A door assembly for a vessel

Abstract

A door assembly for use with a vessel is disclosed. The door assembly includes a first duct flange circumscribing a first opening defined in an annular sidewall of the vessel, and a first plurality of doors coupled to the first duct flange. Each of the first plurality of doors is selectively openable to provide airflow into the vessel through the first opening. Each of the first plurality of doors includes a plurality of lever arms coupled along each door, and the plurality of lever arms coupled to each of the first plurality of doors are coupled together such that the first plurality of doors are selectively opened and selectively closed concurrently together.

Description

A DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR A VESSELBACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a vessel, and more particular to a door assembly used with a vessel.

[0002] Many technologies use hollow vessels that define cavities that are subject to operating pressures that are significantly different from the ambient air surrounding the vessel. For example, at least some known direct air capture (DAC) systems include at least one vessel used to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from ambient air. Such vessels often house internal components, such as cartridges, that are subjected to a vacuum during normal operations. More specifically, during adsorption, air is moved around the cartridges within the vessel to enable CO2, entrained within the ambient air to be captured.

[0003] The internal cavity of at least some known vessels must be routinely accessed and the known vessels include door assemblies that are coupled to flanges defined along the outer wall of the vessel. The main access doors on the known vessels are fairly large, to enable personnel to access the cav ity during a maintenance period, for example. Moreover, to enable a vacuum to be induced within the vessel, the doors must be capable of being sealed tightly against the vessel flange to prevent leakage, and also must be constructed structurally robust to enable the door to withstand the vacuum pressure within the cavity. As such, often such doors are heavy and cumbersome to open and the vacuum seal between the door and vessel flange may be damaged during routine operation.

[0004] Accordingly, a need exists for a carbon capture vessel design that is effective for DAC systems and that provides access and airflow to the internal cartridges in a more efficient and less time consuming manner, and a door assembly for a vessel that can be easily opened and closed to provide selective access and flow through the cavity defined within the vessel without damaging associated door seals.SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a door assembly for use with a vessel is disclosed. The door assembly includes a first duct flange circumscribing a first opening defined in an annular sidewall of the vessel, and a first plurality of doors coupled to the first duct flange. Each of the first plurality of doors is selectively openable to provide airflow into the vessel through the first opening. Each of the first plurality of doors includes a plurality of lever arms coupled along each door. The plurality of lever arms coupled to each of the first plurality of doors are coupled together such that the first plurality of doors is selectively opened and selectively closed concurrently together.

[0006] In another aspect, a door assembly for a vessel including a cavity defined therein is disclosed. The door assembly includes a plurality of first doors coupled to an annular wall of the vessel. The plurality of first doors is selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position. When the plurality of first doors is in the open position, the vessel cavity is open for airflow therethrough, and when the plurality of first doors is in the closed position, the plurality of first doors is sealed against the annular wall of the vessel. The door assembly includes a linkage assembly coupling the plurality of first doors together such that the doors are only moveable concurrently together. The door assembly includes a lid sealingly coupled to the vessel such that the cavity is accessible when the lid is removed, and at least one contactor cartridge coupled to the lid. The contactor cartridge contains a sorbent that adsorbs at least one of carbon dioxide or water from the airflow.

[0007] In yet another aspect, a vessel that includes a cavity defined therein is disclosed. The vessel includes a first door assembly coupled to the vessel and a second door assembly coupled to the vessel diametrically opposite from the first door assembly. The first door assembly includes at least two doors coupled to a wall of the vessel. The second door assembly includes at least two doors coupled to the wall of the vessel. The first door assembly is configured to selectively move the at least two doors of the first door assembly concurrently between an open position that provides access to the vessel cavity and a second position that substantially seal the at least two doors of the first door assembly against the wall of the vessel. The second door assembly is configured to selectively move the at least two doors of the second door assembly concurrently between the open position that providesaccess to the vessel cavity and the second position that substantially seal the at least two doors of the second door assembly against the wall of the vessel.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 A is a perspective side view of an exemplary vessel that may be used with a direct air capture (DAC) system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from ambient air.

