Systems and methods for heat integration in sorbent-based gas capture system

Abstract

A system includes a gas capture system configured to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow. The gas capture system includes a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages. The plurality of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material. The gas capture system further includes a heat integration system configured to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEAT INTEGRATION IN SORBENT-BASED GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMBACKGROUND

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to a system and method for heat integration and fluid transfer within a gas capture system.

[0002] Various gases pollute the atmosphere. For example, the gases may include carbon oxides (COx) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and / or sulfur oxides (SOx) such as sulfur dioxide (SO2). CO2 is both an acid gas and a greenhouse gas. Unfortunately, the atmospheric content of CO2 has generally increased over thousands of years, and currently exceeds about 420 parts per million by volume (ppmv) or 643 parts per million by weight (ppmw) in the atmosphere. With various regulations and environmental concerns regarding global warming, it would be desirable to reduce the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) in the atmosphere. As such, there is a need for efficient and effective gas capture systems to remove gases found to be undesirable from the atmosphere and / or from exhaust gases discharged into the atmosphere.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0003] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter. Indeed, the presently claimed embodiments may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0004] In certain embodiments, a system includes a gas capture system configured to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow. The gas capture system includes a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages. The plurality of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb theundesirable gas from the sorbent material. The gas capture system further includes a heat integration system configured to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages.

[0005] In certain embodiments, a method includes capturing an undesirable gas from a gas flow via a gas capture system including a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality7of stages. The plurality7of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material. The method further includes transferring heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality7of stages via a heat integration system.

[0006] In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller having a memory, a processor, and instructions stored on the memory7and executable by the processor to control a gas capture system to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow. The gas capture system includes a plurality7of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages. The plurality of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material. The controller is configured to control a heat integration system to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality7of stages.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed techniques will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a combined cycle system having one or more gas capture systems, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the gas capture system of FIG. 1 , further illustrating an adsorption stage, a desorption stage, and a cooling stage, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of the gas capture system of FIG. 1 including a contactor and a fluid cycle, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of the gas capture system of FIG. 1 including a plurality of contactors, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an embodiment a process for transferring fluid and initiating heat integration within the gas capture system of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment a process for initiating fluid displacement within the gas capture system of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment a process for transferring fluid and initiating heat integration between two contactors, in accordance with embodiments described herein;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process of for monitoring fluid parameters associated with the gas capture system, in accordance with embodiments described herein; and

[0016] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment a process for transferring fluid and initiating heat integration between two contactors, in accordance with embodiments described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] One or more specific embodiments of the presently disclosed systems and methods are described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementationspecific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0018] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presently disclosed embodiments, the articles '‘a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0019] The present disclosure is generally directed towards systems and methods of gas treatment (e.g., carbon capture). As discussed above, the atmospheric content of CO2 has generally increased over time. As such, it may be desirable to reduce the output of undesirable gases and / or capture undesirable gases from the atmosphere and / or exhaust gases being discharged into the atmosphere. Gas treatment systems may include sorbent-based carbon capture systems used to capture undesirable gases for further processing. In some embodiments, one or more sorbent-based carbon capture units may be used in parallel to increase an amount of undesirable gas captured. Further, the sorbent-based carbon capture units may include one or more contactors that operate in a variety of stages. Stages of the contactors may include an adsorption stage, a desorption stage, and a cooling stage. To transition between said stages (e.g., adsorption stage, desorption stage, cooling stage), a temperature swing or change may be used to sequentially operate the contactors at different temperatures. For example.in the adsorption stage, a sorbent of the contactor adsorbs undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) at a first temperature. Further, in the desorption stage, the sorbent of the contactor desorbs the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2), for example, by heating the sorbent material from the first temperature to a higher second temperature using a heat source. The heat source may include a heated fluid, such as a heated gas and / or liquid (e.g., steam). In the cooling mode, the sorbent of the contactor is cooled in preparation for the next adsorption mode. Continuous changes in temperature during transition between stages within the contactors may be energy demanding. As such, there is a need for optimization of contactor stages and related energetics.

[0020] As such, in certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a gas capture system may include a fluid transfer system to circulate fluids between the stages for improved efficiency and reduced power consumption. The fluid transfer system may transfer fluid (e.g., displace, provide) to one or more contactors within the gas capture system associated with transitioning between stages (e.g.. adsorption stage, desorption stage, cooling stage). Fluid transfer during gas capture stage transition may accelerate a change of temperature in the contactors by cycling fluid of different temperatures between the contactors (e.g., indirect heating, indirect cooling). Acceleration of the change of temperature in the contactors may reduce effects of thermal inertia and increase an efficiency (e.g., reduce energy consumption) needed to transition the contactors between the stages. In some instances, the fluid transfer system may form a closed loop between the contactors, moving fluid between various contactors transitioning between different stages of gas capture.

[0021] Additionally and / or alternatively, in certain embodiments of the present disclosure the gas capture system may include a heat integration system configured to provide a direct heat transfer, an indirect heat transfer, or a combination thereof, between contactors operating in different stages. The heat integration system may operate in combination with the fluid transfer system (e.g., indirect heat transfer) to integrate heat provided by fluid flowing to the contactors. For example, a first contactor may be transitioning from the desorption stage to the cooling stage. A second contactor may be transitioning to a desorption stage from an adsorption stage. As such, transitioning between the stages may call for the first contactor to be heated (e.g..indirect heating) and the second contactor to be cooled (e.g., indirect cooling). While the first contactor and the second contactor may be heated and cooled in isolation (e.g., cooled and / or heated using coolers and / or heaters), respectively. The heat integration system provides for integration of stage transitions through facilitating heat transfer between the first contactor and the second contactor. As such, the heat integration system may reduce loss of heat during stage transitions to enhance energy efficiency of the gas capture system. As used herein, heat integration may include any heat transfer (e.g., heating, cooling) between the various adsorption, desorption, and cooling stages. The heat integration may be associated with fluid transfer between the contactors in the various adsorption, desorption, and cooling stages, such as by circulating the fluids between heat exchangers associated with the contactors.

[0022] In some embodiments, the gas capture system may be controlled by a controller. The controller may facilitate integration between the fluid transfer system and the heat integration system. That is, the controller may provide indication of contactors transitioning between stages to the fluid transfer system and / or the heat integration system of the gas capture system. In some embodiments, the controller may indicate that a first contactor has completed the desorption stage. The first contactor may begin transition to the cooling stage. However, instead of directly cooling fluid present in the first contactor (e.g., hot fluid is present during the desorption stage), the fluid transfer system may initiate a hot fluid displacement. The hot fluid displacement (e.g., displacing hot fluid with cold fluid) may displace hot fluid from the first contactor to a second contactor transitioning to the desorption mode. Further, in certain embodiments, the controller may facilitate heat integration by cycling fluid between the first contactor and the second contactor to recover heat from the first contactor and transfer the recovered heat to the second contactor. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer system may initiate a cold fluid displacement and provide cold fluid to a fluid source (e.g., a tank, a fixed volume tank) for storage. As such, continuous cooling of fluid may be mitigated through use of fluid storage, optimizing energetics of the gas capture system.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an industrial plant 10 having a gas turbine system 12. a steam turbine system 14, a heat recovery steam generator(HRSG) 16, a gas treatment system 18 having one or more gas capture systems 20, and a controller 22 coupled to each of the systems 12, 14, 16, and 18. As discussed below, the one or more gas capture systems 20 of the gas treatment system 18 are configured to capture an undesirable gas (e.g., CO2) from exhaust gas and / or air (e.g., direct air capture). As discussed in detail below, the gas treatment system 18 of the industrial plant 10 includes a carbon capture system for use in removing undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) from the exhaust gas of the combustion systems, captured air, or a combination thereof. It should be noted, in some embodiments, the gas treatment system 18 is envisioned to treat captured air directly from the atmosphere. The carbon capture system 20 also includes a heat integration system 222 and a fluid transfer system 214, as discussed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 2, used during various operating modes of the carbon capture system 20. Before discussing details of the gas treatment system 18, various aspects of the industrial plant 10 are discussed in further detail. For purposes of orientation in the drawings, reference may be made to an axial direction or axis 40, a radial direction or axis 42 extending radially away from the axial direction or axis 40, and a circumferential direction or axis 44 extending circumferentially around the axial direction or axis 40. The directions or axes 40, 42, and 44 may be in reference to a rotational axis 36 of the gas turbine system 12, for example.

