / cooled air in an enclosed indoor environment, e.g., residential or commercial buildings, so as to provide comfortable and acceptable indoor air quality. The HVAC system 110 may include a supply air conduit 112 for taking in ambient air. The ambient air may be air outside of the HVAC system 110 and the enclosed environment regulated by the HVAC system 110. The drawing in of ambient air may provide a fresh supply of air for the HVAC system 110 to regulate the indoor air quality.

[0013] In various embodiments, the air management system 100 may include a DAC module 120. The DAC module 120 may include one or more adsorbent units 122. The one or more adsorbent units 122 may be configured to capture one or two or more components of the air, e.g., moisture and / or CO2, via adsorption. For example, the one or more adsorbent units 122 may include adsorbent materials (i.e., sorbents) capable of adsorption of moisture (H2O) or CO2, or co-adsorption of moisture (H2O) and CO2. In various embodiments, each adsorbent unit 122 may be definable by three regions. In various embodiments, the air management system 100 may include a synchronization module 124 operably coupled to the DAC module 120. In various embodiments, the synchronization module 124 and the DAC module 120 areco-operable to actuate each (and / or even a pair of) adsorbent unit 122 to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduit 112 for an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit 114 for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell 129 for a regeneration process, based on a condition of the three regions. Said differently, each adsorbent unit 122 may be configured to have a part (“one region”) of it disposed in the supply air conduit 112, another part (“one region”) of it disposed in the exhaust air conduit 114, and a remaining part (“one region”) shielded by the heater shell 129. In this manner, even when an adsorbent unit 122 is actuated (e.g., rotated), the adsorbent unit still has one part of it in the supply air conduit 112, another part of it in the exhaust air conduit 114, and a remaining part of it shielded by the heater 129.

[0014] In various embodiments, for the region disposed in the supply air conduit 112, that region may be exposed to a flow of the ambient air along the supply air conduit 112 as the HVAC system 110 draws in fresh supply of ambient air. With the flow of ambient air passing through that region of the adsorbent unit 122, adsorption (e.g., of moisture and / or CO2) may occur. Accordingly, an air supply for the HVAC system 110 that has passed through the adsorbent unit 122 of the DAC module 120 may have reduced moisture and / or reduced CO2. In various embodiments, in order for the DAC module 120 to sustain continuous adsorption for a continuous flow of ambient air along the supply air conduit 112 of the HVAC system 110, the one or more adsorbent units 122 may be actuated so as to move that region into the supply air conduit 112 for adsorption and out of the supply air conduit 122 for regeneration when that region is saturated. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the adsorbent units 122 in broken line shows one region of each adsorbent unit 122 being moved into the supply air conduit 112 for adsorption, and another region being moved out of the supply air conduit 112 to be shielded by the heater shell (not shown) for regeneration, whereby the double arrow illustrates an exemplary movement. Further, when moving one region of each adsorbent unit 122 out of the supply air conduit 112, another region of the adsorbent unit 122 in the exhaust air conduit 114 may be moved into the supply air conduit 112 so as to facilitate continuous adsorption to take place in the supply air conduit 112.

[0015] In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, ambient air drawn into the supply air conduit 112 has most of its moisture adsorbed at the first absorbent unit 122 the ambient air comes into contact with. Subsequently, the ambient air, which is drier, passes through the next adsorbent unit 122, at which more CO2 adsorption takes places owing to reduced humidity / moisture of the ambient air. As shown in FIG. 2, according to variousembodiments, the supply air conduit 112 and the exhaust air conduit 114 may be co-located alongside each other within a cylindrical duct 290. Accordingly, the cylindrical duct 290 may be partitioned longitudinally such that half of the cylindrical duct 290 may be the supply air conduit 112 and another half of the cylindrical duct may be the exhaust air conduit 114.

