Modular gas-liquid contactors for capturing co2; dac system comprising such; maintenance method thereof; assembly method of a packaging support

Abstract

A gas-liquid contactor includes at least one packing section, a liquid distribution system, one or more liquid collection devices, and a fan. The at least one packing section includes a plurality of packing supports. Each packing support is removably attached to at least one other packing support and includes a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter and a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter. The structure includes at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment. The liquid distribution system is configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through at least one packing section. The one or more liquid collection devices include a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section. The fan is operable to form a CO2 lean stream and flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01CAPTURING CARBON DIOXIDETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure describes systems, apparatus, and methods for capturing carbon dioxide.BACKGROUND

[0002] Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is one approach to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and slowing climate change. However, many technologies designed for CO2 capture from point sources of emissions, such as from flue gas of industrial facilities, are generally ineffective in capturing CO2 from the atmosphere due to the significantly lower CO2 concentrations and large volumes of atmospheric air required to process. In recent years, progress has been made in finding technologies better suited to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Some of these direct air capture (DAC) systems use a solid sorbent where an active agent is attached to a substrate. These DAC systems typically employ a cyclic adsorption-desorption process where, after the solid sorbent is saturated with CO2, it releases the CO2 using a humidity or thermal swing and is regenerated.

[0003] Other DAC systems use a liquid sorbent (sometimes referred to as a solvent) to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. An example of such a DAC system would be one where a fan is used to draw air across a high surface area packing that is wetted with a solution comprising the liquid sorbent. CO2 in the air reacts with the liquid sorbent to generate a CO2 rich solution. The rich solution is processed to regenerate a lean solution and to release a concentrated carbon stream, for example, CO, CO2 or other carbon products.SUMMARY

[0004] In an example implementation, a gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide from a dilute gas source includes at least one packing section including a plurality of packing supports. Each packing support of the plurality of packing supports is removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports. Each packing support includes a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter. The structure includes at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment. The at least one first attachment is configured to removably attach to the at least one second attachment of the structure of at least one otherAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 packing support of the plurality of packing supports to mount the respective packing support onto the at least one other packing support. Each packing support includes a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter. Each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings is abutted against at least one other structured packing of the plurality of structured packings, and each structured packing includes a plurality of packing sheets attached together and defining passages between adjacent packing sheets. The gas-liquid contactor includes a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction. The CO2 capture solution is configured to absorb CO2 from the dilute gas source into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution. The gas-liquid contactor includes one or more liquid collection devices including a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; and a fan operable to flow the dilute gas source along the at least one packing section to contact the dilute gas source with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the dilute gas source to form a CO2 lean stream. The fan is operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.

[0005] In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, the structure includes a floor defining the bottom surface; and a plurality of vertical members extending from a bottom end adjacent the floor to a top end opposite the bottom end. The plurality of vertical members are spaced apart and define the packing perimeter.

[0006] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the floor includes a plurality of floor members defining the bottom surface.

[0007] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the floor includes a grate defining the bottom surface.

[0008] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, each packing support includes a supporting wall extending upwards from the floor and defining the packing perimeter, with the plurality of structured packings abutting the supporting wall.

[0009] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the supporting wall includes a top section and a bottom section.

[0010] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the top section extends upwards from the floor and the bottom section extending downwards from the floor opposite the top section.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0011] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of packing supports includes an upper packing support and a lower packing support, the upper packing support positioned above the lower packing support.

[0012] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the top section is abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the upper packing support.

[0013] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the bottom section is abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the lower packing support.

[0014] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one first attachment includes a plurality of first attachments, with each first attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the top end or the bottom end of a vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members.

[0015] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one second attachment includes a plurality of second attachments, with each second attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the other of the top end or bottom end of the vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members.

[0016] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of vertical members of the plurality of packing supports are vertically aligned.

[0017] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one first attachment is a slot.

[0018] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one second attachment is a protrusion.

[0019] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the structure includes at least one louver extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the louver being abutted against the plurality of structured packings at the proximal end.

[0020] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of packing supports includes a plurality of first packing supports and at least one redistribution packing support.

[0021] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one redistribution packing support defines a redistribution packing support height different than a first packing support height of the plurality of first packing supports.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0022] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the redistribution packing support including a vertical spacing.

[0023] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of first packing supports are identical.

[0024] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes a plenum disposed downstream of the at least one packing section and lower than the fan.

[0025] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, each packing support includes at least one drift eliminator positioned downstream of the plurality of structured packings.

[0026] In another example implementation, a direct air capture (DAC) system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air includes at least one gas-liquid contactor that includes at least one packing section including a plurality of packing supports. Each packing support of the plurality of packing supports is removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports. Each packing support includes a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter. The structure includes at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment, with the at least one first attachment configured to removably attach to the at least one second attachment of a structure of at least one other packing support to mount the respective packing support onto the at least one other packing support. Each packing support includes a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter, with each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings abutted against at least one other structured packing of the plurality of structured packings. Each structured packing includes a plurality of packing sheets attached together and defining passages between adjacent packing sheets. The at least one gas-liquid contactor includes a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction through the passages. The CO2 capture solution is configured to absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution. The at least one gas-liquid contactor includes one or more liquid collection devices including a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution and a fan operable to flow the atmospheric air through the passages of the at least one packing section to contact the atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the atmospheric air to form a CO2 lean stream. The fan is operable toAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section. The at least one gas-liquid contactor includes a regeneration system in fluid communication with the bottom basin to receive the CO2 rich solution. The regeneration system is configured to regenerate the CO2 rich solution and form the CO2 capture solution to return to the at least one gas-liquid contactor.

[0027] In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, the regeneration system is configured to provide a CO2 product stream for export or use.

[0028] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the structure includes a floor defining the bottom surface; and a plurality of vertical members extending from a bottom end adjacent the floor to a top end opposite the bottom end, with the plurality of vertical members spaced apart and defining the packing perimeter.

[0029] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the floor includes a plurality of floor members defining the bottom surface.

[0030] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the floor includes a grate defining the bottom surface.

[0031] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, each packing support includes a supporting wall extending upwards from the floor and defining the packing perimeter, with the plurality of structured packings abutting the supporting wall.

[0032] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the supporting wall includes a top section and a bottom section, with the top section extending upwards from the floor and the bottom section extending downwards from the floor opposite the top section.

[0033] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of packing supports includes an upper packing support and a lower packing support, the upper packing support positioned above the lower packing support; the top section being abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the upper packing support; and the bottom section being abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the lower packing support.

[0034] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one first attachment includes a plurality of first attachments, with each first attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the top end or the bottom end of a vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members; and the at least one second attachment includes a plurality of second attachments, with each second attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed atAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the other of the top end or bottom end of the vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members.

[0035] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of vertical members of the plurality of packing supports are vertically aligned.

[0036] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one first attachment is a slot.

[0037] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one second attachment is a protrusion.

[0038] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the structure includes at least one louver extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the louver being abutted against the plurality of structured packings at the proximal end.

[0039] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of packing supports includes a plurality of first packing supports and at least one redistribution packing support, with the at least one redistribution packing support defining a redistribution packing support height different than a first packing support height of the plurality of first packing supports, and the redistribution packing support includes a vertical spacing.

[0040] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of first packing supports are identical.

[0041] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes a plenum disposed downstream of the at least one packing section and lower than the fan.

[0042] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, each packing support includes at least one drift eliminator positioned downstream of the plurality of structured packings.

[0043] In another example implementation, a method of assembling a gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dilute gas source includes positioning a first packing support including structured packing; and stacking at least one more packing support including stacking a second packing support onto the first packing support to form a cell of the gas-liquid contactor. The second packing support includes additional structured packing. The cell includes a plurality of packing supports and a plurality of structured packings.

[0044] An aspect combinable with the example implementation includes abutting a bottom portion of the structured packing of the first packing support against an upper portion of a firstAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 supporting wall of the first packing support; and abutting a top portion of the additional structured packing of the second packing support against a lower portion of the first supporting wall.

[0045] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes positioning a fan to rotate about a fan axis and flow the dilute gas source through the cell.

[0046] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, stacking the second packing support includes inserting at least one mating protrusion of one of the first packing support or the second packing support into at least one mating slot of the other of the first packing support or the second packing support.

[0047] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes removing a selected structured packing of the plurality of structured packings from a selected packing support of the plurality of packing supports to form a structured packing opening of the selected packing support; and positioning a replacement structured packing into the structured packing opening.

[0048] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the replacement structured packing is identical to the selected structured packing.

[0049] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes stacking at least one redistribution packing support of the plurality of packing supports vertically adjacent to at least one of the first packing support and the second packing support.

[0050] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one redistribution packing support is free of structured packing.

[0051] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, stacking at least the second packing support includes stacking at least the second packing support being identical to the first packing support to form the cell including at least two identical packing supports.

[0052] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes positioning at least one drift eliminator upstream of the fan relative to a flow of the dilute gas source.

[0053] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes positioning the fan at a fan height greater than a height of the cell.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0054] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, positioning the first packing support, and stacking the second packing support onto the first packing support is performed at grade level.

[0055] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes moving at least one of the first packing support and the second packing support at a site at which the gas-liquid contactor is assembled.

[0056] In another example implementation, a method of assembling a packing support includes providing a floor of the packing support; providing at least one packing indexing member of the packing support, with the at least one packing indexing member extending upwardly from the floor and defining a packing perimeter; and positioning a plurality of structured packings on the floor and within the packing perimeter and abutting at least one structured packing of the plurality of structured packings against the at least one indexing member.

[0057] In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, positioning the plurality of structured packings includes abutting each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings against another structured packing of the plurality of structured packings.

[0058] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, providing the floor includes positioning a plurality of floor members, the plurality of floor members defining the packing perimeter.

[0059] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, providing the floor includes positioning a grate to define the floor.

[0060] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, providing the at least one indexing member includes extending a supporting wall upwardly from the floor.

[0061] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, abutting the at least one structured packing against the at least one indexing member includes abutting the at least one structured packing against the supporting wall.

[0062] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, providing the at least one indexing member includes extending a plurality of vertical members upwardly from the floor.

[0063] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, abutting the at least one structured packing against the at least one indexing member includesAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 abutting the at least one structured packing against at least one vertical member of the plurality of vertical members.

[0064] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, providing the at least one packing indexing member includes providing at least one louver.

[0065] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes extending the at least one louver in a width direction between at least two vertical members of the plurality of vertical members; and positioning the at least one louver above the floor.

[0066] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, positioning the plurality of structured packings includes positioning peripheral structured packings of the plurality of structured packings along the packing perimeter.

[0067] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes abutting at least some of the peripheral structured packings against the at least one louver.

[0068] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, positioning the plurality of structured packings on the floor and within the packing perimeter and abutting the at least one structured packing of the plurality of structured packings against the at least one indexing member is performed at grade level.

[0069] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes moving the packing support with at least one of a vehicle or a lifting device.

[0070] In another example implementation, a gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide from a dilute gas source includes at least one packing section including a plurality of packing supports, with each packing support of the plurality of packing supports removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports. Each packing support includes a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter. The structure includes at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment, with the at least one first attachment configured to removably attach to at least one second attachment of a structure of at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports to attach the respective packing support to the at least one other packing support. Each packing support includes a packing positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter. The packing defines passages. The gas-liquid contactor includes a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction through the passages. The CO2 capture solution is configured to absorb CO2 from the dilute gas sourceAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution. The gas-liquid contactor includes one or more liquid collection devices including a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; and a fan operable to flow the dilute gas source through the passages of the at least one packing section to contact the dilute gas source with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the dilute gas source to form a CO2 lean stream. The fan is operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.

[0071] In another example implementation, a method of performing maintenance on a gasliquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dilute gas source includes removing a selected packing support of a plurality of packing supports of the gas-liquid contactor to form a packing support opening in a cell of the gas-liquid contactor; and inserting a replacement packing support in the packing support opening of the cell.

[0072] In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, a particular packing support of the plurality of packing supports includes a plurality of structured packings.

[0073] Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects includes removing a selected structured packing of the plurality of structured packings from the particular packing support to form a structured packing opening of the particular packing support; and positioning a replacement structured packing into the structured packing opening.

[0074] Another example implementation includes a gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide from a dilute gas source. The gas-liquid contactor includes at least one packing section including a plurality of packing supports, with each packing support of the plurality of packing supports removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports. Each packing support includes a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter, with the structure including at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment. The at least one first attachment is configured to removably attach to the at least one second attachment of the structure of at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports to mount the respective packing support onto the at least one other packing support. Each packing support includes a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter, with each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings abutted against at least one other structured packing of the plurality of structured packings. Each structured packing includes a plurality of packing sheets attached together and defining passages betweenAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 adjacent packing sheets. The gas-liquid contactor includes a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction. The CO2 capture solution is configured to absorb CO2 from the dilute gas source into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution. The gas-liquid contactor includes a liquid collection device fluidly coupled and positioned downstream of the plurality of structured packings and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; and a fan operable to flow the dilute gas source along the at least one packing section to contact the dilute gas source with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the dilute gas source to form a CO2 lean stream. The fan is operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.

[0075] In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, the liquid collection device includes a plurality of interconnected pipes.

[0076] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, a floor includes a plurality of grid members, and each grid member of the plurality of grid members is positioned adjacent to another grid member within the packing perimeter.

[0077] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of packing supports includes a plurality of first packing supports and at least one redistribution packing support.

[0078] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, at least one of the first packing support is removably attached to the at least one redistribution packing support and positioned above the at least one redistribution packing support.

[0079] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, a floor of the first packing includes a plurality of baffle plates positioned above the at least one redistribution packing support.

[0080] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of baffle plates are configured to block a flow the dilute gas source through the floor.

[0081] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the plurality of baffle plates define at least one flow channel extending through the floor.

[0082] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the at least one flow channel extends through the plurality of baffle plates.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0083] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, each packing support includes an indexing wall and at least one drift eliminator, with the indexing wall extending upwards from the floor and abutting the at least one drift eliminator.

[0084] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, each packing support includes a diverter tray having at least a portion positioned under the at least one drift eliminator.

[0085] In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the diverter tray includes a plurality of weep holes positioned above at least some structured packings of the plurality of structured packings of another packing support.

[0086] Implementations of systems and methods for capturing carbon dioxide according to the present disclosure can include one, some, or all of the following features. For example, features described in this disclosure are designed specifically for commercial DAC applications and as such have the ability to reduce at least one of air volume, packing depth, liquid flow, and air contactor footprint without significant sacrifice to CO2 uptake performance. Design criteria of DAC componentry that reflect good performance include: low static pressure design, ability to distribute liquid evenly throughout fill height, low fouling capabilities, increase in air contacting efficiency, lower material requirements, efficiency effects of larger pack sizes, and manufacturability.

[0087] The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] FIG. 1 shows an example gas-liquid contactor.

[0089] FIG. 2A shows another example gas-liquid contactor.

[0090] FIG. 2B shows another example gas-liquid contactor.

[0091] FIG. 2C shows another example gas-liquid contactor.

[0092] FIG. 2D shows another example gas-liquid contactor

[0093] FIG. 3 shows another example gas-liquid contactor.

[0094] FIG. 4A shows an example feature of an example packing support.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0095] FIG. 4B shows example features in addition to the example feature of FIG. 4A.

[0096] FIG. 4C shows example features in addition to the examples features of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0097] FIG. 4D shows an example arrangement of packing supports of FIG. 4C stacked onto each other.

[0098] FIG. 4E shows another example packing support.

[0099] FIG. 4F shows another example packing support.

[0100] FIG. 5A shows a portion of an example floor of a packing support.

[0101] FIG. 5B shows the floor of FIG. 5 A and components of a packing support on the floor.

[0102] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of vertically adjacent packing supports of the present disclosure.

[0103] FIG. 5D shows example componentry of a packing support of the present disclosure.

[0104] FIG. 6A shows an example of one packing support being attached to another packing support.

[0105] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 6A.

[0106] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an example step in assembling a packing support.

[0107] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of another example step following the example step of FIG. 7A.

[0108] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of another example step following the example step of FIG. 7B.

[0109] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of another example step following the example step of FIG. 7C.

[0110] FIG.7E is a perspective view of the packing support assembled according to the steps of FIGS. 7A to 7D.

[0111] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an example assembly of a gas-liquid contactor from packing supports.

[0112] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a gas-liquid contactor assembled according to FIG.8A.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0113] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of vertically-adjacent packing supports of the present disclosure.

[0114] FIG. 9B is another cross-sectional view of vertically-adjacent packing supports of the present disclosure.

[0115] FIG. 9C is a top view of a floor of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0116] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a direct air capture system having a gas-liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0117] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a direct air capture system having a gas-liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0118] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a direct air capture system having a gas-liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0119] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a direct air capture system having a gas-liquid contactor of the present disclosure.

[0120] FIG. 14A is a side elevational view of an example contactor wall of a direct air capture system of the present disclosure.

[0121] FIG. 14B is a top-down view of a direct air capture system of the present disclosure comprising multiple contactor walls.

[0122] FIG. 15 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of assembling a gas-liquid contactor.

[0123] FIG. 16 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of assembling a packing support.

[0124] FIG. 17 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of performing maintenance on a gas-liquid contactor.

[0125] FIGS. 18A-18E are diagrams of chemical structures according to the present disclosure.

[0126] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a control system (or controller) for a gas-liquid contactor.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0127] Referring to FIG. 1, the present disclosure describes systems and methods for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dilute gas source with a gas-liquid contactor 100 that can be part of a CO2 capture system such as a Direct Air Capture (DAC) system. A dilute gas sourceAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 can include the atmosphere (e.g., ambient or atmospheric air) or another fluid source that contains dilute concentrations of CO2. Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere are dilute, in that they are in the range of 400-420 parts per million (“ppm”) or approximately 0.04-0.042% v / v, and less than 1% v / v. These dilute concentrations of CO2 are at least one order of magnitude lower than the concentration of CO2 in point-source emissions, such as flue gases, where point-source emissions can have concentrations of CO2 ranging from 1.5-15% v / v, or from 5-15% v / v depending on the source of emissions.

[0128] In example implementations, the gas-liquid contactor 100 is operated to capture the CO2 present in the dilute gas source, being for example ambient air, by ingesting the ambient air as a flow of CCh-laden air 101, and by treating the CCh-laden air 101 so as to transfer CO2 present therein via absorption to a CO2 capture solution 114 which includes at least one CO2 capture species, also being referred to as a CO2 sorbent via absorption. Some or all of the CO2 in the CO2- laden air 101 is removed by absorption into the CO2 capture solution 114 and further reaction with the at least one CO2 capture species. The treated CCh-laden air 101 is then discharged by the gasliquid contactor 100 as a flow of CCh-lean gas 105 (or, CO2-IOW air or CO2 lean stream). In operating to treat atmospheric air in this manner, the gas-liquid contactor 100 can sometimes be referred to herein as an “air contactor” because it facilitates absorption of CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution 114. In contrast to water cooling towers which function primarily to transfer heat between water and atmospheric air, the gas-liquid contactor 100 functions primarily to achieve mass transfer of CO2 from the atmospheric air to the CO2 capture solution 114. In operating in this manner, the gas-liquid contactor 100 can be used as part of a DAC system 1200, 1900, 1400, described in greater detail below in reference to FIGS. 10-14B.

[0129] In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 1, CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 is captured by contacting the CCh-laden air 101 with the CO2 capture solution 114 in the gasliquid contactor 100 for absorption of the CO2. Reacting the absorbed CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 with one or more CO2 capture species in the CO2 capture solution 114 results in the production of a CCh-laden capture solution 111 including captured CO2, for example as carbonate, carbamate and / or carbamic acid species. Carbonate species can include solid carbonates, carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions. The composition of the CCh-laden capture solution 111 can vary in accordance with several factors including the nature of the CO2 capture solution 114 andAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the operational absorption conditions. The CCh-laden capture solution 111 can also be referred to as, for example, a carbonate-rich capture solution 111 or a CCh-rich capture solution 111.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 1, the CCh-laden capture solution 111 can be processed to recover the captured CO2 as a CO2 product stream for subsequent use, and to regenerate the alkali hydroxide for use in the CO2 capture solution 114. In example implementations, the CO2 product stream can be delivered downhole and sequestered in a geological formation, subsurface reservoir, carbon sink, or the like. In example implementations, the CO2 product stream can be used for enhanced oil recovery by injecting the CO2 product stream into one or more wellbores to enhance production of hydrocarbons from a reservoir. In example implementations, the CO2 product stream can be fed to a fuel synthesis system, which can include a syngas generation reactor. In example implementations, the CO2 product stream is flowed to a carbon products manufacturing system. In example implementations, the recovered CO2 can be a feedstock for making any suitable carbon-based or carbon-including product, non-limiting examples of which include cement, plastics, and polymers.

[0131] In example implementations, at a given reference temperature, the density of the CO2 capture solution 114 is greater than the density of water at the same reference temperature. At comparable reference temperatures, in example implementations, the density of the CO2 capture solution 114 is at least 10% greater than the density of water. In example implementations, at comparable reference temperatures, the density of the CO2 capture solution 114 is approximately 10% greater than the density of water. The density and the viscosity of the CO2 capture solution 114 can vary depending on the composition of the CO2 capture solution 114 and the temperature. For example, at temperatures of 0°C to 20°C, the CO2 capture solution 114 can comprise 1 M KOH and 0.5 M K2CO3 and can have a density ranging from 1115 kg / m3- 1119 kg / m3and a viscosity ranging from 1.3 mPa-s - 2.3 mPa-s. In another example, at temperatures of 20°C to 0°C, the CO2 capture solution 114 can comprise 2 M KOH and 1 M K2CO3, and can have a density ranging from 1260 kg / m3- 1266 kg / m3and a viscosity ranging from 1.8 mPa-s - 3.1 mPa-s. In comparison, water has a density of 998 kg / m3and viscosity of 1 mPa-s at 20°C.

