Method for monitoring and / or controlling a co2 separation apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation apparatus (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied gas flow (14), in particular air flow (14), from the surroundings, in which method the weight and / or expansion of in particular free flowing CO2 separation agents are / is measured, in particular by means of a sensor unit (42), when the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process is carried out, and an information signal and / or control signal are / is output.

Description

[0001] R.407610

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Method for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device

[0006] State of the art

[0007] The invention relates to a method for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, a control unit for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device, and a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment.

[0008] To limit the warming of the Earth's atmosphere, so-called DAC (Direct Air Capture) systems are used to separate or remove CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the air.

[0009] Since the binding of CO2 and, if present, water to an adsorbent material depends on temperature, pressure, concentration, humidity, etc., all adsorption and desorption systems cyclically establish different conditions in order to separate CO2 through the resulting hysteresis. To adjust the desorption conditions, the adsorbent material must be temporarily sealed off from the environment and is therefore located in a chamber.

[0010] The chamber typically goes through the following steps cyclically:

[0011] (1) Adsorption of ambient air with the chamber open;

[0012] (2) Sealing the chamber and heating the adsorber material and the metallic chamber structure; R.407610

[0013] - 2 -

[0014] (3) Desorption of the CO2 and the bound water by supplying heat (e.g. in a range of greater than or equal to 90°C to less than or equal to 120°C, on average therefore approx. 105°C) under exclusion of oxygen to avoid degradation of the adsorber material, and at reduced pressure (e.g. in a range of greater than or equal to 50 mbar to less than or equal to 400 mbar) and pumping out the CO2 and the water vapor by means of a vacuum pump;

[0015] (4) active cooling of the adsorber material and the chamber and optionally drying of the adsorber material to below a critical temperature (e.g. in a range of greater than or equal to 50°C to less than or equal to 60°C) below which contact with ambient air no longer leads to increased degradation of the adsorber material by atmospheric oxygen;

[0016] (5) Opening the chamber to the environment, cooling to ambient temperature and thus resuming adsorption of CO2 and water from the ambient air.

[0017] The amount of CO2 recovered in an adsorption-desorption chamber depends on a wide variety of factors. The loading and unloading rates also depend on the boundary conditions. Therefore, maximum CO2 yield is only possible through careful selection of the adsorption and desorption process parameters under changing boundary conditions such as altered ambient temperature, humidity, air pressure, as well as in the event of undefined degradation due to environmental influences and / or aging of the adsorbent material.

[0018] WO 2020 / 212146 A1 discloses a DAC (Direct Air Capture) system with a container solution, comprising six separation chambers arranged in series and operable in parallel. The containers can either be coupled to a single vacuum pump for desorption or each connected to its own vacuum pump. To accurately determine the loading status, the measuring arrangement described above must be installed downstream of each vacuum pump for at least one concentration (CO2 and / or water, possibly other components), volume flow rate, pressure, and temperature. R.407610

[0019] - 3 -

[0020] WO 2021 / 239747 A1 discloses a process for the adsorption and desorption of a sorbent used in cyclic adsorption-desorption for capturing CO2 directly from atmospheric air or highly dilute sources. In this process, after sealing the adsorption chamber, water vapor is injected to displace residual oxygen, which would lead to degradation of the adsorbent material at elevated temperatures.

[0021] Disclosure of the invention

[0022] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, with at least one chamber for receiving, in particular free-flowing, CO2 separation agents for a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, and / or a CO2 release process, in particular a desorption process, comprising the steps:

[0023] - Determining the weight and / or extent of the CO2 separation agents, particularly those that are free-flowing, during the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process, especially by means of a sensor unit; and

[0024] - Outputting an information signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agent, in order to monitor the CO2 separation device, and / or a control signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agent, in order to control the CO2 separation device, in particular a unit of the CO2 separation device.

[0025] The present invention further relates to a control unit for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream, which is configured to perform at least one step or all steps of a method according to the type described above, in particular the following steps: R.407610

[0026] - 4 -

[0027] - Determining the weight and / or extent of the CO2 separation agents, particularly those that are free-flowing, during the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process, especially using sensor data from a sensor unit; and

[0028] - Outputting an information signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agent, in order to monitor the CO2 separation device, and / or a control signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agent, in order to control the CO2 separation device, in particular a unit of the CO2 separation device.

