Atmospheric carbon dioxide extractor cassette

Abstract

The invention is broadly directed to a CO2 extractor module 10 comprising: an adsorbent bed 12 of functionalised macroporous beads such as 22a and 22c adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed 12; a resistive heating element 14 embedded within the adsorbent bed 12 of said macroporous beads, the heating element 14 arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed 12 in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed; a housing 16 configured to contain the adsorbent bed 12, said housing 16 defining (a) an air inlet passage 18 adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed 12, and (b) an air outlet passage 20 adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed 12.

Description

ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE EXTRACTOR CASSETTETechnical Field

[0001] The present invention is broadly directed to an atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) extractor cassette, module, and assemblies.Summary of Invention

[0002] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette comprising: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed; a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed.

[0003] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an atmospheric CO2 extractor module comprising: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed; a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed; a housing configured to contain the adsorbent bed, said housing defining (a) an air inlet passage adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed, and (b) an air outlet passage adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed.

[0004] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly comprising:(1) one or more CO2 extractor modules each including: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed,a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed, a housing configured to contain the adsorbent bed, said housing defining (a) an air inlet passage adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed, and (b) an air outlet passage adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed;(2) a plurality of solar panels operatively coupled to the CO2 extractor modules for production of electricity for powering at least the resistive heating element for desorption of the CO2 adsorbed to the macroporous beads.

[0005] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an atmospheric CO2 extractor module comprising:(A) a plurality of CO2 extractor modules each including: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed, a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed, a housing configured to contain the adsorbent bed, said housing defining (a) an air inlet passage adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed, and (b) an air outlet passage adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed(B) a transportable container arranged to house the plurality of CO2 extractor modules, the transportable container including one or more openings arranged to facilitate entry and exit of air from and to atmosphere for admission to the housing of one or more of respective of the CO2 extractor modules.

[0006] Preferably the resistive heating element includes one or more resistive heating strips buried within the functionalised beads of the adsorbent bed. More preferably the heating strip is buried within the adsorbent bed in a serpentine arrangement viewed in a general plane of the adsorbent bed. Still more preferablysaid heating strip is laid in the serpentine arrangement with its width dimension oriented perpendicular to the general plane of the adsorbent bed thereby enabling heating of substantially all of the macroporous beads within said bed.

[0007] Preferably the CO2 extractor cassette includes a CO2 extractor cage having a perimeter frame, and a pair of opposing mesh sheets arranged to contain the adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads. More preferably the perimeter frame of the CO2 extractor cage is sealingly mounted within the housing of the CO2 extractor module thereby isolating the air inlet passage from the air outlet passage thus promoting air flow across the adsorbent bed facilitating contact with the functionalised beads. Still more preferably the CO2 extractor module is operatively coupled to a fan to enable airflow across the adsorbent bed of the CO2 extractor cage.

[0008] Preferably the macroporous beads are functionalised with an amine group. More preferably the macroporous beads are polymer-based and crosslinked wherein the adsorbent bed is air permeable enabling contact of air with the functionalised beads to promote chemisorption of CO2 with said beads for the direct extraction of CO2 from air. Still more preferably the polymer-based beads are (i) synthetic including styrene, or (ii) bio-derived including alginate, agarose, biochar or chitosan. Generally the functionalised macroporous beads are recyclable.

[0009] Preferably the plurality of solar panels are in the form of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel located on respective of opposing faces of a solar framework to be oriented in a magnetic generally North to South direction. More preferably the solar framework is in cross-section shaped in the form of an approximately isosceles triangle having each PV panel mounted to respective of leg-sides of the solar framework for increased solar exposure for said panels. Even more preferably each of the PV panels is inclined at approximately 60 degrees relative to horizontal thereby producing electricity having a relatively flat power output profile for a majority of sunlight hours. Still even more preferably the solar PV panels and the associated framework are of a modular construction wherein multiple of the modular PV panels / framework are located alongside one another in an elongate bank of panels extending in a North-South oriented spur.

[0010] Preferably said CO2 extractor assembly includes a plurality of batteries operatively coupled to the solar PV panels for charging via electricity generated from said panels. More preferably the batteries provide power for the resistive heating element and unit operations associated with said extractor assembly.