[0132] In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 1, the CO2 capture solution 114 is a caustic solution. In example implementations, the CO2 capture solution 114 has a pH of 10 or higher. In example implementations, the CO2 capture solution 114 has a pH of approximately 14. Non-limiting examples of the CO2 capture solution 114 include aqueous solutions of an alkaliAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 metal sorbent, such as an alkali metal hydroxide (e.g., KOH, NaOH, LiOH or a combination thereof), aqueous amine solutions, aqueous amino acid salt solutions, non-aqueous amine solutions, non-aqueous organic liquids / solutions (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide or DMSO), aqueous guanidinium solutions, aqueous aminosilicone solutions, aqueous amidine solutions, non-aqueous phosphazene solutions, aqueous amines slurries with MOF, aqueous slurries with amine polymers, aqueous carbonate and / or bicarbonate solutions, aqueous phenoxides / phenoxide salt solutions, ionic liquids, non-aqueous solvents, or a combination thereof. In example implementations, the solvent of the CO2 capture solution 114 has a higher vapour pressure than that of the CO2 capture species to facilitate regeneration of the CO2 capture solution 114.

[0133] In example implementations, the CO2 capture solution 114 can include a guanidine- based capture species as the at least one CO2 capture species, for example an aminoguanidine or an iminoguanidine. Non-limiting examples of the guanidine-based capture species of the CO2- capture solution 114 include bi s-iminoguani dines. Examples of bis-iminoguanidines include 2,5- furan-bis(iminoguanidine) (FuBIG) whose chemical structure is shown in FIG. 18A.

[0134] Non-limiting examples of amine-based capture species of the CCE-capture solution 114 include an imine, an amidine, an amine, a hindered or non-hindered amine group having alkanolamine and alcoholic hydroxyl, carbonyl or carboxyl groups, or a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of amines have at least one amino group (monoamine), at least two amino groups (diamine), at least three amino groups (triamine) or more amino groups (multiamine).

[0135] In example implementations, the CO2 capture solution 114 can include a diamine as the at least one CO2 capture species, for example a diamine with an aminocyclic compound group. For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes cyclopentane-l,3-diamine (being functionalized or not). For example, the aminocyclic compound group can be an aminocyclohexyl group. For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes a diamine including a cyclic compound being functionalized by a hydrocarbon chain (R). For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes a diamine including a cyclic compound being functionalized by a functional group (X). For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes a diamine including a cyclic compound being functionalized by two amino groups in a first and third position of the cyclic compound, and by a hydrocarbon chain (R) and / or a functional group (X) at another position of the cyclic compound (e.g., cyclohexane-l,3-diamine-5 R X). The hydrocarbon chain R can be straight or branched, with or without rings, and can vary in length.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01The functional group X can functionalize the cyclic compound and / or the hydrocarbon chain R. The functional group X can be, without being limited to, alcohol, amine, amide, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, halogen, metal, or any combinations thereof. Both the hydrocarbon chain R and the functional group X can exist independently or together at a same position of the cyclic compound (e g., fifth position of a cyclohexane ring), or at other positions of the cyclic compound. For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes cyclohexane- 1,3 -diamine. For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes a cyclohexane- 1,3 -diamine-5 R X, where R is butane and X is an amino group, such as cyclohexane-l,3-diamine-5-normal-butane-amine. For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes a cyclohexane- 1,3 -diamine-5 R X, where R is hexane and X is absent, such as cyclohexane-l,3-diamine-5-normal-hexane.

[0136] For example, the at least one CO2 capture species includes 3-(aminomethyl)-3,5,5- trimethylcyclohexylamine, also referred to as isophorone diamine or IPDA whose chemical structure is shown in FIG. 18B. Examples of the alkanolamine include monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine, triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, and diglycolamine. Examples of the hindered amine having alcoholic hydroxyl include 2-amino-2-methyl-l -propanol (AMP) whose chemical structure is shown in FIG. 18C. Another example of the hindered amine having alcoholic hydroxyl includes 2-(ethylamino)-ethanol (EAE) whose chemical structure is shown in FIG. 18D. Another example of the hindered amine having alcoholic hydroxyl includes 2-(methylamino)-ethanol (MAE) whose chemical structure is shown in FIG. 18E.

[0137] The capture kinetics of capturing CO2 from the CCE-laden air 101 to form carbonate can be improved by the introduction of an additive such as a promoter species in the CO2 capture solution 114. In example implementations, the resulting carbonate-rich capture solution 111 produced by the capture sections 102 A, 102B includes carbonates and bicarbonates and includes the promoter as well. An example composition of such a carbonate-rich capture solution 111 can include K2CO3 / KHCO3 and a promoter. Non-limiting examples of promoters include carbonic anhydrase, amines (primary, secondary, tertiary), zwitterionic amino acids, and boric acid. Nonlimiting examples of additives include chlorides, sulfates, acetates, phosphates, surfactants, oxides and metal oxides. The carbonate-rich capture solution 111 (sometimes referred to herein as a “CO2-rich capture solution 111”) resulting from such a CO2 capture solution 114 can have a pH in the range of 11-13 and can have little residual hydroxide from the CO2 capture solution 114. In example implementations, additives that are not considered promoters can be used to improve theAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 uptake of CO2 in the CO2 capture solution 114. For example, a surfactant can be added to the CO2 capture solution 114 to lower the surface tension of the CO2 capture solution 114 to improve the ability of the CO2 capture solution 114 to wet the material of a gas-liquid interface. Non-limiting examples of rate-enhancing additives include carbonic anhydrase, piperazine, monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), zinc triazacycles, zinc tetraazacycles, copper glycinates, hydroxopentaaminecobalt perchlorate, formaldehyde hydrate, saccharose, fructose, glucose, phenols, phenolates, glycerin, arsenite, vanadium pentoxide, hypochlorite, hypobromite, or other oxyanionic species.

[0138] For example, in implementations of the present disclosure where the at least one CO2 capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes one or more alkali hydroxides, and CO2 is absorbed in the CO2 capture solution 114 and reacted with one or more the alkali hydroxides to form the carbonate-rich capture solution (e.g., including K2CO3, Na2COs, or a combination thereof). In example implementations, the CO2 capture solution 114 includes two or more alkali hydroxides, including a first hydroxide MOH and a second hydroxide YOH, where “M” represents one of the alkali metals and “Y” represents a different alkali metal. M and / or Y of the CO2 capture solution 114 react with the absorbed CO2 of the CO2-laden air 101 to form two or more carbonate compounds in the CO2-laden capture solution 111, including a first carbonate M2CO3 and a second carbonate Y2CO3 (e.g., K2CO3, Na2C0.3, Li2CO3, CS2CO3, and / or a combination thereof). The CCh-rich capture solution 111 is a carbonate-rich capture solution being an aqueous mixture comprising carbonate ions, alkali metal carbonates (e.g., K2CO3, Na2CC>3, Li2CO3, CS2CO3, and / or a combination thereof), hydroxide, or a combination thereof. The carbonates can be carbonate solids such that the that the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 forms a pumpable slurry.

[0139] For example, in implementations of the present disclosure where at least one CO2 capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 is an alkali hydroxide (e.g., KOH), the carbonates (e.g., K2CO3, KHCO3, etc.) formed within the CO2-rich capture solution 111 can be reacted with another species such as an amine species. In example implementations, the amine species is IPDA. A solid precipitate resulting from the reaction, including solids such as carbamic acid solids, may be used to recover at least some of the CO2 captured from the dilute gas source. In such implementations of using two or more CO2 capture species, the CO2 capture process can benefit from the comparatively favourable capture kinetics associated with inorganic capture species such as alkali hydroxides, while also benefiting from the favorable regeneration kinetics associated withAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 organic capture species, for example. The additional chemical compounds may promote the precipitation of solids associated with the alkali hydroxide (e.g., KOH). Additional CO2-capture species that can be used, in combination with a first CO2-capture species, to precipitate solids from dissolved species include, but are not limited to at least one of a cyclic diamine or a bis- iminoguanidine. The additional chemical compounds may promote the precipitation of solids associated with the alkali hydroxide (e.g., KOH) or hindered amine.

[0140] The CO2-laden capture solution 111 can also include other components in smaller amounts, such as hydroxide ions, alkali metal hydroxide (e.g., KOH, NaOH), water, and impurities. For example, the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 can comprise between 0.4 M to 6 M K2CO3 and between 1 M to 10 M KOH. In example implementations, the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 can comprise an aqueous Na2CO3-NaOH mixture. In example implementations, the carbonate-rich capture solution 111 can comprise a mixture of K2CO3 and Na2CO3.

[0141] The capture kinetics of capturing CO2 from the CO2-laden air 101 to form carbonate can be improved by the introduction of an additive such as a promoter species in the CO2 capture solution 114. Non-limiting examples of promoters for boosting CO2 capture with carbonate include carbonic anhydrase, amines (primary, secondary, tertiary), zwitterionic amino acids, and boric acid. The resulting carbonate-rich capture solution 111 produced by the gas-liquid contactor 100 includes carbonates and bicarbonates and includes the promoter as well. An example composition of such a carbonate-rich capture solution 111 can include K2CO3 / KHCO3 and a promoter. The carbonate-rich capture solution 111 resulting from such a CO2 capture solution 114 can have a pH in the range of 11-13 and can have little residual hydroxide from the CO2 capture solution 114. In example aspects, additives that are not considered promoters can be used to improve the uptake of CO2 in the CO2 capture solution 114.

[0142] Referring to FIG. 1, the gas-liquid contactor 100 includes a housing 102. The housing 102 defines part of the corpus of the gas-liquid contactor 100 and provides structure thereto. The housing 102 includes exterior structure or walls that partially enclose any combination of interconnected structural members 115. The structural members 115 provide structural support and stability to the gas-liquid contactor 100 and provide a body or structure for supporting components of the gas-liquid contactor 100 within the housing 102. The structural members 115 can include, but are not limited to, walls, panels, beams, frames, etc. The housingAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01102 can include other components as well, such as cladding, panels, etc. which help to close off parts of the housing 102 and define the enclosure of the housing 102. The housing 102 at least partially encloses and defines an interior 113 of the housing 102. The interior 113 of the housing 102 is an inner volume or inner space in which components of the gas-liquid contactor 100 are positioned. The housing 102 also includes openings 103 that allow for movement of gases into and out of the gas-liquid contactor 100. For example, and referring to FIG. 1, the housing 102 has one or more inlet(s) 1031. In the implementation of FIG. 1, the one or more inlet(s) 1031 are formed by the openings 103, such that the inlet(s) 1031 can be referred to herein as one or more inlet opening(s) 1031 through which the CCh-laden air 101 enters the interior 113 of the housing 102. The housing 102 has one or more outlet(s) 1030. In the implementation of FIG. 1, the one ormore outlet(s) 1030 are formed by the openings 103, such that the outlet(s) 103O canbe referred to herein as one or more outlet opening(s) 1030 through which the CO2-lean gas 105 exits the interior 113 of the housing 102. In the example implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the housing 102 defines two inlets 1031 and one outlet 1030. The outlet 1030 can be defined by a component of the gas-liquid contactor 100. For example, in the implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the gas-liquid contactor 100 has a fan stack 107 with an upright orientation. The fan stack 107 extends upwardly from the housing 102 and helps to discharge the CCh-lean gas 105. The outlet 1030 is positioned along the fan stack 107. In such an implementation, the CO2-laden air 101 enters the interior 113 of the housing 102 along a substantially horizontal direction through one or both of the inlets 1031, and the CO2-lean gas 105 exits the interior 113 along a substantially vertical direction through the outlet 1030. The outlet 1030 is located at the upper extremity of the fan stack 107. In implementations of the gas-liquid contactor 100 without a fan stack 107, the outlet 1030 can be located elsewhere. Other configurations for the inlets 1031 and outlets 1030 of the housing 102 are possible.

[0143] The housing 102 at least partially encloses and protects components of the gasliquid contactor 100 positioned in the interior 113 of the housing 102. One example of such a component is a packing section 106, which is at least partially sheltered from the surrounding atmosphere by the housing 102. As can be seen in FIG. 1, one or more packing sections 106, which are sometimes referred to herein collectively as “fill 106” or “packing 106”, are located within the interior 113 in a position adjacent to the one or more inlets 1031. In this position, the one or more packing sections 106 receive the CCh-laden air 101 which enters the interior 113 viaAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the one or more inlets 1031. The one or more packing sections 106 function to increase transfer of CO2 present in the CCh-laden air 101 to a flow of the capture solution 114, in that the one or more packing sections 106 provide a large surface area for the capture solution 114 to disperse on, thereby increasing the reactive area between the CCh-laden air 101 and the capture solution 114. The capture solution 114 transforms the CCh-laden air 101 into the CCh-lean gas 105 which is discharged from the one or more outlet(s) 1030 of the gas-liquid contactor 100. The packing sections 106 receives the CO2 capture solution 114 and facilitates absorption of the CO2 present in the CO2-laden air 101 into the CO2 capture solution 114 on the packing sections 106, as described in greater detail below.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 1, an example arrangement of the packing sections 106 includes two or more packing sections 106A, 106B. Each packing section 106A, 106B is positioned adjacent to and downstream of one of the inlets 1031. The packing sections 106A, 106B are spaced apart from each other within the housing 102. The direction along which the packing sections 106A, 106B are spaced apart is parallel to the direction along which the CCh-laden air 101 flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B. The space or volume defined between the packing sections 106A, 106B and / or one or more structural members 115 of the housing 102 is a plenum 108. The plenum 108 is flanked by the packing sections 106A, 106B. Referring to FIG. 1, the plenum 108 is a void or space within the housing 102 into which gases flow downstream of the packing sections 106A, 106B (e.g., the CCh-lean gas 105), and from which the CCh-lean gas 105 flows out of the housing 102 through the outlet 1030. The plenum 108 can be positioned differently relative to the one or more packing sections 106 in example implementations of the gas-liquid contactor 100. The plenum 108 is part of the interior 113 of the housing 102. The volume of the plenum 108 is less than a volume of the interior 113. In example implementations, the volume of the interior 113 of the housing 102 is approximately equal to the combined volume of the packing sections 106A, 106B and the plenum 108. Referring to FIG. 1, the packing sections 106A, 106B are positioned along the same level, or are positioned along the same horizontal lower plane, as the plenum 108. Referring to FIG. 1, the plenum 108 can include an upper plenum portion 108U that is an uppermost portion of the plenum 108, and a lower plenum portion 108L that is a lowermost portion of the plenum 108. A total height of the plenum 108 is defined as the height of the upper plenum portion 108U plus the height of the lower plenum portion 108L. Part of the upper plenum portion 108U is defined by housing plenum walls 102W of the housing 102,Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 and a remainder of the upper plenum portion 108U is defined by the portion of the fan stack 107 positioned beneath the fan 212. The housing plenum walls 102W extend upwardly from a remainder of the housing 102. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 1, the housing plenum walls 102W are the uppermost portion of the housing 102. The height of the upper plenum portion 108U includes a lower height portion defined by the housing plenum walls 102W, and an upper height portion defined by the portion of the fan stack 107 positioned beneath the fan 212. In example implementations, the lower height portion defined by the housing plenum walls 102W is two thirds of the height of the upper plenum portion 108U, and the upper height portion defined by the portion of the fan stack 107 positioned beneath the fan 212 is one third of the height of the upper plenum portion 108U. This configuration of the upper plenum portion 108U can reduce reingestion of part of the CCh-lean gas 105 at the inlet 1031. Referring to FIG. 1, part of the upper plenum portion 108U, and thus part of the plenum 108, extends into the fan stack 107 or cowling. After the CCh-laden air 101 flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B, the CCh-lean gas 105 flows through the plenum 108 before being discharged via the outlet 1030 to the ambient environment. In example implementations of the gas-liquid contactor 100, the plenum is absent.

[0145] In the example implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the 002- laden air 101 enters the interior 113 of the housing 102 along a substantially horizontal direction through both of the inlets 1031. The CO2-laden air 101 then flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B along a substantially horizontal direction, where the CO2 present in the CO2-laden air 101 contacts the CO2 capture solution 114 present on the packing sections 106A, 106B and / or flowing in a substantially downward direction over the packing sections 106A, 106B. The exposed surface of the liquid film on the packing sections 106 A, 106B is a gas-liquid interface between the CO2-laden air 101 and the CO2 capture solution 114. CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 is absorbed into the liquid film to form the CO2-laden capture solution 111 and the CCh-lean gas 105. The CCh-laden capture solution 111 flows downwardly off the packing sections 106 A, 106B in a mixed solution with unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 and is collected. The CO2-laden air 101 treated by the packing sections 106A, 106B exits the packing sections 106A, 106B as the CCh-lean gas 105. The CCh-lean gas 105 from both packing sections 106 A, 106B converges in the plenum 108, and then flows in a vertically upward direction out of the plenum 108 through the outlet 1030. The gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1 can be considered a dual-cell, cross-flow air contactor, where each cell is defined as the portion of the gas-liquid contactor 100 having one of the packingAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 sections 106A, 106B. Other configurations of a gas-liquid contactor are possible, as described in greater detail below.

[0146] In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 1, the CO2-lean gas stream 105 can contain components of the CO2 capture solution 114, and possibly also components of the CO2-laden capture solution 111. The components of the CO2 capture solution 114 and possibly also of the CCh-laden capture solution 111 can be in liquid and / or vapour phase and may be present in the flow of the CCh-lean gas stream 105 such that they can flow with the CCh-lean gas stream 105 out of the gas-liquid contactor 101. The components in the CCh-lean gas stream 105 can include, but are not limited to, alkali hydroxides, carbonic anhydrase, amines (primary, secondary, tertiary), carbonates and bicarbonates. The size and phase of the components can vary based on numerous factors, non-limiting examples of which include the physical and / or chemical properties of the CO2 capture solution 114, ambient and / or solution temperature, and the relative humidity of ambient and / or of the CCh-laden air 101. For example, in implementations where the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes one or more amine species, the components can include volatilized amine components which are in vapour or gas phase and are in equilibrium with the CCh-lean gas stream 105, due to the volatility of the amine species resulting from its high vapour pressure at most ambient conditions. In example aspects, in implementations of the present disclosure where the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes one or more alkali hydroxides species, the components can be in liquid phase as liquid airborne particles and can be entrained by, or suspended in, the CCh-lean gas stream 105, due to the comparatively low volatility of the alkali hydroxide species resulting from its relatively low vapour pressure at most ambient conditions. In example aspects, in implementations of the present disclosure where the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes bicarbonate species, the components can be in liquid phase as liquid airborne particles and can be entrained by, or suspended in, the CCh-lean gas stream 105, due to the comparatively low volatility of the bicarbonate species resulting from its relatively low vapour pressure at most ambient conditions. In example aspects, in implementations of the present disclosure where the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes two or more species which have both high and low volatilities, the components can be in both vapour phase, and liquid phase as liquid airborne particles. In such examples of liquid airborne particles, the airborne particles can be liquid aerosol particles of the CO2 capture solution 114 that are suspended in the CCh-lean gas stream 105 and can range in size from less than 1 micron to overAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0170 microns. In such examples of liquid aerosol particles, the liquid aerosol particles of the CO2 capture solution 114 that are suspended in the CCh-lean gas stream 105 can have a size less than 2.5 microns.

[0147] Solid airborne particles can also be entrained in the CCh-lean gas stream 105. Depending on such non-limiting factors as the physical and / or chemical properties of the CO2 capture solution 114, the reaction products of the CO2 capture solution 114 with CO2, the solids present in liquid flows returning to the gas-liquid contactor 101, and the environment in which the gas-liquid contactor 101 is operating, solid airborne particles can be suspended in the CCh-lean gas stream 105 flowing from the gas-liquid contactor 101. Such solid airborne particles can be, or can include, non-process elements (NPEs) which are desirable to remove from the gas flows exiting the gas-liquid contactor 100. The present disclosure describes measures to reduce or eliminate these solid airborne particles, as described in greater detail below.

[0148] The gas-liquid contactor 100 can include drift elimination to remove or reduce CO2 capture solution 114 that can be entrained in the CCh-lean gas 105 flowing through the plenum 108. The drift elimination can take any suitable form. For example, the drift elimination can include one or more portions of drift eliminators positioned downstream of, and adjacent to, the packing sections 106. In another example implementation, the drift elimination includes a wash water section to wash or scrub entrained particles of the CO2 capture solution 114 from the CO2- lean gas 105. In other example implementations, the drift elimination includes a combination of drift eliminators and a wash water section.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 1, the gas-liquid contactor 100 can include one or more portions of drift eliminators 175 to remove or reduce one or more of the CO2 capture solution 114, the CO2- laden capture solution 111 and solid airborne particles that may be entrained in the CCh-lean gas 105 and exhausted from the outlet 1030. The CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CO2-laden capture solution 111 entrained in the CO2-lean gas 105 can be referred to as “drift” or “mist” and can be in liquid aerosol form or as volatilized components. The drift eliminators 175 (sometimes referred to as “mist eliminators”) are positioned downstream of the packing 106 relative to a flow direction of the CCh-laden air 101 , and function to eliminate drift (z. e. , remove 100% of aerosolized or volatilized particles) or to reduce the amount of drift ( / '.<?., remove less than 100% of aerosolized or volatilized particles) exiting the gas-liquid contactor 100 through the outlet 1030. For example, in implementations where the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes one or moreAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 amine species, the drift eliminators 175 help to remove orreduce the volatilized amine components from the CCh-lean gas stream 105. For example, in implementations where the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 includes one or more hydroxides, the drift eliminators 175 help to remove or reduce the liquid aerosol components from the CCE-lean gas stream 105. The drift eliminators 175 may include componentry of the passive type, of the active type, or both. Nonlimiting examples of passive componentry for the drift eliminators 175 include baffles, vanes, slats, and packing material. Non-limiting examples of active componentry for the drift eliminators 175 include wash or scrubbing componentry, and electrostatic componentry. The drift eliminators 175 can include both passive and active componentry, in any combination.

