Method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes to a direct air capture plant or a point source emitter, a direct air capture plant and a sorbent cassette

Abstract

It is described a method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes (30) to a direct air capture plant (100) or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100), wherein the method comprises: - providing a transport container (10) at a production site (50); - providing a plurality of sorbent cassettes (30); - loading the sorbent cassettes (30) into the transport container (10); - providing access to an inner volume (35) of each of the sorbent cassettes (30) in the transport container (10) and filling the inner volume (35) of each of the cassettes with a sorbent material (20) at the production site (50); - after filling, closing off the inner volume (35) of each of the filled sorbent cassettes (30); - transporting the transport container (10) with the filled sorbent cassettes (30) to the direct air capture plant (100) or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100). It is further described to a direct air capture plant (100), a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100), a floating unit comprising the direct air capture plant (100) or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100), as well as a sorbent cassette (30).

Description

[0001] METHOD OF PREPARING AND TRANSPORTING A PLURALITY OF SORBENT CASSETTES TO A DIRECT AIR CAPTURE PLANT OR A POINT SOURCE EMITTER, A DIRECT AIR CAPTURE PLANT AND A SORBENT CASSETTE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of capturing water and / or CO2 from air or an exhaust gas with less than 1,5% CO2.

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to a method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes to a direct air capture (DAC) plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas. The invention further relates to a direct air capture plant, a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, a floating unit comprising the direct air capture plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, as well as a sorbent cassette.

[0005] Background

[0006] NO 20221113 relates to a method and system for direct air capture of CO2 and low CO2 industrial emissions utilizing a physical adsorbent. From this document it is also known that direct capture of CO2 from a source gas, also known as Direct Air Capture or DAC, has recently gained interest as a means to offset CO2 emissions and thereby combat climate change. Some DAC-based systems utilize one or more beds of porous sorbent materials to capture CO2 from the source gas by adsorption. The captured CO2 can subsequently be released from the porous sorbent material by manipulating the temperature and / or the partial pressure of the CO2 in the gas phase at the sorbent surface. In this way the source gas can be purified by removing components or the components can be collected from the gas for some useful application. In order to provide sufficient efficiency and operational flexibility, a DAC based system should preferably meet several criteria. Firstly, without any major modifications the DAC-based system should be able to handle low concentration sources of CO2, such as air, low-concentration sources of CO2 from industrial emitters, such as flue gas, as well as mixtures thereof. Low -concentration sources may have a CO2 concentration of up to 4 vol.%, preferably up to 2 vol.%. High concentration sources may have a CO2 concentration above 4 vol.%. For a low-concentration source gas, such as ambient air, co-adsorption of CO2 from industrial sources may be utilized, to enhance efficiency. Secondly, the DAC based system should produce highly concentrated CO2, preferably comprising more than 80-90 vol.% of CO2, even from low-concentration source gasses. Thirdly, there must be no possibility for the mixing of CO2 rich and CO2 depleted streams anywhere in the process. And finally, the energy consumption of the DAC-based system should be minimized. The last criterium is especially important when applying DAC to a low concentration source gas, requiring the treatment of large source gas volumes, supplied by one or more fans. The work exerted by the fan(s) should preferably be minimized in order to minimize energy consumption. Furthermore, in order to reduce gas pressure losses in the bed(s) and thereby minimize energy consumption, the surface area “seen” by the incoming source gas should be large, the source gas flow velocity should be low, and the depth of the bed should be small. Additionally, the depth of the bed(s) may be scaled for the relatively small amounts of CO2 that are captured for a low -concentration source gas.

[0007] It is an objective of the invention to provide a method and system which eases filling, transport and installation of sorbent material from the production facility to a sorbent containment unit of a direct air capture plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention is directed to a solution that may solve or at least reduce at least one of the aforementioned problems or challenges.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the disclosure it is described a method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes to a direct air capture plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, where the method comprises: providing a transport container at a production site; providing a plurality of sorbent cassettes; loading the sorbent cassettes into the transport container; providing access to an inner volume of each of the sorbent cassettes in the transport container and filling the inner volume of each of the cassettes with a sorbent material at the production site; after filling, closing off the inner volume of each of the filled sorbent cassettes; transporting the transport container with the filled sorbent cassettes to the direct air capture plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas.