[0029] The invention further relates to a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, with at least one chamber for receiving, in particular free-flowing, CO2 separation agents for a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, and / or a CO2 release process, in particular a desorption process.

[0030] - a sensor unit designed to determine the weight and / or extent of the, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agents during the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process and / or

[0031] - a control unit of the type described above.

[0032] As explained in the introduction, the CO2 separation agents absorb increasing amounts of CO2 over time, depending on the ambient conditions (as well as potentially water from the air and other gases). Eventually, a saturation state is reached asymptotically; that is, at a given temperature, humidity, pressure, and state of the CO2 separation agents, maximum loading takes an infinitely long time to reach equilibrium. Therefore, the CO2 separation process is considered to be...

[0033] The sorption process is terminated after a predetermined sorption time or depending on the current loading status, or the sorbents are removed from the sorption chamber. R.407610

[0034] - 5 -

[0035] The CO2 release or desorption process can take place at a constant (elevated) temperature and constant (reduced) pressure and / or with the aid of purge gas. The desorption time is reached when a sufficient quantity of CO2 has been recovered, with a residual amount remaining in the CO2 separation media over a finite time period due to the asymptotic course of the equilibrium curve, even at low loading levels. By lowering the pressure and / or increasing the temperature during the desorption process, the bond between the CO2 (and the co-adsorbed water) and the CO2 separation media is broken, i.e., the CO2 is desorbed. The pumping unit must therefore continuously pump out the newly desorbed CO2 gas and the newly desorbed water gas to maintain the set pressure.

[0036] The present invention takes advantage of the fact that the weight and / or volume (due to "swelling") of the CO2 separation agents changes depending on the amount of CO2 and water absorbed. At maximum loading, the sorbed CO2 is in equilibrium with the sorbed water.

[0037] Therefore, according to the invention, it is proposed to determine the weight and / or size of the CO2 separation agents, in particular by means of a sensor unit, and to output an information signal and / or a control signal depending on this. This allows, among other things, the amount of CO2 absorbed by the CO2 separation agents to be determined (directly) in a simple manner, enabling, for example, the sorption process to be terminated when the maximum loading is reached and / or the maximum desorption time to be limited after sufficient emptying, thereby optimizing process control.

[0038] It is advantageous if the weight and / or expansion of the CO2 separation agent is determined as a function of the ambient conditions of the CO2 separation device, in particular the humidity and / or temperature and / or pressure of the supplied gas stream, especially the ambient air stream. In comparison with the weather data (humidity, temperature, air pressure), the swelling of the CO2 separation agent is always R.407610

[0039] - 6 - identical, so that the extent can be determined or recorded by measuring, for example, the height or the pressure on the boundary walls.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, the weight and / or expansion of the CO2 separation agent(s) are advantageously determined based on pre-calibration data, in particular a comparison with pre-calibration data performed with pure CO2 and pure water vapor. For example, by calibrating the sensor unit with pure CO2 and pure water vapor at a known total weight and full loading (asymptote reached, only minimal weight increase over time), a comparison could be made with the weight reached after the same time t_ref under ambient conditions. This would allow conclusions to be drawn about the mixture state, i.e., how much CO2 and how much H2O are bound.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the weight and / or expansion of the CO2 separation agent(s) are advantageously determined as a function of abrasion of the CO2 separation agent. Abrasion of the CO2 separation agent leads to smaller fill levels over time and altered swelling behavior, so the limit values ​​should be dynamically adjusted.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the expansion of the CO2 separation agent is advantageously determined as a function of the height of the CO2 separation agent and / or the pressure force of the CO2 separation agent on a wall limiting the CO2 separation agent.

[0043] It is also advantageous if, in the step of determining

[0044] - the weight of the CO2 separation agents using a weight sensor, and / or

[0045] - the expansion of the CO2 separation agent is / are detected by means of an ultrasonic sensor and / or laser and / or level sensor and / or a force sensor on a wall limiting the CO2 separation agent.