[0016] In various embodiments, other than changing or maintaining the position of the three regions, the DAC module 120 and the synchronization module 124 can co-operate to adjust a heating rate at the heater shell 129 and / or adjust an exhaust air flow rate in the exhaust air conduit 114. The heating rate can be adjusted by the synchronization module sending a signal to a heater, wherein the heater has the heater shell 129, which shields the heater and / or a region of each adsorbent unit from the exhaust air flow. Understandably, the heater shell 129 is part of the heater, i.e., the heater shell 129 is arranged where the heater is disposed. The heater shell 129 may have a plurality of holes for ventilation of heated air therefrom. In other words, the heater shell 129 may have holes that allow heated air to dissipate from the region of each adsorbent unit that is shielded by the heater shell 129. The holes on the heater shell 129 may also allow exhaust air to flow through.

[0017] For a better understanding of how the adsorbent units are co-operated by the synchronization module and the DAC module, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are referred. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show each adsorbent unit 122 configured as a wheel structure 300 having eight equal segments 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316. One of the three regions disposed in the supply air conduit 112 is defined by four 302, 304, 306, 308 of the eight equal segments 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316. One of the three regions disposed in the exhaust air conduit 114 is defined by three 312, 314, 316 of the eight equal segments 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316. One of the three regions shielded by the heater shell 129 is defined by a remaining segment 310. In various embodiments, the change of position may involve rotation of the wheel structure 300 (and / or a pair of the wheel structures 300) along a longitudinal axis 292 (see FIG. 2) with each rotation turning the wheel structure 300 by 45°. Referring to FIG. 3, the segments 302, 304, 306, 308 are in the supply air conduit 112 for the purpose of adsorption. The segment 310 is shielded by the heater shell during the regeneration process, leading to higher temperatures in this region. To have better energy efficiency, the segments 312, 314, 316 are cooled using exhaust air from the indoor space drawn in via the HVAC system 110. This cooling mechanism ensures that by the time the supply air reaches the position of segment 302 for adsorption, segment 302 has reached room temperature (e.g., 25±1°C) with nearly zero energy consumption. With each rotation of the wheel, which amounts to 45°, every segmentshifts to the adjacent position in a clockwise manner. This rotational movement is advantageous for the cyclical functionality of the system. The system employs this sequential DAC cycle via a wheel to achieve simultaneous adsorption, regeneration and cooling, which ensures continuous and synchronous operation of the DAC module with a HVAC system. In other words, the present system leverages on geometrical characteristics of adsorbent units configured as wheels to render such capabilities and operation of the system.