[0011] The production site can be a sorbent material factory.

[0012] The point source CO2 emitters may be e.g. an aluminium plant or a glass plant with relatively low CO2 emissions, i.e. up to 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas. The step of closing off the inner volume of each of the filled sorbent cassettes can be performed by closing off a top portion of the sorbent cassette using a removable cover such as a lid or other suitable cover.

[0013] The sorbent material may comprise a zeolite, silica gel a metal organic framework, or an activated carbon, optionally in the form of porous particles. The zeolite may for example be a zeolite 13X or a zeolite 5 A. The sorbent material may also be coated as powder mixed in a bonder onto a solid sub-structure (monolith with honeycomb structure).

[0014] There may be a number of advantages by filling the sorbent material into the sorbent cassettes at the production site before transport, including: preciseness and control during the filling process, such as to reduce the risk of by-pass (leakages) from one side to the other without having contact with the sorbent material. possible to fill the sorbent material more compact within the sorbent cassette such as to reduce the risk of much settlement of the sorbent material over time, e.g. 10 - 20 years operational time, it is easier, more efficient and faster to fill the sorbent cassettes while they are arranged within the transport container compared to filling one and one sorbent cassette at the production site, it is easier, more efficient and faster to fill the sorbent material in cassettes arranged in transport containers at the production site and transport them to the Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, compared to using existing conventional transport method such as filling in trucks at the production site and then filling the sorbent material from the trucks into the sorbent containment unit at the Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas), it is easier, more efficient and faster to remove and replace the sorbent material if the sorbent material is placed in cassettes compared to if the sorbent material is placed loose in large basins within the into the sorbent containment unit.

[0015] The method may comprise, after arrival at the direct air capture plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, a step of: moving the sorbent cassettes from the transport container and positioning the sorbent cassettes in a sorbent containment unit of the direct air capture plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas.

[0016] The sorbent containment unit can also be termed sorbent bed unit or fixed bed unit.

[0017] The sorbent containment unit may comprise an inner structure for securing the sorbent cassettes thereto. The sorbent filled cassettes can be lifted into the sorbent containment unit using e.g. a crane and mounted to the inner structure by the use of bolted connection. The inner structure may comprise a standardized shelf system with guides for easy installation and locking mechanism for securing of the respective sorbent cassettes or bolted arrangement for easy installation, or other installation methods. This system will reduce time during plant installation and maintenance replacement and preserve the sorbent material better during the entire process from the factory to the direct air capture plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas.

[0018] The mounting surface of the inner structure and mounting surface of the cassette may comprise a sealing method such as a gasket or other method as to reduce the risk of bypass (leakages) from one side to the other without having contact with the sorbent material.

[0019] The inner structure may comprise storage positions for the sorbent cassettes in rows and columns. For example, the inner structure may comprise one or more vertical racks, where each rack has a number of storage positions in a horizontal and vertical direction. For example, the rack may have 4x4 storage positions (16 in total, formed by 4 storage positions in a first level, 4 storage positions in a second level, 4 storage positions in a third level and 4 storage positions in a fourth level). The rack may have more or less than 4x4 storage positions, which will depend on the demands and needs for each specific project.

[0020] The second level of storage positions can be arranged such that when sorbent cassettes are arranged in the first level and the second level, a lower part of the sorbent cassettes in the second level are arranged at a distance, i.e. forming a gap, from an upper part of the sorbent cassettes in the first level.

[0021] Alternatively, the second level of sorbent cassettes can be arranged on top of the sorbent cassettes in the first level such that the sorbent cassettes in the first level at least party supports the sorbent cassettes in the second level.

[0022] The sorbent containment unit may e.g. be any of a water capture unit and a CO2 capture unit.

[0023] The method may comprise: positioning the sorbent cassettes in both the water capture unit and the CO2 capture unit.

[0024] The step of transporting the transport container may comprise loading the transport container to any of a container ship, a railway train and a truck.

[0025] The transport container may comprise an inner support structure for securing the sorbent cassettes therein, and the step of loading the sorbent cassettes into the transport container may comprise: fastening the sorbent cassettes to the inner support structure.