[0009] FIG. IB is a side perspective view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1A in which a lid of the vessel is uncoupled from and elevated above the main vessel body.

[0010] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of doors used with the vessel shown in FIG. 1A.

[0011] FIG. 2B is a side view of the portion of the doors shown in FIG. 2A.

[0012] FIG. 2C is side view of a door actuator mechanism used to coordinate movement of the doors and coupled to a cross-section of the vessel shown in FIG.1A.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary control system that may be used to control movement of the doors relative to the vessel shown in FIG. 1 A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] When introducing elements of various embodiments disclosed herein, 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.

[0015] Unless otherwise indicated, approximating language, such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about,” as used herein indicates that the term so modified may apply to only an approximate degree, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, rather than to an absolute or perfect degree. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” is not to be limited tothe precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, for example, a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, for example, a “first” or lower-numbered item or a “third” or higher-numbered item.

[0016] As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer” and related terms, e.g., “processing device,” “controller,” and “computer device” are not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeable herein.

[0017] Furthermore, as used herein, the term “real-time” refers to at least one of: the time of occurrence of the associated events, the time of measurement and collection of predetermined data, the time for a computer device (e.g., a processor) to process the data, and / or the time of a system response to the events and the environment. In the embodiments described herein, these activities and events may be considered to occur substantially instantaneously.

[0018] The embodiments described herein relate to a direct air capture (DAC) system including a vessel that includes piping and / or openings for vacuum, air flow, and water flow. The piping and / or openings may be coupled to the vessel with the top lid and / or via openings at the bottom of the vessel. In each embodiment, the top lid of the vessel is removable concurrently with at least one set of contactors (or at least one contractor cartridge) that is coupled to the top lid such that the contactor cartridge is suspended from the top lid and extends into the vessel from the top lid. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, removing the top lid concurrently extracts the contactor cartridge from the vessel. As such, necessary connections and / or maintenance to the contractor cartridge or contactor may be made externally to the vessel, without requiring that the contactor be accessed from within the interior of the vessel. Furthermore, each contactor includes a sorbent designed for adsorption of carbon dioxide and / or water. The sorbent may be formedof one or more of silica, zeolites, alumina, amine-based materials, metal oxides, metalorganic frameworks (MOFs), polymers, and carbon materials (activated carbon, graphite, graphene, fullerene, carbon nanotubes, biochar, and / or hydrochar).

[0019] In the exemplary embodiment, to enable air to flow through and past the contactor cartridge, the vessel includes openings defined on the wall of the vessel. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the vessel is cylindrically shaped, and often within a direct air carbon capture system, a plurality of vessels may be placed side-by-side in close proximity. Because of the close proximity of adjacent vessels, limited available space may be available on each vessel for a door. However, because of the weight and structural integrity necessary for such doors. Having only one door coupled to the vessel may make it difficult for an operator to use as the large size of the door may be difficult to move after the vessel has been under a vacuum. Moreover, the relatively large size of the door may limit the relative location that the vessel may be used, as the door requires space to be opened as it is swung away from the sidewall of the vessel.