[0011] Preferably the atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly also comprises ballast tanks to which the solar framework is secured for anchoring of the modular PV panels / framework. More preferably the ballast tanks are at least in part filled with water or sand / soil effective in weighting said tank to resist overturning of the solar panels and associated framework under wind loads. Still more preferably the ballast tanks are arranged as an opposing pair located at respective ends of the modular PV panels / framework. Even still more preferably the batteries of the CO2 extractor assembly are mounted to the pair of ballast tanks.

[0012] Preferably the CO2 extractor module is mounted underneath the solar framework and the associated solar panels. More preferably the housing of the CO2 extractor module is mounted to the ballast tanks. Even more preferably said housing of the extractor module is located between the opposing pair of ballast tanks.Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) extractor cassette, module, and assemblies will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric CO2 extractor module and assembly according to the second and third aspects of the invention;Figure 2 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the CO2 extractor module of the second aspect taken from figure 1 ;Figure 3 is an isometric view shown in part cutaway of a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette according to the first aspect of the invention;Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly according to the fourth aspect of the technology.Detailed Description

[0014] As seen in figure 1 , there are preferred embodiments of an atmospheric CO2 extractor module 10 and atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly 100 according to second and third aspect of the invention.

[0015] As best seen in figures 2 and 3, the CO2 extractor module 10 of this embodiment broadly comprises: an adsorbent bed 12 of functionalised macroporous beads such as 22a and 22c adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed 12; a resistive heating element 14 embedded within the adsorbent bed 12 of said macroporous beads, the heating element 14 arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed 12 in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed; a housing 16 configured to contain the adsorbent bed 12, said housing 16 defining (a) an air inlet passage 18 adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed 12, and (b) an air outlet passage 20 adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed 12.

[0016] Returning to figure 1 , the atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly 100 of the third aspect broadly comprises:(1) one or more of the CO2 extractor modules such as 10 of the second aspect;(2) a plurality of solar panels 102a and 102b operatively coupled to the CO2 extractor module 10 for production of electricity for powering of at least the resistive heating element 14 for desorption of the CO2 absorbed to the macroporous beads of the adsorbent bed 12.

[0017] As seen in figure 3, there is a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette 30 of a first aspect broadly comprising:the adsorbent bed 12 of functionalised macroporous beads such as 22a to 22c adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed 12; resistive heating element 14 embedded within the adsorbent bed 12, said heating element 14 arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed 12 in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed.

[0018] In this embodiment of the first to third aspects of the technology, the resistive heating element 14 is in the form of a resistive heating strip buried within the functionalised beads such as 22a to 22c of the adsorbent bed 12. The heating strip 14 is buried within the adsorbent bed 12 in a serpentine arrangement viewed in a general plane of the adsorbent bed 12. Importantly, the heating strip 14 is laid in the serpentine arrangement with its width dimension oriented perpendicular to the general plane of the adsorbent bed 12 thereby enabling heating of substantially all of the macroporous beads such as 22a to 22c within the adsorbent bed 12.

[0019] The CO2 extractor cassette 50 of this embodiment of the first aspect includes a CO2 extractor cage 52 in profile being generally square-shaped and configured to contain the adsorbent bed 12 of functionalised macroporous beads 22a to 22c. The extractor cage 52 of this embodiment is fabricated in a rigid mesh material and includes a perimeter frame 54, and a pair of opposing mesh sheets 56 and 58.

[0020] As seen in figure 2, the perimeter frame 54 of the CO2 extractor cage 52 is sealing mounted within the housing 16 of the CO2 extractor module 10. This arrangement isolates the air inlet passage 18 from the air outlet passage 20 thus promoting air flow across the adsorbent bed 12 facilitating contact with the functionalised beads such as 22a to 22c. In this embodiment the CO2 extractor module 10 also comprises:1. one or more fans such as 60a to 60d operatively coupled to the air inlet passage 18 to promote airflow across the adsorbent bed 12;2. one or more air outlet valves such as 62a to 62d operatively coupled to the air outlet passage 20 to enable either discharge of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed 12, or CO2 desorbed from the macroporous beads of the adsorbent bed 12.