[0150] In the example implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the CO2- laden air 101 enters the interior 113 of the housing 102 along a substantially horizontal direction through both of the inlets 1031. The CCh-laden air 101 then flows through the packing sections 106A, 106B along a substantially horizontal direction, where the CO2 present in the C Ch-laden air 101 contacts the CO2 capture solution 114 present on the packing sections 106A, 106B and / or flowing in a substantially downward direction (e.g., due to gravity) over the packing sections 106A, 106B. The exposed surface of the liquid film on the packing sections 106A, 106B is a gasliquid interface between the CCh-laden air 101 and the CO2 capture solution 114. CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 is absorbed into the liquid film to form the CCh-laden capture solution 111 and the CCh-lean gas 105. The CCh-laden capture solution 111 flows downwardly off the packing sections 106A, 106B in a mixed solution with unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 and is collected. The CCh-laden air 101 treated by the packing sections 106A, 106B exits the packing sections 106A, 106B as the CCh-lean gas 105. The CCh-lean gas 105 from both packing sections 106A, 106B converges in the plenum 108, and then flows in a vertically upward direction out of the plenum 108 through the outlet 1030. The gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1 can be considered a dual-cell, cross-flow air contactor, where each cell is defined by one of the packing sections 106A, 106B. Other configurations of a gas-liquid contactor are possible, as described in greater detail below.

[0151] Each packing section 106 defines a packing depth 106D, which represents the distance traversed by the CO2-laden air 101 as it flows through the packing section 106. The packing depth 106D can be in the range of 2-10 meters. Each packing section 106 also defines a packing liquid travel dimension 106L (sometimes referred to herein as the “packing LTD 106L”),Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 which represents the distance traversed by the CO2 capture solution 1 14 as it flows through the packing section 106. In the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the packing depth 106D is transverse to the packing LTD 106L. In the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the packing depth 106D is defined along a substantially horizontal direction, and the packing LTD 106L is a vertical dimension. In example implementations, the packing LTD 106L (e.g., the height of each packing section 106) is greater than 2 m. In example implementations, the packing LTD 106L is greater than 5 m. In example implementations, the packing LTD 106L is between 2 m and 20 m. In example implementations, the packing depth 106D is greater than 3 m. In example implementations, the packing depth 106D is greater than 5 m. In example implementations, the packing depth 106D is between 3 m and 10 m. In other configurations of the gas-liquid contactor 100, the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L can be defined differently, as described in greater detail below.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 1, each packing section 106 includes one or more structured packings 116. In the implementation of the packing sections 106 of FIG. 1, each packing section 106A, 106B includes multiple structured packings 116. Within one of the packing sections 106, each structured packing 116 is arranged adjacent to another structured packing 116. The structured packings 116 of each packing section 106 can be arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of one or more of the packing depth 106D, the packing LTD 106L, and a direction perpendicular to both of the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. Within one of the packing sections 106, in example implementations one structured packing 116 is attached to another structured packing 116. Within one of the packing sections 106, in example implementations the structured packings 116 of each packing section 106 are arranged next to one another with minimal separation or gaps along one or more of the packing depth 106D, the packing LTD 106L, and a direction perpendicular to both of the packing depth 10D and the packing LTD 106L. Within one of the packing sections 106, in example implementations one or more structured packings 116 of each packing section 106 are abutted against one or more other structured packings 116 with minimal separation or gaps along one or more of the packing depth 106D, the packing LTD 106L, and a direction perpendicular to both of the packing depth 10D and the packing LTD 106L.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 1, some of the structured packings 116 of each packing section 106 are supported according to one or more of the following: 1) they are mounted to a structural member 115 of the housing 102, 2) they are attached to at least one other structured packing 116,Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 and 3) they are abutted against a structural member 115 or another structured packing 116. This support of the structured packings 116 reinforces their arrangement within each packing section 106, helps to rigidify each packing section 106, and can also help each structured packing 116 resist or support loads acting upon it during operation of the gas-liquid contactor 100. For example, in mounting the structured packings 116 as described above, the structured packings 116 become constrained which can result in an increase in the overall strength (e.g., crush strength) of each structured packing 116 and of each packing section 106, compared to a packing structure that is unconstrained.

[0154] The structured packings 116 can be arranged to form packing sections 106 of any desired shape or configuration. For example, and referring to FIG. 1, the structured packings 116 are arranged such that each packing section 106A, 106B includes at least one arrangement 118 of the structured packings 116. In FIG. 1, each packing section 106A, 106B includes at least two arrangements 118 of the structured packing 116 - an upper arrangement 118U and a lower arrangement 118L. The structured packings 116 of each arrangement 118 can be arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of one or more of the packing depth 106D, the packing LTD 106L, and the direction perpendicular to both of the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. All the structured packings 116 of each upper arrangement 118U are positioned above all the structured packings 116 of each lower arrangement 118L. Each arrangement 118 can be considered a “slab” of packing. Other configurations of each arrangement 118, and of the positioning of the arrangements 118 of each packing section 106, are possible. The packing sections 106A, 106B of FIG. 1 are thus vertically sectioned, and include one or more arrangements 118 of structured packings 116 positioned one above another.

[0155] In the example implementation of the packing sections 106 of FIG. 1, each packing section 106A, 106B has a respective packing section height that is substantially equal to a height of the inlets 1031. Providing the packing sections 106 with substantially the same height as the height of the inlet 1031 can help to prevent or reduce the ability of the CCh-laden air 101 to bypass the packing sections 106 (e.g., flow around the packing sections 106), thereby helping to ensure that the greatest possible volume of CCL-laden air 101 is treated by the packing sections 106. By “substantially equal” or “substantially the same”, it is understood that the heights are approximately equal in value, with any differences being minimal compared to the overall height dimension, where said differences can result from manufacturing tolerances, packing installationAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 requirements, and / or adjustments in dimensions to allow for seals, baffles or other features. Other configurations for the packing sections 106 are possible. For example, in example implementations, the heights of the packing sections 106A, 106B are less than the height of the inlet 1031, and any gaps between the packing sections 106A, 106B and the housing 102 are sealed using suitable techniques. In other example implementations, the packing sections 106 include non-structured packing (e.g., random packing). In other example implementations, the packing sections 106 include sheets, panels or meshes of material which are spaced apart from each other to define gas channels along which the CCh-laden air 101 flows, such that the CCh-laden air 101 flows primarily along the packing material rather than through it. In other example implementations, the packing sections 106 include the packings described above arranged in any combination.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 1, the gas-liquid contactor 100 has, includes components of, or is functionally linked to, a liquid distribution system 120. The liquid distribution system 120 operates to move, collect and distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the C Ch-laden capture solution 111. In particular, the liquid distribution system 120 is configured to flow the CO2 capture solution 114 through the at least one packing section 106 in a downward direction.

[0157] At least some of the features of the liquid distribution system 120 are supported by the housing 102 and / or structural members 115. In the example implementation of FIG. 1, the support provided by the housing 102 includes structural support, in that components of the liquid distribution system 120 are structurally supported by the housing 102, such as by the structural members 115, so that loads generated by these components are supported. Some or all of the features of the liquid distribution system 120 can be part of the gas-liquid contactor 100, or part of a DAC system (such as DAC system 1200, 1900, 1400 of FIGS. 10-14B).

[0158] Referring to FIG. 1, the liquid distribution system 120 includes one or more liquid collection devices 109. Each liquid collection device 109 is configured to receive one or both of the CO2 capture solution 114 and the CCE-laden capture solution 111 and to hold a volume thereof temporarily or for a longer duration, thereby serving as a source of the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or of the CCE-laden capture solution 111. Each liquid collection device 109 can have any configuration or be made of any material suitable to achieve the function ascribed to it in the present description. For example, one or more of the liquid collection devices 109 can be opentopped, or partially or fully covered. In FIG. 1, one or more of the liquid collection devices 109Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 include, or are in the form of, basins. Other configurations of the liquid collection device 109 are possible, such as a reservoir, a bed, a sheet, a culvert, an open-top pipe, a container, a receptacle, a network of pressurized pipes with openings or spray nozzles, or any other device capable of retaining liquid.

[0159] The liquid collection devices 109 of the liquid distribution system 120 include one or more top basins 104 and one or more bottom basins 110. The top basins 104 are supported by the housing 102. In example implementations, the top basins 104 are formed from portions of the housing 102. The top basins 104 are configured to at least partially enclose or store the CO2 capture solution 114. Referring to FIG. 1, the top basins 104 are each positioned at least partially above the packing sections 106. Referring to FIG. 1, the top basins 104 are positioned above the inlets 1031. Referring to FIG. 1, the top basins 104 are positioned beneath the upper plenum portion 108U. Part of the plenum 108 (e.g., the upper plenum portion 108U) thus extends beyond or above the top basins 104. When stored (at least transiently) within the top basins 104, the CO2 capture solution 114 is positioned to be circulated (e.g., through pumping, gravity flow or both) downwards, through the packing sections 106 and ultimately into the bottom basin 110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 is circulated through the packing sections 106, the CCh-laden air 101 is circulated through the packing sections 106 to contact the CO2 capture solution 114, through the plenum 108, and to an ambient environment as the CCh-lean gas 105. A process stream is formed by contacting the CCh-laden air 101 and the liquid CO2 capture solution 114, where the process stream is or includes the CC -laden capture solution 111 having CO2 absorbed from the CCh-laden air 101 by the CO2 capture solution 114. The top basins 104 can each have any suitable form or feature for distributing the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing sections 106. For example, in one possible configuration of the top basins 104, each top basin 104 includes a top basin bottom wall that is perforated with perforations or openings, and nozzles within the openings that function to distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 in a conical spray pattern over the packing sections 106. In the example implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100 of FIG. 1, the liquid collection devices 109 include two top basins 104. Each top basin 104 is positioned above one of the packing sections 106A, 106B to distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 to the respective packing section 106A, 106B. The top basins 104 of FIG. 1 are fluidly isolated from one another (e.g., no fluid communication between the two top basins 104). Other configurations and numbers of the top basins 104 are possible. Other configurations for the distribution of the CO2 capture solution 114Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 over the packing sections 106 is possible. In one such possible configuration, the one or more of the liquid collection devices 109 include, or are in the form of, a network of pressurized pipes with openings or spray nozzles which distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 over the uppermost portions of the packing sections 106.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 1, the one or more bottom basins 110 are positioned at the bottom of the gas-liquid contactor 100 opposite the top basins 104. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the bottom basin 110 is positioned below the packing sections 106. The bottom basin 110 acts as a collection tank for the process stream (e.g., the CCh-laden capture solution 111). The CCh-laden capture solution 111 including absorbed CO2, as well as unreacted CO2 capture solution 114, collects in the bottom basin 110, and can then be pumped or otherwise moved out of the bottom basin 110. For example, at least a portion of the liquids collected in the bottom basin 110 can be processed and then pumped for redistribution over the packing sections 106 for use in CO2 capture. In another possible implementation, some or all of the liquids collected in the bottom basin 110 is pumped to the top basins 104 without being processed, for redistribution over the packing sections 106 for CO2 capture. In another possible implementation, some or all of the liquids collected in the bottom basin 110 are pumped to components of a DAC system (such as DAC system 1200, 1900, 1400 of FIGS. 10-13) for further processing, as described in greater detail below. The bottom basin 110 can be compatible with a containment structure and prevent loss of various CO2 capture solutions 114, many of which have corrosive, caustic or high pH properties. In example aspects, the bottom basin 110 can be lined or coated with one or more materials that are resistant to caustic induced corrosion or degradation. In example implementations of the gas-liquid contactor 100, components of the gas-liquid contactor 100 can be kept out of the bottom basin 110 holding the CO2 capture solution 114. Additionally, the gas-liquid contactor 100 can be designed to keep most or all the structural components out of the wettable area of the gas-liquid contactor 100, e.g., any portion of the gas-liquid contactor 100 that is in contact with the CO2 capture solution 114. Examples of wettable areas of the gas-liquid contactor 100 includes components supporting the packing sections 106. FIG. 1 depicts a single bottom basin 110 that is common to all packing sections 106. However, other configurations and numbers of bottom basins 110 are possible. For example, in other example implementations, the bottom basin 110 can be rectangular, H-shaped, U-shaped, or of any other shape that allows the collection of the CO2 capture solution from the packing sections 106. In other implementations of the gas-liquid contactor 100, the bottom basinAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01110 is not present. In its place, another the liquid collection device 109 functions to receive and flow the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CCh-laden capture solution 111. Non-limiting examples of such other liquid collection devices 109 include a plurality of interconnected pipes, fluidly coupled or not with a tray, pan, or other similar object against which liquid can impact. The liquid collection device 109 is fluidly coupled to the packing sections 106 and is positioned downstream of the packing sections 106 to receive and flow the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CO2-laden capture solution 111.

[0161] One or both of the top and bottom basins 104, 110 can include liquid-manipulation componentry such as weirs, valves, piping, manifolds, spray nozzles, and overflow control mechanisms.

[0162] In example implementations, the gas-liquid contactor 100 includes vertically sectioned packing sections 106 with redistribution of the CO2 capture solution 114 between the vertically-spaced apart packing. For example, and referring to FIG. 1, the liquid collection devices 109 of the liquid distribution system 120 include one or more redistribution basins 119. The one or more redistribution basins 119 are each positioned in a redistribution spacing that is defined between the upper and lower arrangements 118U, 118L of each packing section 106A, 106B. The redistribution spacing is a vertically-extending gap defined between the upper and lower arrangements 118U, 118L of each packing section 106A, 106B. Each packing section 106 A, 106B includes a redistribution basin 119, which is positioned in the redistribution spacing of that packing section 106A, 106B. Thus, in the configuration of packing sections 106A, 106B of FIG. 1, each redistribution basin 119 divides each packing section 106A, 106B into at least a top section (e.g., the upper arrangement 118U of structured packings 116) and a bottom section (e.g., the lower arrangement 118L of structured packings 116). Each redistribution basin 119 is located vertically between the one or more top basins 104 and the bottom basin 110. During operation of the gasliquid contactor 100, a process stream including the CCh-laden capture solution 111 including absorbed CO2 as well as unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 flows from each upper arrangement 118U of structured packings 116 and collects in each redistribution basin 119. When stored (at least transiently) within the redistribution basins 119, the process stream is positioned to be redistributed (e.g., through pumping, gravity flow or both) downwards, through the remaining structured packings 116 of the lower arrangement 118L and eventually into the bottom basin 110. In example implementations, the process stream is pumped into the redistribution basins 119 fromAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the bottom basin 1 10. The redistribution basins 119 can each have any suitable form or feature for redistributing the process stream over the structured packings 116 of the of the lower arrangement 118L. Non-limiting examples of features of the redistribution basins 119 include basin walls, redistribution apertures, and redistribution nozzles. For example, in one possible configuration of the redistribution basins 119, each redistribution basin 119 includes a redistribution basin bottom wall that is perforated with perforations or openings, and nozzles within the openings that function to distribute the liquid solution in a conical spray pattern over the packing sections 106 of the lower arrangement 118L. Thus, in the gas-liquid contactor 100, there can be a collector / distributor system between vertical sections of packing that collects fluid flowing from above and redistributes it evenly to the packing below. The description and one, some, or all of the advantages, and functions of features of the top basins 104 and of the bottom basin 110 apply mutatis mutandis to the redistribution basins 119.

[0163] In example implementations, to mitigate or eliminate air bypass through the redistribution basins, the redistribution basins may comprise a plurality of vertical baffles. Each of the plurality of vertical baffles will extend from a roof surface of the redistribution basin towards a liquid surface within the redistribution surface. Each of the plurality of vertical baffles will be spaced apart equidistantly or at varying distances along the ATD. The plurality of vertical baffles may prevent the CCh-laden air 101 flowing through the structured packings 116 above the redistributions basins 119 from passing through the redistributions basins 119. In particular, each of the plurality of vertical baffles can redirect CO2 -laden air 101 air back to the structured packings 116.

[0164] In other example implementations, to mitigate or eliminate air bypass through the redistribution basins, a floor above each of the redistribution basins 119 may be configured differently and will be described in greater detail below.

[0165] In alternate implementations of redistribution of the CO2 capture solution 114 between the vertically-spaced apart packing, the packing sections 106 themselves include redistribution features. The redistribution features can be part of redistribution packing that is different from the structured packings 116. The redistribution packing can have a vertical extent and be positioned between arrangements 118U, 118L of structured packings 116, for example midway up the packing LTD 106L. Alternatively, the redistribution packing can include multiple redistribution packing portions alternating with arrangements 118U, 118L of structured packingsAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01116. The redistribution features promote redistribution of the CO2 capture solution 1 14 to lower portions of the packing sections 106. In alternate implementations of the gas-liquid contactor 100, the gas-liquid contactor 100 does not include vertically-sectioned packing or redistribution.

[0166] In example implementations, the redistribution basins 119 may not be present. In such implementations, the structured packings 116 may include material and physical characteristics (e.g., directional fill or fill portions) to flow the CO2 capture solution 114 to lower portions of the packing sections 106.

[0167] Referring to FIG. 1, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows over the packing sections 106 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular or transverse to the average direction along which the CCh-laden air 101 circulates through the packing sections 106, also known as a “cross flow” configuration. In another possible implementation, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows over the packing sections 106 in a direction that is opposite to the average direction along which the CCh-laden air 101 circulates through the packing sections 106, also known as a “counter flow” configuration. In another possible implementation, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows over the packing sections 106 in a direction that is parallel with the direction along which the CCh-laden air 101 circulates through the packing sections 106, also known as a “co-current flow” configuration. In another possible configuration, the CO2 capture solution 114 flows over the packing sections 106 according to a configuration that is a combination of one or more of cross flow, counter flow and co-current flow configurations.

[0168] The gas-liquid contactor 100 can include supports positioned within the packing sections 106 between the top basins 104 and bottom basin 110. For example, the packing sections 106 can include additional support, such as one or more structural members 115, for a specific portion of the packing sections 106, such as for an upper portion of the packing sections 106, so that the loads (e.g., the weight of the portion of structured packings 116 when dry plus the weight of the liquid hold up of the CO2 capture solution 114 on the portion of the structured packings 116) do not bear upon another portion of the packing sections 106 (e.g., a bottom portion of the packing sections 106). In example aspects, the packing sections 106 can not include the support. In example aspects, at least one structural support can be positioned between the structured packings 116 of the packing sections 106.

[0169] The liquid distribution system 120 can include any suitable componentry, such as piping, weir(s), pump(s), valve(s), manifold(s), etc., fluidly coupled in any suitable arrangement,Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 to achieve the functionality ascribed to the liquid distribution system 120 herein. One non-limiting example of such componentry is one or more pump(s) 122, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The pumps 122 function to move liquids under pressure, such as the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CO2-laden capture solution 111, from their source to where they are used. Some nonlimiting examples of possible functions of the pumps 122 include moving the CO2 capture solution 114 to the top basins 104, moving the process streams from the bottom basin 110 to the redistribution basins 119, moving the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CCh-laden capture solution 111 from the bottom basin 110 to the top basins 104 for redistribution over the packing sections 106, moving the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or the CCh-laden capture solution 111 from the bottom basin 110 to components of the DAC system 1200, 1900, 1400 for further processing, and any combination of the preceding flows. The pumps 122 can thus be used to move liquid to, from and within the gas-liquid contactor 100.

[0170] A control system (e.g., control system 999 shown in FIG. 1) can be used to control the flow of fluid by the pumps 122 of the liquid distribution system 120. For example, a control system can be used to control the pumps 122 in order to pump the CO2 capture solution 114 from the bottom basin 110 to the top basins 104. The pumps 122 can also be controlled such that a constant velocity of flow is provided to the liquid distribution system 120 regardless of changes of liquid flow throughout the gas-liquid contactor 100.

[0171] The pumps 122 can help to distribute the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing sections 106 at relatively low liquid flow rates, which can help to reduce costs associated with pumping or moving the CO2 capture solution 114. Further, low liquid flow rates of the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing sections 106 can result in a lower pressure drop of the CCh-laden air 101 as it flows through the packing sections 106, which reduces the energy requirements of the device used for moving the CCh-laden air 101 across the packing sections 106 (e.g., a fan 212 described below). The pumps 122 can be configured to generate intermittent or pulsed flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 over the packing sections 106, which can allow for intermittent wetting of the packing sections 106 using relatively low liquid flows. The CO2 capture solution 114 sprayed, flowed, or otherwise distributed over the packing sections 106 is collected in the bottom basin 110 and can then be moved by the pumps 122 back to the top basin 104, or sent downstream for processing.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0172] In example i plementations, and referring to FIG. 1 , the one or more pump(s) 122 of the liquid distribution system are operable to flow the CO2 capture solution 114 over each packing section 106 at a liquid loading rate ranging from 0.5 L / m2s to 10 L / m2s. In example implementations, the liquid loading rate is between 2 L / m2s and 6 L / m2s. The units L / m2s of the liquid loading rate refer to a given volume of the CO2 capture solution 114 covering a given area of the packing section 106, each second. The given area of the packing section 106 can refer to a plane area of a top of the packing section 106, such as the area of the packing section 106 underneath the top basin 104 (e.g., looking down on the top part of the packing section 106 from the top basin 104). When determined using the plane area, a liquid loading rate of 2 L / m2s means that the pump(s) 122 is configured to flow the CO2 capture solution 114 over each packing section 106 such that every second each square meter of the plane area of the packing section 106 receives 2 L of the CO2 capture solution 114. In example aspects, the given area of the liquid loading rate may not refer to the area of a surface of the structured packing 116. The liquid loading rate can refer to, or be reflective of, an initial flow condition where the CO2 capture solution 114 is applied to the top of the packing section 106. In example aspects, the liquid loading rate may not reflect subsequent flow conditions present lower down the packing section 106.