[0020] As such, the present disclosure is also directed to a door design for a vessel that overcomes at least some of the problems associated with larger, bulkier known vessel door designs. In some embodiments, a plurality of vessel doors is linked or coupled together in an assembly that enables the movement of a plurality of doors to provide access into, or flow through, the vessel in a coordinated manner that is less cumbersome than is possible with at least some known vessel doors. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the linked vessel door assembly includes a plurality of doors coupled together with lever arms that are linked or coupled together to enable coordinated opening and closing of the plurality of doors concurrently. Each individual door may include at least one lever arm on a first side of the door and at least one lever arm on a second side of the door. The lever arms on the first side of each door may be coupled together and the lever arms on the second side of each door may be coupled together. The coupled lever arms on the first and second sides of the plurality of doors create an assembly that may be selectively operated by an actuator to enable the plurality of doors to move concurrently together.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment, and by way of a non-limiting example, three doors are coupled together with a hinge set on each side of the door (i.e., a first hinge set extending along the first side of the door and a second hinge set extendingalong the second side of the door). Moreover, each hinge enables the door to be coupled to the vessel with fasteners (e.g., locking heli-coils). Within each hinge, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or low friction bushings may be used with an aluminum (Al) housing. In some embodiments, a clevis with racetrack holes may be coupled to each door to enable or facilitate enhanced adjustability. Each door may also be fitted with at least one O-ring or seal to enable the door to be sealed against the vessel when the door is in a closed position. When the pressure is applied to the lever arms, the sides of that door remain compressed against the vessel and because of the design, the pressure is substantially evenly applied across the seal as the door is fully closed. Further, each door may be fabricated from a metallic material, such as, but not limited to 6061 aluminum alloy (6061 Al) and may be about 2 inches thick. Additionally, in some embodiments, a biasing mechanism, such as a spring is used to facilitate a quick lift off with a center of gravity of the door being below a pivot point. The spring, in cooperation with the hinge located in the middle of the door, enables a substantially consistent pressure to be applied to the middle section of the door for improved sealing, and to avoid damage to the seal as the door is opened and closed. In other words, as soon as force is removed from the lever arm, the spring makes the top of the door pivot about the door centerline where the shaft attaches to the door. This draws the top of the door away from the vessel. By drawing the top of the door away from the vessel first, as the lever arm is pushed up and the door opens, the O-ring or seal on the door does not “wipe” across the vessel face, which could cause wear to the seal and / or the O-ring.

[0022] FIG. 1A is a side perspective view 100a of a vessel 150 that may be used with a direct air capture system (not shown) for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and / or water from ambient air. In the exemplary embodiment, the vessel 150 includes amain vessel body 104 that is covered or closed with a lid 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the main vessel body 104 and the lid 102 are secured together in sealing contact using a plurality of fasteners (e.g., swing bolts) 118. In other embodiments, any other fastening mechanism that enables the lid 102 to be securely coupled to the main vessel body 104 as described herein may be used. The lid 102 may be lifted and removed from the main vessel body 104 using one or more connections or clevises 108 that extend from the lid 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the lid 102 may only be removed from the main vessel body 104 when the fasteners 118 are loosened and removed such that the lid 102 is unsecured from the main vessel body 104.

[0023] In the exemplary embodiment, the main vessel body 104 includes a plurality of lift connections 106 that enable the vessel 150 to be lifted and / or positioned relative to a ground floor or supporting surface, for example. In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of flange mount feet 110 are used to support the vessel 150 on a supporting surface, and more specifically, such that the main vessel body 104 is elevated a distance above the supporting surface. In alternative embodiments, the vessel 150 may be supported by any other support that enables the vessel 150 to function as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, the vessel 150 includes a plurality of piping and associated mechanisms and valving that enables the vessel 150 to be drained or evacuated and / or that enables a vacuum to be introduced to the vessel 150. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the vessel 150 is coupled to a vacuum line 120 and to a drain flange 122 that each extends from a bottom surface of the vessel 150. The lid 102 may also include at least one opening, such as, a pair of openings 124 that enable a connection to a hot water source and / or a cold water source, an opening 128 that enables steam injection, and / or an opening 126 that enables instrumentation to be coupled to the vessel 150.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, the vessel 150 is formed with a first opening or inlet 130 and a second opening or outlet 131. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, first and second openings 130 and 131, respectively, are each formed as a duct flange. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, inlet 130 and outlet 131 are defined diametrically opposite to each other to facilitate enabling air entering the vessel 150 via inlet 130 to be removed from the vessel 150 via outlet 131. As the air passes through the vessel 150, CO2 and / or water entrained in the air may be collected by a contactor cartridge 132 (shown in FIG. IB) coupled to the lid 102 such that the contactor cartridge 132 is suspended within a cavity (not shown in FIG. 1A) defined within the vessel 150. Furthermore, each contactor cartridge 132 includes a sorbent 133 designed for the adsorption of carbon dioxide and / or water. The sorbent may be formed of one or more of, silica, zeolites, alumina, amine-based materials, metal oxides, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), polymers, and carbon materials (activated carbon, graphite, graphene, fullerene, carbon nanotubes, biochar, and hydrochar.