[0021] In this embodiment the macroporous beads are functionalised with an amine group. The macroporous beads are typically polymer-based and cross linked wherein the adsorbent bed 12 is air permeable enabling contact of air with the functionalised beads to promote chemisorption of CO2 with said beads for the direct extraction of CO2 from air. The polymer-based beads are in this example either (i) synthetic beads including styrene, or (ii) bio-derived beads including alginate, agarose, biochar or chitosan. The functionalised macroporous beads can advantageously be recycled at the end of their effective life.

[0022] Returning to figure 1 , the plurality of solar panels 102a / b are in the form of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels located on respective of opposing faces of a solar framework 106. The solar framework 106 is in cross-section shaped in the form of an approximately isosceles triangle having respective of the PV panels 102a / b mounted to leg-sides 108a and 108b of the solar framework 106. Each of the PV panels 102a / b is inclined at approximately 60 degrees relative to horizontal whereby they should produce electricity having a relative flat power output profile for a majority of sunlight hours. The solar PV panels 102a / b and the associated framework 106 are of a modular construction which lends itself to flat packing, shipping and transportation and thereafter in-situ construction. The solar PV panels 102a / b and framework 106 are typically located alongside one another in an elongate bank of panels extending in a North-South oriented spur. The North-South oriented spur or bank of panels may be repeated in a neighbouring bank of panels wherein East-West separated spurs are separated to limit overshadowing.

[0023] In this embodiment the CO2 extractor assembly 100 includes a plurality of batteries such as 110a to 110d operatively coupled to the solar PV panels 102a / b for charging via electricity generated from said panels 102a / b. Importantly the batteries 110a to 11 Od provide power for the resistive heating element 14 and other unit operations associated with the extractor assembly 100.

[0024] In this embodiment the CO2 extractor assembly 100 also comprises ballast tanks such as 112a and 112b to which the solar framework 106 is secured for anchoring of the modular PV panels 102a / b and framework 106. The ballast tanks 112a / b are at least in part filled with water or sand / soil effective in weighting said tanksuch as 112a to resist overturning of the solar panels 102a / b and associated framework 106 under wind loads. In this example the ballast tanks 112a / b are arranged as an opposing pair located at respective ends of the modular PV panels 102a / b and framework 106.

[0025] In this embodiment the CO2 extractor module 10 of the second aspect is mounted underneath the solar framework 106 and the associated solar panels 102a / b. The housing 16 of the extractor module 10 is in this example mounted between the ballast tanks 112a / b. The batteries 110a to 110d are mounted upon the opposing pair of ballast tanks 112a / b.

[0026] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the CO2 extractor assembly 100 of the third aspect its operation will now be described. In the context of the preferred embodiment, the general steps involved in direct adsorption of CO2 from atmosphere and its subsequent desorption are as follows:1. air is directly exposed to the adsorbent bed 12 of functionalised macroporous beads which are effective in adsorbing CO2 from said air;2. residual air is purged from the CO2 extractor module 10;3. the resistive heating element 14 of the extractor module 10 is activated for heating of the macroporous beads of the adsorbent bed 12 for desorption of CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed;4. the desorbed CO2 is drawn from the extractor module 10 and typically compressed for storage.

[0027] In step 1 , inlet valves 64a to 64d are open and the associated fans 60a to 60d activated to promote air flow across the adsorbent bed 12. In this embodiment the inlet valves 64a to 64d are connected to the housing 16 of the extractor module 10 via respective of four inlet spigots 66a to 66d which enable air flow into the air inlet passage 18. During this adsorption step, it will be understood that air outlet valves 62a to 62d associated with outlet spigots 68a to 68d are open to enable discharge of air depleted of CO2 from the extractor module 10. The outlet spigots 68a to 68d are connected to the housing 16 for discharge of CC>2-depleted air from the air outlet passage 20. The CO2 extractor assembly 100 includes a controller 14 operativelycoupled to the inlet / outlet valves and fans such as 64a / 62a and 60a to power them via the batteries 110a to 110d and control their timing or synchronised operation.