[0026] The step of filling the inner volume of each of the cassettes with a sorbent material may comprise providing a filling unit for filling the sorbent material into the sorbent cassettes, wherein the filling unit may be movable sideways to move between different sorbent cassettes in the transport container.

[0027] The filling unit may be a filling hose or other flexible unit configured to fill the sorbent material into different sorbent cassettes in the transport container.

[0028] The filling unit is movable sideways, i.e. it is configured to move in at least a first direction and a second direction in a horizontal plane, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0029] The filling unit may be movable vertically. I.e. it is configured to move up and down in a vertical direction, and the vertical direction is perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0030] The filling unit may be connected to a beam or crane arrangement providing the required degrees of freedom in the first direction, the second direction and the vertical direction. Thus, the filling unit can reach all of sorbent cassettes in the transport container.

[0031] The method may comprise: providing a first level of sorbent cassettes in the transport container and securing the sorbent cassettes to the inner support structure; using the filling unit to fill sorbent material from above into the sorbent cassettes in the first level; closing off the inner volume of each of the filled sorbent cassettes in the first level by securing a top cover to each of the sorbent cassettes.

[0032] The method may comprise: providing a second level of sorbent cassettes above the first level of sorbent cassettes in the transport container and securing the sorbent cassettes to the inner support structure; using the filling unit to fill the sorbent cassettes in the second level; closing off the inner volume of each of the filled sorbent cassettes in the second level by securing a top cover to each of the sorbent cassettes.

[0033] The second level of sorbent cassettes can be arranged on top of the sorbent cassettes in the first level such that the sorbent cassettes in the first level at least party supports the sorbent cassettes in the second level.

[0034] Alternatively, the second level of sorbent cassettes can be arranged at a distance from the sorbent cassettes in the first level.

[0035] There may be more than two levels of sorbent cassettes, such as three, four, five, six, . . nineteen, twenty. The number of levels will be dependent on the requirement and demands for each specific project. Similarly, the number of storage positions in each level may also vary dependent will be dependent on the requirement and demands for each specific project.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, it is described a direct air capture (DAC) plant comprising: a sorbent containment unit comprising an inner structure having a number of storage positions; a plurality of sorbent cassettes, each sorbent cassette mounted at a corresponding / respective storage position and comprises a bottom portion, a top portion, two side portions of a first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions, wherein said bottom portion, top portion and the side portions of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume, wherein the side portions of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening, and wherein a first height of the side portion above the opening is larger than a second height of the side portion below the opening, a sorbent material within the inner volume, wherein the sorbent material is configured to capture any of CO2 and water.

[0037] The width of the inner structure may vary from e.g. 10 mm to 200 mm and may have several different shapes (profiles) such as flat bar, angle, channel or I-beam or others.

[0038] The sorbent cassette may comprise a gas permeable material covering the openings. The function of the gas permeable material is to allow gas to pass therethrough while at the same time holding the sorbent material in place inside the inner volume.

[0039] The sorbent cassettes may be releasably mounted to the corresponding / respective storage position, i.e. mounted such that the sorbent cassettes may be replaced with new sorbent cassettes if / when required.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, it is described a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas comprising: a sorbent containment unit comprising an inner structure having a number of storage positions; a sorbent cassette configured to be secured to any of the storage positions, wherein each of the sorbent cassettes has a bottom portion, a top portion, two side portions of a first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions, wherein said bottom portion, top portion and the side portions of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume, wherein the side portions of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening, and wherein a first height of the side portion above the opening is larger than a second height of the side portion below the opening, a sorbent material within the inner volume, wherein the sorbent material is configured to capture any of CO2 and water.

[0041] The sorbent cassette may comprise a gas permeable material covering the openings.

[0042] According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, it is described a floating unit comprising the direct air capture plant as defined above or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas as defined above.

[0043] According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, it is described a sorbent cassette for a sorbent containment unit of a direct air capture plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, wherein the sorbent cassette comprises: a bottom portion, a top portion, two side portions of a first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions, wherein said bottom portion, top portion and the side portions of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume, wherein the side portions of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening, and wherein a first height of the side portion above the opening is larger than a second height of the side portion below the opening.

[0044] The sorbent cassette can be the sorbent cassette transported in the method described in accordance with the first aspect, i.e. the method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes.