[0018] With reference to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, the air management system may include a first sensor 401 arranged in the supply air conduit 112 downstream of each adsorbent unit 122 with respect to the ambient air flow, which is at one of the four segments 302, 304, 306, 308 and opposite to the remaining segment 310. In various embodiments, there can be a second sensor 402 arranged in the air supply conduit 112 downstream of each adsorbent unit 122 with respect to the ambient air flow, which is (i) at one of the two middle segments 304, 306 of the four segments 302, 304, 306, 308 or (ii) between the two middle segments 304, 306. In various embodiments, there can be a pair of sensors 400, 403 arranged in the supply air conduit 112, one sensor upstream 400 and one sensor downstream 403 of each adsorbent unit 122 with respect to the ambient air flow, which is at one of the four segments 302, 304, 306, 308 furthest from the first sensor 401. In various embodiments, there can be a fourth sensor 404 arranged in the exhaust air conduit 114 downstream of each adsorbent unit 122 with respect to the exhaust air flow, which is at the remaining segment 310. FIG. 4 shows examples of where various sensors may be placed at each adsorbent unit. Supply air may be directed from the wheel structure 300, while return air (i.e., exhaust air) is drawn to the wheel structure 300. Sensors 401, 402, and 403 are strategically placed to capture a “breakthrough” behavior at these specific locations. This arrangement helps identify / detect the saturation status of the entire adsorption process. Sensor 404 is strategically located downstream of the wheel, precisely at the outlet of the openings (heater shell holes) for expelling any regenerated CO2 and / or moisture. Sensor 404 is to monitor the state of the regeneration process. Additionally, following the cooling phase, sensor 401 monitors the temperature to assess the effectiveness of the cooling process for subsequent efficient adsorption in the supply air conduit.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a control strategy of the air management system 100 of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments. Owing to the DAC wheel structure and its control 500, adsorption, regeneration, and cooling processes can occur simultaneously / synchronously. For the adsorption phase 502, a predetermined thermal comfort threshold 508 may be established to ensure that the ambient air drawn into the supply air conduit does not compromise indoorcomfort. The thermal comfort threshold is a dimensionless factor, which is a function (under a certain pressure condition that may vary from case to case) of a set temperature, a set relative humidity, and the ambient humidity ratio (unit g of moisture / kg air). Once this threshold is reached, a signal 514 may be transmitted by a sensor (arranged at the region for adsorption process) to the synchronization module 124, which then identifies a rotation may be needed. Simultaneously, for the segment undergoing regeneration, sensor 404 (see FIG. 4) continuously monitors the concentration of expelled CO2 and / or moisture. If this concentration falls below a specific predetermined threshold, it signals the completion of the regeneration process, prompting a signal to be transmitted by sensor 404 to the synchronization module, which then identifies a rotation may be needed. In addition, sensor 401 may be responsible for post-cooling temperature measurements, ensuring an effective adsorption process. Meanwhile, sensor 403 is arranged to monitor for an adsorption “breakthrough” to ensure consistent and reliable energy savings and maintain indoor thermal comfort. When one or more of aforesaid information is received by the synchronization module, the synchronization module can determine an opportunity / a need for initiating a rotation. The synchronization module serves to synchronize the signals from all the sensors, rendering a stable and steady-state operation. Achieving this steady-state condition is advantageous for maintaining consistent and reliable energy savings as well as ensuring indoor room comfort. Certain examples of the process control strategy are described as follows.

[0020] As one example, in various embodiments, the synchronization module 124 may receive a signal from the pair of sensors 400, 403 and identifies from the signal a condition 520 (see FIG. 5) where the adsorption process occurs at a rate faster than the regeneration process, the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to (i) maintain position of the remainder segment 310 at the heater shell 129 for a longer duration and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell 129 increase. Said differently, and referring to FIG. 5, the synchronization module 124 may identify a signal 5201 indicating “breakthrough” during the adsorption phase or a signal 5202 indicating no “breakthrough”. The “breakthrough” refers to adsorption occurring at a rate faster than the regeneration at the heater shell, i.e., the regeneration process completes way ahead of the adsorption process. Sensor 400 may provide information on the CO2 concentration of the incoming ambient air in the supply air duct (denoted as Co) while sensor 403 may provide information on the CO2 concentration of the ambient air leaving the adsorbent unit (denoted as C3). From the information, the CO2 concentration at sensor 403 over the original / incoming ambient CO2 concentration can bedetermined (this ratio 516 may denoted as C3 / C0). When C3 / C0 516 is more than a predetermined value a 518 that indicates “breakthrough”, the “breakthrough” phenomenon suggests that the heating rate applied in the regeneration segment may not be desirable and signal 5201 may be sent to the synchronization module 124, otherwise no “breakthrough” signal 5202 may be sent. When “breakthrough” outpaces regeneration, it may imply that the energy input to release captured CO2 and / or moisture might not be sufficient for maintaining the desired (e.g., energy efficient) performance. To address this issue, the synchronization module 124 may communicate 5000 with the DAC module (and / or heater(s)) to adjust, for example, the heating rate (e.g., how fast the heater heats up) so as to enhance the overall efficiency of the DAC system. The communication 5000 may also involve adjusting the duration of how long the segment at the heater shell resides and / or intensity of heating (e.g., amount of heat supplied by heater) during the regeneration cycle.