[0173] The liquid process streams in the gas-liquid contactor 100, as well as process streams within any downstream processes with which the gas-liquid contactor 100 is fluidly coupled, can be flowed using one or more flow control systems (e.g., control system 999). A flow control system can include one or more flow pumps (including or in addition to the pumps 122), fans, blowers, or solids conveyors to move the process streams, one or more flow pipes through which the process streams are flowed and one or more valves to regulate the flow of streams through the pipes. Each of the configurations described herein can include at least one variable frequency drive (VFD) coupled to a respective pump that is capable of controlling at least one liquid flow rate. In example implementations, liquid flow rates are controlled by at least one flow control valve.

[0174] In example implementations, a flow control system can be operated manually. For example, an operator can set a flow rate for each pump or transfer device and set valve open or closed positions to regulate the flow of the process streams through the pipes in the flow control system. Once the operator has set the flow rates and the valve open or closed positions for all flow control systems distributed across the system, the flow control system can flow the streams underAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 constant flow conditions, for example, constant volumetric rate or other flow conditions. To change the flow conditions, the operator can manually operate the flow control system, for example, by changing the pump flow rate or the valve open or closed position.

[0175] In example implementations, a flow control system can be operated automatically. For example, the flow control system can be connected to a computer or control system (e.g., control system 999) to operate the flow control system. The control system can include a computer-readable medium storing instructions (such as flow control instructions and other instructions) executable by one or more processors to perform operations (such as flow control operations). An operator can set the flow rates and the valve open or closed positions for all flow control systems distributed across the facility using the control system. In such embodiments, the operator can manually change the flow conditions by providing inputs through the control system. Also, in such embodiments, the control system can automatically (that is, without manual intervention) control one or more of the flow control systems, for example, using feedback systems connected to the control system. For example, a sensor (such as a pressure sensor, temperature sensor or other sensor) can be connected to a pipe through which a process stream flows. The sensor can monitor and provide a flow condition (such as a pressure, temperature, or other flow condition) of the process stream to the control system. In response to the flow condition exceeding a threshold (such as a threshold pressure value, a threshold temperature value, or other threshold value), the control system can automatically perform operations. For example, if the pressure or temperature in the pipe exceeds the threshold pressure value or the threshold temperature value, respectively, the control system can provide a signal to the pump to decrease a flow rate, a signal to open a valve to relieve the pressure, a signal to shut down process stream flow, or other signals.

[0176] The gas-liquid contactor 100 has a gas-circulating device which functions to move or circulate gas flows into and out of the gas-liquid contactor 100. In the implementation of the gas-liquid contactor of FIG. 1, the gas-circulating device of the gas-liquid contactor 100 is a fan 212. Even though the fan 212 is described in this implementation as an induced-draft fan 212, any other suitable gas-circulating device can be used, non-limiting examples of which include blower, compressor, forced-draft devices, and devices which are axial or centrifugal in nature. The fan 212 functions to circulate gases like ambient air, such that the CCE-laden air 101 is caused by the fan 212 to flow into the gas-liquid contactor 100, and such that the CCh-lean gas 105 is caused by the fan 212 to be discharged from the gas-liquid contactor 100. The fan 212 thus functions toAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 circulate the CCh-laden air 101 and the CCh-lean gas 105 in the manner described herein. Referring to FIG. 1, the fan 212 is rotatable about a fan axis defined by a fan shaft. In the implementation of the fan 212 depicted in FIG. 1, the fan axis has an upright or vertical orientation. Other orientations for the shaft and for the fan axis are possible, as described in greater detail below. Referring to FIG. 1, the fan 212 is positioned upstream of the end of the fan stack 107 that defines the outlet 1030 and functions to induce a flow of the CO2-lean gas 105 through the outlet 1030. In another possible configuration, the fan 212 is positioned elsewhere between the vertically-opposite ends of the fan stack 107 and upstream of the outlet 1030, such that the fan 212 flows the COz-lean gas 105 through the outlet 1030. Referring to FIG. 1, the fan 212 is positioned downstream of, and above, the upper plenum portion 108U. Rotation of the fan 212 about the fan axis causes gases to circulate into the inlets 1031 and through the gas-liquid contactor 100. For example, in the implementation of the gas-liquid contactor of FIG. 1, rotation of the fan 212 causes the CCh-laden air 101 to be drawn into the gas-liquid contactor 100 and causes the CCh-lean gas 105 to be discharged from the gas-liquid contactor 100. The fan 212 can cause the CCh-laden air 101 to enter the packing sections 106 at airspeeds below 5 m / s. The fan 212 can cause the CCh-laden air 101 to enter the packing sections 106 at airspeeds between 0.1 m / s and 5 m / s.

[0177] In addition to being operable to flow the dilute gas source through the at least one packing section 106, the fan 212 is also operable to flow the CCh-lean gas stream 105 out of the at least one packing section 106. Therefore, the CC -lean gas stream 105 produced by absorbing at least the portion of the CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101, can be flowed out of the gas-liquid contactor 100 using the fan 212.

[0178] Other configurations of the gas-liquid contactor 100 are possible, some of which are now described in greater detail.

[0179] In one such possible configuration, and referring to FIG. 2A, the gas-liquid contactor 100a can have an upright body and an air inlet 2103 along a bottom portion through which the CCh-laden air 101 is admitted into the gas-liquid contactor 100A. The fan 2112 rotates to draw the CCh-laden air 101 through the inlet 2103 in an upward direction to contact the packing section 2106. In the configuration of FIG. 2A, the gas-liquid contactor 100A has only one packing section 2106 and can therefore be referred to as a “single cell” gas-liquid contactor 100A. The CO2 capture solution 114 circulates downwards by, for example, gravity flow, uniform or laminarAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 flow, etc., within the packing 2106 and eventually flows into one or more bottom basins 2110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 circulates through and over the packing 2106, the CCh-laden air 101 is flowing (e.g., by action of the fan 2112) upwardly through the packing 2106 to contact the CO2 capture solution 114. Thus, the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 through the packing 2106 in FIG. 2A is counter-current (or counterflow) to the flow of the CCh-laden air 101 through the packing 2106. The packing liquid travel dimension along which the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing 2106 is defined along the vertical direction and is the same as the packing depth along which the CCh-laden air 101 flows upwardly through the packing 2106. A portion of the CO2 within the CCh-laden air 101 is transferred to (e.g., absorbed by) the CO2 capture solution 114, and the fan 2112 moves the CO2 lean gas 105 out of the gas-liquid contactor 100A to an ambient environment. The CO2 rich solution flows into the at least one bottom basin 2110.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 2B, another possible configuration of a gas-liquid contactor 100B has an upright body and an inlet 3103 along an upright side portion through which the CCh-laden air 101 is admitted into the gas-liquid contactor 100b. The fan 3112 rotates about a horizontal fan axis to draw the CCh-laden air 101 through the inlet 3103 in a substantially horizontal direction to contact the packing section 3106. In another possible implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100b, the fan 3112 is upstream of the packing section 3106 relative to the flow direction of the CCh-laden air 101. In such an implementation, the gas-liquid contactor 100B employs forced draft in which the fan 3112 rotates about a horizontal fan axis to “push” the CCh-laden air 101 through the inlet 3103 in a substantially horizontal direction to contact the packing section 3106. In the configuration of FIG. 2B, the gas-liquid contactor 100B has only one section of packing 3106 and can therefore be referred to as a “single cell” gas-liquid contactor 100B. The CO2 capture solution 114 circulates downwards by, for example, gravity flow, uniform or laminar flow, etc., within the packing 3106 and eventually flows into one or more bottom basins 3110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 circulates through the packing 3106, the CCh-laden air 101 is flowing (e.g., by action of the fan 3112) substantially horizontally through the packing 3106 to thereby contact the CO2 capture solution 114. Thus, the flow of CO2 capture solution 114 through the packing 3106 in FIG. 2B is substantially perpendicular to the flow of the CCh-laden air 101 through the packing 3106. Such a configuration of the flows can be referred to as a “cross flow” configuration. The packing liquid travel dimension along which the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through theAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 packing 2106 is defined along the vertical direction and is perpendicular to the packing depth along which the CCh-laden air 101 flows horizontally through the packing 2106. A portion of the CO2 within the CCh-laden air 101 is transferred to the CO2 capture solution 114, and the fan 3112 moves the CCh-lean gas 105 out of the gas-liquid contactor 100B to an ambient environment. The CO2 rich solution flows into the at least one bottom basin 3110.

[0181] Referring to FIG. 2C, another possible configuration of a gas-liquid contactor 100C has an upright body and an air inlet 4103 along a top portion through which the CCh-laden air 101 is admitted into the gas-liquid contactor 100C. The fan 4112 rotates to push the CCh-laden air 101 into the gas-liquid contactor 100C and contact the packing section 4106. In the configuration of FIG. 2C, the gas-liquid contactor 100C has only one packing section and can therefore be referred to as a “single cell” gas-liquid contactor 100C. The CO2 capture solution 114 circulates downwards by, for example, gravity flow, uniform or laminar flow, etc., within the packing 4106 and eventually flows into one or more bottom basins 4110. As the CO2 capture solution 114 circulates downward through and over the packing 4106, the CCh-laden air 101 (e.g., by action of the fan 212) also flows downward through the packing 4106 to contact the CO2 capture solution 114. Thus, the flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 through the packing 4106 in FIG. 2C is cocurrent to the flow of the CCh-laden air 101 through the packing 4106. The packing liquid travel dimension along which the CO2 capture solution 114 flows through the packing 4106 is defined along the vertical direction and is the same as the packing depth along which the CCh-laden air 101 flows downwardly through the packing 4106. At least a portion of the CO2 within the CO2- laden air 101 is transferred to (e.g., absorbed by) the CO2 capture solution 114, and the fan pushes the CO2 lean gas 105 out of the gas-liquid contactor 100C to an ambient environment. The CO2 rich solution flows into the at least one bottom basin 4110.

[0182] Other possible configurations of the gas-liquid contactor 100 include a gas-liquid contactor 100 which receives the CO2-laden air 101, flows the CO2 capture solution 114 to contact the CO2 in the CO2-laden air 101, releases the CO2-lean gas 105, and allows for the CO2-laden capture solution 111 to be flowed to release CO2 gas and regenerate the CO2 capture solution 114. Such a gas-liquid contactor 100C is represented in FIG. 2D. The gas-liquid contactor 100D may have any suitable configuration of internal and external components. Some non-limiting examples of possible configurations for the gas-liquid contactor 100D include being a modular unit, being rounded or circular, being a cell of an array or train of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B,Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01100C, 1OOD being a cell of a rounded or circular gas-liquid contactor 100, 100 A, 100B, 100C, 100D and being a component of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The gas-liquid contactor 100 may include, or be fluidly coupled to, devices for managing liquid level in the gas-liquid contactor 100. These devices may include, but are not limited to, evaporators to reduce liquid levels and / or maintain concentrations of the CO2 capture solution 114. These devices may include, but are not limited to, water make-up tanks or sources to manage liquid levels and / or maintain concentrations of the CO2 capture solution 114. The DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900 may include multiple gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D. In example implementations, the DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900 includes multiple gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D arranged adjacent each other to form an array or a train of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D. The DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900 may include multiple arrays or trains of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D.

[0183] When the array or the train of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D is implemented, at least one end wall of the array or the train, where the at least one end wall is at a first end and / or a second end of the array or the train, will be appropriately structured to withstand varying environmental conditions which can be, but is not limited to, high winds. In one implementation, the at least one end wall may include corrugated metal panels. The corrugations on each of the corrugated metal panels may be oriented, horizontally, vertically, or in a combination thereof. The description, units, componentry, features, streams, reference numbers and advantages of the gas-liquid contactor 100 provided in relation to FIG. 1 apply mutatis mutandis to the gasliquid contactor 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D of FIGS. 2A to 2D.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 1, each structured packing 116 comprises, or is formed from, a plurality of packing sheets 130 attached together to form a three-dimensional structured packing 116. The plurality of packing sheets 130 are attached together and defines passages between adjacent packing sheets. The passages defined by the packing sheets 130 function as air flow channels and liquid flow channels. In one implementation, the passages defined between adjacent packing sheets can be used to flow CO2 laden air 101 entering the gas-liquid contactor 100. In example implementations, the passages can be used to flow the CCh-lean gas stream 105 out of the at least one packing section 106. The fan 212 of the gas-liquid contactor 100 facilitates the gas flow through the passages. The passages can be used to flow the CO2 capture solution 114 to be contacted with the CCh-laden air 101.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0185] The packing sheets 130 of each structured packing 116 can be made of any suitable material, or have any suitable configuration, to achieve the function ascribed to the packing sections 106 herein. Some or all of the packing sheets 130 can be made from PVC, which is relatively light, moldable, affordable, and resists degradation caused by many chemicals. The packing sheets 130 are arranged, constructed, treated or otherwise configured to promote spreading of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 into a thin film on the surfaces of the packing sheets 130, which can enable maximum exposure of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114 to the CO2 present in the CCh-laden air 101. The liquid-gas interface surface of one or more of the packing sheets 130 can be treated with a coating, have shapes or formations, and / or be made of a material that vary the surface energy (e.g., increase the surface energy) of portions of the packing sheet 130 and / or lower the contact angle of the liquid CO2 capture solution 114. For example, the hydrophilicity of the liquid-gas interface surface of one or more of the packing sheets 130 can be increased by applying a coating to increase the surface free energy. Coatings can be applied to some or all of the packing sheets 130 to make the structured packing 116 even more suitable for low liquid loading rates ranging from 0.5 L / m2s to 2.5 L / m2s. In this regard, reference is made to such surface treatments and modifications described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0176312, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such “filmtype” packing sheets 130 are suitable for DAC systems since they have the capacity for more effective mass transfer per unit volume of fill space. For example, film-type fill offers a relatively high ratio of specific surface area to volume, the ratio defined in units of m2 / m3. A high specific surface area helps to expose more CO2 to the surface of the CO2 capture solution 114, and also has cost and structural implications. Each packing sheet 130 supports and directs the CO2 capture solution 114 as it flows along the packing sheet 130. Each packing sheet 130 is shaped, sized, formed, and configured to assist with the transfer of CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114. Each packing sheet 130 is thus a medium intended to optimise CO2 from the flowing atmospheric air being absorbed into the flowing CO2 capture solution 114. Other fill sheets, for example, those used in water cooling tower applications, function primarily to transfer heat between water and atmospheric air, with little or no mass transfer occurring between the constituent gases of the air flow and the water being cooled. By optimizing for the mass transfer of CO2, the packing sheet 130 can be able to achieve lower pressure losses of air flowing across the packing sheet 130 and more optimal distribution of the CO2 capture solution 114, compared toAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 if the mass transfer of CO2 was attempted with a fill sheet optimised for heat transfer. The packing sheet 130 can be referred to using other terms similar to “sheet,” such as panel, pane, plate, and layer. The packing sheet 130 in some cross-flow implementations is also shaped, sized, formed, and configured to assist with the transfer of CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 to the CO2 capture solution 114 at low liquid loading rates (e.g., 0.5 L / m2s to 2.5 L / m2s) compared to the higher liquid loading rates (often greater than 15 L / m2s) of cross-flow water cooling tower applications.

[0186] In the structured packing 116 of FIG. 1, all the packing sheets 130 are identical. In example implementations, one or more of the packing sheets 130 of the structured packing 116 is different from another packing sheet 130 of the structured packing 116. In an example implementation, one or more of the packing sheets 130 is optimised for minimal pressure drop across the packing sheet 130, while another one of the packing sheets 130 is optimised for stiffening or being resistant to crushing. Features of the packing sheet 130 can be selected to optimise for mass-transfer capture efficiency, reduced pressure drop, and improved surface wetting, among other possible parameters.

[0187] Different, or additional, componentry to the structured packing 116 can be used to form each packing section 106. For example, in example implementations, one or more of the packing sections 106 are formed of random packing (also referred to as dumped or non-structured packing). In example implementations, one or more of the packing sections 106 includes both structured packing and random packing. In example implementations, one or more of the packing sections 106 is formed of one or more styles of random packing that are positioned in tiers of packing. In example implementations, one or more of the packing sections 106 includes corrugated packing. In example implementations, one or more of the packing sections 106 includes non-corrugated packing. In example implementations, one or more of the packing sections 106 includes cross-fluted, parallel plate packing.

[0188] The gas-liquid contactor 100 may include other configurations of the one or more packing section(s) 106 in addition to, or separate from, the packing sections 106 described above. Non-limiting examples of other types of packing, fill, and gas-sorbent interfaces include splash fill, film fill, random packing, mesh, panels, etc. In implementations where a mesh material is used for the packing sections 106, a single sheet of mesh material may form the packing section 106. In implementations where a mesh material is used for the packing sections 106, multiple segments of the mesh material can be interconnected to form mesh panels making up the packingAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 section 106. The packing section(s) 106 may include corrugated sheets arranged in a crisscrossing relationship to create flow channels for the vapour phase. The packing section(s) 106 may include any material that fills a space and facilitates the contact between the CO2-laden air 101 and a sorbent (liquid and / or solid). The packing section(s) 106 may include: a cross flow geometry designed to limit or minimize the pressure drop in the CO2-laden air 101; can be efficiently wetted by intermittent liquid flows; and, has a liquid hold up enabling intermittent operation with long time durations between wetting.

[0189] The structured packings 116 can be arranged to form packing sections 106 of any desired shape or configuration. For example, and referring to FIG. 1, the structured packings 116 are arranged such that each packing section 106A, 106B includes at least one arrangement 118 of the structured packings 116. In FIG. 1, each packing section 106A, 106B includes two arrangements 118 of the structured packing 116 - an upper arrangement 118U and a lower arrangement 118L. The structured packings 116 of each arrangement 118 can be arranged adj acent to each other in the direction of one or more of the packing depth 106D, the packing LTD 106L, and the direction perpendicular to both of the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. All the structured packings 116 of each upper arrangement 118U are positioned above all the structured packings 116 of each lower arrangement 118L. Each arrangement 118 can be considered a “slab” of packing. Other configurations of each arrangement 118, and of the positioning of the arrangements 118 of each packing section 106, are possible. The packing sections 106A, 106B of FIG. 1 are thus vertically sectioned, and include one or more arrangements 118 of structured packings 116 positioned one above another.

[0190] In the example implementation of the packing sections 106 of FIG. 1, each packing section 106A, 106B has a respective packing section height that is substantially equal to a height of the inlets 1031. Providing the packing sections 106 with substantially the same height as the height of the inlet 1031 can help to prevent or reduce the ability of the CCL-laden air 101 to bypass the packing sections 106 (e.g., flow around the packing sections 106), thereby helping to ensure that the greatest possible volume of CCL-laden air 101 is treated by the packing sections 106. By “substantially equal” or “substantially the same,” it is understood that the heights are approximately equal in value, with any differences being minimal compared to the overall height dimension, where said differences can result from manufacturing tolerances, packing installation requirements, and / or adjustments in dimensions to allow for seals, baffles or other features. OtherAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 configurations for the packing sections 106 are possible. For example, in another implementation, the heights of the packing sections 106A, 106B are less than the height of the inlet 1031, and any gaps between the packing sections 106A, 106B and the housing 102 are sealed using suitable techniques.

[0191] In other example implementations, the packing sections 106 can be formed partly or completely from unstructured packing. In other example implementations, the packing sections can be formed from a mixture of the structured packings 116 and unstructured packing.

[0192] Features of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D can be assembled where the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D is to be situated (e.g., such as at the location or site of the DAC system 1200, 1900, 1400), or away from the final location of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D. The present disclosure includes examples of standardized componentry which can be used to quickly, accurately, and repeatedly assemble features of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D irrespective of where the assembly of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D ultimately occurs. In example implementations, such componentry includes modules, so that the design and assembly of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D is done in a modular fashion.

[0193] One example of the use of such standardized componentry is in forming the one or more cells of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D. Referring to FIG.l, the one or more packing sections 106A,106B comprise a plurality of packing supports 1600. The plurality of packing supports 1600 can be utilized to provide modularity and structural strength to the gas-liquid contactor 100 while being used to position and support the plurality of structured packings 116 within the gas-liquid contactor 100. While the size, shape, and material of construction of the packing supports 1600 can vary, at least some of the packing supports 1600 are standardized componentry, in that they provide a standard function (e.g., support and correctly position the structured packings 116), have standard sizing and shape, and support standardized components (e.g., a specific number and size of structured packings 116).