[0028] In step 2, the residual air is purged from the housing 16 of the extractor module 10 via a vacuum pump 116. The vacuum pump 116 is connected to one or more of the outlet valves 62a to 62d which are open in the course of this residual air purge. It will be understood that the inlet valves 64a to 64d are closed whilst residual air is purged from the housing 16 during operation of the vacuum pump 116. The controller 114 is operative coupled to and controls operation of the vacuum pump 116 and outlet valves 62a to 62d in the course of this residual air purge.

[0029] In step 3, the vacuum pump 116 is de-activated and the inlet and outlet valves such as 64a / 62a are closed wherein heating of the functionalised macroporous beads via the resistive heating element 14 is effected under vacuum conditions. The controller 114 of the extractor assembly 100 controls power delivery from the batteries 110a to 110d to the heating element 14 of the CO2 extractor cassette 50.

[0030] In step 4, the inlet valves 64a to 64d remain closed and the vacuum pump is re-activated for extraction of desorbed CO2 from the housing 16 of the extractor module 10 via the outlet valves 62a to 62d which are open. It is understood that for every mole of CO2 desorbed there is roughly another mole of water released from the extractor module 10. The CO2 extractor assembly includes a water trap 118 upstream of the vacuum pump 116 to separate the water from the desorbed CO2 stream. The water-free desorbed CO2 is then compressed 120 via compressor and stored at CO2 buffer tank 122.

[0031] Figure 4 schematically depicts a preferred embodiment of an atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly 100' of a fourth aspect of the technology. The atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly 100' of this embodiment broadly comprises:(A) a plurality of CO2 extractor modules 10a' to 10j' as disclosed in the context of the second aspect;(B) a transportable container 101 arranged to house the plurality of CO2 extractor modules 10a' to 10j', said container 101 including one or more air openings 103a to 103d arranged to facilitate the entry and exit of air fromand to atmosphere for admission to the housing such as 16a' of one or more of respective of the CO2 extractor modules 10a'.

[0032] For ease of reference and in order to avoid repetition, like components of the fourth aspect of the CO2 extractor assembly vis-a-vis the third aspect of the extractor assembly 100 have been designated with an apostrophe suffix. The fourth aspect of the CO2 extractor assembly 100' departs from the third aspect insofar as this embodiment of the fourth aspect:1. is powered via an external renewable energy source such as wind turbines 105a to 105c or solar farm including solar PV arrays such as 107a and 107b;2. has the CO2 extractor modules and associated equipment containerised, for example housed within the converted shipping container such as 101.

[0033] Now that embodiments of the various aspects of the technology have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in art that the CO2 extractor assemblies and associated modules and cassettes possess the following advantages:1. the extractor assemblies can in both aspects be located without requiring footings or foundations;2. the extractor assembly of at least the third aspect does not require grid electricity but rather is powered from renewable sources including solar panels or wind turbines;3. the CO2 extractor module and associated cassette include one or more heating elements such as heating strips oriented in a serpentine arrangement for effective heating of the entire adsorbent bed for desorption of adsorbed CO2;4. the CO2 adsorbent bed of the extractor cassette includes macroporous beads which can be recycled at the end of their economic life.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention as described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the CO2 extraction cassette may include other resistive heating elements departing from the heating strips provided heating is effective in desorption of the adsorbed CO2 from the adsorbent bed. The specific construction of the CO2 extractor assemblies may depart from the described embodiments provideddirect air capture (DAC) and release of CO2 is possible, typically powered by renewable energy sources.

[0035] All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

Claims1. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette comprising: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed; a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed.

2. An atmospheric CO2 extractor module comprising: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed; a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed; a housing configured to contain the adsorbent bed, said housing defining (a) an air inlet passage adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed, and (b) an air outlet passage adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed.

3. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the resistive heating element includes one or more resistive heating strips buried within the functionalised beads of the adsorbent bed.

4. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in claim 3 wherein the heating strip is buried within the adsorbent bed in a serpentine arrangement viewed in a general plane of the adsorbent bed.

5. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in claim 4 wherein said heating strip is laid in the serpentine arrangement with its width dimension oriented perpendicular to the general plane of the adsorbent bed thereby enabling heating of substantially all of the macroporous beads within said bed.