[0024] The gas turbine system 12 includes an air intake 50, a compressor 52 having one or more compressor stages, one or more combustors 54, a turbine 56 having one or more turbine stages, and a load 58 (e.g., electrical generator) driven by the turbine 56. In certain embodiments, the gas turbine system 12 further includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system 60 configured to recirculate an exhaust gas 62 into the air intake 50. The recirculated exhaust gas 62 helps to reduce the temperature and formation of certain emissions (e.g., nitrogen oxides (NOx)) associated with combustion in the combustors 54. In operation, the compressor 52 receives air (and also exhaust gas 62 if the EGR system 60 is active) from the air intake 50, and compresses the air and / or exhaust gas 62 in one or more compressor stages (e.g., stages of rotating compressor blades). The combustors 54 then combust fuel from a fuel supply system with the compressed air and / or exhaust gas, and generate hot combustiongases. The hot combustion gases expand and drive one or more turbine stages (e.g., stages of rotating turbine blades) in the turbine 56, thereby driving rotation of the compressor 52 and the load 58 via shafts. The turbine 56 then outputs the hot combustion gases as the exhaust gas 62. The gas turbine system 12 may include a variety of piping to support the flow of intake air, compressed air (e.g., bleed air), one or more fuels (e.g., liquid fuel, gas fuel, etc.), additives for combustion, exhaust gas (e.g., exhaust gas recirculation), or other fluids.

[0025] The HRSG 16 recovers waste heat from the exhaust gas 62 to generate steam for driving the steam turbine system 14. The HRSG 16 includes a high-pressure (HP) steam section 70. an intermediate-steam (IP) section 72. and a low-pressure (LP) steam section 74 configured to generate HP steam 76, IP steam 78, and LP steam 80. The steam turbine system 14 may include an HP steam turbine 82 driven by the HP steam 76, an IP steam turbine 84 driven by the IP steam 78, and a LP steam turbine 86 driven by the LP steam 80. In addition to the steam provided by the HRSG 16, the HP steam turbine 82 provides IP steam to the IP steam turbine 84, and the IP steam turbine 84 provides LP steam to the LP steam turbine 86. The LP steam turbine 86 then outputs any remaining steam / water to a condensate line 88 coupled to the LP steam section 74 of the HRSG 16. The condensate line 88 may include a condenser 90 configured to condense any remaining steam to form a condensate, and a pump 92 configured to pump the condensate back to the LP steam section 74. In operation, the steam turbine system 14 drives a load 94 (e.g., electrical generator) via a shaft. In certain embodiments, the steam turbine system 14 and / or the HRSG 16 may provide heated water and / or steam (e.g., HP steam 76. IP steam 78, and / or LP steam 80) to the gas treatment system 18 to support a desorption mode of the one or more gas capture systems 20. For example, the gas capture systems 20 may receive heated water and / or steam in a temperature range of 100 to 150 degrees Celsius, 110 to 150 degrees Celsius, 120 to 150 degrees Celsius, or 130 to 150 degrees Celsius. The steam turbine system 14 and the HRSG 16 may include a variety of piping to support the flow of exhaust gas. steam, water, or other fluids, thereby facilitating waste heat recovery, steam generation, and steam power. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat integration system 222 and the fluidtransfer system 214 may further include various piping between stages of the gas capture system 20, the steam turbine system 14, and / or the HRSG 16.

[0026] After the HRSG 16, the exhaust gas 62 may flow to the EGR system 60 and / or the gas treatment system 18. It should be noted, that in some embodiments, the gas captures systems 20 may capture gas independent of the gas turbine system 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the exhaust gas 62 flows through one or more gas capture systems 20 configured to capture undesirable gases. In some embodiments, the gas capture systems 20 may receive air 64 from an additional and / or alternative a source (e.g., environment, fans, and the like). The undesirable gases from the exhaust gas 62 and / or the air 64 may include carbon oxides (COx) (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO)), nitrogen oxides (NOx) (e.g., nitrogen dioxide (NO2)), sulfur oxides (SOx) (e.g., sulfur dioxide (SO2)), or any combination thereof. In the following discussion, CO2 may be used as an example of the undesirable gases; however, the gas capture systems 20 may be designed to capture any of the foregoing undesirable gases. For example, the gas capture systems 20 include one or more carbon capture systems 100 (e.g., CO2 capture systems).

[0027] In some embodiments, the gas capture systems 20 (e.g., carbon capture systems 100) may include sorbent-based gas capture systems, solvent-based gas capture systems, cryogenic gas capture systems, or any combination thereof, configured to remove and capture undesirable gases. The carbon capture system 100 may include components 102. 104, 106, and 108 configured to enable gas capture of undesirable gases (e.g.. CO2) from the exhaust gas 62, thereby outputting a treated gas 110 and a captured gas 1 12 (e.g., CO2). The treated gas 110 may be substantially free of the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) and may be discharged through an exhaust stack. The captured gas 112 (e.g., CO2) may be compressed by a compression system 114 and stored and / or transported by a storage and / or pipeline system 116. For example, the carbon capture systems 100 may include a direct air capture system. The direct air capture system may receive the exhaust gas 62 and / or the air 64 and remove the undesirable gases.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the carbon capture system 100 is a sorbent-based carbon capture system, and the components 102, 104, 106, and / or 108 include multiple sorbent-based carbon capture units (e.g.. adsorbers). In certain embodiments, the carbon capture system 100 is a solvent-based carbon capture system, and the components 102, 104, 106, and / or 108 include one or more absorbers, strippers, and associated equipment. The carbon capture system 100 may include a variety of systems to support transitions between stages of absorption, desorption, cooling, and the like, thereby facilitating carbon capture.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 22 is configured to control all aspects of the industrial plant 10. The controller 22 includes one or more processors 120, memory 122, instructions 124 stored on the memory 122 and executable by the processor 120, and communication circuitry 126 configured to communicate with sensors and various equipment of the industrial plant 10. For example, the controller 22 is configured to receive sensor feedback from one or more sensors coupled to the gas turbine system 12, the steam turbine system 14, the HRSG 16, and the gas treatment system 18 (e.g., gas capture systems 20), and / or additional components of the industrial plant 10 and control the same equipment based on the sensor feedback, operating modes, user input, computer models, or any combination thereof. The sensors may include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow rate sensors, gas composition sensors, or any combination thereof.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the controller 22 is configured to control operation of the gas capture systems 20 (e.g., carbon capture systems 100), such by controlling modes of operation (e g., adsorption mode, desorption mode, and cooling mode), controlling heat sources for supplying heated fluid (e.g., steam) to the gas capture systems 20, controlling cooling sources for supply cooled fluids to the gas capture systems 20, performing heat integration to the gas capture systems 20, or any combination thereof. For example, the controller 22 and / or the one or more sensors of the industrial plant 10 may interface (e.g., input devices) with the carbon capture system 100 as show n in FIG. 2. The carbon capture system 100 may include a heat integration system 222 and a fluid transfer system 214, such as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the controller 22 may be used to control the heat integration system 222and / or the fluid transfer system 214. The heat integration system 222 may be configured to provide direct heat transfer, indirect heat transfer (e.g., via fluid transfer system 214). or a combination thereof, between contactors in various stages of the gas capture system 20, thereby facilitating transitions between stages for each of the contactors.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an embodiment of the gas capture system 20 (e.g.. carbon capture system 100) of FIG. 1, further illustrating an adsorption stage 202, a desorption stage 204, and a cooling stage 206 of one or more contactors 208, 210, 212 (e.g., adsorbers, sorbent-based adsorbent units). The gas capture system 20 also includes a fluid transfer system 214. The fluid transfer system 214 may be used to provide one or more fluids to the contactors 208. The fluids may include a cold supply 216 and a hot supply 218. One or more valves 220 may control a flow of the fluids from the cold supply 216 and the hot supply 218 to the contactors 208, 210, 212. The gas capture system 20 may also include a heat integration system 222. The heat integration system 222 may be used to recover and / or reuse temperature differences (e.g., hot temperatures and / or cold temperatures) within the gas capture system 20 via direct heat transfer, indirect heat transfer (e.g., using hot and cold working fluids), or a combination thereof, between the contactors (e.g., 208, 210, 212) transitioning between the different stages (e.g., 202, 204. 206). That is, as the contactors 208 transition between stages, the heat integration system 222 may be used to transfer heat (e.g., cooling or heating) between the contactors 208 to increase an efficiency of the gas capture system 20. The heat integration system 222 may include one or more heat exchangers 224, 226, 228. The heat exchangers 224, 226. 228 may be controlled to remove or add heat from the contactors 208, 210, 212 during transitions between operational stages of the gas capture system 20. For example, heat exchangers 224, 226, 228 may enable indirect heat transfer between a working fluid (e.g., water) and the sorbent materials in the contactors (e.g., 208. 210, 212). In some embodiments, a direct heat transfer configuration may be used by employing a thermally conductive structure between the contactors (e.g., 208, 210, 212). In some embodiments, the heat integration system 222 may include both indirect and direct heat transfer structures, such as both the heat exchangers 224, 226, 228 and the thermally conductive structures.