[0194] In an implementation of the gas-liquid contactor 100, and referring to FIG. 1, each of the plurality of packing supports 1600 is removably attached to at least one other packing support. The packing supports 1600 can be attached along one or more of the dimensions of the gas-liquid contactor 100. For example, the packing supports 1600 can be stacked one on top of another, such that they are attached along the packing LTD 106L. In addition to, or separatelyAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 from, being attached along the packing LTD 106L, one or more packing supports 1600 can be removably attached to one or more horizontally adjacent packing supports 1600, such that they are attached along the ATD or the packing depth 106D. In addition to, or separately from, being attached along the packing LTD 106L and / or along the packing depth 106D, one or more packing supports 1600 can be removably attached to one or more horizontally adjacent packing supports 1600 along a direction that is perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L (e.g., a width dimension of the gas-liquid contactor). By “removably attached”, it is understood that a first packing support 1600 can be separated from a second packing support 1600 to which the first packing support 1600 was attached, so as to replace, repair or modify one or both of the first and second packing supports 1600 or the components it / they support (e.g., the structured packings 116), as described in greater detail below. When attached together, the packing supports 1600 define one of the cells of the gas-liquid contactor.

[0195] FIG. 3 provides another example illustration of the gas-liquid contactor 300 having two cells, where each of the cells is formed from removably attached packing supports 1600. Referring to FIG. 3, each packing support 1600 is positioned above or below another packing support 1600, such that a vertical stack of packing supports 1600 forms a vertically-extending cell of the gas-liquid contactor 300 on each of its two lateral sides. To position and secure the structured packings 116 within the gas-liquid contactor 300, each packing support 1600 comprises a structure 1601 defining a bottom surface 1603 and a packing perimeter 1605. The structure 1601 forms the corpus of the packing support 1600 and is composed of features of the packing support 1600. The overall shape and size of the structure 1601 can vary. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 3, the structure has a box or rectangular prism shape and thus, the bottom surface 1603 has a rectangular shape. The bottom surface 1603 is defined by features of the structure 1601, as described in greater detail below, and forms part of the surface on which the structured packings 116 rest, to thereby help support the structured packings 116 within the gasliquid contactor 300. In example implementations, a perimeter of the bottom surface 1603 defines the packing perimeter 1605 that delimits the area on the bottom surface 1603 in which the plurality of structured packings 116 can be positioned on.

[0196] Some or all of the structured packings 116 of each packing support 1600 are positioned on the bottom surface 1603 of the same packing support 1600, within the packing perimeter 1605. When so positioned, at least some of the structured packings 116 are abuttedAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 against one or more other structured packings 116 of the same packing support 1600. By being abutted against each other, air bypass between adjacent structured packings 116 can be mitigated or eliminated, when the gas-liquid contactor 300 is utilized in the process of capturing CO2.

[0197] Each packing support 1600 can have any suitable configuration to achieve the functionality ascribed to the packing supports 1600 herein. For example, and referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, each packing support 1600 includes structural members. In example implementations, each packing support 1600 includes, or forms, a structure 1601 which provides the corpus of the packing support 1600. The structure 150 can include any number of components which, when assembled, provide a body of any shape or size capable of supporting the structured packing 116 and being assembled with the structure 1601 of one or more other packing supports 1600.

[0198] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the structure 1601 of each packing support 1600 includes or defines a minimum number of features or reference datums. One such feature is a floor 1607, which defines the bottom surface 1603 of the packing support 1600. Some or all of the structured packings 116 supported by each packing support 1600 rests, or abuts against, the floor 1607 of the packing support 1600. Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the floor 1607 is rectangular in shape. In example implementations, the floor 1607 has a different shape. The overall structure of the floor 1607 can vary.

[0199] In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the floor 1607 includes a plurality of floor members 158 that define the bottom surface 1603. The floor 1607 of FIGS. 4A to 4D is a framed member. Non-limiting examples of each floor member 158 include beams, rods, struts, and bars. In the floor 1607 of FIGS. 4A to 4C, some of the floor members 158 extend in a direction that is parallel to the ATD or packing depth 106D, while other floor members 158 extend in a direction that is perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. Some of the floor members 158 define edges of the floor 1607. A combination of different configurations of the plurality of floor members 158 can also be possible in example implementations. Each of the plurality of floor members 158 can be equidistantly positioned or spaced apart at different distances. The size, shape, and material of construction of the plurality of floor members 158 can be selected as a function of the weight of the structured packing 116 and hold-up of the CO2 capture solution 114 thereon, and to allow the CO2 capture solution 114 to flow through the floor 1607 to the structured packings 116 of a lower, adjacent packing support 1600. A thickness of the floor members 158 can be selected such that sufficient structural strength isAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 provided to the packing support 1600 while facilitating liquid and air flow at the thickness. In example implementations, the floor members 158 can have a tapering cross-sectional profde. The floor members 158 can be made from any suitable material, non-limiting example of which include stainless steel, vinyl ester fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), coated steels, coated concrete, and carbon steels.

[0200] Other structural members of each packing support 1600 include a plurality of vertical members 154. Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the vertical members 154, which can determine or define the overall height of each packing support 1600, are spaced apart from each other. In example implementations, the vertical members 154 are spaced apart from each other in one or both of the directions parallel to the packing depth 106D, and the direction perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the packing LTD 106L. In example implementations, the vertical members 154 are equidistantly spaced apart. In example implementations, a distance between two vertical members 154 is different than a distance between two other vertical members 154. In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the vertical members 154 are positioned along a perimeter of the floor 1607, and with the edges of the floor 1607 helping to define the packing perimeter 1605.

[0201] Each vertical member 154 extends from a bottom end 153 to a top end 155, where the bottom end 153 is positioned adjacent to the floor 1607. A distance from the bottom end 153 to the top end 155 determines a height of each vertical member 154. In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the height of each vertical member 154 of a packing support 1600 is the same, such that the vertical members 154 define the height of the packing support 1600.

[0202] In example implementations, a thickness of each of the plurality of vertical members 154 may vary. When each of the plurality of packing supports 1600 are stacked vertically, a bottommost packing support 1600 of the plurality of packing supports 1600 may experience a heavier load than a topmost packing support 1600 of the plurality of packing supports 1600. To aid with handling heavier loads, material and physical characteristics of each of the plurality of vertical members 154 of the bottommost packing support 1600may be different from the physical characteristics of each of the plurality of vertical members 154 of the topmost packing support 1600. The physical characteristics can be, but are not limited to, a thickness of each of the plurality of vertical members 154. A thickness of the plurality of vertical members 154 can beAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 selected such that sufficient structural strength is provided to the packing support 1600 while facilitating liquid and air flow at the thickness.

[0203] Non-limiting examples of each vertical member 154 include beams, rods, struts, and bars. In example implementations, the vertical members 154 can have a tapering cross- sectional profile. The vertical members 154 can be made from any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include stainless steel.

[0204] Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, other structural members of each packing support 1600 include a supporting wall 161. The supporting wall 161 extends upwardly from the floor 1607 and helps to define the packing perimeter 1605. In example implementations, the supporting wall 161 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 1603. In example implementations, the upward extent of the supporting wall 161 (i.e., its height) is less than the height of the vertical members 154. In example implementations, the uppermost end of the supporting wall 161 is closer to the bottom end 153 of the vertical members 154 than to the top end 155. In such implementations, the supporting wall 161 forms a minimal or non-existent barrier to flow of the CCh-laden air 101 entering the structured packings 116. To facilitate the positioning of the structured packings 116 on the floor 1607 of the packing support 1600, bottom portions of the structured packings 116 are abutted against the supporting wall 161 such that the plurality of structured packings 116 remain stationary on each of the plurality of packing support 1600 supports. Furthermore, the supporting wall 161 can provide structural strength to each packing support 1600 can aid in providing structural strength to each of the plurality of packing supports 1600. A height of the supporting wall 161 is less than a height of the plurality of vertical members 154. Thus, the presence of the supporting wall 161 has a reduced impact on the overall airflow through the plurality of structured packings 116.

[0205] In example implementations, by helping to define the limits of the packing perimeter 1605, the vertical members 154 and supporting wall 161 are outside of the packing perimeter 1605. In such implementations, the structured packings 116 within the packing perimeter 1605 are not encumbered by the vertical members 154 or by the supporting wall 161, such that the CO2 capture solution 114 is free to flow through the structured packings 116 of vertically aligned packing supports 1600 without encountering the vertical members 154 or the supporting wall 161. In such implementations, the vertical members 154 and the supporting wall 161 avoid, or do not contribute to, an effect known as “shadowing”, in which structural featuresAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 obstruct the downward flow the CO2 capture solution 1 14. One or both of the supporting wall 161 and the vertical members 154 can serve as indexing members for the structured packings 116 resting on the floor 1607 of each packing support 1600. These indexing members help to confine the structured packings 116 within the packing perimeter 1605, both while placing the structured packings 116 onto the floor 1607 and after all the structured packings 116 are in place.

[0206] Referring to FIGS. 4B to 4D, other structural members of each packing support 1600 include a plurality of attachment mechanisms 170. The attachment mechanisms 170 are features of the structure 1601 of each packing support 1600 and allow for adjacent packing supports 1600 to be removably attached. In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the attachment mechanisms 170 of each packing support 1600 include one or more first attachments 172, and one or more second attachments 174. The first and second attachments 172, 174 are compatible, in that they can cooperate with each other to removably attach adjacent packing supports 1600 together.

[0207] Referring to FIG. 4D, in an example of such compatibility, and to promote modularity and construction efficiency of a cell of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, the first attachment 172 of a first packing support 1600A can removably attach to the second attachment 174 of a different, second packing support 1600B. Similarly, the first attachment 172 of the second packing support 1600B can removably attach to the second attachment 174 of a third packing support 1600C. In implementations such as shown in FIGS. 4D, the second packing support 1600B is positioned above the first packing support 1600A, and the third packing support 1600C is positioned above the second packing support 1600B. Therefore, through engagement of the first and second attachments 172, 174 of different packing supports 1600, multiple packing supports 1600 will be mounted onto each other (e.g., stacked) and removably attached to each other. In example implementations where each cell of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300 is formed by assembling packing supports 1600 along a horizontal direction, the engagement of the first and second attachments 172, 174 of different packing supports 1600 allows multiple packing supports 1600 to be positioned next to each other and removably attached to each other.

[0208] Non-limiting examples of the attachment mechanisms 170 used to removably attach the packing supports 1600 together include: a male-female attachment mechanism, a latch locking mechanism, a lever locking mechanism, push-pull locking mechanism, a screw lockingAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 mechanism, a snap-in locking mechanism, a nut and bolt mechanism, or any other comparable mechanism can be used to removably attach one packing support 1600 to another. One example of compatible first and second attachments 172, 174 is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 A and 6B.

[0209] Other configurations of the packing support 1600 are possible. For example, FIG. 4E shows another possible configuration for the floor 1607 of the packing support 1600. The floor 2607 of FIG. 4E includes a plurality of grid members 258. Each grid member 258 is a body having a substantially planar orientation, and which includes intersecting or transverse elongated members which form a grid-like pattern. The grid members 258 can be arranged next to each other to extend in a direction parallel to one or more of the ATD or the packing depth 106D, and / or to extend in a direction perpendicular to both the packing LTD 106L and the packing depth 106D. Referring to FIG. 4E, the grid members 258 are positioned on, and supported by, the floor members 158. Alone, or together with, the floor members 158, each of the plurality of grid members 258 is positioned adjacent and abutted against each other to define the bottom surface 1603 of the floor 2607. In the example implementation illustrated in FIG. 4E, each of the plurality of grid members 258 comprises a series of square units that can be, but is not limited to, between 2 and 10 in. in width and length. In other example implementations, a shape different than a square unit may be used in each of the plurality of grid members 258. In other example implementations, the grid members 258 have a shape that is different than rectangular. The material for each of the plurality of grid members 258 is selected to provide sufficient structural strength to each packing support 1600. In example implementations, the plurality of floor members 158 may extend in a direction perpendicular or non-parallel to the ATD. In other implementations, only the plurality of grid members 258 are used to make up the floor 2607 and define the bottom surface 1603.

[0210] FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate one example of a sequence for assembling packing supports 1600 and arranging them relative to one another to form a cell of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300. Referring to FIG. 4A, the construction of each packing support 1600 begins by forming the floor 1607, 2607 from the floor members 158. Referring to FIG. 4B, the vertical members 154 are then connected to the floor 1607, 2607, such as by being attached to one or more floor members 158, so that the vertical members 154 extend upwardly from the floor 1607, 2607. Referring to FIG. 4C, additional floor members 158 and vertical members 154 can be added to create the desired shape and / or size for the floor 1607, 2607 and / orAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the packing perimeter 1605. If additional reinforcement or strengthening is required for the packing support 1600, other structural features, such as stays 159 or rods, can be added to extend between adjacent vertical members 154 and / or between a vertical member 154 and a floor member 158. A resulting example of a constructed packing support 1600, without its structured packing 116, is shown in FIG. 4E.

[0211] The constructed packing support 1600 can be provided with additional structural members. In some implementation, and referring to FIG. 4E and FIG. 4F, the floor 1607 includes additional structural members such as a grate 157 that rests on, and is supported by, the floor members 158. In such implementations, the grate 157 defines the bottom surface 1603 against which some or all of the structured packings 116 rest. In example implementations, multiple grid members of the plurality of grid members 258 may be combined to form at least part of the grate 157. In other implementations, the plurality of grid members 258 collectively define the grate 157. Along with the vertical members 154, the grate 157 helps to define the packing perimeter 1605. The floor members 158 can be used to support the grate 157 such that the grate 157 forms the floor 1607. The grate 157 in such implementations is perforated (e.g., because of the presence of the grid members 258) to allow the CO2 capture solution 114 to flow through and into the structured packings 116 of a lower, adjacent packing support 1600. When implemented, the grate 157 is configured to support at least the weight of the structured packings 116 and the liquid holdup of the CO2 capture solution 114 thereon. In example implementations, the grate 157 is configured to also support the weight of one or more human operators, such that the bottom surface 1603 forms a walking surface which assists the operators to position the structured packings 116 on the grate157. The size, thickness, shape, and material of construction of the grate 157 can vary. In other possible implementations, the floor 1607 includes only the grate 157, and is free of floor members158.

[0212] The structured packings 116 can be placed on the constructed packing support 1600, and referring to FIG. 4D, the finalized packing supports 1600 are removably attached to one another to form the cell of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300. In example implementations, the first attachments 172 of some packing supports 1600 are removably attached to the second attachments 174 of another packing support 1600, as described above. In the assembled cell of FIG. 4D, the vertical members 154 of each packing support 1600 are vertically aligned with corresponding vertical members 154 of the packing support 1600 above or below.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01By being aligned vertically, the vertical members 154 of the packing supports 1600 can help provide structural strength to the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300.

[0213] Each packing support 1600 can include features to manage or eliminate the discharge of liquids entrained in CCh-lean gas 105 exhausted from the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300. During operation of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, the CCh-lean gas 105 flowing through the plenum 108 and the fan stack 107 can include particles (or droplets) of CO2 capture solution 114 and / or of CCE-laden capture solution 111 entrained in the CCE-lean gas 105. Such entrained particles are referred to herein as “drift” and can include liquid aerosolized chemicals that form at least a portion of the CO2 capture solution 114, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and / or combinations thereof. The liquid aerosolized chemicals in the drift may vary depending on the type of CO2 capture solution 114 being used. Referring to FIG. 4F, each packing support 1600 includes one or more drift eliminators 175. The drift eliminators 175 are positioned downstream of the structured packings 116, relative the direction of gas flow through the structured packings 116. The drift eliminators 175 are positioned upstream of the plenum 108, relative the direction of gas flow through the structured packings 116. The drift eliminators 175 can help to delimit, or define, part of the plenum 108. In this location, the drift eliminators 175 function to eliminate drift (e.g., remove 100% of aerosolized sorbent particles) or to reduce the amount of drift (e.g., remove less than 100% of aerosolized sorbent particles) entrained in the CCh-lean gas 105 exiting the gasliquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300 through the outlet 1030.

[0214] The drift eliminators 175 can have different shapes, forms, and functions to achieve the functionality ascribed to the drift eliminators 175 herein. In example implementations, the drift eliminators 175 are packing, such as structured packing. In such implementations, the drift eliminators 175 can be abutted against indexing members of the packing support 1600 (e.g., the supporting wall 161, the indexing wall 180, the vertical members 154, the floor 1607, etc.). In such implementations, the drift eliminators 175 can also, or separately, be abutted against some of the structured packings 116, such as the structured packings 116 furthest away from the inlet 1031, measured along a distance parallel to the packing depth 106D.

[0215] The packing support 1600 can include other componentry that is in addition to, or separate from, the componentry already described. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, in example implementations, each packing support 1600 comprises an indexing wall 180 and a diverter trayAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01182. The indexing wall 180 is an elongated body whose orientation is perpendicular to the ATD. In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the supporting wall 161 and the indexing wall 180 are parallel. The indexing wall 180 is positioned within the packing perimeter 1605 such that the drift eliminators 175 can be positioned in between the indexing wall 180 and the supporting wall 161. In example implementations, the indexing wall 180 extends directly upwards from the floor 1607 to a height that is less than that of the adjacent drift eliminators 175 and structured packing 116. In example implementations, the indexing wall 180 is a feature of the floor 1607 itself or of the componentry of the floor 1607 and forms an upward extension from other features of the floor 1607 (e.g., the grid members 258) that is perpendicular to such features. The indexing wall 180 is positioned apart from the supporting wall 161 a distance that is at least equal to a dimension of the drift eliminator 175, where such distance is measured parallel to the ATD. The indexing wall 180 and the supporting wall 161 delimit a portion of the floor 1607 of each packing support 1600 that supports the drift eliminators 175. Referring to FIG. 5B, the indexing wall 180 may also be used for indexing the structured packing 116. In such implementations, the indexing wall 180 is another indexing member of the packing support 1600.

[0216] Referring to FIG. 5C and 5D, in example implementations, each packing support 1600 comprises a drift eliminator tray 179. The drift eliminators 175 sit in, are supported, and positioned by, the drift eliminator tray 179. In such implementations, the drift eliminator tray 179 is another indexing member of the packing support 1600. In example implementations, the drift eliminator tray 179 defines one or both of the indexing wall 180 and the portion of the supporting wall 161 adjacent to the plenum 108. In another example implementation and referring to FIG. 5C, the indexing wall 180 is a feature of the drift eliminator tray 179, which also includes an aft tray wall 188 that is separate from, and abutted against, the portion of the supporting wall 161 adjacent to the plenum 108. In such implementations, the indexing wall 180 is formed by a structural body of the drift eliminator tray 179. In such implementations, the indexing wall 180 indirectly extends upwardly from the floor 1607, such as by extending upwardly from a component (e.g., the drift eliminator tray 179) that is positioned on the floor 1607. In such implementations, the portion of the supporting wall 161 adjacent to the plenum 108 is separate from the drift eliminator tray 179 and is defined by the packing support 1600.

[0217] The drift eliminator tray 179 also assists with distribution of liquid collected by the drift eliminators 175. The drift eliminator tray 179 collects liquid draining from the driftAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 eliminators 175 and diverts the liquid to the structured packings 116 positioned below using the diverter tray 182, as described in more detail below. The drift eliminator tray 179 can include drainage or weep holes, in any configuration, to achieve this liquid distribution function. For example, and referring to FIG. 5C, the drift eliminator tray 179 includes at least one drainage hole 183 extending through the drift eliminator tray 179, adjacent to the indexing wall 180, to drain any liquid that may accumulate to a location beneath the indexing wall 180. In addition to removing any liquid through the at least one drainage hole 183, the liquid may also flow over the indexing wall 180 if required. A height of the indexing wall 180 may be selected to accomplish various objectives, such as minimising any obstruction of the flow of the CCh-laden air 101 along the ATD, providing the indexing function described above, and helping liquid to avoid pooling by allowing it to flow over the indexing wall 180 towards the diverter tray 182.

[0218] FIGS. 5C and 5D show an implementation of the packing support 1600 with a drift eliminator tray 179 for supporting the drift eliminators 175. Other implementations of the packing support 1600 which support the drift eliminators 175 are possible. In an example of such another implementation (see, for example, FIGS. 5 A and 5B), the drift eliminators 175 are positioned directly on the grate 157 or grid members 258 and are indexed directly by the supporting wall 161 and the indexing wall 180. In such implementations, the liquid collected by the drift eliminators 175 flows directly through the grid members 258 to a lower position.

[0219] Referring to FIGS. 5C and 5D, the diverter tray 182 is used to transfer the liquid collected on surfaces above the diverter tray 182. In example implementations, the majority or all of such liquid is collected from the drift eliminators 175. The diverter tray 182 is positioned below the drift eliminators 175. In example implementations, the diverter tray 182 is positioned beneath the drift eliminators 175. In example implementations, the diverter tray 182 is positioned below part of the grate 157 and / or the drift eliminator tray 179, which is positioned below and supports the drift eliminators 175. In example implementations, the diverter tray 182 is positioned below some of the grid members 258, which are positioned below the drift eliminators 175. In such a position, liquid collected by, or accumulating on surfaces of, the drift eliminators 175 is able to flow, due to gravity, from the drift eliminators 175, through the grid members 258, and into the diverter tray 182. In example implementations, the diverter tray 182 is positioned elsewhere relative to the drift eliminators 175 so as to be in fluid communication therewith, and to receive the liquid from the drift eliminators 175. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 5C,Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the diverter tray 182 is positioned directly beneath the drift eliminators 175. The diverter tray 182 has a floor 182F or bottom that is angled or inclined to flow the collected liquid towards the structured packing 116 of the packing support 1600 positioned beneath the diverter tray 182. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 5C, the floor 182F extends in a direction that is opposite to the direction of airflow through the packing support 1600. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 5C, the floor 182F extends in a direction that is opposite to the direction of airflow through the packing support 1600, extending to an outlet 1820 of the diverter tray 182 that is further upstream than the inlet of the drift eliminators 175, where “upstream” is defined relative to the direction of air flow through the drift eliminators 175. Such an extent of the diverter tray 182 allows for it to drain collected liquid directly into the structured packing 116 of the packing support 1600 beneath the diverter tray 182, while avoiding distribution of the liquid to the drift eliminators 175 of the packing support 1600 beneath the diverter tray 182. Referring to FIGS. 5C and 5D, in example implementations, the diverter tray 182 includes a plurality of weep holes 184 at or near the outlet 1820. The weep holes 184 help to evenly distribute the collected liquid to the structured packing 116 positioned beneath the outlet 1820 of the diverter tray 182. The weep holes 184 are positioned adjacent to an edge 186 of the outlet 1820 and are spaced apart from each other in a direction that is parallel to the orientation of the support wall 161 or of the indexing wall 180. The weep holes 184 are positioned above the structured packing 116 of the packing support 1600 beneath the diverter tray 182. The positioning of each of the plurality of weep holes 184 may be managed to control the overall flow of the CO2 capture solution 114 from the diverter tray 182 to the structured packing 116.