[0045] The sorbent cassette may have different sizes. For example: length (L) ranging from: 500mm to 12000 mm; width (W) ranging from: 50mm to 1200 mm; height (H) ranging from: 500mm to 5000mm.

[0046] The sorbent cassette can be a rectangular prism or cuboid.

[0047] The relative difference between the first height and the second height accounts for compacting of the sorbent over time, e.g. up to 15 years.

[0048] The sorbent cassette may comprise a gas permeable material covering the openings.

[0049] The gas permeable material can be a mesh, a cloth, a net or other material allowing gas to pass therethrough.

[0050] In case a mesh is used, the mesh hole size may for example be in a range between 1mm to 15 mm.

[0051] The sorbent cassette may comprise a supporting means for stiffening the gas permeable material. The supporting means can be formed by e.g. vertically and horizontally extending rods or bars forming a lattice structure inside or outside the opening or any other rigid structure suitable to support the gas permeable material.

[0052] The sorbent cassette may comprise a sorbent material within the inner volume.

[0053] The sorbent cassette may comprise a flange for connection to any of an inner structure of a sorbent containment unit and an inner support structure of a transport container.

[0054] The inner support structure may be parallel ribs extending along a bottom part and a top part of the transport container, e.g. in a longitudinal direction thereof.

[0055] The flange may be formed by an extension of one of the side portions in the first set of parallel side portions.

[0056] The flange can be connected to any one of the inner structures of the sorbent containment unit and the inner support structure of the transport container using known fastening means such as pins, screws and / or bolts. Alternatively, or additionally, a hinged solution can be used to take the vertical loads enabling the fastening means to only prevent leakages.

[0057] The top portion may be a removable cover. The removable cover can be hinged to the sorbent cassette or it can be a detachable cover or lid.

[0058] The weight of the filled sorbent cassette, i.e. a total weight including sorbent material, may e.g. be in the range of 1 - 20 tons.

[0059] Above-discussed preferred and / or optional features of each aspect of the invention may be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects of the invention.

[0060] The claimed invention is specified in the independent claims of this application. Advantageous adaptations and versions of the claimed invention are specified in the independent claims.

[0061] Description of the drawings

[0062] Following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the claimed invention:

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a principle step-by-step production, filling, transport and installation of sorbent material from a production site to a direct air capture plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas ;

[0064] Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of a sorbent cassette with an opening, where a gas permeable material covers the opening and a supporting means stiffens the gas permeable material; Fig. 3 shows the sorbent cassette of Fig. 2 without the gas permeable material to better illustrate the supporting means;

[0065] Fig. 4 shows the sorbent cassette of Fig. 3 without the supporting means to better illustrate an inner volume of the sorbent cassette;

[0066] Fig. 5 is a side view of the sorbent cassette of Fig. 4 illustrating that a first height of a side portion above the opening is larger than a second height of a side portion below the opening;

[0067] Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of a transport container with an inner support structure for supporting sorbent cassettes;

[0068] Fig. 7 shows the transport container of Fig. 6 with a plurality of sorbent cassettes arranged in a first level;

[0069] Fig. 8 illustrates filling of sorbent material at a production site into a first level of sorbent cassettes in a transport container;

[0070] Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of an example sorbent containment unit of a direct air capture plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas, the sorbent containment unit comprises a number of beds formed of sorbent cassettes arranged in rows;

[0071] Fig. 10 is an example of one of the beds in Fig. 9 illustrating an example of an inner structure for securing the sorbent cassettes thereto;

[0072] It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the claimed invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings.

[0073] In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used to indicate common parts, elements or features unless otherwise explicitly stated or implicitly understood by the context.

[0074] Detailed description

[0075] In the following, one or more specific embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, it is specifically intended that the invention is not limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein but includes modified forms of the embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation- specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system and / or business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation of the invention to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for the skilled person having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0076] Above-discussed preferred and / or optional features of each aspect of the invention may be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects of the invention.

[0077] Fig. 1 shows a principle step-by-step production, filling, transport and installation of sorbent material 20 from a production site 50 to a direct air capture plant or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100 (the direct air capture plant and the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas commonly referred to with reference number 100 herein).