[0046] In other words, that the sensor unit

[0047] - a weight sensor to detect the weight of the CO2 separation agents and / or R.407610

[0048] - 7 -

[0049] - has an ultrasonic sensor and / or a laser and / or a level sensor and / or a force sensor on a wall bordering the CO2 separation agent to detect the expansion of the CO2 separation agent.

[0050] The weight sensor can, for example, incorporate load cells, particularly piezoelectric load cells. The weight sensor can be positioned and configured on the chamber to detect its weight and, if applicable, the weight of the CO2 separation agent. Thus, after referencing the chamber weight with the CO2 separation agent, the quantities of CO2 and co-adsorbed water bound within the chamber can be determined.

[0051] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in the step of determining, the following is also considered:

[0052] - a quantity of CO2 separated and / or released in the chamber; and / or

[0053] - a condition, in particular a loading state of the CO2 separation medium; and / or

[0054] - a property of the CO2 separation agent is determined depending on the determined weight and / or the determined expansion, and the dispensing step is carried out depending on this.

[0055] The term "property" also includes a property value. The property can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: sorption capacity, efficiency (i.e., amount of CO2 sorbed per unit of time), aging, ratio of amount of water sorbed from air to amount of CO2 sorbed from air.

[0056] The term "state" also includes a state value. The state can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of: degradation, desorption kinetics, i.e., the release rate of the bound molecules.

[0057] According to the invention, an information signal is also output depending on the weight and / or the extent of the CO2 separation agent in order to monitor the CO2 separation device, and / or a control signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the R.407610

[0058] - 8 -

[0059] CO2 separation agent dispensed to control the CO2 separation device, in particular a unit of the CO2 separation device.

[0060] It is advantageous in this step if

[0061] - a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, carried out in parallel in a further chamber of the CO2 separation device and / or a further CO2 separation device; and / or

[0062] - a subsequent CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, carried out in the chamber of the CO2 separation device and / or a further chamber of a further CO2 separation device is / are controlled.

[0063] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in the dispensing step, at least one of the following parameters of the respective CO2 separation process and / or CO2 release process is controlled: duration, speed of the supplied airflow, humidity, material flow, temperature, pressure, purge gas quantity.

[0064] When, for example, the maximum load is reached, the sorption process can be stopped, preventing the CO2 separation device from running unnecessarily when no more CO2 can be bound. Towards the end of the expected maximum load, the fan power can be reduced to save energy and prevent the CO2 separation agent from being overcharged. During the desorption process, the minimum weight that can be reached is known. Therefore, the desorption process can be terminated at a controlled time.

[0065] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one of the following units of the CO2 separation device is controlled during the dispensing step: heating unit, cooling unit, humidification unit, pump unit, material conveying unit, blower unit, water vapor condenser, water vapor generation unit.

[0066] The steps of determining and outputting are carried out by means of a control unit. It should be noted that the term "control" in R.407610

[0067] - 9 -

[0068] The present application also includes rules for the respective device and / or unit.

[0069] The CO2 separation device is designed and configured for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream, from an environment (preferably the CO2 separation device). Within the scope of the present invention, the term "supply" or "supplied" primarily refers to an actively carried out or initiated, and thus technically controlled or regulated, supply of the gas or air stream by means of a blower unit or fan unit of the CO2 separation device. However, the term "supply" or "supplied" can also include a passively carried out or initiated supply of the gas or air stream without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the air stream can be supplied in any manner, e.g., naturally (as wind).

[0070] The CO2 separation device has at least one chamber in which the CO2 separation agents, particularly those that are free-flowing, are received or contained. The CO2 separation device preferably has a plurality of chambers, which may be arranged adjacent to one another and / or side by side, or, if installed separately, may be fluidically connected to one another.