[0220] In other example implementations, the drift eliminators 175 can be an electrostatic drift eliminator. The electrostatic drift eliminator may be used independently or along with the drift eliminators 175 illustrated in FIG. 4F. In implementations where an electrostatic drift eliminator is used, an electrical field causes the particles of CO2 capture solution 114 entrained in the CCh-lean gas 105 to develop an electrical charge. The drift eliminators 175 can be supported by, and sealed to, features of the packing support 1600 and / or the housing 102 such that any gas moving through the structured packings 116 cannot enter the plenum 108 and / or cannot pass through the fan 212 of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300 without first moving through the drift eliminators 175. Reference is further made to patent applicationAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01PCT / US2025 / 025246 entitled “Systems and Methods for Reducing Drift in Capturing Carbon Dioxide”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.[002211 One non-limiting example of the first and second attachments 172, 174 is now described in greater detail. Referring to FIG. 6 A and FIG. 6B, to removably attach each of the packing supports 1600 together, the first attachments 172 are positioned at the top end 155 of each vertical member 154. The second attachments 174 are positioned at the bottom end 153 of each vertical member 154. In such implementations, the first attachments 172 form the uppermost or terminal portion of each vertical member 154, and the second attachments 174 form the lowermost portion of each vertical member 154. In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, each vertical member 154 has a first attachment 172 and a second attachment 174. In such implementations, the first attachment 172 forms the uppermost or terminal portion of the vertical member 154, and the second attachment 174 forms the lowermost portion of the same vertical member 154.

[0222] A male-female attachment mechanism 170 is illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. In the illustrated example, the second attachments 174 are slots within the vertical members 154 that are positioned adj acent the bottom end 153 of the vertical members 154. The first attachments 172 are protrusions disposed at the top end 155. When being attached, the protrusions are positioned into the slots, which function as receiving slots, thereby removably attaching one vertical member 154 to another. Other attachment mechanisms 170 that allow vertical members 154 (and thus, the packing supports 1600) to be removably attached to each other can also be used in example implementations. Similarly, the first and second attachments 172, 174 can be reversed, in that the first attachment 172 is disposed at the bottom end 153 and the second attachment 174 is positioned at the top end 155. The first and second attachments 172, 174 can thus be disposed at either one of the top or bottom ends 155, 153 of the vertical members 154.

[0223] In addition to facilitating the positioning of the structured packings 116 on the floor1607 of each packing support 1600, the supporting wall 161 can also be used to index the structured packings 116 along their upper portions. Referring to FIG. 6B, the supporting wall 161 includes a top section 161A and a bottom section 161B. The top section 161A extends upwards from the floor 1607 of a packing support 1600, and the bottom section 16 IB extends downwards from the same floor 1607 along a direction opposite to the direction of the top section 161 A. The supporting wall 161 thus protrudes out of a plane of the floor 1607 (e.g., out of the plane of the bottom surfaceAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W011603), both above and below the floor 1607. Thus, when an upper packing support 1600U is positioned above a lower packing support 1600L, in addition to facilitating the positioning of the structured packings 116 of the upper packing support 1600U, the supporting wall 161 also helps to index the structured packings 116 of the lower packing support 1600L. This occurs because the bottom section 16 IB of the supporting wall 161 of the upper packing support 1600U abuts against the upper portions of the structured packings 116 on the lower packing support 1600L. In example implementations, a height of the top section 161 A is equal to a height of the bottom section 161B. In example implementations, the top section 161 A and the bottom section 16 IB have different heights.

[0224] Each packing support 1600 can have additional indexing members. For example, and referring to FIG. 6A, each packing support 1600 has one or more louvers 173. The louvers 173 of FIG. 6A are air inlet louvers 173, and are positioned at, or to define, the inlet 1031 of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300. The louvers 173 are positioned upstream of the packing sections 106, relative to the direction of flow of the C Ch-laden air 101 through the packing sections 106. Each louver 173 is inclined relative to the vertical and relative to the horizontal. Each louver 173 forms a non-zero angle relative to the vertical and relative to the horizontal. The inclination of each louver 173 allows for it to function as a splash guard, in addition to its packing indexing functionality described in greater detail below. In example aspects, some of the CO2 capture solution 114 can deflect off the surface of the structured packing 116, or from surfaces of supporting components such as vertical members 154, floor members 158, stays 159, and the like, and be ejected out of the inlet 1031. To mitigate liquid splash-out, it can be advantageous to employ the louvers 173. The louvers 173 are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, along some or all of the height of the inlet 1031.

[0225] The louvers 173 can each be shaped as panel, cellular, or blade. In example implementations, the louvers 173 can have cross-sections that include a curve or angle (e.g., is L- shaped, J-shaped, etc.) to form a gutter that collects and drains liquid (e.g., the CO2 capture solution 114, rainwater). In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 6A, the louvers 173 have a corrugated cross-sectional profile to collect and drain liquid (e.g., the CO2 capture solution 114, rainwater). Liquid droplets can contact the face of the louver 173 and travel down rather than splashing out into the surrounding environment. In example implementations, the louver 173 may be in fluid communication with a collection drain positioned in parallel to a proximal end 173P ofAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 the louver 173, where the proximal end 173P is the portion of the louver 173 closest to the structured packing 116. The collection drain may be configured to flow the collected liquid (e.g., the CO2 capture solution 114, rainwater) towards the structured packings 116.

[0226] The louvers 173 can be oriented to direct the flow of the CCh-laden air 101 into the structured packing 116. The orientation of the louvers 173 can be independently controllable. For example, an upper portion of the louvers 173 can be open with a lower portion of the louvers 173 closed.

[0227] Large volumes of the CCL-laden air 101 can be processed by the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300 and it can be beneficial to shield the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300 from debris, animals, and insects. The louvers 173 can aid in this, in addition to selectively letting in and directing the CCh-laden air 101. The face of each louver 173 can be oriented at a substantially nonparallel angle relative to the inlet 1031 (e.g., front face) of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300. In example implementations, a cover can be installed above the louvers 173 to prevent rainwater from entering through the inlet 1031.

[0228] Referring to FIG. 6A, the louvers 173 help to index the structured packings 116 by helping to confine some of the structured packings 116 within the packing perimeter 1605, both while placing the structured packings 116 onto the floor 1607 and after all the structured packings 116 are in place. Each louver 173 extends between the proximal end 173P and a distal end 173D. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 6A, the proximal end 173P is abutted against portions of peripheral structured packings 116 closest to the inlet 1031. In being abutted against some of the boundary structured packings 116, the louvers 173 serve an indexing function by helping to ensure that the abutted structured packings 116 remain in position. The peripheral structured packings 116 abutted against the louvers 173 are the structured packings 116 along the edges of the packing perimeter 1605, and which are positioned most outwardly, or furthest, from the plenum 108, as measured along a distance parallel to the packing depth 106D.

[0229] The louvers 173 can be shaped, sized and / or arranged on the packing support 1600, in any suitable manner to achieve the functionality ascribed to the louvers 173 herein. For example, and referring to FIG. 6A, each packing support 1600 has one louver 173. The louver 173 is mounted to, and supported by, one or more of the vertical members 154. The proximal end 173P of the louver 173 is positioned closer to the top ends 155 of the vertical members 154 thanAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 to the bottom ends 153. The proximal end 173P of the louver 173 is positioned closer to the top of the packing support 1600 than to the bottom of the packing support 1600. In example implementations, each packing support 1600 has multiple louvers 173, which can be vertically spaced apart along the height of the packing support 1600 equally or unequally. A length of the louver 173 is defined between the proximal and distal ends 173P, 173D, where the length of the inclined louver 173 has a vector along the vertical direction (e.g., the height of the louver 173), and another vector parallel to the packing depth 106D. A width of the louver 173 is defined between opposite lateral ends of each louver 173 (see, for example, the lower louver 173 of FIG. 6A, or the louvers 173 of FIGS. 8A and 8B), where the width is defined along a direction that is perpendicular to both the packing depth 106D and the vertical.

[0230] Referring to FIG. 6A, each louver 173 extends between two or more vertical members 154 along the width direction. The louver 173 of FIG. 6A is continuous. In other example implementations, the louver 173 is formed from separate louver sections, where each louver section is supported by at least one vertical member 154. The louver 173 can be supported by the one more vertical members 154 using any suitable configuration. For example, and referring to FIG. 6A, the vertical members 154 supporting the louver 173 are notched, or have a receiving slot, such that the louver 173 can be inserted into the notch. To provide structural strength, in addition to, or separate from, the one or more vertical members 154, a stiffener may be integrated into a midpoint along the length the louver 173. This configuration can allow the proximal end 173P of the louver 173 to be abutted against, or immediately adjacent to, the face of the structured packing 116, thereby helping to index the structured packing 116 and ensure that any collected liquid runs directly back into the structured packing 116. The vertical position of the louver 173 relative to a height datum of the packing support 1600 is above the vertical position of the floor 1607 relative to the same height datum.

[0231] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7E, in example implementations, assembling each of the plurality of packing supports 1600 and moving the packing supports 1600 is performed at a site at which the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300 is to be finally located. To facilitate the assembly of the packing support 1600, the floor 1607 and at least one packing indexing member 600 of the packing support 1600 are provided. When the grate 157 is utilized in example implementations, the grate 157 is positioned to define the floor 1607. Each packing indexing member 600 is a physical structure or body that aids in indexing or positioning theAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 structured packings 116 and / or the drift eliminators 175 on the floor 1607, or within the packing support 1600. To aid with indexing the structured packings 116, the packing indexing member 600 extends upwards from the floor 1607 and can assist in defining the packing perimeter 1605.

[0232] The packing support 1600 can be further assembled by positioning the structured packings 116 on the floor 1607 and within the packing perimeter 1605, such that at least one structured packing 116 is abutted against the indexing member 600. In another example implementation, assembling the packing supports 1600 is performed at an assembly location that is away from the site at which the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300 is to be finally located, such that the assembled packing supports 1600 are shipped from the assembly location to the site of the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300. In example implementations, the packing supports 1600 are built, assembled, fabricated, etc. offsite in a fabrication facility (e g., a “fab shop”), and then loaded with the structured packings 116 and any other componentry. The fully assembled packing supports 1600 are then loaded onto a vehicle (e.g., a truck, train, ship, etc.) and shipped to the site of the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300.

[0233] In example implementations, the packing indexing member 600 can be, but is not limited to, the vertical members 154 such that some of the structured packings 116 are abutted against at least one of the vertical members 154. In example implementations, the packing indexing member 600 can be, but is not limited to, the supporting wall 161 such that some of the structured packings 116 are abutted against the supporting wall 161. In example implementations, the packing indexing member 600 can be, but is not limited to, the indexing wall 180 such that some of the drift eliminators 175 are abutted against the indexing wall 180. In example implementations, the packing indexing member 600 can be, but is not limited to, the louver 173 or the floor members 158. In example implementations, the packing indexing member 600 can be, but is not limited to, any combination of the vertical members 154, the indexing wall 180, the louver 173, the floor members 158, and the supporting wall 161, where the structured packing 116 and / or drift eliminators 175 are abutted against at least one of the vertical members 154, the floor members 158, the indexing wall 180, the louver 173, or the supporting wall 161. Referring to FIGS. 7C and 7D, the structured packings 116 are abutted against the floor members 158, the vertical members 154 and the louver 173. Referring to FIGS. 7D and 7E, and as described earlier,Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 each structured packing 116 is positioned to be abutted against at least one other structured packing 116.

[0234] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7D, in example implementations, the structured packings 116 are positioned on the floor 1607 and within the packing perimeter 1605 such that each of the structured packings 116 are abutted against each other at grade level. Grade level can be the level of the ground, or of the level of a surface that is just off the ground such as an elevated platform and / or the flatbed of a vehicle. Positioning the structured packing 116 and abutting the structured packing 116 can be performed at elevation in other example implementations. In a subsequent step, and referring to FIG. 7E, to move the assembled packing supports 1600, at least one of a vehicle and a lifting device can be used. For example, cranes, jacks, forklifts, or other comparable lifting devices can be used to lift and / or displace the packing support 1600 from grade level to a vertical position to assemble the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300. To facilitate lifting or moving of the packing support 1600, in example implementations, the packing support 1600 can comprise an eyelet or other comparable anchor point that allows the lifting device to secure a connection with the packing support 1600 for lifting or moving purposes.

[0235] The standardized componentry of the packing supports 1600 disclosed herein allows for differentiating some packing supports 1600 from other packing supports 1600, to form the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100 A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300 whose cells are formed from different types of packing supports 1600. Referring to FIG. 8B, the packing supports 1600 include a plurality of first packing supports 1600F and at least one redistribution packing support 1600R. The first packing supports 1600F are similar to those described above, and include structured packings 116, indexing members 600, attachment mechanisms 170, etc.

[0236] The redistribution packing supports 1600R can differ slightly from the packing supports 1600 described above, so as to achieve the function of redistributing a process stream including the CCh-laden capture solution 111 having absorbed CO2 as well as unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 onto the structured packing 116 of an underlying packing support 1600. In order to achieve such functionality, and referring to FIG. 8B, each redistribution packing support 1600R in example implementations is free of structured packing 116, so that it can form a receptacle (e.g., the redistribution basin 119) to at least transiently store the process stream for redistribution (e.g., through pumping, gravity flow or both) downwards. In example implementations, one or more of the redistribution packing supports 1600R includes redistributionAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 packing. In order to achieve such functionality, the height of the vertical members 154 of each redistribution packing support 1600R can be different (e.g., less or greater) than the height of the vertical members 154 of the first packing supports 1600F which are stacked above and / or below the redistribution packing support 1600R.

[0237] Referring to FIG. 8B, each of the redistribution packing supports 1600R can be integrated at different vertical positions with respect to the first packing supports 1600F. For example, and referring to FIG. 8B, the gas-liquid contactor 700 has two redistribution packing supports 1600R, with multiple first packing supports 1600F positioned vertically in between the redistribution packing supports 1600R, and multiple first packing supports 1600F positioned beneath the redistribution packing supports 1600R. Other arrangements are possible.

[0238] In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 8B, the vertical position(s) of the one or more redistribution packing support(s) 1600R within each cell of the gas-liquid contactor 700 is the same across all cells of the gas-liquid contactor 700, where the vertical position(s) are measured from grade level. This helps to encourage standardisation for the gasliquid contactor 700, which can encourage efficiency and speed when assembling the packing supports 1600 to form each cell. In example implementations, the vertical position(s) of the one or more redistribution packing support(s) 1600R of each cell of the gas-liquid contactor 700 are different.

[0239] To minimise or eliminate air bypass through portions of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700, some or all of the packing supports 1600 can include componentry to redirect or to obstruct gas flows. For example, and referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, air bypass may occur in the vertical spacing between one packing support (e.g., the first packing support 1600F) and another packing support (e.g., the redistribution packing support 1600R). In another example, air bypass may occur in the vertical spacing between a packing support 1600 and a liquid basin (e.g., the bottom basin 110) beneath the packing support 1600. In such configurations, and referring to FIG. 9A, some of the CCh-laden air 101 may be able to bypass the structured packing 116 and / or the drift eliminators 175 of a packing support 1600 by flowing through some of the grid members 258 of the same packing support 1600, and then through the spacing defined between the grid members 258 and a liquid level 125 of the CCh-laden capture solution 111 and / or unreacted CO2 capture solution 114 in the liquid basin (e g., the redistribution basin 119) beneath that packing support 1600.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0240] To eliminate or reduce any such air bypass, the floor 1607 of the packing support 1600 positioned above the liquid basin can be configured accordingly. For example, FIGS. 9A- 9C show the first packing support 1600F positioned above a redistribution packing support 1600R, where the redistribution packing support 1600R defines or includes the redistribution basin 119 filled to the liquid level 125. In example implementations, and referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, the floor 1607 of the first packing support 1600F includes features which block the flow of gases through the floor 1607. One example of such features includes a plurality of baffle plates 259. Each baffle plate 259 is a body which forms a barrier to the flow of gas therethrough. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 9C, one or more of the baffle plates 259 are rectangular plate members 259P secured or attached to corresponding grid members 258 to block the opening formed by said grid members 258. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 9C, the one or more of the baffle plates 259 are bodies 259B which replace one or more grid members 258 to define a portion of the floor 1607 that is separate from the portion of the floor 1607 defined by the grid members 258. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 9B, each of the baffle plates 259 is a thin sheet of material positioned in between the bottom of the structured packing 116 and the grid members 258. In such implementations, each of the baffle plates 259 can be a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet or a sheet made from another suitable material. The floor 1607 can include any combination of baffle plates 259, 259B, 259P described herein, an example of which is shown in FIG. 9C. Irrespective of their configuration, the baffle plates 259 may be part of the floor 1607 of the first packing support 1600F directly above the redistribution packing supports 1600R, such that the floor 1607 of the first packing support 1600F includes a combination of baffle plates 259 and of grid members 258. Each of the plurality of baffle plates 259 and each of the plurality of grid members 258 may be positioned in an alternating arrangement or other comparable arrangement to achieve the functionality of preventing or reducing air bypass through the floor 1607 and / or allowing liquid to drain from the structured packing 116 and / or drift eliminators 175. For example, and referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the floor 1607 includes grid members 258 (and is free of baffle plates 259) along portions of the floor 1607 that are positioned underneath the drift eliminators 175, or closest to the plenum 108. Such a configuration of the floor 1607 can help to eliminate or reduce splashing of liquid into the plenum 108. In another example of the positioning of the baffle plates 259 and the grid members 258, and referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the baffle plates 259 are located in areas where air bypass of the structured packing 116 may be most likelyAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 to occur, such as along the floor 1607 adjacent to the leading edge of the structured packing 1 16 (e g., closest to the inlet 1031). In another example of the positioning of the baffle plates 259 and the grid members 258, and referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the floor 1607 includes portions composed of grid members 258 (i.e., free of baffle plates 259) alternating with portions of the floor 1607 which include baffle plates 259. Such a positioning configuration is shown in FIG. 9C and can allow for liquid draining through the floor 1607 while also minimizing or eliminating gas flowing through the floor 1607. In example implementations, at least one flow channel 260 traverses through a thickness of one or more baffle plates 259 or is positioned between adjacent baffle plates 259. The flow channel 260 will have a width (defined in a direction parallel to the packing depth 106D) less than a width of the corresponding baffle plate 259, so as to allow the CO2 capture solution 114 and / or CCh-laden capture solution 111 to pass through to the redistribution basin 119, while preventing or minimising the gases from flowing through the flow channel 260 and thereby bypassing the structured packing 116. In example implementations, only the packing supports 1600 positioned above a liquid basin include the baffle plates 259 described above.

[0241] Referring again to FIG. 8B, in example implementations, a height Hl of the redistribution packing support 1600R is less than a first packing support height H2 of the first packing supports 1600F above and / or beneath the redistribution packing support 1600R. The heights Hl, H2 can be equivalent to the heights of the vertical members 154 of the redistribution and first packing supports 1600R, 1600F, where the height of the vertical members 154 of the redistribution packing supports 1600R is less than the height of the vertical members 154 of the first packing supports 1600F. In example implementations, the height Hl of the redistribution packing supports 1600R is greater than the first packing support height H2 of the first packing supports 1600F.

[0242] The redistribution packing supports 1600R each define a vertical spacing 177 in the cell formed by the packing supports 1600. The vertical spacings 177 are gaps that can be used to position, install or define redistribution liquid flowing devices which can include, but are not limited to, nozzles, piping, and basins (e.g., the redistribution basin 119). In addition to liquid flowing devices, the vertical spacings may also be used to position overflow protection devices that can vary in different implementations. In implementations where Hl is less than H2, and referring to FIG. 8B, the height Hl is equal to the height of the vertical spacing 177. InAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 implementations wherein Hl is greater than H2, the height of the vertical spacing 177 can be equal to Hl minus H2. In example implementations, the redistribution packing support 1600R and the first packing support 1600F can have the same height.

[0243] Referring to FIG. 8B, the first packing supports 1600F are identical. The first packing supports 1600F are identical to one another, and different from the redistribution packing support(s) 1600R. By “identical”, it is understood that the first packing supports 1600F have one or more of the same: shape, dimensions, components, surface area of the floor 1607, number of structured packings 116, type of structured packings 116, attachment mechanisms 170, and other feature(s) which allow for assembling the first packing supports 1600F from standardized componentry. Such similarity between the first packing supports 1600F encourages efficiency when manufacturing the first packing supports 1600F, and / or when assembling them to form the cells of the gas-liquid contactor 700. The attachment mechanisms 170 of the redistribution packing support(s) 1600R can be similar to the attachment mechanisms 170 described above, such that the description and one, some, or all of the advantages, and functions of features of the attachment mechanisms 170 provided above apply nmtatis mutandis to the attachment mechanisms 170 of the redistribution packing support(s) 1600R. Using similar attachment mechanisms 170 allows the redistribution packing support(s) 1600R to be removable attached above and / or below a first packing support 1600F.