[0032] The adsorption stage 202 of the gas capture system 20 may be used to capture undesired gases (e.g., CO2). For example, the adsorption stage 202 may receive an untreated gas 228 (e.g.. untreated exhaust gas 62 and / or air 64) from an untreated gas supply (e.g., gas turbine system 12, HRSG 16, direct air capture system), adsorb undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) from the untreated gas into a sorbent material, and discharge a treated gas 230 (e.g., treated exhaust gas 62 and / or treated air 64) with substantially less of the undesirable gases through a treated gas exhaust (e.g., exhaust stack). During the adsorption stage 202, cold fluid from the cold supply 216 of the fluid transfer system 214 may be present in a contactor 208. For example, the cold fluid present during the adsorption stage 202 may be used to maintain a temperature of the sorbent material and / or the untreated gas 228. For example, the temperature of the untreated gas 228 may be approximately 30 degrees Celsius, however, the temperatures may vary depending on the particular untreated gas supply 228, sorbent material, undesirable gas, cooling systems, and other aspects of the gas capture system 20. It should be noted, that in some embodiments, a cooling system may be initiated to maintain a certain temperature within the contactor 208 (e.g., temperature of sorbent material) while in the adsorption stage 202. Once the sorbent material is loaded with the undesirable gas (e.g., CO2), the gas capture system 20 may change an operating stage from the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204.

[0033] The desorption stage 204 may be initiated to desorb the undesirable gas (e.g., CO2) from the sorbent material. Desorption may be initiated upon heating of the sorbent material within the contactor 210. As such, the gas capture system 20 may flow fluid from the hot supply 218 of the fluid transfer system 214 to a fluid inlet of the contactor 210. The heat integration system 222 may use the heat exchanger 226 to increase a temperature of the contactor 210, thereby heating up the sorbent material to a sufficient temperature range to cause desorption of the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) from the sorbent material. The desorbed undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) may be captured as a captured gas 232 and output from the contactor 210. In some embodiments, the hot supply 218 provided to the contactor 210 may have a temperature range of 100 to 150 degrees Celsius, such that the sorbent material heats up to a temperature range of 100 to 150 degrees Celsius. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the gas capturesystem 20 may include a vacuum system configured to help draw out the captured gas 232. Once the sorbent material has released the captured gas 232, the gas capture system 20 may change the operating stage from the desorption stage 204 to the cooling stage 206.

[0034] The cooling stage 206 may be initiated to cool the contactor 212 between the desorption stage 204 and the adsorption stage 202 (e.g., an additional adsorption stage). The cooling stage 206 may be initiated by controlling the cold supply 216 of the fluid transfer system 214 to provide cold fluid to the contactor 212. The cold fluid may reduce a temperature of the contactor 212 to meet a desired temperature to initiate an additional adsorption stage 202. In certain embodiments, as the gas capture system 20 transfers between the adsorption stage 202, the desorption stage 204, and the cooling stage 206, the fluid provided by the cold supply 216 and / or the hot supply 218 may be cycled between the contactors 208, 210, 212. In some instances, the fluid transfer system 214 may initiate a cold fluid displacement, a hot fluid displacement, and the like, at the end of one stage and / or at the beginning of the next stage. The heat integration system 222 may initiate a heat integration cycle through cycling fluid between various contactors to increase and / or decrease a temperature of the contactors 208, 210, 212 via the heat exchangers 224, 226, 228.

[0035] The fluid transfer system 214 and the heat integration system 222 are related to one another, and may be collectively referred to as a fluid and heat exchange system. In certain embodiments, at the end of the adsorption stage 202, the cold fluid in the contactor (e.g.. 208) may be replaced with a hot fluid prior to transitioning to the desorption stage 204, such as by using a hot fluid from an end of the desorption stage 204 with the contactor (e.g., 210). Similarly, at the end of the desorption stage 204, the hot fluid in the contactor (e.g., 210) may be replaced with a cold fluid prior to transitioning to the cooling stage 206, such as by using a cold fluid from an end of the cooling stage 206 with the contactor (e.g., 212) and / or by using a cold fluid from an end of the adsorption stage 202 with the contactor (e.g., 208). Thus, various fluid displacements and heat exchanges may be used between the different stages 202, 204, 206 to take advantage of the different temperature fluids used in the different stages 202, 204. 206, thereby improving efficiency and reducing power consumption of thegas capture system 20. Various aspects of the fluid transfer system 214 and the heat integration system 222 are discussed in further detail below.

[0036] With this in mind, FIG. 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of the gas capture system 20 of FIG. 1 including a contactor 250, the fluid transfer system 214, and the heat integration system 222. In some embodiments, the contactors 250 may include a housing 252 disposed about an interior chamber 254, a fluid inlet 256, a fluid outlet 258, and a contactor assembly 260 disposed in the interior chamber 254. The contactor assembly 260 includes a plurality of contactor plates 262 (e.g., parallel plates, fins, or panels) each having a sorbent material. The contactor plates 262 may be made of a thermally conductive material, such as metal. The sorbent material may be disposed on an exterior surface and / or interior volume of the contactor plates 262, wherein the contactor plates 262 may have a porous surface and / or wall (e.g., perforated wall) to facilitate fluid flow in contact with the sorbent material. The sorbent material may include porous, solid-phase materials, including mesoporous silicas, zeolites (e.g., aluminosilicates), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), or a combination thereof.

[0037] In some embodiments, the contactor 250 may receive the untreated gas 228 via the fluid inlet 258 during the adsorption stage 202. The untreated gas 228 may flow through the interior chamber 254 around the contactor plates 262 of the contactor 250. As the untreated gas 228 flows around the contactor plates 262, the sorbent material may adsorb the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) from the untreated gas 228, and output the treated gas 230 via the fluid outlet 258 during operation of the adsorption stage 202 of the gas capture system 20. The gas capture system 20 may be in the adsorption stage 202 for a period of time (e.g., a set period of time, until the sorbent material is substantially saturated at a capacity of adsorbed CO2). After completion of the adsorption stage 202, the gas capture system 20 may transition to the desorption stage 204 and desorb the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) from the sorbent material, and then output the captured gas 232 (e.g., CO2) from the contactor 250 via the fluid outlet 258. After completion of the desorption stage 204, the gas capture system 20 may transition to the cooling stage 206 to providing cooling of the sorbent material, such that the sorbent material is cooled to a sufficiently low temperature suitable for adsorption priorto initiating the next adsorption stage 202. In some embodiments, the gas capture system 20 may cool the sorbent material by circulating process gas (e.g., the treated gas 230, the captured gas 232) from an additional contactor transitioning to the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204. Circulation of the process gas may cool the contactor 250 by using the process gas to directly cool the sorbent material through interaction with the high surface area of the sorbent material.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the fluid transfer system 214 may be initiated during transition of the gas capture system 20 between operating stages 202, 204, 206. As shown, the fluid transfer system 214 includes a cold fluid source 264 (e.g., a cold fluid tank) and a hot fluid source 266 (e.g., a hot fluid tank). The cold fluid source 264 and the hot fluid source 266 may be fluidly connected via a fluid source circuit 268. In some instances, the cold fluid source 264 is fluidly connected to a cold fluid circuit 270. In some embodiments, the cold fluid source 264 and the hot fluid source 266 may include tanks with a fixed volume to store fluid within the fluid transfer system 214. The hot fluid source 266 may be fluidly connected to a hot fluid circuit 272. The cold fluid circuit 270 and / or the hot fluid circuit 272 may be fluidly connected to the contactor 250. Flow of fluid (e.g., cold fluid, hot fluid) may be controlled by the one or more valves 220 coupled to and controlled by the controller 22 of FIG. 1. As such, in some embodiments, fluid may be actively flowing through the fluid circuits 268, 270, 272 (e g., an '‘on” state). However, in certain embodiments, fluid may have no flow. That is, flow of fluid may be turned to an “off state via the valves 220. In some instances, the cold fluid circuit 270 may provide cold fluid (e.g., cold water) to the contactor 250 for use in indirect cooling. Additionally and / or alternatively, the hot fluid circuit 272 may provide hot fluid (e.g., hot water) to the contactor 250 for use in indirect heating. In certain embodiments, the heat integration system 222 may include a heat exchanger 274. The heat exchanger 274 may be used to transfer heat to or from the contactor 250 (e.g., heating, cooling). That is, the heat exchanger 274 may facilitate heating of the contactor 250 as the contactor 250 transitions from the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204. Further, in some instances, the heat exchanger 274 may facilitate cooling of the contactor 250 as the contactor 250 transitions from the desorption stage 204 to the cooling stage 206.