[0078] A method may comprise the steps of: providing a transport container 10 at the production site 50; providing a plurality of sorbent cassettes 30; loading the sorbent cassettes 30 into the transport container 10; providing access to an inner volume 35 of each of the sorbent cassettes 30 in the transport container 10 and filling the inner volume 35 of each of the cassettes with a sorbent material 20 at the production site 50, for example by using a filling unit 60; after filling, closing off the inner volume 35 of each of the filled sorbent cassettes 30; transporting the transport container 10 with the filled sorbent cassettes 30 to the direct air capture plant 100 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100.

[0079] The step of transporting the transport container 10 may comprise loading the transport container 10 to any of a container ship, a railway train and a truck.

[0080] After arrival at the direct air capture plant 100 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100, the method may comprise a step of: moving the sorbent cassettes 30 from the transport container 10 and positioning the sorbent cassettes 30 in a sorbent containment unit 110 ’, 110” of the direct air capture plant 100 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100.

[0081] The sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” can be any of a water capture unit 110’ and a CO2 capture unit 110”. The sorbent cassettes 30 can be positioned in any of the water capture unit 110’ and the CO2 capture unit 110” or in both the water capture unit 110’ and the CO2 capture unit 110”.

[0082] Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of a sorbent cassette 30 with an opening 36, where a gas permeable material 39 covers the opening 36 and a supporting means 40 stiffens the gas permeable material 39. Although not shown in the Figures, it is apparent that the sorbent cassette 30 comprises a similar opening 36 on the opposite side thereof, such that exhaust gas can flow through the sorbent cassette 30.

[0083] Fig. 3 shows the sorbent cassette 30 of Fig. 2 without the gas permeable material 39 to better illustrate the supporting means 40.

[0084] Fig. 4 shows the sorbent cassette 30 of Fig. 3 without the supporting means 40 to better illustrate an inner volume 35 of the sorbent cassette 30.

[0085] Fig. 5 is a side view of the sorbent cassette 30 of Fig. 4 illustrating that a first height Hl of a side portion 34 above the opening 36 is larger than a second height H2 of a side portion 34 below the opening 36.

[0086] Referring to Figs 2-5, features of the disclosed sorbent cassette 30 will be described. The sorbent cassette can be the sorbent cassette 30 transported in the method described in relation to Fig. 1. I.e. the sorbent cassette 30 which is positioned in the sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” of the direct air capture plant 100 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100 is the same sorbent cassette 30 that is filled with sorbent material 20 at the production site 50. The sorbent cassette 30 is configured to be positioned in a sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” of a direct air capture plant 100 or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100. The sorbent cassette 30 comprises a bottom portion 31 and a top portion 32, as well as two side portions 34 of a first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions 37 of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions. Said bottom portion 31, top portion 32 and the side portions 34,37 of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume 35. The side portions 34, i.e. both of the side portions 34, of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening 36. In order to account for compacting of the sorbent material over time, the height of the side portions 34 above and below the opening 36 are different, i.e. a first height Hl of the side portion 34 above the opening 36 is larger than a second height H2 of the side portion 34 below the opening 36.

[0087] The sorbent cassette can be the sorbent cassette transported in the method described in accordance with the first aspect, i.e. the method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes. Referring to Fig. 4, the sorbent cassette 30 may have different sizes. For example:

[0088] - length L ranging from: 500mm to 12000mm;

[0089] - width W ranging from: 50mm to 1200 mm;

[0090] - height H ranging from: 500mm to 5000mm.

[0091] The sorbent cassette 30 can be a rectangular prism or cuboid.

[0092] The relative difference between the first height Hl and the second height H2, accounts for compacting of the sorbent material over time, e.g. up to 15 years, without compromising on the efficiency to remove CO2.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 2, the sorbent cassette 30 comprises a gas permeable material 39 which covers the opening(s) 36 (only one of the openings 36 disclosed but there is a similar opening 36 on the opposite side of the sorbent cassette 30. The gas permeable material 39 can be a mesh, a cloth, a net or other material allowing gas to pass therethrough. The function of the gas permeable material 39 is to allow gas to pass therethrough while at the same time holding the sorbent material 20 in place inside the inner volume 35.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 3 and partly in Fig. 2, the sorbent cassette 30 may comprise a supporting means 40 for stiffening the gas permeable material 39. I.e., the function of the supporting means 40 is to keep the gas permeable material 39 in place (and thus the sorbent material 20). The supporting means 40 can be formed by e.g. vertically and horizontally extending rods or bars as shown forming a lattice structure inside or outside the opening 36 or any other rigid structure suitable to support the gas permeable material 39.