[0244] The gas-liquid contactor 700 is formed, at least partially, from the assembly of the packing supports 1600 to form cells. FIG. 8A provides an example of a method of assembling the gas-liquid contactor 700. The method of assembling the gas-liquid contactor 700 can be performed to erect a new gas-liquid contactor 700, and / or to repair or modify an existing gas-liquid contactor 700. The method can include positioning an initial packing support 16001, such as a lowermost packing support 1600, in a desired vertical position, such as immediately above the bottom basin 110. In an implementation where the bottom basin 110 is absent and where another liquid collection device is used, only the initial packing support 16001 will be positioned in a desired vertical position. The method can include stacking at least one more packing support 1600 onto the initial packing support 1600, such as by using the attachment mechanisms 170, and repeating this until a sufficient number of packing supports 1600 are stacked above one another to form a cell of the gas-liquid contactor 700. The packing supports 1600 can be stacked one above the other at, or near, grade level. For example, a hoisting device such as a crane or lift can be positioned atAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 grade level and be used to raise the packing supports 1600 to different vertical positions above grade level. The method can include positioning the fan 212 at a fan height that is greater than a height of the cell formed by the packing supports 1600, where the heights are measured from grade level. The method can include fluidly coupling the liquid distribution system 120 to an uppermost structured packing 116 of an uppermost packing support 1600.

[0245] In implementations where the gas-liquid contactor 700 includes redistribution of the CO2 capture solution 114 within the packing sections 106 of each cell, and referring to FIG. 8A, the method can include positioning or stacking the redistribution packing support 1600R vertically adjacent to one or more of the first packing supports 1600F.

[0246] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is disclosed a method of performing maintenance on the gas-liquid contactor 700. The maintenance being performed can be one or more of the following: repair, replacement, upgrade, and modification. The maintenance can be performed at the level of the packing support 1600, or at the level of one of its components, such as the structured packings 116. The method can include removing a selected packing support 1600S of the packing supports 1600 to form a packing support opening 16000 in the cell. This can be achieved by removably detaching the selected packing support 1600S using the attachment mechanisms 170. The selected packing support 1600S can be removed for a variety of reasons, such as because it is damaged, or because one of its components (e.g., the structured packing 116) needs to be replaced or upgraded. The method can include inserting a replacement packing support 1600 in the packing support opening 16000 of the cell. The replacement packing support 1600 is itself an improvement over the selected packing support 1600S, or its components are an improvement over those of the selected packing support 1600S.

[0247] It can be desirable to leave the packing supports 1600 in position, and to only replace, repair or modify their components. In such situations, the method can include removing a selected structured packing 116 from the selected packing support 1600 to form a structured packing opening 1160 in the selected packing support. This can be done if a structured packing 116 and / or some of its packing sheets 130 are damaged or need to be upgraded or modified. The method can include positioning a replacement structured packing 116 into the structured packing opening 1160 to replace the selected structured packing 116. In example implementations, the replacement structured packing 116 is identical to the selected structured packing 116. The description and one, some, or all of the advantages, and functions of features of the gas-liquidAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300 described above apply mutatis mutandis to the gasliquid contactor 700 of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0248] Referring to FIG. 10, the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 disclosed herein is part of a direct-air-capture (DAC) system 1200 for capturing CO2 directly from atmospheric air, according to one possible and non-limiting example of a use for the gasliquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700. The gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700 can be part of a wall, array or train of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700, where the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700 are arranged next to one another to form the wall, array or train of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100 A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700. In example implementations, the DAC system 1200 has multiple walls, arrays or trains of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700, where each wall, array or train is spaced apart from another wall, array, or train. One or multiple gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 absorb some of the CO2 from the CO2-laden air 101 using the CO2 capture solution 114 to form the CO2-laden capture solution 111. The CO2 capture solution 114 can be regenerated from the CO2-laden capture solution 111, which can be carried out in a regeneration system 1230 of the DAC system 1200. The regeneration system 1230 can vary depending on numerous factors, but generally functions to process the CC -laden capture solution 111 (e.g., spent capture solution) to recover and / or concentrate the CO2 content present in the CCh-laden capture solution 111.

[0249] FIG. 11 shows one possible implementation of the regeneration system 1230 of the DAC system 1200. Referring to FIG. 9, the CCh-laden capture solution 111 flows from the gasliquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 to the regeneration system 1230. The regeneration system 1230 includes a pellet reactor 1210. A slurry of calcium hydroxide 1224 is injected into the pellet reactor 1210. A reaction between the CCh-laden capture solution 111 and the calcium hydroxide 1224 occurs in the pellet reactor 1210. Ca2+reacts with CCh2-in the pellet reactor 1210 to form calcium carbonate solids and an aqueous alkaline solution as the CO2 capture solution 114 (such as hydroxide), thereby regenerating the CO2 capture solution 114. For example, potassium carbonate in the CCh-laden capture solution 111 can react with calcium hydroxide to form calcium carbonate and potassium hydroxide, thereby regenerating the CO2 capture solution 114 that includes potassium hydroxide.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0250] The reaction of the CCh-laden capture solution 11 1 with Ca(OH)2 causes precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCCh) onto calcium carbonate particles in the pellet reactor 1210. Further processing of the calcium carbonate solids, including but not limited to filtering, dewatering or drying, can occur prior to sending the calcium carbonate solids to downstream process units of the regeneration system 1230, such as a calciner 1216. A stream 1214 of calcium carbonate solids is transported from the pellet reactor 1210 to the calciner 1216. The calciner 1216 calcines the calcium carbonate of the stream 1214 from the pellet reactor 1210 to produce a stream of gaseous CO2 1218 and a stream of calcium oxide (CaO) 1220, possibly by oxy-combustion of a fuel source in the calciner 1216. The stream of gaseous CO2 1218 is processed for sequestration or other uses, thereby removing some of the CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101 processed in the gasliquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. The stream of gaseous CO2 1218, either directly or after processing, can be provided as a product stream for use as desired, or for export. The stream of calcium oxide (CaO) 1220 is slaked with water in a slaker 1222 of the regeneration system 1230 to produce the slurry of calcium hydroxide 1224 that is provided to the pellet reactor 1210.

[0251] The stream 1214 of calcium carbonate solids of the DAC system 1200 that is calcined in the calciner 1216 can be produced according to other techniques for capturing CO2 from the CCh-laden air 101. For example, in one possible implementation, the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 of the DAC system 1200 uses a liquid sorbent, and a carbonate-forming reactor which receives the CCh-laden capture solution 111 includes one or more reactors similar to those used in the Kraft pulping process to form calcium carbonate solids. In example aspects, the DAC system 1200 is free of a causticization process, and the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 of the DAC system 1200 uses a liquid sorbent such as a calcium hydroxide slurry and contacts it with air to form the stream 1214 of calcium carbonate solids which are then calcined.

[0252] In example implementations, the CO2 capture solution 114 can be regenerated using a different regeneration system. The regeneration system 1230 can be part of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 or separate therefrom. In an example regeneration system 1235, and referring to FIG. 11, some or all of the CCh-laden capture solution 111 can flow to an electrochemical system that includes a cell stack, which can include a set of one or more membranes, and a set of electrodes (see, for example, FIG. 13). The electrochemicalAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 system can regenerate the CO2 capture solution 114 from the CCh-laden capture solution 11 1 by applying an electric potential to an electrolyte including the CCh-laden capture solution 111. The difference in electric potential causes ion exchange, thereby forming the recovered CO2 stream 1218 and regenerating the CO2 capture solution 114.

[0253] In another possible implementation of an alternate regeneration system 1230, the CCh-laden capture solution 111 can flow to a thermal stripping column that employs steam to desorb CO2 from the CCh-laden capture solution 111, thereby forming the recovered CO2 stream 1218 and regenerating the CO2 capture solution 114 (e.g., CCh-lean liquid). For example, the DAC system 1900 of FIG. 12 includes one or multiple gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 and a regeneration subsystem 1980. The regeneration subsystem 1980 is configured for regenerating a CO2 capture solution (e.g., the CO2 capture solution 114).

[0254] In implementations where the CO2 capture solution 114 includes an amine capture species, the CO2 in the CCE-laden air 101 reacts with the amine capture species to form the CO2- laden capture solution 111 including carbamates. Non-limiting examples of the amine capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114 include, furan-bis(iminoguanidine) (FuBIG), isophorone diamine (IPDA), a hindered amine group having alkanolamine and alcoholic hydroxyl can be used. Examples of the alkanolamine include monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine, triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, and diglycolamine. Examples of the hindered amine having alcoholic hydroxyl include 2-amino-2-m ethyl- 1 -propanol (AMP), 2- (ethylamino)-ethanol (EAE), and 2-(methylamino)-ethanol (MAE).

[0255] The regeneration subsystem 1980 includes at least a concentrator 505, a heat exchanger 509, and a regeneration reactor 507. The CCh-laden capture solution 111 can include solids (e.g., carbamate solids) and be in the form of a slurry. The slurry is flowed to the concentrator 505, which functions to increase the concentration of the solids by separating solids from liquids. A solids slurry stream 521 is generated by the concentrator 505. The solids slurry stream 521 includes a higher concentration of solids than the concentration of solids in the CO2- laden capture solution 111. At least some of the liquid separated from the CCh-laden capture solution 111 by the concentrator 505 forms a separated liquid stream 523, which can include unreacted CO2 capture solution 114. The separated liquid stream 523 is flowed back to any suitable component or unit of the gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0256] Referring to FIG. 12, the solids slurry stream 521 flows to the heat exchanger 509, where thermal energy from a regenerated, CCh-lean capture solution 511 is transferred to the solids slurry stream 521, as described below. The heated solids slurry stream 521 flows from the heat exchanger 509 to the regeneration reactor 507. The heat exchanger 509 can be considered a preheat heat exchanger that heat integrates a concentrated slurry (e.g., the solids slurry stream 521) with a higher temperature regenerated capture solution (e.g., the CCh-lean capture solution 511). In example implementations, the solids in the heated solids slurry stream 521 are at least partially regenerated in the heat exchanger 509 or downstream thereof, releasing CO2, prior to entering the regeneration reactor 507. In example implementations, the heat exchanger 509 is upstream of the concentrator 505, relative to a flow direction of the CCh-laden capture solution 111 from the gasliquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700 to the concentrator 505. In such implementations, the heat exchanger 509 functions to transfer thermal energy from the CCh-lean capture solution 511 to the CCh-laden capture solution 111 before it undergoes solid-liquid separation in the concentrator 505. In transferring thermal energy to streams entering the regeneration reactor 507, the heat exchanger 509 helps to reduce the duty of the regeneration reactor 507 in implementations where the regeneration reactor 507 uses heat to regenerate the CO2- laden capture solution 111. In example implementations, the regeneration subsystem 1980 does not have a heat exchanger.

[0257] In implementations where the regeneration reactor 507 is, or includes, a packed column, the heated solids slurry stream 521 flows through packing 503 within the regeneration reactor 507. A regeneration heater 506 supplies a source of heat, such as a stream of heated gas 517 (e.g., steam), which contacts the heated solids slurry stream 521 flowing along the packing 503. In example implementations, the regeneration reactor 507 includes one or more nozzles for flowing the heated solids slurry stream 521 onto the packing 503. In alternate example implementations, the regeneration reactor 507 includes a column with trays instead of, or in addition to, the packing column. In example implementations, the packing 503 is non-structured (e.g., random packing).

[0258] By contacting the heated solids slurry stream 521 and its carbamate solids with the stream of heated gas 517, the CCh-lean capture solution 511 (e.g., regenerated CO2 capture solution 114) is generated and a CO2 gas 519 is desorbed. The CCh-lean capture solution 511 collects at the bottom of the regeneration reactor 507. Referring to FIG. 12, the CCh-lean captureAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 solution 51 1 is at a relatively high temperature and is flowed to the heat exchanger 509 to transfer at least some of its thermal energy to the solids slurry stream 521 flowing from the concentrator 505, as described above. In implementations where the regeneration subsystem 1980 does not have a heat exchanger, the CCh-lean capture solution 511 is flowed directly to one or more components of the gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700 and reused in the gasliquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700 for CO2 capture.

[0259] The CO2 gas 519 is released from the regeneration reactor 507 along with water vapor 518 via a gas discharging line. The mixed gas stream (CO2 gas 519 and water vapor 518) flow from the regeneration reactor 507 to a condenser 508. Depending on the capture species of the CO2 capture solution 114, the mixed gas stream can also include volatile amines / organics. The condenser 508 condenses the water vapor 518 (and the volatile amines / organics), forms a water stream 1920 (which can have condensable amines / organics), and separates the CCh gas 519 from the water stream 1920. The CO2 gas 519 is released from the condenser 508 as a CO2 product stream 1218. The CO2 product stream 1218 can be treated or processed as desired, such as by being compressed. The compressed CO2 product stream 1218, either directly or after processing, can be provided for use as desired, or for export. In example implementations, the condensed water stream 1920 flows from the condenser 508 to the regeneration heater 506 to be used to generate the stream of heated gas 517 in the regeneration reactor 507. In example implementations, the condensed water stream 1920 flows directly to the heat exchanger 509.

[0260] Other configurations for the regeneration reactor 507 are possible. For example, in some configurations, the regeneration reactor 507 does not include a packed column and is thus free of packing. In such a configuration, the regeneration reactor 507 can be, or can include, any one of the following non-limiting examples of reaction vessels: a tubular reactor, a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which reagents, reactants, and solvents flow into the reactor while the products of the reaction concurrently exit the vessel, or a fluidized-bed reactor. In implementations where the regeneration reactor 507 is, or includes, a tubular reactor, the tubular reactor can have an internal heating device (e.g., an electric heating element) and / or an external heating device (e.g., a heating jacket), inlet and outlet ports, and a phase separator or other suitable outlet to permit CO2 to degas from the tubular reactor. In implementations where the regeneration reactor 507 is, or includes, a CSTR, the CSTR can have an internal heating device (e.g., an electric heating element) and / or an external heating device (e.g., a heating jacket), a mixing element (suchAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 as a rotor and / or baffles), inlet and outlet ports, and a phase separator or other suitable outlet to permit CO2 to degas from the CSTR. In implementations where the regeneration reactor 507 is, or includes, a fluidized-bed reactor, the solids slurry stream 521 can enter the fluidized-bed reactor from a top of the reactor, and a heating medium (e.g., steam) can be heated externally and flowed to the fluidized-bed reactor to fluidize the bed of solids and transfer heat thereto. The fluidized- bed reactor can have a distribution plate or mesh at a bottom thereof to support the solids being fluidized. The fluidized-bed reactor can also have inlet and outlet ports, and a phase separator or other suitable outlet to permit CO2 to degas from the fluidized-bed reactor.

[0261] FIG. 13 shows another possible implementation of a regeneration system 2080 of a DAC system 1400. The regeneration system 2080 is configured to regenerate a CCh-rich sorbent (e.g., the CCh-laden capture solution 111) received from one or multiple gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. The gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 are fluidly coupled to subsystems of the regeneration system 2080, such as a products generation subsystem 606 via a carbonate separation subsystem 604. The gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C,100D, 300, 700 provides the CCh-laden capture solution 111 to the carbonate separation subsystem 604.

[0262] The CCh-laden capture solution 111 can be an aqueous mixture comprising primarily carbonate ions, alkaline metal carbonate (e.g., K2CO3, ISfeCCh), or a combination thereof. The CCh-laden capture solution 111 can also include other components in smaller amounts, such as hydroxide ions, alkali metal hydroxide (e.g., KOH, NaOH), water, and impurities. For example, the CO2-laden capture solution 111 can comprise between 0.4 M to 6 M K2CO3 and between 1 M to 10 M KOH. In example implementations, the CO2-laden capture solution 111 can comprise an aqueous Na2CO3 — NaOH mixture. In example implementations, the CO2-laden capture solution 111 can comprise a mixture of K2CO3 and Na2CO3.

[0263] In example implementations, the carbonate separation subsystem 604 can include a caustic evaporator or a crystallizer (or both). In example implementations, the carbonate separation subsystem 604 can include a nanofiltration unit or a crystallizer (or both). The carbonate separation subsystem 604 yields a crystalline carbonate hydrate 614. Crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 can include carbonate sesquihydrate (M2CO3 I.5 H2O) or an anhydrous carbonate. For example, crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 can include potassium carbonate sesquihydrate (K2CO3 I.5 H2O). In example aspects, the crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 canAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 include sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3 10 H2O). In example aspects, the crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 can include potassium sodium carbonate hexahydrate (KNaCCh 6 H2O). In example implementations, the crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 can include a different stoichiometry of water molecules per unit carbonate in the crystalline carbonate (e.g., NUCCh n H O where M is an alkali metal and n is an integer or fractional value).

[0264] The products generation subsystem 606 receives the crystalline carbonate hydrate 614. In example implementations, the products generation subsystem 606 includes a dissolving tank 608 fluidly coupled to an electrochemical cell 610. In example implementations, the products generation subsystem 606 can include a caustic evaporator.

[0265] The dissolving tank 608 can receive crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 from the carbonate separation subsystem 604, a water stream 620 and a brine stream 622. In example implementations, a polished aqueous solution can be used instead of or in addition to the water stream 620. A polished aqueous solution can be substantially free of particulates and dissolved contaminants. The crystalline carbonate hydrate 614 dissolves in water and combines with bicarbonate HCO3 in brine stream 622 to form a feed solution 616. The feed solution 616 can include a bicarbonate HCO -rich solution with a mixture of other components such as carbonate and water.

[0266] The electrochemical cell 610 receives the feed solution 616 and a water stream 620. The electrochemical cell 610 yields at least two product streams including a first product stream that comprises a hydroxide (regenerated CO2 capture solution 114) and is returned to the gas-liquid contactor(s) 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 for reuse. The second product stream 628 is sent to a flash tank 612 where a gaseous CO2 product stream 1218 is partially or fully released from the flash tank 612 and sent to one or more downstream processing units (e.g., compression unit, electroreduction subsystem, carbon products manufacturing system, syngas generation reactor). For further details and alternate implementations, reference is made to the patent application entitled “Systems and methods for capturing carbon dioxide and regenerating a capture solution” and published as US 2022 / 0362707 Al, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0267] The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 can include liquid distribution pipes, solids conveying equipment, filtration systems, intermediate components like storage vessels, and / or an assembly of components which function cooperatively to regenerate the CO2 captureAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 solution 114. The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 also includes pumps which flow liquids to and from the regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080.

[0268] Each gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 can be grouped together with one or more other gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 to provide the DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900 with one or more wall(s), array (s) or train(s), where each wall, array or train has multiple gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. For example, and referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, multiple gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A,IOOB, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 are arranged next to one another to form a contactor wall 1502. The number of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 composing the contactor wall 1502 may vary (as represented by the ellipsis symbolin FIG. 14A). The contactor wall 1502 may include a large number of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700, for example between 10 and 100 gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. In example implementations, the number of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B,IOOC, 100D, 300, 700 in the contactor wall 1502 is greater than 1,000. The number of gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 in the contactor wall 1502 may be determined based on a variety of factors, such as a plume of CO2-lean gas 105 generated by the contactor wall 1502 during operation of the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. The contactor wall 1502 extends along its own wall axis 1509. The wall axis 1509 extends along a direction that is perpendicular to the packing depth 106D of the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A,IOOB, 100C, 100D, 300, 700, and perpendicular to the packing LTD 106L of the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700.

[0269] In implementations where the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 are positioned (e.g., directly) adjacent each other, and referring to FIG. 14A, they may be abutted along a dividing wall 1525 which fluidly separates components of one gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 from an adjacent gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. The dividing wall 1525 helps to ensure that the CCh-laden air 101 flowing through the air inlet 1031 of a gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 flows through the packing section(s) 106 of that gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B,IOOC, 100D, 300, 700, rather than into an adjacent gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C,IOOD, 300, 700. The dividing walls 1525 extend in an upright or vertical direction, and along a direction parallel to the packing depth 106D. In example implementations, the vertical extent ofAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 one or more of the dividing walls 1525 begins at, or below, the liquid level in the bottom basin 110. This configuration of the dividing walls 1525 can help to minimise or eliminate air bypassing the dividing walls 1525. The plenum 108 of each gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 is separated from the plenum 108 of an adjacent gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D by one or more dividing walls 1525. At least some of the dividing walls 1525 are internal to the contactor wall 1502. Each dividing wall 1525 forms a barrier to airflow between the adjacent plenums 108 delimited by that dividing wall 1525, so as to prevent air from flowing between the plenums 108. The dividing walls 1525 may allow for multiple gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 of the contactor wall 502 to remain operational if one of the gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 or its fan 121 is deactivated. The dividing walls 1525 of FIG. 12A are internal to the contactor wall 1502, and it will be appreciated that the contactor wall 1502 can have externally-applied dividing walls 1525 at opposite longitudinal ends of the contactor wall 1502. The plenums 108 are arranged adjacent each other along the length of the contactor wall 1502 defined along the wall axis 1509. In other implementations, the contactor wall 1502 includes a single plenum 108 that is continuous along its length defined parallel to the wall axis 1509, such that the contactor wall 1502 is free of internal dividing walls 1525. In other implementations, the contactor wall 1502 includes multiple plenums 108 delineated by the dividing walls 1525, where two or more gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 of the contactor wall 1502 share a common plenum 108. In example implementations, the dividing walls 1525 include doors or closeable openings, to provide access to the interior 113 of adjacent gas-liquid contactors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 14A, the contactor wall 1502 includes multiple plenums 108, where each gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 forming the contactor wall 1502 has one plenum 108. Each plenum 108 is separated from an adjacent plenum 108 by one or more dividing walls 1525. In the example implementation of FIG. 14A, each dividing wall 1525 shown is located between two fan stacks 107 and forms a barrier to airflow between two plenums 108 delimited by that dividing wall 1525, where each plenum 108 is in fluid communication with a respective one of the fan stacks 107.