[0021] In one non-limiting example and in various embodiments, the synchronization module 124 may receive a signal from the fourth sensor 404 and identifies from the signal a condition 534 where the regeneration process 504 completes faster than the adsorption process 502, the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to (i) change position of the remainder segment 310 residing at the heater shell 129 and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell 129 decrease. Said differently, and referring to FIG. 5, the synchronization module 124 may identify a signal 536 indicating the regeneration 504 is completed much faster than the breakthrough of the adsorption 502, which indicates, first, the regeneration might be much more than the adsorption process. In such instance, as the ambient environmental conditions (e.g., local weather) is already considered for selecting the sorbent amount in each adsorbent unit, the possibility of insufficient sorbent does not give rise to such instance. Alternatively, the signal may be indicative of an excessively rapid heating rate during the adsorption phase. A faster heating rate can result in increased energy consumption during regeneration at the heater shell. This increased energy demand may overshadow the benefits of the DAC module. To address such issues, the synchronization module and the sensors are to carefully monitor and adjust for the adsorption and regeneration processes. Achieving synchronization between these phases ensures that the DAC module (and the air management system) operates desirably while minimizing energy consumption. The sensor 404 may provide information 528 on C4 and C4,max, which denotes the concentration of CO2 detected by sensor and the maximum concentration of CO2 detected by sensor 404, respectively, at segment 310 (see FIG. 4). The ratio of C4 / C4,max may then be compared to a predetermined value 6 530 soas to identify an information 532 for ascertaining the condition 534. If the condition 534 is met in that regeneration 504 completes faster than adsorption 502, then signal 536 arises and is sent to the synchronization module 124, which then communicates 5000 with the DAC module as described above (e.g., to adjust heating rate, heating intensity, rotation frequency). If condition 534 is not present, the system (e.g., the sensors) may continue to identify for aforesaid information 532.

[0022] In one non-limiting example and in various embodiments, the synchronization module 124 may receive a signal from the first sensor and identifies from the signal a condition 526 where the first sensor detects a temperature which is higher than temperature of the ambient air in the supply air conduit 112, the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to (i) maintain position of the three segments 312, 314, 316 residing in exhaust air conduit 114 for a longer duration of the cooling process and / or (ii) have the exhaust air flow in the exhaust air conduit (114) increase. Said differently, and referring to FIG. 5, the synchronization module 124 may identify a signal 5262 that indicates the post-cooling temperature is significantly higher than the ambient temperature. This observation raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of the adsorption process. Elevated post-cooling temperatures may adversely impact the adsorption process due to the reduced CO2 and / or moisture uptake capacity of the sorbent material at higher temperatures. This signal 5262 indicates a suboptimal exhaust flow rate. This situation may arise from the increased return air ratio facilitated by one of the advantageous features of the DAC wheel system, where more exhaust air is recirculated. A high return air ratio may lead to a higher post-cooling temperature, compromising the DAC module’s performance. As an example, from sensor 401, temperature 522 (denoted as Ti) at segment 302 may be determined. Ti is then compared to temperature of the ambient air flow (denoted as Tambient) in the supply air duct to provide an information 524, that is, if Ti < Tambient, then a signal 5261 indicating cooling complete (e.g., post-cooling temperature lower than ambient temperature) may arise and may be sent to synchronization module 124, if not, then signal 5262 indicating higher post-cooling temperature than ambient temperature may arise and may be sent to synchronization module 124. Depending on the signal, the synchronization module may communicate 5000 as described above (e.g., to adjust heating rate, heating intensity, rotation frequency) to improve the adsorbent unit performance.