6. An atmospheric CO2 extractor module as claimed in claim 2 including a CO2 extractor cage having a perimeter frame, and a pair of opposing mesh sheets arranged to contain the adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads.

7. An atmospheric CO2 extractor module as claimed in claim 6 wherein the perimeter frame of the CO2 extractor cage is sealingly mounted within the housing of the CO2 extractor module thereby isolating the air inlet passage from the air outlet passage thus promoting air flow across the adsorbent bed facilitating contact with the functionalised beads.

8. An atmospheric CO2 extractor module as claimed in claim 7 wherein the CO2 extractor module is operatively coupled to a fan to enable airflow across the adsorbent bed of the CO2 extractor cage.

9. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 herein the macroporous beads are functionalised with an amine group.

10. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in claim 9 wherein the macroporous beads are polymer-based and crosslinked wherein the adsorbent bed is air permeable enabling contact of air with the functionalised beads to promote chemisorption of CO2 with said beads for the direct extraction of CO2 from air.

11. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in claim 10 wherein the polymer-based beads are (i) synthetic including styrene, or (ii) bio-derived including alginate, agarose, biochar or chitosan.

12. An atmospheric CO2 extractor cassette or module as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the functionalised macroporous beads are recyclable.

13. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly comprising:(1) one or more CO2 extractor modules each including: an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed,a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed, a housing configured to contain the adsorbent bed, said housing defining (a) an air inlet passage adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed, and (b) an air outlet passage adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed;(2) a plurality of solar panels operatively coupled to the CO2 extractor modules for production of electricity for powering at least the resistive heating element for desorption of the CO2 adsorbed to the macroporous beads.

14. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the plurality of solar panels are in the form of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel located on respective of opposing faces of a solar framework to be oriented in a magnetic generally North to South direction.

15. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the solar framework is in cross-section shaped in the form of an approximately isosceles triangle having each PV panel mounted to respective of leg-sides of the solar framework for increased solar exposure for said panels.

16. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein each of the PV panels is inclined at approximately 60 degrees relative to horizontal thereby producing electricity having a relatively flat power output profile for a majority of sunlight hours.

17. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the solar PV panels and the associated framework are of a modular construction wherein multiple of the modular PV panels / framework are located alongside one another in an elongate bank of panels extending in a North-South oriented spur.

18. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 including a plurality of batteries operatively coupled to the solar PV panels for charging via electricity generated from said panels.

19. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the batteries provide power for the resistive heating element and unit operations associated with said extractor assembly.

20. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in either of claims 18 or 19 also comprising ballast tanks to which the solar framework is secured for anchoring of the modular PV panels / framework.

21. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein the ballast tanks are at least in part filled with water or sand / soil effective in weighting said tank to resist overturning of the solar panels and associated framework under wind loads.

22. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in either of claims 20 or 21 wherein the ballast tanks are arranged as an opposing pair located at respective ends of the modular PV panels / framework.

23. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 20 to22 wherein the batteries of the CO2 extractor assembly are mounted to the pair of ballast tanks.

24. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 20 to23 wherein the CO2 extractor module is mounted underneath the solar framework and the associated solar panels.

25. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the housing of the CO2 extractor module is mounted to the ballast tanks.

26. An atmospheric CO2 extractor assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein said housing of the extractor module is located between the opposing pair of ballast tanks27. An atmospheric CO2 extractor module comprising:(A) a plurality of CO2 extractor modules each including:an adsorbent bed of functionalised macroporous beads adapted to adsorb CO2 from air contacting the adsorbent bed, a resistive heating element embedded within the adsorbent bed of said macroporous beads, said heating element arranged for heating of the adsorbent bed in desorbing CO2 from the macroporous beads to which said CO2 is adsorbed, a housing configured to contain the adsorbent bed, said housing defining (a) an air inlet passage adapted to enable admission of air into the adsorbent bed, and (b) an air outlet passage adapted to facilitate departure of air depleted of CO2 from the adsorbent bed(B) a transportable container arranged to house the plurality of CO2 extractor modules, the transportable container including one or more openings arranged to facilitate entry and exit of air from and to atmosphere for admission to the housing of one or more of respective of the CO2 extractor modules.

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