[0095] As shown in Figs. 2-5, the sorbent cassette 30 may comprise a flange 38 for connection to any of an inner structure 111 of a sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” (not shown in Figs. 2-5, see e.g. Fig. 10) and an inner support structure 11’, 11 ” of a transport container 10 (not shown in Figs. 2-5, see e.g. Figs. 6 and 7). The flange 38 may be formed by an extension of one of the side portions 34 in the first set of parallel side portions. The flange 38 can be connected to any one of the inner structures 111 of the sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” and the inner support structure 11’, 11” of the transport container 10 using known fastening means 41 such as pins, screws and / or bolts. Alternatively, or additionally, a hinged solution can be used to take the vertical loads enabling the fastening means 41 to only prevent leakages.

[0096] In order to be able to fill the inner volume 35 of each of the sorbent cassettes 30 easily, the top portion 32 of the sorbent cassettes 30 is preferably a removable cover. The removable cover can be hinged to the sorbent cassette 30 or it can be a detachable cover or lid. Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of a transport container 10 with an inner support structure 11’, 11” for supporting sorbent cassettes 30, whereas Fig. 7 shows the transport container 10 of Fig. 6 with a plurality of sorbent cassettes 30 arranged in a first level LI. The inner support structure 11’ , 11 ” may be parallel ribs as shown, extending along a bottom part and a top part of the transport container 10, e.g. in a longitudinal or a transverse direction thereof. The step of loading the sorbent cassettes 30 into the transport container 10 may comprise fastening the sorbent cassettes 30 to the inner support structure 11 ’, 11 ” . When comparing Figs. 6 and 7, one can see that in Fig. 7 there is provided filled sorbent cassettes in a first level LI of the transport container 10, and the positioning of sorbent cassettes 30 in a second level L2 above the first level LI has been initiated (one sorbent cassette 30 is in the second level L2).

[0097] Fig. 8 illustrates filling of sorbent material at a production site 50 into a first level LI of sorbent cassettes 30 in a transport container 10. Prior to filling of the sorbent cassettes 30, the operator needs to make sure that there is access to the inner volume 35 for the sorbent material 20 to be filled therein. To gain access normally involves removing or opening the top portion 32 of the sorbent cassettes 30.

[0098] As shown, filling of the sorbent material 20 into the sorbent cassettes 30 is performed using a filling unit 60 which fills sorbent material 20 from above into the sorbent cassettes 30 in the first level LI. In order to move between, and be able to fill different sorbent cassettes 30, in the transport container 10, the filling unit 60 is movable sideways in a first direction X and a second direction Y in a horizontal plane, where the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. The filling unit 60 may be a filling hose or other flexible unit configured to fill the sorbent material 20 into the different sorbent cassettes 30 when positioned in the transport container 10.

[0099] Preferably, the filling unit 60 is also movable vertically, i.e. it is configured to move up and down in a vertical direction Z. Thus, the filling unit 60 can reach all of sorbent cassettes 30 in the transport container 10.

[0100] The filling unit 60 may be connected to a beam or crane arrangement (not shown) providing the required degrees of freedom in the first direction X, the second direction Y and the vertical direction Y.

[0101] When the sorbent cassettes 30 in the first level LI have been filled, the inner volume 35 of each of the filled sorbent cassettes 30 is closed off by securing the top cover 32.

[0102] As illustrated in Fig. 7, there may be more than one level of sorbent cassettes 30, e.g. a first level LI and a second level L2. The method may thus comprise providing a second level L2 of sorbent cassettes 30 above the first level LI of sorbent cassettes 30 in the transport container 10 and securing the sorbent cassettes 30 to the inner support structure 11 ” .