[0023] In one non-limiting example and in various embodiments, the synchronization module 124 may receive a signal from each of the first sensor 401, the second sensor 402, and the onesensor downstream 403, and identifies from the signal a condition where the signal renders an average output which is higher than a predetermined thermal comfort threshold (which is already briefly described above), the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to at least rotate the wheel structure 300 once or more. This example has been briefly described above, but in any case, referring to FIG. 5, a predetermined thermal comfort threshold 508 may be established to ensure that the ambient air drawn into the supply air conduit does not compromise indoor comfort. The thermal comfort threshold is a dimensionless factor, which is a function (under a certain pressure condition that may vary from case to case) of a set temperature, a set relative humidity, and the ambient humidity ratio (unit g of moisture / kg air). Hence, such parameters 504 are first defined / set from which the predetermined thermal comfort threshold 8 508 is then identified. Also, the CO2 concentrations 506 detected by sensors 401, 402, 403 may be calculated as an average concentration value 510 (denoted average(Ci, C2, C3)). The average concentration value is then compared against the predetermined thermal comfort threshold 8 to render an information 512 (if the average concentration value is more than or equal to the predetermined thermal comfort threshold) from which a signal 514 may be transmitted by a sensor (arranged at the region for adsorption process) to the synchronization module 124 that identifies a rotation may be needed. The synchronization module 124 may communicate 5000 as described above (e.g., to adjust heating rate, heating intensity, rotation frequency) to improve the adsorbent unit performance. If the average concentration value is less than the predetermined thermal comfort threshold, the system (e.g., the sensors) may continue to identify for aforesaid information 512.

[0024] Taking into account the signals described above, the control strategy advantageously renders synchronization of the DAC module using these signals. The synchronization is advantageous for ensuring that the rotation of the DAC wheel, which aligns seamlessly with the various phases of the wheel cycle, including adsorption, regeneration, and cooling. By achieving this synchronization, the system can maintain a reliable and effective wheel cycle. The synchronized operation not only synchronously adjusts the performance of the DAC wheel but also contributes significantly to consistent energy savings within commercial buildings. The ability to maintain this synchronization ensures that the DAC module consistently operates at its peak efficiency, making the synchronization module (and hence the system) a valuable component of sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions.

[0025] In various embodiments, each adsorbent unit 122 may contain a sorbent which captures moisture and / or carbon dioxide from ambient air flowing in the supply air conduit 112 during the adsorption process.

[0026] In various embodiments, the HVAC system 110 may include a heat exchanger 182 and a heating / cooling coil 184. As shown in FIG. 1, the ambient air drawn into the supply air conduit 112 may pass through the adsorbent units 122 followed by the heat exchanger 182 and the heating / cooling coil 184 before being supplied to the indoor environment. According to various embodiments, the DAC module 120 may include at least two adsorbent units 122 upstream of the heat exchanger 182 and / or the heating / cooling coil 184 of the HVAC system 110. In 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 HVAC system 110 (see arrow 186). The remaining indoor air may be directed into the exhaust air conduit 114 for flowing out into the ambient environment.

[0027] Understandably, following from various embodiments of the air management system 100 of the present disclosure and as illustrated in the drawings by way of example, various embodiments also relate to a method (and interchangeably herein referred to as “a process”) of controlling the air management system 100 described in various embodiments above. For brevity, where embodiments of the air management system 100 are already described above, the embodiments shall not be reiterated for describing the method for controlling the air management system 100.

[0028] In various embodiments, and referring to FIG. 1 as a non-limiting example, the method (the process) may include having a direct air capture module 120 comprising one or more adsorbent units 122 with each adsorbent unit 122 definable by three regions. In various embodiments, the method may include configuring a synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 to be operably coupled, and configuring (e.g., having) the direct air capture module 120 and the synchronization module 124 to be co-operable for actuating each adsorbent unit 122 so as to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduit 112 for an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit 114 for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell 129 for a regeneration process, based on a condition of the three regions.

[0029] In various embodiments, configuring (e.g., having) the direct air capture module 120 and the synchronization module 124 to be co-operable may include configuring the synchronization module 124 to receive a signal from the pair of sensors 400, 403 and identifyfrom the signal a condition where the adsorption process occurs at a rate faster than the regeneration process so as to have the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to (i) maintain position of the remainder segment 310 at the heater shell 129 for a longer duration and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell 129 increase.

[0030] In various embodiments, configuring (e.g., having) the direct air capture module 120 and the synchronization module 124 to be co-operable may include configuring the synchronization module 124 to receive a signal from the fourth sensor 404 and identify from the signal a condition where the regeneration process completes faster than the adsorption process so as to have the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to (i) change position of the remainder segment 310 residing at the heater shell 129 and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell 129 decrease.