[0039] In some embodiments, the contactor 250 is initially in the adsorption stage 202. In the adsorption stage 202, the flow of fluid may be in the “off state. For example, cold fluid may be present in the contactor 250 but flow of the cold fluid through the cold fluid circuit 270 may be prevented. As such, the valve 220, 276 may be in the “on” state and the valve 220, 278 may be in the “off state, preventing flow of the cold fluid out of the contactor 250. In the adsorption stage, the fluid source circuit 268 of the fluid transfer system 214 may be in the “off” state. As such, the valve 220, 280 and the valve 220, 282 may be in the “off” state, and a volume of the cold fluid source 262 may equal a volume of the hot fluid source 264. However, in some embodiments, the adsorption stage 202 may use active cooling to maintain a desired temperature of the sorbent material, and thus the cold fluid source 262 may circulate the cold fluid through the contactor 250 via an “on” state of valves 220, 276, 278. After the adsorption stage 202 is complete, the gas capture system 20 may transition to the desorption stage 204. In some embodiments, the gas capture system 20 may transition between the adsorption stage 202 and the desorption stage 204 without transitioning to the cooling stage 206.

[0040] In some embodiments, transition from the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204 may include initiating a cold fluid displacement. The cold fluid displacement may reduce an amount of energy to transition the contactor 250 between different operational stages. That is, direct heating (e g., without fluid displacement) of the cold fluid may involve using an increased amount of energy compared to displacing the cold fluid and introducing hot fluid to the contactor 250 via the fluid transfer system 214. Further, the cold fluid displacement may direct the displaced cold fluid to the cold fluid source 262 in order to reduce continuous cooling of fluid. As such, the cold fluid circuit 270 may recycle cold fluid to additional contactors 250 and / or store cold fluid in the cold fluid source 262. Further, hot fluid may be recycled via the hot fluid circuit 272 to reduce heating of fluid within the fluid transfer system 214. For example, the cold fluid displacement may be initiated during transition from the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204. The cold fluid displacement may push hot fluid to the contactor 250 to displace the cold fluid present during the adsorption stage 202. As such, flow of hot fluid may be directed to the contactor 250from the hot fluid source 264 via a portion 284 of the hot fluid circuit 272. The valve 220, 286 may be controlled by the gas capture system 20 to turn to the “on” state to allow hot fluid to flow from the hot fluid source 264, through the portion 284 of the hot fluid circuit 272 to the contactor 250. As hot fluid is provided to the contactor 250, cold fluid may be displaced from the contactor 250. As such, the valve 220, 278 may be configured to the “on” state to allow flow of cold fluid out of the contactor 250. The cold fluid displaced by hot fluid during the cold fluid displacement may be directed to the cold fluid source 262 via the valve 220, 288. The valve 220, 288 may be configured to the “on” state to allow the displaced cold fluid to be collected by the cold fluid source 262. As the cold fluid source 262 receives the displaced cold fluid the volume of the cold fluid source 262 may be greater than the volume of the hot fluid source 264. The cold fluid displacement may continue for a set time (e.g., about 80 seconds) and / or until a temperature of fluid output from the contactor 250 meets a threshold (e.g., a preset temperature).

[0041] In some embodiments, when the cold fluid displacement is completed, the valve 220, 286 may be configured to the “off’ state. The heat integration system 222 may use the heat exchanger 274 to transfer heat from the hot fluid to the contactor 250. Additionally and / or alternatively, a heater may be used to heat fluid within the contactor 250 to meet a desorption temperature (e.g.. preset temperature). In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to cycle a plurality of contactors through the operational stages in parallel to further increase an efficiency of operation of the gas capture system 20. For example, the fluid transfer system 214 and / or the heat integration system 222 may direct hot fluid from a first contactor transitioning from the desorption stage 204 to the cooling stage 206 to a second contactor transitioning from the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204.

[0042] With this in mind, FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of the gas capture system 20 of FIG. 1 including a plurality of contactors. The plurality of contactors may include a first contactor 302, a second contactor 304, and a third contactor 306. The gas capture system 20 may also include the fluid transfer system 214 and the heat integration system 222. The fluid transfer system 214 may include a plurality of valves 220, the cold fluid source 262, the hot fluid source 264, the fluid source circuit 268. thecold fluid circuit 270, the hot fluid circuit 272, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cold fluid circuit 270 may include a cooler 308. The cooler 308 may be used to cool the fluid in the cold fluid circuit 270. In some embodiments, the hot fluid circuit 272 may include a heater 310. The heater 310 may be used to heat the fluid in the hot fluid circuit 270. The heat integration system 222 may include a first heat exchanger 313, a second heat exchanger 314, and a third heat exchanger 316.

[0043] In some embodiments, the contactors 302, 304, 306 may be in various operational stages (e.g., the adsorption stage 202, the desorption stage 204, the cooling stage 206). As such, the fluid transfer system 214 and the heat integration system 222 may be controlled by the controller 22 of the gas capture system 20 to operate based on the operational stages of the contactors 302, 304, 306. In some embodiments, the controller 22 may control the fluid transfer system 214 and the heat integration system 222 based on the operational stage of the contactors 302, 304, 306. For example, the gas capture system 20 may include one or more sensors 312 within the contactors 302, 304, 306, the fluid transfer system 214, the heat integration system 222, or a combination thereof. The sensors 312 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 22. In this manner, the controller 22 may determine the operational stage, an inlet fluid temperature, an output fluid temperature, a time of flow of fluid, a saturation level of the undesirable gas (e.g., CO2) in the sorbent material in the contactors 302, 304, 306 during the adsorption and desorption stages 202, 204, and any additional suitable measurement associated with the contactors 302, 304, 306 of the gas capture system 20 based on sensor feedback data from the sensors 312.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the gas capture system 20 may operate with each of the contactors 302, 304, 306 in different operational stages. As such, the contactors 302, 304, 306 may be in staggered stages in an initial state. For example, the initial state may include the first contactor 302 in the adsorption stage 202, the second contactor 304 in the cooling stage 206, and the third contactor 306 in the desorption stage 204. It should be noted, that the initial state is one non-limiting embodiments and additional and / or alternative states of the gas capture system 20 are envisioned.