[0103] The step of filling sorbent material 20 into the sorbent cassettes 30 in the second level L2 may comprise using the filling unit 60 to fill the sorbent cassettes 30 in the second level L2. Similar as for the first level LI, when the sorbent cassettes 30 in the second level LI have been filled, the inner volume 35 of each of the filled sorbent cassettes 30 is closed off by securing the top cover 32.

[0104] Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of an example sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” of a direct air capture plant 100 or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100, the sorbent containment unit 11 O’, 110” comprises a number of beds formed of sorbent cassettes 30 arranged in rows .

[0105] Fig. 10 is an example of one of the beds in Fig. 9 illustrating an example of an inner structure 111 for securing the sorbent cassettes 30 thereto. As described in relation to Figs 2-5, the flange 38 of the sorbent cassette 30 can be connected to the inner structures 111 of the sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” using known fastening means 41 such as pins, screws and / or bolts. Alternatively, or additionally, a hinged solution can be used to take the vertical loads enabling the fastening means 41 to only prevent leakages. I.e., the mounting surface of the inner structure 111 and mounting surface of the sorbent cassette 30 may comprise a sealing method such as a gasket or other method as to reduce the risk of by-pass (leakages) from one side to the other without having contact with the sorbent material 20.

[0106] The width WF of the inner structure 111 may vary from e.g. 10mm to 200mm and may have several different shapes or profiles such as flat bar, angle, channel or I- beam or others.

[0107] The filled sorbent cassettes 30 can be lifted into the sorbent containment unit 110,110” using e.g. a crane and mounted to the inner structure 111. The inner structure 111 may comprise a standardized shelf system with guides for easy installation and locking mechanism for securing of the respective sorbent cassettes 30 or bolted arrangement for easy installation, or other installation methods. This system will reduce time during plant installation and maintenance replacement and preserve the sorbent material 20 better during the entire process from the factory to the direct air capture plant or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas.

[0108] The direct air capture plant 100 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100 in Fig. 1 may comprise the disclosed sorbent containment unit 110’, 110” described in relation to Figs. 9 and 10 and / or the sorbent cassette 30 described in relation to Figs. 2-5 filled with a sorbent material 20 configured to capture any of CO2 and water. Although not shown it is apparent that the direct air capture plant 100 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas 100 can be arranged on a floating unit.

[0109] In the preceding description, various aspects of the method, the air capture plant and the sorbent cassette according to the invention have been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments, which are apparent to person skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject-matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

[0110] List of references:

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method of preparing and transporting a plurality of sorbent cassettes (30) to a direct air capture plant (100) or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100), wherein the method comprises: providing a transport container (10) at a production site (50); providing a plurality of sorbent cassettes (30); loading the sorbent cassettes (30) into the transport container (10); providing access to an inner volume (35) of each of the sorbent cassettes (30) in the transport container (10) and filling the inner volume (35) of each of the cassettes with a sorbent material (20) at the production site (50); after filling, closing off the inner volume (35) of each of the filled sorbent cassettes (30); transporting the transport container (10) with the filled sorbent cassettes (30) to the direct air capture plant (100) or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises, after arrival at the direct air capture plant (100) or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100), a step of: moving the sorbent cassettes (30) from the transport container (10) and positioning the sorbent cassettes (30) in a sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) of the direct air capture plant (100) or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) comprises an inner structure (111) for securing the sorbent cassettes (30) thereto.

4. The method according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) is any of a water capture unit (110’) and a CO2 capture unit (110”).

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method comprises: positioning the sorbent cassettes (30) in both the water capture unit (110’) and the CO2 capture unit (110”).