[0031] In various embodiments, configuring (e.g., having) the direct air capture module 120 and the synchronization module 124 to be co-operable may include configuring the synchronization module 124 to receive a signal from the first sensor and identify from the signal a condition where the first sensor detects a temperature which is higher than temperature of the ambient air in the supply air conduit 112 so as to have the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to (i) maintain position of the three segments 312, 314, 316 residing in exhaust air conduit 114 for a longer duration of the cooling process and / or (ii) have the exhaust air flow in the exhaust air conduit 114 increase.

[0032] In various embodiments, configuring (e.g., having) the direct air capture module 120 and the synchronization module 124 to be co-operable may include configuring the synchronization module 124 to receive a signal from each of the first sensor 401, the second sensor 402, and the one sensor downstream 403, and identify from the signal a condition where the signal renders an average output which is higher than a predetermined thermal comfort threshold so as to have the synchronization module 124 and the direct air capture module 120 co-operate to at least rotate the wheel structure 300 once or more.

[0033] To demonstrate the advantages of the present system and method, FIG. 6 and 7 are referred. FIG. 6 shows a comparison of two control strategies (two use cases): (1) after all process finished (40 mins per 180° rotation) (2) the present control strategy (34 mins per 180° rotation). FIG. 6 shows the comparison of the regeneration processes. Black curve 602 refers to the result from without synchronization module, while dotted line curve 604 refers to the results from with the synchronization module. 612 denotes time axis in minutes and 614 denotes adsorption uptake capacity (g / kg). Without synchronization, the strategy may be towait until the regeneration is close to fully completed resulting in a roughly 40 mins. While, after adjustment with a synchronization module, the regeneration is improved to 34 minutes. FIG. 7 shows the power consumption. The original HVAC power consumption without DAC module is taken as 100 kW (denoted 706). Without synchronization (denoted 702), the average HVAC energy consumption for 1 hour is about 62.5 kW, while with synchronization (denoted 704), the average HVAC energy consumption can be reduced further to 56.3 kW, which observably corresponds to a notable 10% increase in energy savings. 712 denotes time axis in minutes and 714 denotes HVAC energy consumption (kW).

[0034] While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and 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. An air management system (100) comprising: a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (110) having a supply air conduit (112) for taking in ambient air, and an exhaust air conduit (114) for expelling exhaust air into an ambient environment; a direct air capture module (120) comprising one or more adsorbent units (122), each adsorbent unit (122) definable by three regions; and a synchronization module (124) operably coupled to the direct air capture module (120), wherein the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) are co-operable to actuate each adsorbent unit (122) to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduit (112) for an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit (114) for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell (129) for a regeneration process, based on a condition of the three regions.

2. The air management system of claim 1, wherein the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) are co-operable to change or maintain the position of the three regions, and / or adjust a heating rate at the heater shell (129), and / or adjust an exhaust air flow rate in the exhaust air conduit (114).

3. The air management system of claim 1 or 2, where each adsorbent unit (122) is configured as a wheel structure (300) having eight equal segments (302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316), wherein one of the three regions disposed in the supply air conduit (112) is defined by four of the eight equal segments (302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316), wherein one of the three regions disposed in the exhaust air conduit (114) is defined by three of the eight equal segments (302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316), and wherein one of the three regions shielded by the heater shell (129) is defined by a remaining segment (310).

4. The air management system of claim 3, wherein the change of position involves rotation of the wheel structure (300) along a longitudinal axis (292) with each rotation turning the wheel structure (300) by 45°.