[0045] In the initial state, the cold fluid source 262 and the hot fluid source 264 may have equal volumes. Further, the valve 220, 280 and the valve 220, 282 in the fluid source circuit 268 may be in the “off’ state. When the first contactor 302 is the adsorption stage 202, a first valve 220, 314 may be in the “on” state and a second valve 220, 316 may be in the “off’ state. As such, cold fluid directed from the cold fluid circuit 270 may be present (e.g., fluid present without flow) in a portion 318 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the first contactor 302. When the second contactor 304 is in the cooling stage 206, a third valve 220, 320 and a fourth valve 220, 322 may be an “on” state to allow cold fluid from the cold fluid circuit 270 to flow along a portion 324 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the second contactor 304. Further, a fifth valve 220, 326 may be in the “on” state to allow the cold fluid to flow along a portion 328 of the fluid transfer system 214 to rejoin the cold fluid circuit 270. In some embodiments, fluid may be directed through the valve 220, 320 to flow along a second contactor bypass portion 329 and through a valve 220, 348 to divert fluid from the second contactor 304.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the third contactor 306 is in the desorption stage 204, a sixth valve 220, 330 and a seventh valve 220, 332 are in the “on” state to allow hot fluid from the hot fluid circuit 272 to flow along a portion 334 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the third contactor 306. In some instances, to prevent the hot fluid from flowing into the cold fluid circuit 270, an eighth valve 220, 336 is in the “off’ state. In some embodiments, the contactors 302, 304, 306 may transition to a second state. Transition from the initial state to the second state may be based on sensor feedback data from the sensors 312 and / or controlled by the controller 22. For example, the first contactor 302 may complete the adsorption stage 202 based on an adsorbing time (e.g., time spent in the adsorption stage 202), a threshold temperature, a saturation level of the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) in the sorbent material increasing to a saturation threshold, a CO2 adsorption rate decreasing to an adsorption rate threshold, or a combination thereof. The second contactor 304 may complete the cooling stage 206 based on a cooling time (e.g., time spent in the cooling stage 206), a threshold temperature, or a combination thereof. The third contactor 306 may complete the desorption stage 204 based on a desorption time (e g., time spent desorbing gas fromthe sorbent material), a saturation level of the undesired gas (e.g., CO2) in the sorbent material decreasing to a saturation threshold, a CO2 desorption rate decreasing to a desorption rate threshold, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the initial state may transition to the second state by transitioning the first contactor 302 to the desorption mode 204, the second contactor 304 to the adsorption stage 202, and the third contactor 306 to the cooling stage 206.

[0047] In certain embodiments, transitioning the first contactor 302 to the desorption stage 204 may be initiated by displacing cold fluid from the portion 318 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the first contactor 302. Cold fluid displacement may be initiated by flowing hot fluid through the portion 318 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the first contactor 302. The hot fluid may be provided by the hot fluid circuit 272 of the fluid transfer system 214. The heater 310 may be used to heat the hot fluid in the hot fluid circuit 270. As the hot fluid flows through the portion 318 of the fluid transfer system 214, the cold fluid exiting the portion 318 may be directed to the cold fluid source 262 through a valve 220, 338 in the “on” state to a portion 340 of the cold fluid circuit 270. The cooler 308 may be used to cool the cold fluid in the cold fluid circuit 270. During the cold fluid displacement, cold fluid may flow along the portion 340 to the cold fluid source 262 via a valve 220, 342 for a period of time (e.g., about 80 seconds) and / or until a temperature of fluid flow through the valve 220. 338 and / or the valve 220, 342 reaches a threshold temperature. As the cold fluid displacement occurs, the volume of the cold fluid source 262 may be greater than the volume of the hot fluid source 264. As such, there may be a volume imbalance between the cold fluid source 262 and the hot fluid source 264.

[0048] In some embodiments, the desorption stage 204 in the third contactor 306 may be completed and the third contactor 306 may initiate transition to the second state. As such, the third contactor 306 may transition to the cooling stage 206. To increase an efficiency of the gas capture system 20 and reduce a need for fluid heating, the hot fluid present in the portion 334 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the third contactor 306 may be directed to the first contactor 302 for heat transfer. That is, the fluid transfer system 214 may circulate hot fluid from the portion 334 through a valve 330, 344 to the first contactor 302. Hot fluid circulation may flow from the portion 334 of the fluidtransfer system 214 along the third contactor 306 through a valve 220, 344 along a portion 346 through a valve 220, 348 and a valve 220, 350. The valves 220, 348, 350 may allow fluid to flow through a bypass portion 352 of the fluid transfer system 214. That is, fluid may flow through the hot fluid circuit 272 without entering the hot fluid source 264. As such, fluid flow through a portion 354 of the hot fluid circuit 272 to a valve 220, 356. Fluid may be directed to the first contactor 302 via a portion 358 of the fluid transfer system 214 and may be directed through the valve 220, 314 to flow along the portion 318 along the first contactor 302. In this manner, the hot fluid from the third contactor 334 may be circulated to the first contactor 302 for heat transfer. As such, the heat integration system 222 may integrate heat from the hot fluid provided from the third contactor via the heat exchanger 313 to increase a temperature of the first contactor 302 when transitioning from the adsorption stage 202 to the desorption stage 204. Further, the heat exchanger 316 may be used to decrease a temperature of the third contactor 306. Heat transfer may continue (e.g., hot fluid circulation) until a temperature of fluid in the first contactor 302 approaches (e.g., greater than or equal to) a temperature of fluid in the third contactor 306 and / or for a set period of time. In some instances, heat transfer is completed and the heat capture system 20 may continue transitioning the third contactor 306 to the cooling stage 206. In some embodiments, fluid may be directed through the valve 220. 314 to flow along a first contactor bypass portion 359 and through the valve 220, 348 to divert fluid from the first contactor 302.

[0049] With the foregoing in mind, hot fluid may be displaced from the third contactor 306 with cold fluid to transition the third contactor 306 from the desorption stage 204 to the cooling stage 206. In some embodiments, hot fluid present in the third contactor 306 may be displaced with cold fluid from the cold fluid source 262. In this manner, the fluid transfer system 214 may direct cold fluid from the cold fluid source 262 through a valve 220, 360 and a valve 220, 362 in the “on” state to flow cold fluid along a portion 364 of the cold fluid circuit 270. Cold fluid may flow along a portion 366 of the fluid transfer system 214 through the valve 220, 330. As such, cold fluid may displace the hot fluid in the portion 334 along the third contactor 306. In some instances, the volume of the cold fluid source 268 may approach the volume of the hot fluid source 264. As such, using cold fluid to displace hot fluid may provide balancebetween the volumes of the cold fluid source 268 and the hot fluid source 270. The displaced hot fluid may be directed to the hot fluid circuit 272 via the valve 220, 332 in the “on” state. As such, the valve 220. 336 may be in the “off” state to prevent hot fluid from entering the cold fluid circuit 270. Hot fluid displacement may continue for a period of time and / or until a threshold temperature of fluid exiting the valve 220, 332 is met. Hot fluid displaced from the portion 334 along the third contactor 306 may be heated by the heater 310. In this manner, hot fluid may flow along the hot fluid circuit 272 through the valve 220, 356 and portion 358 of the fluid transfer system 214 to provide hot fluid (e.g., heated fluid) to the portion 318 of the fluid transfer system 214 along the first contactor 302. In this manner, hot fluid may flow through the first contactor 302 in the desorption mode 204. In some embodiments, when the period of time and / or the threshold temperature is met associated with the hot fluid displacement of the third contactor 306, the valve 220, 332 is set to the “off’ state and the valve 220, 336 is set to the “on” state to allow cold fluid to flow through the third contactor 306. As such, transition of the third contactor 306 from the desorption stage 204 to the cooling stage 206 is completed.

[0050] In some embodiments as the third contactor 306 is transitioned to the cooling stage 206, the second contactor 304 may be transitioned from the cooling stage 206 to the adsorption stage 202. It should be noted, that in some embodiments, the operational stages of the contactors 302, 304, 306 may be transitioned consecutively, concurrently, or in any suitable way. With this in mind, the second contactor 304 may be transitioned from the initial stage (e.g., second contactor 304 in the cooling stage 206) to the second stage (e.g., second contactor 304 in the adsorption stage 202) as hot fluid is displaced from the third contactor 306. As such, the valve 220, 322 may be set to the “off’ state to end flow of cold fluid along the second contactor 302. In this way, the second contactors 302 may be configured to be in the adsorption stage 202 to adsorb undesirable gases with the sorbent material.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process 400 for transferring fluid and initiating heat integration within the gas capture system 20 of FIG. 1 and 2. The process 400 may be performed by the gas capture system 20, the controller 22, a computing device, or controller disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1 or any othersuitable computing device(s) or controller(s). Furthermore, the blocks of the process 400 may be performed in the order disclosed herein or in any suitable order. For example, certain blocks of the process 400 may be performed concurrently or consecutively. In addition, in certain embodiments, at least one of the blocks of the process 400 may be omitted. Further, it should be noted, that the gas capture system 20 may iteratively perform the blocks outlined in process 400.