[0025] As described herein, inlet 130 and outlet 131 include a plurality of doors 112 rather than a single door. As best seen in FIG. 1 A, vessel 150 includes three doors 112 coupled to inlet (or duct flange) 130 and three doors coupled to outlet (or duct flange) 131. However, rather than three doors 112, in alternative embodiments, vessel 150 may include two doors or more than three doors. Moreover, although in the exemplary embodiment, the same number of doors 112 are used with each duct flange 130 and 131 (i.e., inlet 130 and outlet 131), in alternative embodiments either duct flange 130 or 131 (i.e., inlet 130 or outlet 131) may include a different number of doors 112 than the number of doors 112 coupled to the other duct flange 131 or 130 (i.e., outlet 131 or inlet 130). In the exemplary embodiment, the doors 112 coupled along each duct flange 130 or 131 are linked together with each other as described herein and as best seen in FIG. 2C. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each door includes a lever arm 115 on the first side of the door 112 and a lever arm 114 on the second side of the door 112 that may be used to selectively open and / or close the door 112. In addition, and as described in more detail below, lever arms 114 and 115 also enable the plurality of doors 112 associated with each duct flange 130 and / or 131 to be coupled together as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0026] FIG. IB is a side perspective view 100b of the vessel 150 in which the lid 102 of the vessel 150 is not secured to the main vessel body 104 via fasteners 118. By way of a non-limiting example, the fasteners 118 may be swing bolts. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the lid 102 has been elevated to provide access to the contactor cartridge 132 that is securely coupled to the lid 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiments, when the lid 102 is elevated a distance from the mam vessel body 104, the contactor cartridge 132 remains suspended from the lid 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the contactor cartridge 132 is connected or coupled with the lid 102 of the vessel 150 to facilitate ease of access and maintenance of the contactor cartridge 132 and / or the interior of the vessel 150. By way of a non-limiting example, the contactor cartridge 132 may include a single membrane contactor, or a plurality of membrane contactors, of microporous hollow fiber membrane that enables rapid and efficient gas transfer performance. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the contactor cartridge 132 may be configured or adapted for a compact in-line operation with low pressure drop to help save space, and improve productivity. The contactor cartridge 132 may be cylindrically, rectangularly or polygonallyshaped, and more than one contactor cartridge 132 may be coupled to the lid 102 of the vessel 150.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, the contactor cartridge 132 is connected or coupled with a section of the wall (instead of lid 102) of the vessel 150, and the section of the wall to which the contactor cartridge 132 is coupled is removable for maintenance of the contactor cartridge 132 or the vessel 150. The removable section of the wall (not shown in FIG. IB) to which the contactor cartridge is connected or coupled is sealed with at least one O-ring or seal for a leak proof environment of the vessel 150.