5. The air management system of claims 3 or 4, further comprising: a first sensor (401) arranged in the supply air conduit (112) downstream of each adsorbent unit (122) with respect to the ambient air flow, which is at one of the four segments (302, 304, 306, 308) and opposite to the remaining segment (310); and / or a second sensor (402) arranged in the air supply conduit (112) downstream of each adsorbent unit (122) with respect to the ambient air flow, which is (i) at one of the two middle segments (304, 306) of the four segments (302, 304, 306, 308) or (ii) between the two middle segments (304, 306); and / or a pair of sensors (400, 403) arranged in the supply air conduit (112), one sensor upstream (400) and one sensor downstream (403) of each adsorbent unit (122) with respect to the ambient air flow, which is at one of the four segments (302, 304, 306, 308) furthest from the first sensor (401); and / or a fourth sensor (404) arranged in the exhaust air conduit (114) downstream of each adsorbent unit (122) with respect to the exhaust air flow, which is at the remaining segment (310).

6. The air management system of claim 5, wherein the synchronization module (124) receives a signal from the pair of sensors (400, 403) and identifies from the signal a condition where the adsorption process occurs at a rate faster than the regeneration process, the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to (i) maintain position of the remainder segment (310) at the heater shell (129) for a longer duration and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell (129) increase.

7. The air management system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the synchronization module (124) receives a signal from the fourth sensor (404) and identifies from the signal a condition where the regeneration process completes faster than the adsorption process, the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to (i) change position of the remainder segment (310) residing at the heater shell (129) and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell (129) decrease.

8. The air management system of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the synchronization module (124) receives a signal from the first sensor and identifies from the signal a conditionwhere the first sensor detects a temperature which is higher than temperature of the ambient air in the supply air conduit (112), the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to (i) maintain position of the three segments (312, 314, 316) residing in exhaust air conduit (114) for a longer duration of the cooling process and / or (ii) have the exhaust air flow in the exhaust air conduit (114) increase.

9. The air management system of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the synchronization module (124) receives a signal from each of the first sensor (401), the second sensor (402), and the one sensor downstream (403), and identifies from the signal a condition where the signal renders an average output which is higher than a predetermined thermal comfort threshold, the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to at least rotate the wheel structure (300) once or more.

10. The air management system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each adsorbent unit (122) contains a sorbent which captures moisture and / or carbon dioxide from ambient air flowing in the supply air conduit (112) during the adsorption process.

11. A method of controlling the air management system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: having a direct air capture module (120) comprising one or more adsorbent units (122) with each adsorbent unit (122) definable by three regions; configuring a synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) to be operably coupled; and configuring the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) to be co-operable for actuating each adsorbent unit (122) so as to position one of the three regions in the supply air conduit (112) for an adsorption process, one of the three regions in the exhaust air conduit (114) for a cooling process, and one of the three regions shielded by a heater shell (129) for a regeneration process, based on a condition of the three regions.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein configuring the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) to be co-operable comprises: configuring the synchronization module (124) to receive a signal from the pair of sensors (400, 403) and identify from the signal a condition where the adsorption process occursat a rate faster than the regeneration process so as to have the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to (i) maintain position of the remainder segment (310) at the heater shell (129) for a longer duration and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell (129) increase.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein configuring the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) to be co-operable comprises: configuring the synchronization module (124) to receive a signal from the fourth sensor (404) and identify from the signal a condition where the regeneration process completes faster than the adsorption process so as to have the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to (i) change position of the remainder segment (310) residing at the heater shell (129) and / or (ii) have the heating rate at the heater shell (129) decrease.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein configuring the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) to be co-operable comprises: configuring the synchronization module (124) to receive a signal from the first sensor and identify from the signal a condition where the first sensor detects a temperature which is higher than temperature of the ambient air in the supply air conduit (112) so as to have the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to (i) maintain position of the three segments (312, 314, 316) residing in exhaust air conduit (114) for a longer duration of the cooling process and / or (ii) have the exhaust air flow in the exhaust air conduit (114) increase.

15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein configuring the direct air capture module (120) and the synchronization module (124) to be co-operable comprises: configuring the synchronization module (124) to receive a signal from each of the first sensor (401), the second sensor (402), and the one sensor downstream (403), and identify from the signal a condition where the signal renders an average output which is higher than a predetermined thermal comfort threshold so as to have the synchronization module (124) and the direct air capture module (120) co-operate to at least rotate the wheel structure (300) once or more.

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