[0052] At block 402 of the process 400, the gas capture system 20 may determine an operational stage of one or more contactors. The operational stages of the contactors may include an adsorption stage, a desorption stage, and / or a cooling stage. Each operational stage of the contactors may be used to facilitate a distinct portion of a process to remove undesirable gases from untreated air introduced to the gas capture system 20. To transition between said stages (e.g., adsorption stage, desorption stage, cooling stage), a temperature swing or change may be used to sequentially operate the contactors at different temperatures to increase an efficiency of the gas capture system 20. With this in mind, at block 404 of the process 400, the gas capture system 20 transitions the contactors between different operational stages. For example, a first contactor may be transitioned from the adsorption stage, in which a sorbent adsorbs undesirable gases (e.g., CO2) to the desorption stage. When the first contactor is in desorption stage, the sorbent desorbs the undesirable gases (e.g., CO2), for example, by heating. Further, after the desorption stage is completed, the first contactor may be transitioned into the cooling stage. In this cooling stage, the first contactor is cooled in preparation for the next adsorption stage. As discussed in detail above, various fluids are circulated through heat exchangers associated with the contactors in the different stages, thereby helping to control temperatures of the sorbent materials in the contactors in the different stages. For example, heated or hot fluids may facilitate desorption, whereas cooled or cold fluid may facilitate adsorption.

[0053] With this in mind, it may be advantageous to displace fluid from the first contactor to one or more additional contactors as the contactors transition between the operational stages. At block 406 of the process 400, the gas capture system 20 initiates a first fluid displacement. In some embodiments, the first fluid displacement may include a cold fluid displacement. The cold fluid displacement may be used to displacefluid in a contactor transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage, and more specifically by displacing cold fluid with hot fluid to prepare for the desorption stage. The sorbent material may be heated during the desorption stage to release captured undesirable gas for further processing. In some embodiments, the cold fluid displacement may be initiated by directing hot fluid from a second contactor at the end of a desorption stage to the first contactor at the end of the adsorption stage. Hot fluid may be cycled between the first contactor and the second contactor. It should be noted, in certain embodiments, the hot fluid may be directed from a hot fluid source.

[0054] As hot fluid is provided to the contactors undergoing the first fluid displacement (e.g.. cold fluid displacement). At block 408 of the process 400, the gas capture system 20 may initiate heat integration between the stages. In some embodiments, heat integration may be performed via use of a heat exchanger to perform heat transfer between fluids and sorbent materials. As such, the heat exchanger maytransfer heat from hot fluid provided to the contactor to the sorbent material. In this way, a temperature of the sorbent material may increase. At block 410 of the process 400, a second fluid displacement 408 may be initiated. The second fluid displacement may be a hot fluid displacement. The hot fluid displacement may be initiated with respect to the second contactor transitioning from the desorption stage to the cooling stage. In this manner, cold fluid may be provided from a cold fluid source and / or an additional contactor to push out the hot fluid from the second contactor, such that the cold fluid displaces the hot fluid. In some embodiments, in which the cold fluid is provided from the cold fluid source, a volume and / or a fluid level of the cold fluid source may be altered.

[0055] At block 412 of the process 400, the gas capture system 20 monitors one or more fluid source levels. That is, the gas capture system 20 may monitor a level of the cold fluid source and / or a level of the hot fluid source. At block 414 of the process 400, the gas capture system 20 may initiate a source reset based on monitoring the fluid source levels of the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source. For example, in some instances, the level of the cold fluid source may be greater than the hot fluid source. As such, the gas capture system 20 may reset (e.g., balance) the levels of the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source based on a comparison threshold (e.g., percentagedifference in fluid levels). In this manner, one or more valves may be set to control the flow of fluid between the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source to balance the levels (e.g.. volume).

[0056] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process 450 for initiating fluid displacement within the gas capture system of FIGS. 1 and 2. The process 450 may be performed by the gas capture system 20, the controller 22. a computing device, or controller disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1 or any other suitable computing device(s) or controller(s). Furthermore, the blocks of the process 450 may be performed in the order disclosed herein or in any suitable order. For example, certain blocks of the process 450 may be performed concurrently or consecutively. In addition, in certain embodiments, at least one of the blocks of the process 450 may be omitted. Further, it should be noted, that the gas capture system 20 may iteratively perform the blocks outlined in process 450.

[0057] At block 452 of the process 450, the gas capture system 20 determines an operational stage of one or more contactors. The operational stages of the contactors may include an adsorption stage, a desorption stage, and / or a cooling stage. At block 454, the gas capture system 20 determine if the desorption stage is initiated. Initiation of the desorption stage may include indication that the contactor has completed the adsorption stage and may be ready to transition to the desorption stage. When the desorption stage is not initiated, the process 450 may return to block 452 and monitor the stage of the contactor. In some embodiments, the desorption stage is initiated and the process 450 continues to block 456.

[0058] At block 456 of the process 450, the gas capture system 20 initiates a cold fluid displacement. The cold fluid displacement may include flowing hot fluid (e.g., a hot fluid stream) through a portion of pipe along the first contactor to push out cold fluid. At block 458, cold fluid (e.g., a cold fluid stream) is pushed out of the contactor with hot fluid. The hot fluid may come from the hot fluid source and / or a hot fluid circuit (e.g., closed circuit). The hot fluid may be heated using a heating source (e.g., a heater). In some instances, the cold fluid displaced from the contactor may be directed to an additional contactor and / or the cold fluid source. In some embodiments, thedesorption stage may occur in the contactor. Once the desorption stage is complete the contactor may transition to the cooling stage.

[0059] With this in mind, at block 460 of the process 450 the gas capture system 20 may initiate a hot fluid displacement. The hot fluid displacement may be used to reduce a temperature of the contactor as the contactor transitions from the desorption stage to the cooling stage. At block 462 of the process 450, the gas capture system 20 pushes hot fluid out of the contactor with cold fluid. The cold fluid may be directed from the cold fluid source and / or one or more additional contactors transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage. The cold fluid may be further cooled by a cooler to a threshold temperature. The hot fluid displaced by the cold fluid may be directed to the hot fluid source and / or additional contactors transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage.

[0060] At block 464 of the process 450, the gas capture system 20 determines if a source reset is needed. The source reset may be used to balance a level of fluid between the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source. In some embodiments, the gas capture system may determine that the source reset is not needed and return to block 452. In certain embodiments, the gas capture system 20 may determine that the source reset is needed and proceed to block 466. At block 466 of the process 450, the gas capture system 20 may initiate the source reset to balance the fluid levels between the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source. In this way, one or more valves may be controlled to allow flow of fluid between the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source. In some embodiments, the source reset may include addition of fluid from an additional source to balance the fluid levels of the hot fluid source and the cold fluid sources.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a flow' chart of an embodiment of a process 500 for transferring fluid and initiating heat integration between two contactors. The process 500 may be performed by the gas capture system 20, the controller 22, a computing device, or controller disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1 or any other suitable computing device(s) or controller(s). Furthermore, the blocks of the process 500 may be performed in the order disclosed herein or in any suitable order. For example, certain blocks of the process 500 may be performed concurrently or consecutively. In addition, in certainembodiments, at least one of the blocks of the process 500 may be omitted. Further, it should be noted, that the gas capture system 20 may iteratively perform the blocks outlined in process 500.