[0071] At least one chamber is preferably designed for the alternating cyclical execution of the CO2 separation process and the CO2 release process. In other words, the chamber, or the plurality of chambers, can be operated individually or in groups in parallel in a CO2 release mode and a CO2 separation mode ("fixed bed"). The CO2 release mode and the CO2 separation mode are cyclically repeated. The basic operating principle of the CO2 separation device can be analogous, for example, to the aforementioned WO 2020 / 212146 A1.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, at least one chamber preferably has at least one separate chamber for the exclusive execution of the CO2 separation process and for the exclusive execution of the CO2 R.407610

[0073] - 10 -

[0074] The release process begins. Here, the separate chambers are connected to each other via pipes for circulating the free-flowing CO2 separation agents ("moving bed"). The CO2 separation device is therefore a type of fluidized bed CO2 separation plant. This is a continuously operating system in which the free-flowing CO2 separation agents are conveyed through different process columns, which are connected to each other, for example, via a lock and have different boundary conditions (e.g., temperatures or vacuum pressures) within the column. It is also conceivable to have a unit in which the same vacuum pressure is maintained, but the free-flowing CO2 separation agents pass through different temperature zones.

[0075] The CO2 release process is carried out under reduced pressure and at a temperature higher than ambient. Accordingly, the CO2 release process is preferably carried out using a pump unit or vacuum unit to release CO2 bound in the CO2 separation media, which was previously bound as a result of a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process. The CO2 is, understandably, temporarily bound. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "release" encompasses any meaningful method of releasing or expelling CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the CO2 separation media, wherein a dissolution and / or release and / or discharge of CO2 molecules from the CO2 separation media takes place. In this process, the CO2 is released or dissolved from the CO2 separation media, in particular by introducing energy or heat into the media.

[0076] The CO2 release mode is preferably a desorption mode. Accordingly, the release of CO2 can be achieved in particular by means of at least one of the following processes or combinations thereof:

[0077] - chemical desorption process

[0078] - physical desorption process

[0079] The CO2 separation mode is carried out at a higher pressure, in particular ambient pressure, and a lower temperature, in particular ambient temperature, compared to the CO2 release mode. The term "separation" in R.407610 includes

[0080] - 11 -

[0081] Within the scope of the present invention, any meaningful method of separating or detaching CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the gas or air stream, wherein binding and / or adhesion and / or storage and / or absorption of CO2 molecules takes place on the bulk CO2 separation agents.

[0082] The CO2 separation mode is preferably a sorption mode, which in particular comprises an adsorption process and / or an absorption process. Accordingly, the separation of the CO2 can be carried out in particular by means of at least one of the following processes or combinations thereof:

[0083] - chemical adsorption process

[0084] - physical adsorption process

[0085] - chemical absorption process

[0086] - physical absorption process

[0087] The CO2 separation device can include a valve unit with a plurality of valves, particularly controllable ones, for closing the at least one chamber for the CO2 release mode. The valve unit can include an inlet valve, which is arranged in an inlet channel for the supplied or drawn-in gas or air flow and is configured to close the inlet channel and isolate the chamber upstream. The valve unit can further include an outlet valve, which is arranged in an outlet channel for the CO2-reduced gas or air flow and is configured to close the outlet channel and isolate the chamber downstream. The valve unit can also include a CO2 discharge valve, which is arranged in a CO2 discharge channel for removing separated CO2 and is configured to open the CO2 discharge channel in order to selectively discharge the separated / bound and re-released CO2 from the chamber.

[0088] The CO2 separation agents are designed to separate CO2 from a supplied gas or air stream. The CO2 separation agents are preferably free-flowing, i.e., flowable or free-form. Accordingly, the CO2 separation agents can be, for example, granular or particulate. The free-flowing CO2 separation agents can comprise or consist of a single material or a mixture of materials. The free-flowing CO2 separation agents can be dry, slurry-like, or suspended. R.407610

[0089] - 12 -

[0090] CO2 separation agents can include, in particular, appropriately functionalized free-flowing sorbents, such as adsorbents and / or absorbents. Accordingly, the CO2 separation agents can, for example, have a granular or particulate solid as a support structure with a base material selected from the following group: resins, polymers, ceramics, zeolites, silicates, organometallic compounds, organic materials such as cellulose or activated carbon, and combinations thereof. The base material can, in turn, be specifically functionalized with amines, potassium carbonate, or other components designed to chemically and / or physically bind CO2.

[0091] The free-flowing CO2 separation agents can, in particular, comprise or be designed as a granular ion exchange resin. The free-flowing CO2 separation agents can, for example, comprise or consist of granular Lewatit VP OC 1065 or Zeolite X13.