[0270] The contactor wall 1502 can be part of the DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900. Referring to FIG. 12B, each DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900 can include multiple contactor walls 1502 arranged on a plot of land 1505. Each contactor wall 1502 is spaced apart from anotherAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 contactor wall 1502. In this disclosure, the terms “train”, “array” and “wall” may be used interchangeably. The DAC system 1200, 1400, 1900 of FIG. 14B is shown with multiple contactor walls 1502 for the purposes of illustration. The DAC system 1200, 1300, 1400 can alternatively have only one contactor wall 1502. Referring to FIG. 14B, the DAC system 1200, 1300, 1400 includes a regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080, such as one or more of those described above, in fluid communication with the contactor walls 1502. The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 functions to regenerate the CCh-rich sorbent (e.g., the CCh-laden capture solution 111) received from the contactor walls 1502, or from other componentry that treats the CCh-laden capture solution 111 from the contactor walls 1502. The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 forms a regenerated sorbent (e.g., the regenerated CO2 capture solution 114) that is conveyed back to the contactor walls 1502. The regeneration system 1230, 1980, 2080 can also function to release CO2 from the CCh-rich sorbent, to produce the CO2 product stream. In example implementations, and referring to FIG. 14B, each contactor wall 1502 has a single or common bottom basin 110. In such implementations, the bottom basin 110 of each contactor wall 1502 is in fluid communication with the regeneration system 1230, 1330, 1430. In example implementations, the process streams from the bottom basin 110 of a contactor wall 1502 flows, or is flowed, to the bottom basin 110 of another contactor wall 1502. In example implementations, a network of pipes are utilized to achieve the functionalities of the bottom basin.

[0271] An example method 1250 of assembling the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 is depicted at FIG. 15. At 1252, the method 1250 includes positioning a first packing support 1600F comprising structured packing 116. At 1254, the method 1250 includes stacking at least one more packing support 1600F including stacking a second packing support 1600F comprising additional structured packing 116 onto the first packing support 1600F to form a cell of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. The cell comprises a plurality of packing supports 1600F and a plurality of structured packings 116.

[0272] An example method 1350 of assembling a packing support 1600 is depicted at FIG. 16. At 1352, the method 1350 includes providing a floor 158 of the packing support 1600. At 1354, the method 1350 includes providing at least one packing indexing member 600 of the packing support 1600, where the packing indexing member 600 extends upwardly from the floor 158 and defines the packing perimeter 1605. At 1356, the method 1350 includes positioning aAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 plurality of structured packings 1 16 on the floor 158 within the packing perimeter 1605, where at least one of the structured packings 116 is abutted against the packing indexing member 600.

[0273] An example method 1450 of performing maintenance on the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 300, 700 is depicted at FIG. 17. At 1452, the method 1450 includes removing a selected packing support 1600S of the plurality of packing supports 1600 to form a packing support opening 16000 in a cell of the gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700. At 1454, the method 1450 includes inserting a replacement packing support 1600 in the packing support opening 16000 of the cell.

[0274] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a control system (or controller) 2000 for a gasliquid contactor, such as gas-liquid contactor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 300, 700 disclosed herein. The system 2000 can be used for the operations described in association with any of the computer-implemented methods described previously, for example as or as part of the control system 999 or other controllers described herein.

[0275] The system 2000 is intended to include various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The system 2000 can also include mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smartphones, and other similar computing devices. Additionally, the system can include portable storage media, such as, Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives. For example, the USB flash drives can store operating systems and other applications. The USB flash drives can include input / output components, such as a wireless transmitter or USB connector that can be inserted into a USB port of another computing device.

[0276] The system 2000 includes a processor 510, a memory 520, a storage device 530, and an input / output device 540. Each of the components 510, 520, 530, and 540 are interconnected using a system bus 550. The processor 510 is capable of processing instructions for execution within the system 2000. The processor 510 can be designed using any of a number of architectures. For example, the processor 510 can be a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers) processor, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor, or a MISC (Minimal Instruction Set Computer) processor.

[0277] In one implementation, the processor 510 is a single-threaded processor. In example implementations, the processor 510 is a multi-threaded processor. The processor 510 isAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 capable of processing instructions stored in the memory 520 or on the storage device 530 to display graphical information for a user interface on the input / output device 540.[002781 The memory 520 stores information within the system 2000. In one implementation, the memory 520 is a computer-readable medium. In one implementation, the memory 520 is a volatile memory unit. In example implementations, the memory 520 is a nonvolatile memory unit.

[0279] The storage device 530 is capable of providing mass storage for the system 2000. In one implementation, the storage device 530 is a computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, the storage device 530 can be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device.

[0280] The input / output device 540 provides input / output operations for the system 2000. In one implementation, the input / output device 540 includes a keyboard and / or pointing device. In example implementations, the input / output device 540 includes a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces.

[0281] In example implementations, the processor 510 is configured to execute a machine learning model (e.g., an artificial intelligence model) that employs multiple layers of models to generate an output for a received input. A deep neural network is a deep machine learning model that includes an output layer and one or more hidden layers that each apply a non-linear transformation to a received input to generate an output. In example aspects, the neural network may be a recurrent neural network. A recurrent neural network is a neural network that receives an input sequence and generates an output sequence from the input sequence. In particular, a recurrent neural network uses some or all of the internal state of the network after processing a previous input in the input sequence to generate an output from the current input in the input sequence. The machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can be, for example, a deeplearning neural network or a “very” deep learning neural network. For example, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can be a convolutional neural network or a recurrent network. The machine learning model can have residual connections or dense connections.

[0282] In example implementations, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 is an ensemble of models that may include all or a subset of the architectures described above.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0283] In example implementations, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 is a graph neural network (GNN). GNNs are a designed to process data that can be represented in a graph form and feature pairwise message passing to enable iterative updating of node representation of the graph data.

[0284] In example implementations, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can be a feedforward auto-encoder neural network. For example, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can be a three-layer auto-encoder neural network. The machine learning model executed by the processor 510 may include an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. In example implementations, the neural network has no recurrent connections between layers. Each layer of the neural network may be fully connected to the next, e.g., there may be no pruning between the layers. The neural network may include an optimizer for training the network and computing updated layer weights. In example implementations, the neural network may apply a mathematical transformation, e.g., a convolutional transformation or factor analysis to input data prior to feeding the input data to the network.

[0285] In example implementations, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can be a supervised model. For example, for each input provided to the model during training, the machine learning model can be instructed as to what the correct output should be. The machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can use batch training, e.g., training on a subset of examples before each adjustment, instead of the entire available set of examples. This may improve the efficiency of training the model and may improve the generalizability of the model. In example implementations, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 may be an unsupervised model. For example, the model may adjust itself based on mathematical distances between examples rather than based on feedback on its performance. In example implementations, the machine learning model executed by the processor 510 can provide suggested additional data that could further improve the output of the machine learning model.

[0286] Certain features described can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. The apparatus can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to performAttorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01 functions of the described implementations by operating on input data and generating output. The described features can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

[0287] Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (applicationspecific integrated circuits).

[0288] To provide for interaction with a user, the features can be implemented on a computer having a display device such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer. Additionally, such activities can be implemented via touchscreen flat-panel displays and other appropriate mechanisms.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01

[0289] The features can be implemented in a control system that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, such as an application server or an Internet server, or that includes a front-end component, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface or an Internet browser, or any combination of them. The components of the system can be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), peer-to-peer networks (having ad-hoc or static members), grid computing infrastructures, and the Internet.

[0290] A number of embodiments of the disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. It is to be understood that the forms shown and described herein are to be taken as examples of embodiments. Elements and materials can be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes can be reversed, and certain features can be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description. Changes can be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope as described in the following claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W01WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide from a dilute gas source, the gas-liquid contactor comprising: at least one packing section comprising a plurality of packing supports, each packing support of the plurality of packing supports removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports, each packing support comprising: a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter, the structure comprising at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment, the at least one first attachment configured to removably attach to the at least one second attachment of the structure of at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports to mount the respective packing support onto the at least one other packing support; and a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter, each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings abutted against at least one other structured packing of the plurality of structured packings, each structured packing comprising a plurality of packing sheets attached together and defining passages between adjacent packing sheets; a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction, the CO2 capture solution configured to absorb CO2 from the dilute gas source into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution; one or more liquid collection devices comprising a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; and a fan operable to flow the dilute gas source along the at least one packing section to contact the dilute gas source with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the dilute gas source to form a CO2 lean stream, the fan operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W012. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises: a floor defining the bottom surface; and a plurality of vertical members extending from a bottom end adjacent the floor to a top end opposite the bottom end, the plurality of vertical members spaced apart and defining the packing perimeter.

3. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the floor comprises a plurality of floor members defining the bottom surface.

4. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 2 or 3, wherein the floor comprises a grate defining the bottom surface.

5. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each packing support comprises a supporting wall extending upwards from the floor and defining the packing perimeter, the plurality of structured packings abutting the supporting wall.

6. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 5, wherein the supporting wall comprises a top section and a bottom section, the top section extending upwards from the floor and the bottom section extending downwards from the floor opposite the top section.

7. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 6, wherein: the plurality of packing supports comprises an upper packing support and a lower packing support, the upper packing support positioned above the lower packing support; the top section being abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the upper packing support; and the bottom section being abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the lower packing support.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W018. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein: the at least one first attachment comprises a plurality of first attachments, each first attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the top end or the bottom end of a vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members; and the at least one second attachment comprises a plurality of second attachments, each second attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the other of the top end or bottom end of the vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members.

9. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the plurality of vertical members of the plurality of packing supports are vertically aligned.

10. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one first attachment is a slot.

11. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one second attachment is a protrusion.

12. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the structure comprises at least one louver extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the louver being abutted against the plurality of structured packings at the proximal end.

13. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of packing supports comprises a plurality of first packing supports and at least one redistribution packing support, the at least one redistribution packing support defining a redistribution packing support height different than a first packing support height of the plurality of first packing supports, the redistribution packing support comprising a vertical spacing.

14. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first packing supports are identical.

15. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a plenum disposed downstream of the at least one packing section and lower than the fan.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0116. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each packing support comprises at least one drift eliminator positioned downstream of the plurality of structured packings.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0117. A direct air capture (DAC) system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmospheric air, the DAC system comprising: at least one gas-liquid contactor comprising: at least one packing section comprising a plurality of packing supports, each packing support of the plurality of packing supports removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports, each packing support comprising: a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter, the structure comprising at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment, the at least one first attachment configured to removably attach to the at least one second attachment of a structure of at least one other packing support to mount the respective packing support onto the at least one other packing support; and a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter, each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings abutted against at least one other structured packing of the plurality of structured packings, each structured packing comprising a plurality of packing sheets attached together and defining passages between adjacent packing sheets; a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction through the passages, the CO2 capture solution configured to absorb CO2 from the atmospheric air into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution; one or more liquid collection devices comprising a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; a fan operable to flow the atmospheric air through the passages of the at least one packing section to contact the atmospheric air with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the atmospheric air to form a CO2 lean stream, the fan operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section; and a regeneration system in fluid communication with the bottom basin to receive the CO2 rich solution, the regeneration system configured to regenerate the CO2 rich solution and form the CO2 capture solution to return to the at least one gas-liquid contactor.

18. The DAC system of claim 17, wherein the regeneration system is configured to provide a CO2 product stream for export or use.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0119. The DAC system of either one of claim 17 or 18, wherein the structure comprises: a floor defining the bottom surface; and a plurality of vertical members extending from a bottom end adjacent the floor to a top end opposite the bottom end, the plurality of vertical members spaced apart and defining the packing perimeter.

20. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the floor comprises a plurality of floor members defining the bottom surface.

21. The DAC system of either one of claim 19 or 20, wherein the floor comprises a grate defining the bottom surface.

22. The DAC system of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein each packing support comprises a supporting wall extending upwards from the floor and defining the packing perimeter, the plurality of structured packings abutting the supporting wall.

23. The DAC system of claim 22, wherein the supporting wall comprises a top section and a bottom section, the top section extending upwards from the floor and the bottom section extending downwards from the floor opposite the top section.

24. The DAC system of claim 23, wherein: the plurality of packing supports comprises an upper packing support and a lower packing support, the upper packing support positioned above the lower packing support; the top section being abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the upper packing support; and the bottom section being abutted against a plurality of structured packings of the lower packing support.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0125. The DAC system of any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein: the at least one first attachment comprises a plurality of first attachments, each first attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the top end or the bottom end of a vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members; and the at least one second attachment comprises a plurality of second attachments, each second attachment of the plurality of first attachments disposed at the other of the top end or bottom end of the vertical member of the plurality of the vertical members.

26. The DAC system of any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the plurality of vertical members of the plurality of packing supports are vertically aligned.

27. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the at least one first attachment is a slot.

28. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the at least one second attachment is a protrusion.

29. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the structure comprises at least one louver extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the louver being abutted against the plurality of structured packings at the proximal end.

30. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein the plurality of packing supports comprises a plurality of first packing supports and at least one redistribution packing support, the at least one redistribution packing support defining a redistribution packing support height different than a first packing support height of the plurality of first packing supports, the redistribution packing support comprising a vertical spacing.

31. The DAC system of claim 30, wherein the plurality of first packing supports are identical.

32. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 31, comprising a plenum disposed downstream of the at least one packing section and lower than the fan.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0133. The DAC system of any one of claims 17 to 32, wherein each packing support comprises at least one drift eliminator positioned downstream of the plurality of structured packings.

34. A method of assembling a gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dilute gas source, the method comprising: positioning a first packing support comprising structured packing; and stacking at least one more packing support including stacking a second packing support onto the first packing support to form a cell of the gas-liquid contactor, the second packing support comprising additional structured packing, the cell comprising a plurality of packing supports and a plurality of structured packings.

35. The method of claim 34, comprising: abutting a bottom portion of the structured packing of the first packing support against an upper portion of a first supporting wall of the first packing support; and abutting a top portion of the additional structured packing of the second packing support against a lower portion of the first supporting wall.

36. The method of claim 34 or 35, comprising positioning a fan to rotate about a fan axis and flow the dilute gas source through the cell.

37. The method of any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein stacking the second packing support comprises inserting at least one mating protrusion of one of the first packing support or the second packing support into at least one mating slot of the other of the first packing support or the second packing support.

38. The method of any one of claims 34 to 37, comprising: removing a selected structured packing of the plurality of structured packings from a selected packing support of the plurality of packing supports to form a structured packing opening of the selected packing support; and positioning a replacement structured packing into the structured packing opening.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the replacement structured packing is identical to the selected structured packing.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0140. The method of any one of claims 34 to 39, comprising stacking at least one redistribution packing support of the plurality of packing supports vertically adjacent to at least one of the first packing support and the second packing support.

41. The method of any one of claims 40, wherein the at least one redistribution packing support is free of structured packing.

42. The method of any one of claims 34 to 41, wherein stacking at least the second packing support comprises stacking at least the second packing support being identical to the first packing support to form the cell comprising at least two identical packing supports.

43. The method of any one of claims 34 to 42, comprising positioning at least one drift eliminator upstream of the fan relative to a flow of the dilute gas source.

44. The method of any one of claims 34 to 43, comprising positioning the fan at a fan height greater than a height of the cell.

45. The method of any one of claims 34 to 44, wherein positioning the first packing support, and stacking the second packing support onto the first packing support is performed at grade level.

46. The method of any one of claims 34 to 45, comprising moving at least one of the first packing support and the second packing support at a site at which the gas-liquid contactor is assembled.

47. A method of assembling a packing support, the method comprising: providing a floor of the packing support; providing at least one packing indexing member of the packing support, the at least one packing indexing member extending upwardly from the floor and defining a packing perimeter; and positioning a plurality of structured packings on the floor and within the packing perimeter and abutting at least one structured packing of the plurality of structured packings against the at least one indexing member.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0148. The method of claim 47, wherein positioning the plurality of structured packings comprises abutting each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings against another structured packing of the plurality of structured packings.

49. The method of claim 47 or 48, wherein providing the floor comprises positioning a plurality of floor members, the plurality of floor members defining the packing perimeter.

50. The method of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein providing the floor comprises positioning a grate to define the floor.

51. The method of any one of claims 47 to 50, wherein: providing the at least one indexing member comprises extending a supporting wall upwardly from the floor; and abutting the at least one structured packing against the at least one indexing member comprises abutting the at least one structured packing against the supporting wall.

52. The method of any one of claims 47 to 51, wherein: providing the at least one indexing member comprises extending a plurality of vertical members upwardly from the floor; and abutting the at least one structured packing against the at least one indexing member comprises abutting the at least one structured packing against at least one vertical member of the plurality of vertical members.

53. The method of any one of claims 47 to 52, wherein providing the at least one packing indexing member comprises providing at least one louver, the method comprising: extending the at least one louver in a width direction between at least two vertical members of the plurality of vertical members; and positioning the at least one louver above the floor.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein positioning the plurality of structured packings comprises positioning peripheral structured packings of the plurality of structured packings along the packing perimeter, the method comprising abutting at least some of the peripheral structured packings against the at least one louver.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0155. The method of any one of claims 47 to 54, wherein positioning the plurality of structured packings on the floor and within the packing perimeter and abutting the at least one structured packing of the plurality of structured packings against the at least one indexing member is performed at grade level.

56. The method of any one of claims 47 to 55, comprising moving the packing support with at least one of a vehicle or a lifting device.

57. A gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide from a dilute gas source, the gas-liquid contactor comprising: at least one packing section comprising a plurality of packing supports, each packing support of the plurality of packing supports removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports, each packing support comprising: a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter, the structure comprising at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment, the at least one first attachment configured to removably attach to at least one second attachment of a structure of at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports to attach the respective packing support to the at least one other packing support; and a packing positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter, the packing defining passages; a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction through the passages, the CO2 capture solution configured to absorb CO2 from the dilute gas source into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution; one or more liquid collection devices comprising a bottom basin positioned beneath the at least one packing section and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; and a fan operable to flow the dilute gas source through the passages of the at least one packing section to contact the dilute gas source with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the dilute gas source to form a CO2 lean stream, the fan operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0158. A method of performing maintenance on a gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dilute gas source, the method comprising: removing a selected packing support of a plurality of packing supports of the gas-liquid contactor to form a packing support opening in a cell of the gas-liquid contactor; and inserting a replacement packing support in the packing support opening of the cell.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein a particular packing support of the plurality of packing supports comprises a plurality of structured packings, the method comprising: removing a selected structured packing of the plurality of structured packings from the particular packing support to form a structured packing opening of the particular packing support; and positioning a replacement structured packing into the structured packing opening.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0160. A gas-liquid contactor for capturing carbon dioxide from a dilute gas source, the gas-liquid contactor comprising: at least one packing section comprising a plurality of packing supports, each packing support of the plurality of packing supports removably attached to at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports, each packing support comprising: a structure defining a bottom surface and a packing perimeter, the structure comprising at least one first attachment and at least one second attachment, the at least one first attachment configured to removably attach to the at least one second attachment of the structure of at least one other packing support of the plurality of packing supports to mount the respective packing support onto the at least one other packing support; and a plurality of structured packings positioned on the bottom surface within the packing perimeter, each structured packing of the plurality of structured packings abutted against at least one other structured packing of the plurality of structured packings, each structured packing comprising a plurality of packing sheets attached together and defining passages between adjacent packing sheets; a liquid distribution system configured to flow a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture solution through the at least one packing section in a downward direction, the CO2 capture solution configured to absorb CO2 from the dilute gas source into the CO2 capture solution to form a CO2 rich solution; a liquid collection device fluidly coupled and positioned downstream of the plurality of structured packings and configured to receive the CO2 rich solution; and a fan operable to flow the dilute gas source along the at least one packing section to contact the dilute gas source with the CO2 capture solution to remove at least a portion of the CO2 from the dilute gas source to form a CO2 lean stream, the fan operable to flow the CO2 lean stream from the at least one packing section.

61. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 60, wherein the liquid collection device comprises a plurality of interconnected pipes.

62. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 60 or 61, wherein a floor comprises a plurality of grid members, each grid member of the plurality of grid members positioned adjacent to another grid member within the packing perimeter.Attorney Docket No.: 30285-0052W0163. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 60 to 62, wherein the plurality of packing supports comprises a plurality of first packing supports and at least one redistribution packing support, at least one of the first packing support removably attached to the at least one redistribution packing support and positioned above the at least one redistribution packing support.

64. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 63, wherein a floor of the first packing comprises a plurality of baffle plates positioned above the at least one redistribution packing support, the plurality of baffle plates configured to block a flow the dilute gas source through the floor.

65. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 64, wherein the plurality of baffle plates define at least one flow channel extending through the floor.

66. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 65, wherein the at least one flow channel extends through the plurality of baffle plates.

67. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 62 to 64, wherein each packing support comprises an indexing wall and at least one drift eliminator, the indexing wall extending upwards from the floor and abutting the at least one drift eliminator.

68. The gas-liquid contactor of any one of claims 62 to 67, wherein each packing support comprises a diverter tray having at least a portion positioned under the at least one drift eliminator.

69. The gas-liquid contactor of claim 68, wherein the diverter tray comprises a plurality of weep holes positioned above at least some structured packings of the plurality of structured packings of another packing support.

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