[0062] At block 502 of the process 500, the gas capture system 20 determines an operational stage of one or more contactors. The operational stages of the contactors may include an adsorption stage, a desorption stage, and / or a cooling stage. At block 504, the gas capture system 20 initiates a cold fluid displacement in a first contactor transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage. The cold fluid displacement may be initiated by opening one or more valves to allow the flow of fluid (e.g., a fluid stream) through the first contactor. At block 506, the gas capture system 20 receives hot fluid (e.g., a hot fluid stream) at the first contactor. The hot fluid displaces the cold fluid from the first contactor. As such, at block 510 of the process 500, the gas capture system 20 receives the displaced cold fluid (e.g., a cold fluid stream) from the first contactor at a second contactor transitioning from the desorption stage to the cooling stage. The displaced cold fluid may be used to cool the second contactor. Additionally and / or alternatively, the second contactor may be cooled by circulating process gas from the first contactor to the second contactor. Circulation of the process gas may cool the first contactor by using the process gas to directly cool the sorbent material through interaction with the high surface area of the sorbent material of the second contactor. It should be noted, that in some embodiments, additional contactors may be included in the process 500. For example, a third contactor, a fourth contactor, a fifth contactor, and the like may concurrently and / or simultaneously perform cold fluid displacement and / or hot fluid displacement to cycle fluid through the gas capture system 20 to reduce a need for fluid heating and / or cooling.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process 550 for monitoring fluid parameters associated with the gas capture system 20. The process 550 may be performed by the gas capture system 20, the controller 22, a computing device, or controller disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1 or any other suitable computing device(s) or controller(s). Furthermore, the blocks of the process 550 may be performed in the order disclosed herein or in any suitable order. For example, certain blocks of the process 550 may be performed concurrently or consecutively. In addition, in certainembodiments, at least one of the blocks of the process 550 may be omitted. Further, it should be noted, that the gas capture system 20 may iteratively perform the blocks outlined in process 550.

[0064] At block 552 of the process 550, the gas capture system 20 initiates a fluid displacement (e.g., cold fluid displacement, hot fluid displacement). The fluid displacement is configured to push fluid (e.g.. a fluid stream) of a first temperature out of a portion of the fluid transfer system of the gas capture system 20 with fluid of a second temperature. As fluid of the first temperature is displaced, parameters (e.g., properties) of the fluid may change as a result of displacement by fluid of the second temperature. At block 554 of the process 550, the gas capture system 20 monitors (e.g., analyzes) one or more parameters of the fluid exiting the contactor (e.g., the fluid of the first temperature). In some embodiments, the parameters of the fluid exiting the contactor may include a temperature of the fluid, a time the fluid displacement has occurred, any other suitable parameters, or a combination thereof. For example, the fluid displacement may be based on a calculation based on a volume of fluid to be displaced by the fluid displacement.

[0065] At block 556 of the process 550, the gas capture system 20 may determine if the parameters associated with the fluid exiting the contactor meet a threshold. The threshold may include a time, a temperature, a volume, and the like. In certain embodiments, the parameters may not meet a threshold and the process 550 may return to block 554 and continue monitoring the parameters of the fluid exiting the contactor. In some embodiments, the parameters may meet a threshold and the process 550 may continue to block 558. At block 558 of the process 550, the gas capture system 20 ends fluid displacement, ft should be noted, that in some embodiments one or more fluid displacements may occur simultaneously and / or consecutively based on the operational stages of the contactors.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process 550 for transferring fluid and initiating heat integration between two contactors. The process 600 may be performed by the gas capture system 20, the controller 22, a computing device, or controller disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1 or any other suitable computingdevice(s) or controller(s). Furthermore, the blocks of the process 600 may be performed in the order disclosed herein or in any suitable order. For example, certain blocks of the process 600 may be performed concurrently or consecutively. In addition, in certain embodiments, at least one of the blocks of the process 600 may be omitted. Further, it should be noted, that the gas capture system 20 may iteratively perform the blocks outlined in process 600.

[0067] At block 602 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 determines an operational stage of one or more contactors. The operational stages of the contactors may include an adsorption stage, a desorption stage, and / or a cooling stage. It should be noted, that the contactors may be in different operational stages at a particular time. In some instances, one or more contactors may be a similar operational stage. The gas capture system 20 may determine the operational stage of the contactors based on sensor feedback data from one or more sensors and / or communication via the controller 22. Once the gas capture system 20 determines the operational stage of the contactors, one or more contactors may transition to the desorption stage may be identified.

[0068] With this in mind, at block 604 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 may initiate a fluid transfer system and a heat integration system of the gas capture system 20. The fluid transfer system and the heat integration system may be used in combination. It should be noted, that in some embodiments, the fluid transfer system may be used without the heat integration system as discussed in reference to FIG. 6. The fluid transfer system may include a hot fluid circuit, a cold fluid circuit, a hot fluid source, a cold fluid source, one or more valves, or a combination thereof. The fluid transfer system may be used to push liquid (e g., displace liquid) from various contactors. Fluid may be pushed between various contactors and / or the fluid sources (e.g., cold fluid source, hot fluid source). The heat integration system may be used in combination with the fluid transfer system. In some embodiments, the heat integration system may include one or more heat exchangers configured to transfer heat to and / or from the fluid of the fluid transfer system to and / or from the contactors.

[0069] At block 606 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 initiates a cold fluid displacement at a first contactor by using hot fluid to displace cold fluid. The firstcontactor may be transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage and may be heated to facilitate desorption of undesirable gases from sorbent materials within the first contactor. At block 608 of the process 600. the gas capture system 20 receives the cold fluid displaced from the first contactor at the cold fluid source. The cold fluid source may be fluidly connected to the first contactor via the fluid transfer system. In some embodiments, upon receival of the cold fluid in the cold fluid source, a volume of fluid in the cold fluid source may be greater than the volume in the hot fluid source.

[0070] At block 610 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 receives hot fluid from a second contactor at the first contactor. The second contactor may be transitioning from the desorption stage to the cooling stage. As such, hot fluid may be directed away from the second contactor to begin the cooling stage. At block 612, the gas capture system 20 may perform heat transfer at the first contactor by circulating fluid between the first contactor, the second contactor, and a heat source. As fluid from the second contactor is hot, heat transfer via the heat exchanger may increase a temperature of the first contactor during circulation. In some embodiments, during circulation of the fluid between the first contactor and the second contactor, the fluid may be circulated through the heat source (e g., a heater) to increase the temperature of the fluid. Heat transfer may continue until the temperature of the first contactor is approximately equal to or greater than the temperature of the second contactor.

[0071] At block 614 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 may initiate ahot fluid displacement at the second contactor. The hot fluid displacement may include using cold fluid to displace hot fluid at from the second contactor. The cold fluid may be provided from the cold circuit and / or the cold fluid source. In some embodiments, when the cold fluid is provided from the cold fluid source, the volume of liquid in the cold liquid source may be approximately equal to the volume of liquid in the hot liquid source. At block 616 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 may receive the hot fluid displaced from the second contactor at the hot fluid source. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the hot fluid displaced from the second contactor may be provided to the hot fluid circuit and / or an additional contactor.

[0072] The process 600 may continue iteratively based on the operational stages of the contactors, however in some embodiments, a balance between the volume of the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source may be reset to ensure that the gas capture system 20 may iteratively perform fluid displacement. As such, at block 618 of the process 600, the gas capture system 20 initiates a source reset by opening one or more valves between the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source. The valves may allow a flow of liquid between the hot fluid source and the cold fluid source. As such, the volume of the sources may be balanced. Balancing the volume may ensure that the gas capture system 20 may initiate fluid displacement at various contactors as said contactors transition between operational stages.

[0073] Technical effects of the disclosed embodiments include use of a gas capture system to incorporate fluid transfer and heat transfer between various contactors operating in one or more operational stages, such as adsorption, desorption, and cooling stages. The gas capture system may control a fluid transfer system and / or a heat integration system to increase an efficiency of operating the gas capture system. Continuous changes in temperature during transition between operational stages within the contactors may be energy7demanding. As such, fluid displacement and heat integration may be used to offset energy demand by directing fluid of various temperatures within the gas capture system. For example, hot and cold fluids can be exchanged between the contactors at the end of the adsorption and desorption stages to pre-heat the contactors transitioning to the desorption stage and pre-cool the contactors transitioning to the cooling stage. Thus, the fluids can be circulated between the various stages both for fluid displacement and heat integration between the stages. At the end of an adsorption stage, a first contactor undergoes a cold fluid displacement to displace cold fluid with hot fluid from a second contactor at the end of a desorption stage, such that the hot fluid transfers heat to (i.e., heats) the sorbent material of the first contactor in preparation of the desorption stage. Additionally, at the end of a desorption stage, the second contactor undergoes a hot fluid displacement to displace the hot fluid with cold fluid from a cold fluid source and / or the first contactor at the end of the adsorption stage, such that the cold fluid transfers heat away from (i.e., cools) the sorbent material of the second contactor in preparation of the cooling stage.