[0092] The CO2 separation device may further comprise at least one of the following units:

[0093] - Blower unit, in particular with a large number of fans for supplying the gas or air flow;

[0094] - Steam generator for providing steam for the CO2 release mode or desorption mode;

[0095] - Inerting unit for supplying an inert gas stream, such as nitrogen, oxygen-free air and / or water vapor, to remove oxygen before the CO2 release mode or desorption mode to protect the CO2 combustion medium from chemical degradation;

[0096] - Heating unit for additional heating of the CO2 separation agents for the CO2 release mode or desorption mode;

[0097] - Cooling unit for additional cooling of the CO2 separation agents for the CO2 separation mode or sorption mode;

[0098] - Material conveying unit for conveying the CO2 separation agents through the chamber;

[0099] - Sensor unit for CO2 separation and CO2 release modes;

[0100] - Control unit for controlling and / or regulating the CO2 separation and CO2 release mode. R.407610

[0101] - 13 -

[0102] The control unit can be configured to be connected to other control units and / or a central control unit of the CO2 separation device or a higher-level system via wireless transmission such as WLAN, Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication, etc. It should be noted that, within the scope of this application, the term "control" also includes regulating the respective device and / or unit.

[0103] The CO2 separation device is preferably designed as a stationary unit. In particular, the CO2 separation device can be part of a building climate control system, especially integrated into a climate control system within a building. The chambers of the CO2 separation device can be integrated into the building's air conditioning circuit.

[0104] Drawings

[0105] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0106] Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of a CO2 system according to the invention.

[0107] Separation device.

[0108] Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of a CO2 separation device according to the invention, which is designated as a whole by reference numeral 10. The CO2 separation device 10 is designed to separate CO2 (carbon dioxide) from an air stream 14 supplied by means of a blower unit 12 by means of cyclically executable CO2 separation modes or CO2 sorption modes and CO2 release modes or CO2 desorption modes.

[0109] For this purpose, the CO2 separation device 10 has a chamber 16 in which a CO2 separation module 18 with pourable CO2 separation agents 19 or pourable sorbents 19 is arranged. The chamber 16 is designed for the alternating cyclical execution of the CO2 separation process and the CO2 release process. The chamber 16 has an inlet valve 20 on an inlet channel 22 for the aspirated airflow 14, which is designed to close the inlet channel 22 and the chamber 16 R.407610

[0110] - 14 - to isolate upstream. The chamber 16 further comprises an outlet valve 24 on an outlet channel 26 for the CO2-reduced airflow 14', which is configured to close the outlet channel 26 and isolate the chamber 16 downstream. The chamber 16 also comprises a CO2 valve 28, which is arranged in a CO2 discharge channel 30 and is configured to open the CO2 discharge channel 30 to discharge separated, i.e., sorbed and re-released, i.e., desorbed, CO2 and, if applicable, water vapor from the chamber 16.

[0111] The CO2 separation device 10 also includes a temperature control unit 32, which is fluidically connected to the CO2 separation module 18 to temperature control the bulk CO2 separation agents 19, and a steam generation unit 34 to provide steam for the CO2 release mode or desorption mode.

[0112] The separated CO2 and water vapor are pumped out of chamber 16 by means of a pump unit 36 ​​or vacuum pump 36, with a water vapor condenser 38 being connected upstream of the pump unit 36 ​​or vacuum pump 36.

[0113] The CO2 separation device 10 also has a control unit 40 for controlling the CO2 separation device 10 or the CO2 separation modes and CO2 release modes.

[0114] According to the invention, the CO2 separation device 10 further comprises a sensor unit 42, which is designed as a weight sensor 42 with load cells. The sensor unit 42, or weight sensor 42, is designed to detect the weight of the CO2 separation agents 19 during the CO2 separation process and the CO2 release process.

[0115] Therefore, the control unit 40 is further designed to determine the weight and from this a loading state of the CO2 separation agents of the pourable CO2 separation agents 19 and, depending on this, to output a control signal in order to control at least one of the units 12, 20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38 of the CO2 separation device 10.