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of transporting the transport container (10) comprises loading the transport container (10) to any of a container ship, a railway train and a truck.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transport container (10) comprises an inner support structure (11 ’,11”) for securing the sorbent cassettes (30) therein, and wherein the step of loading the sorbent cassettes (30) into the transport container (10) comprises: fastening the sorbent cassettes (30) to the inner support structure (11 ’,11”).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of filling the inner volume (35) of each of the cassettes with a sorbent material (20) comprises providing a filling unit (60) for filling the sorbent material (20) into the sorbent cassettes, wherein the filling unit (60) is movable sideways to move between different sorbent cassettes (30) in the transport container (10).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the filling unit (60) is movable vertically.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the method comprises: providing a first level (LI) of sorbent cassettes (30) in the transport container (10) and securing the sorbent cassettes (30) to the inner support structure (i r,n”); using the filling unit (60) to fill sorbent material (20) from above into the sorbent cassettes (30) in the first level (LI); closing off the inner volume (35) of each of the filled sorbent cassettes (30) in the first level (LI) by securing a top cover to each of the sorbent cassettes (30).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises: providing a second level (L2) of sorbent cassettes (30) above the first level (LI) of sorbent cassettes (30) in the transport container (10) and securing the sorbent cassettes (30) to the inner support structure (11 ’ ,11”); using the filling unit (60) to fill the sorbent cassettes (30) in the second level (L2); closing off the inner volume (35) of each of the filled sorbent cassettes (30) in the second level (L2) by securing a top cover to each of the sorbent cassettes (30).

12. A direct air capture (DAC) plant comprising: a sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) comprising an inner structure (111) having a number of storage positions; a plurality of sorbent cassettes, each sorbent cassette mounted at a corresponding storage position, wherein each of the sorbent cassettes (30) comprises a bottom portion (31), a top portion (32), two side portions (34) ofa first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions (37) of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions, wherein said bottom portion (31), top portion (32) and the side portions (34,37) of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume (35), wherein each of the side portions (34) of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening (36), and wherein a first height (Hl) of the side portion above the opening (36) is larger than a second height (H2) of the side portion below the opening (36), a sorbent material (20) within the inner volume (35), wherein the sorbent material (20) is configured to capture any of CO2 and water.

13. The direct air capture plant (100) according to claim 12, wherein each of the sorbent cassettes (30) comprise a gas permeable material (39) covering the openings (36).

14. A point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100) comprising: a sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) comprising an inner structure (111) having a number of storage positions; a sorbent cassette configured to be secured to any of the storage positions, wherein each of the sorbent cassettes (30) has a bottom portion (31), a top portion (32), two side portions (34) of a first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions (37) of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions, wherein said bottom portion (31), top portion (32) and the side portions (34,37) of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume (35), wherein the side portions (34) of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening (36), and wherein a first height (Hl) of the side portion above the opening (36) is larger than a second height (H2) of the side portion below the opening (36), a sorbent material (20) within the inner volume (35), wherein the sorbent material (20) is configured to capture any of CO2 and water.

15. The point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100) according to claim 15, wherein the sorbent cassette (30) comprises a gas permeable material (39) covering the openings (36).

16. A floating unit comprising the direct air capture plant (100) according to any of claims 12-13 or the point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100) according to any of claims 14-15.

17. A sorbent cassette (30) for a sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) of a direct air capture plant (100) or a point source CO2 emitter with less than 1,5% CO2 in the exhaust gas (100), wherein the sorbent cassette (30) comprises: a bottom portion (31), a top portion (32), two side portions (34) of a first set of two parallel side portions and two side portions (37) of a second set of two parallel side portions arranged perpendicular to the first set of parallel side portions, wherein said bottom portion (31), top portion (32) and the side portions (34,37) of the first and second set of parallel side portions together form an inner volume (35), wherein the side portions (34) of the first set of parallel side portions comprise a frame having an opening (36), and wherein a first height (Hl) of the side portion above the opening (36) is larger than a second height (H2) of the side portion below the opening (36).

18. The sorbent cassette (30) according to claim 17, wherein the sorbent cassette (30) comprises a gas permeable material (39) covering the openings (36).

19. The sorbent cassette (30) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the sorbent cassette (30) comprises a supporting means (40) for stiffening the gas permeable material (39).

20. The sorbent cassette (30) according to any one of claim 17-19, wherein the sorbent cassette (30) comprises a sorbent material (20) within the inner volume (35).

21. The sorbent cassette (30) according to any one of claims 17-20, wherein the sorbent cassette (30) comprises a flange (38) for connection to any of an inner structure (111) of a sorbent containment unit (110’, 110”) and an inner support structure (l l’,l l”) of a transport container (10).

22. The sorbent cassette (30) according to claim 21, wherein the flange (38) is formed by an extension of one of the side portions (34) in the first set of parallel side portions.

23. The sorbent cassette (30) according to any one of claims 17-22, wherein the top portion (32) is a removable cover.

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