[0074] The subject matter described in detail above may be defined by one or more clauses, as set forth below.

[0075] In certain embodiments, a system includes a gas capture system configured to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow. The gas capture system includes a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality’ of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages. The plurality of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material. The gas capture system further includes a heat integration system configured to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages.

[0076] The system of the preceding clause, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide a heat exchange between first and second contactors of the plurality of contactors to heat the first contactor and cool the second contactor.

[0077] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide the heat exchange to transition the first contactor from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage.

[0078] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide the heat exchange to transition the second contactor from the desorption stage to a cooling stage of the plurality’ of stages.

[0079] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide the heat exchange via direct heat transfer, indirect heat transfer, or a combination thereof, between the first and second contactors.

[0080] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the heat integration system includes one or more heat exchangers configured to provide a heat exchange between the plurality of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality of stages.

[0081] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the heat integration sy stem is configured to provide the heat exchange to transition at least one contactor of the plurality of contactors between an end of one of the plurality of stages to a beginning of another one of the plurality of stages.

[0082] The system of any preceding clause, wherein at least one heat exchanger of the one or more heat exchangers is coupled to each contactor of the plurality of contactors to heat or cool the sorbent material via the heat exchange.

[0083] The system of any preceding clause, including a fluid transfer system having a cold fluid source, a hot fluid source, and a fluid circuit configured to circulate a working fluid through the one or more heat exchangers to provide a fluid displacement to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality’ of stages.

[0084] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the fluid displacement includes a cold fluid displacement of the working fluid in a first contactor transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage, wherein the cold fluid displacement displaces a cold fluid stream with a hot fluid stream of the working fluid.

[0085] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the fluid displacement includes a hot fluid displacement of the working fluid in a second contactor transitioning from the desorption stage to a cooling stage, wherein the hot fluid displacement displaces a hot fluid stream with a cold fluid stream of the working fluid.

[0086] The system of any preceding clause, including a controller having a memory, a processor, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to monitor each of the plurality of stages of the plurality of contactors to identify a transition time; and control the heat integration system to control a heat exchange between the plurality’ of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality of stages based on the transition time.

[0087] The system of any preceding clause, including one or more sensors configured to obtain sensor feedback of operational parameters of the heat integration system, a fluid transfer system coupled to the heat integration system, or a combinationthereof, wherein the sensor feedback data includes a temperature of the sorbent material, a temperature of a working fluid of the fluid transfer system, a temperature of the gas flow, or a combination thereof.

[0088] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the undesirable gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO2), and wherein the gas flow comprises an exhaust gas flow, an air flow, or a combination thereof.

[0089] In certain embodiments, a method includes capturing an undesirable gas from a gas flow via a gas capture system including a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages. The plurality of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material. The method further includes transferring heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages via a heat integration system.

[0090] The method of the preceding clause, wherein transferring heat includes providing a heat exchange between first and second contactors of the plurality of contactors to heat the first contactor to transition the first contactor from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage, to cool the second contactor to transition the second contactor from the desorption stage to a cooling stage of the plurality of stages, or a combination thereof.

[0091] The method of any preceding clause, wherein transferring heat includes providing the heat exchange via direct heat transfer, indirect heat transfer, or a combination thereof, between the first and second contactors.

[0092] The method of any preceding clause, including monitoring each of the plurality of stages of the plurality of contactors to identify a transition time; and control the heat integration system to control a heat exchange between the plurality of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality of stages based on the transition time.

[0093] In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller having a memory7, a processor, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to control a gas capture system to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow. The gas capture system includes a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages. The plurality of stages includes at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material. The controller is configured to control a heat integration system to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages.

[0094] The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to control the heat integration system at least by monitoring each of the plurality of stages of the plurality of contactors to identify a transition time; and controlling a heat exchange between the plurality of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality7of stages based on the transition time.

[0095] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements w ith insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. Claims:

1. A system, comprising: a gas capture system configured to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow, wherein the gas capture system comprises: a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages, and the plurality of stages comprises at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material; and a heat integration system configured to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide a heat exchange at least between first and second contactors of the plurality of contactors to heat the first contactor and cool the second contactor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide the heat exchange to transition the first contactor from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide the heat exchange to transition the second contactor from the desorption stage to a cooling stage of the plurality of stages.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the heat integration system is configured to provide the heat exchange via direct heat transfer, indirect heat transfer, or a combination thereof, between the first and second contactors.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising one or more heat exchangers configured to provide a heat exchange between the plurality of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality of stages.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the heat exchange is configured to transition at least one contactor of the plurality of contactors between an end of one of the plurality of stages to a beginning of another one of the plurality of stages.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one heat exchanger of the one or more heat exchangers is coupled to each contactor of the plurality of contactors to heat or cool the sorbent material via the heat exchange.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising a fluid transfer system having a cold fluid source, a hot fluid source, and a fluid circuit configured to circulate a working fluid through the one or more heat exchangers to provide a fluid displacement to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality of stages.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid displacement comprises a cold fluid displacement of the working fluid in a first contactor transitioning from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage, wherein the cold fluid displacement displaces a cold fluid stream with a hot fluid stream of the working fluid.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid displacement comprises a hot fluid displacement of the working fluid in a second contactor transitioning from the desorption stage to a cooling stage, wherein the hot fluid displacement displaces a hot fluid stream with a cold fluid stream of the working fluid.

12. The system of claim 1, comprising a controller having a memory, a processor, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to: monitor each of the plurality of stages of the plurality of contactors to identify a transition time; andcontrol the heat integration system to control a heat exchange between the plurality of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality of stages based on the transition time.

13. The system of claim 12, comprising one or more sensors configured to obtain sensor feedback of operational parameters of the heat integration system, a fluid transfer system coupled to the heat integration system, or a combination thereof, wherein the sensor feedback data comprises a temperature of the sorbent material, a temperature of a working fluid of the fluid transfer system, a temperature of the gas flow, or a combination thereof.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the wherein the undesirable gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO2), and wherein the gas flow comprises an exhaust gas flow, an air flow, or a combination thereof.

15. A method, comprising: capturing an undesirable gas from a gas flow via a gas capture system comprising a plurality7of contactors each having a sorbent material, wherein each of the plurality of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages, and the plurality of stages comprises at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material; and transferring heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages via a heat integration system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein transferring heat comprises providing a heat exchange between first and second contactors of the plurality of contactors with a working fluid to heat the first contactor to transition the first contactor from the adsorption stage to the desorption stage, to cool the second contactor to transition the second contactor from the desorption stage to a cooling stage of the plurality of stages, or a combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transferring heat comprises providing the heat exchange via direct heat transfer, indirect heat transfer with the working fluid, or a combination thereof, between the first and second contactors.

18. The method of claim 15, comprising: monitoring each of the plurality of stages of the plurality of contactors to identify a transition time; and control the heat integration system to control a heat exchange between the plurality' of contactors to transition the plurality of contactors between the plurality' of stages based on the transition time.

19. A system, comprising: a controller having a memory', a processor, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to: control a gas capture system to capture an undesirable gas from a gas flow, wherein the gas capture system comprises a plurality of contactors each having a sorbent material, each of the plurality' of contactors is configured to operate in a plurality of stages, and the plurality of stages comprises at least an adsorption stage configured to adsorb the undesirable gas from the gas flow into the sorbent material and a desorption stage configured to desorb the undesirable gas from the sorbent material; and control a heat integration system to transfer heat between different contactors of the plurality of contactors to transition the different contactors between different stages of the plurality of stages.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to control the heat integration system at least by: monitoring each of the plurality of stages of the plurality of contactors to identify’ a transition time; and controlling a heat exchange between the plurality of contactors to transition the plurality' of contactors between the plurality of stages based on the transition time.

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