Claims

R.407610 - 15 - Claims 1. Method for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream (14), in particular an air stream (14) from an environment, with at least one chamber (16) for receiving, in particular free-flowing, CO2 separation agents (19) for a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, and / or a CO2 release process, in particular a desorption process, characterized by the steps: - Determining the weight and / or extent of the CO2 separation agents (19) during the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process, in particular by means of a sensor unit (42); and - Outputting an information signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the CO2 separation means (19) to monitor the CO2 separation device (10), and / or a control signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the CO2 separation means (19) to control the CO2 separation device (10), in particular a unit (12, 20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38) of the CO2 separation device (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight and / or the expansion of the CO2 separation means (19) is / are determined depending on the ambient conditions of the CO2 separation device (10), in particular the humidity and / or the temperature and / or the pressure of the supplied gas stream (14), in particular the air stream (14) of the environment.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the weight and / or the extent of the CO2 separation agents (19) is determined as a function of data from a pre-calibration, in particular a R.407610 - 16 - Comparison with data from a pre-calibration, which was carried out with pure CO2 and pure water vapor, will be determined.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weight and / or the expansion of the CO2 separation agent (19) is / are determined as a function of an abrasion of the CO2 separation agent (19).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion of the CO2 separation means (19) is determined as a function of a height of the CO2 separation means (19) and / or a pressure force of the CO2 separation means (19) on a wall limiting the CO2 separation means (19).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the step of determining - the weight of the CO2 separation agents (19) by means of a weight sensor (42), and / or - the expansion of the CO2 separation agent (19) is / are detected by means of an ultrasonic sensor and / or laser and / or level sensor and / or force sensor on a wall limiting the CO2 separation agent (19).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the step of determining further - a quantity of CO2 separated and / or released in chamber (16); and / or - a condition, in particular a loading condition of the CO2 separation media (19); and / or - a property of the CO2 separation agent (19) is determined depending on the determined weight and / or the determined expansion, and the dispensing step is carried out depending on this. R.407610 - 17 - 8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the output step - a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, carried out in parallel in a further chamber of the CO2 separation device (10) and / or a further CO2 separation device; and / or - a subsequent CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, carried out in the chamber (16) of the CO2 separation device (10) and / or a further chamber of a further CO2 separation device is / are controlled.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the output step at least one of the following parameters of the respective CO2 separation process and / or CO2 release process is controlled: duration, speed of the supplied airflow (14), humidity, material flow, temperature, pressure, purge gas quantity.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the output step at least one of the following units of the CO2 separation device (10) is controlled: heating unit (32), cooling unit (32), humidification unit, pump unit (36), material conveying unit, blower unit (12), water vapor condenser (38), water vapor generation unit (34).

11. Control unit (40) for monitoring and / or controlling a CO2 separation device (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied air stream (14), which is configured to perform at least one step or all steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in particular the following steps: - Determining the weight and / or extent of, in particular, free-flowing CO2 separation agents (19) during the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process, in particular by means of sensor data from a sensor unit (42); and - Outputting an information signal depending on the weight and / or extent of the CO2 separation agents (19) to determine the CO2- R.407610 - 18 - to monitor the separation device (10), and / or a control signal depending on the weight and / or the extent of the CO2 separation means (19) to control the CO2 separation device (10), in particular a unit (12, 20, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38) of the CO2 separation device (10).

12. CO2 separation device (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream (14), in particular an air stream (14) from an environment, with at least one chamber (16) for receiving, in particular free-flowing, CO2 separation agents (19) for a CO2 separation process, in particular a sorption process, and / or a CO2 release process, in particular a desorption process with - a sensor unit (42) which is configured to determine the weight and / or extent of the CO2 separation agents (19) during the CO2 separation process and / or the CO2 release process and / or - a control unit according to claim 11 .

13. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the sensor unit (42) - a weight sensor (42) for measuring the weight of the CO2 separation agents (19) and / or - has an ultrasonic sensor and / or a laser and / or a level sensor and / or a force sensor on a wall limiting the CO2 separation agent (19) for detecting the expansion of the CO2 separation agent (19).

14. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one chamber (16) has at least one chamber (16) for alternating cyclical execution of the CO2 separation process and the CO2 release process, or at least one separate chamber (16) for exclusively carrying out the CO2 separation process and for exclusively carrying out the CO2 release process.

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