[0028] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view 200a of a portion of the doors 112 used with the vessel 150 shown in FIG. 1 A, and FIG. 2B is a side view 200b of the portion of the doors 112 shown in FIG. 2A. In the exemplary embodiment, each door 112 includes a lever arm 114 and a lever arm 115, as shown in FIG. 2A. The lever arms 114 and 115 may be identical and each is pivotally coupled to each respective door 112 using a pivot rod 203 that extends through a pair of pivot hinges 202. More specifically, the pivot hinges 202 are each secured to the duct flange 130 (or duct flange 131 shown in FIG. 1A) such that the pivot rod 203 is rotatably coupled to and supported by each pivot hinge 202. Moreover, each pivot hinge 202 enables the door 112 to be coupled to the vessel 150 with fasteners (e.g., locking heli-coils (not shown in FIG. 2A)). Within each pivot hinge 202, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or low friction bushings may be used with an aluminum (Al) housing.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment, each pivot rod 203 has a length L that enables the pivot rod 203 to extend through an opening (not shown in FIG. 2A) formed within each lever arm 114 and / or 115 at an inner end 205 of each lever arm 114 and / or 115. An outer end 207 of each lever arm 114 and / or 115 is also shown in FIG. 2A. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the pivot rod 203 may be secured to each lever arm 114 and / or 115 via a fastener such that the pivot rod 203 enables the lever arms 114 and 115 coupled thereto to selectively rotate concurrently from a fully closed position to a fully open position. The lever arms 114 and / or 115 are secured via a set screw in the housing of each lever arm, and the set screw rests on the flat section of the pivot rod 203. Additionally, the lever arms 114 and / or 115 are trapped once the connector rod 212 is connected to each lever arm 114 or 115. Additionally, the pivot rod 203 also extends through a pair of yokes 204 each including a pair of legs 209 extending from a yoke base 211 of the yoke 204 and terminatingin the opening formed at the inner end 205 of each lever arm 114 and / or 115. The opening at the inner end 205 of each lever arm 114 and / or 115 is sized to receive the pivot rod 203 therethrough. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the pivot rod 203 extends through an opening in each yoke leg 209, as shown in FIG. 2A, and is rotatably coupled to the yoke 204.

[0030] A spring 217, in cooperation with the hinge 202 located in the middle of the door 112, enables pressure to be applied to the middle section of the door 112 for improved sealing, and to avoid damage to the seal (not shown in FIG. 2A) as the door 112 is opened and closed. In other words, as soon as force is removed from the lever arms 114 and / or 115, the spring 217 makes the top of the door 112 pivot about the door centerline (not shown in FIG. 2 A) where the shaft (not shown in FIG. 2A) attaches to the door 112. This draws the top of the door 112 away from the vessel 150. By drawing the top of the door 112 away from the vessel 150 first, as the lever arms 114 and 115 are pushed up and the door 112 opens, the O-ring or seal (not shown in FIG. 2A) on the door 112 does not “wipe” across the vessel face, which would cause the O-ring or seal to wear. In addition, because the door 112 is pivoted about the centerline, a substantially even compression is induced to the O-ring.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, each yoke base 211 is also formed with an opening 213 that is sized to receive a clevis pin (not shown) therethrough such that the yoke base 211 is rotatably coupled to the clevis pin. Each clevis pin secures each yoke base 211 to a respective door 112. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each clevis pin is coupled to a pair of clevis brackets 208 that are each securely coupled to a respective door 112. In the exemplary embodiment, each clevis bracket 208 may have racetrack holes in the clevis bracket 208 to enable or facilitate enhanced adjustability of each door 112. In the exemplary embodiment, each clevis bracket 208 is formed with an opening 206 that is sized to receive an end portion of each clevis pin therein.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment, a seal (not shown) extends between each door 112 and the duct flange 130 (and / or each door 112 and the duct flange 131). More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, when the door 112 is fully closed, the seal extends about a perimeter of the inner surface (not shown in FIG. 2 A) of the door 112 and is compressed between the door inner surface and an outer surface (not shown) of the ductflange 130 (or the duct flange 131) to enable the door 112 to substantially seal against the duct flange 130.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment, the inner end 205 of each lever arm 114 and / or 115 may be semi-circular. Accordingly, as the pair of lever arms (e.g., the lever arm 114 and the lever arm 115) are rotated from a fully open position towards the fully closed position, the inner end 205 of each lever arm 114 and / or 115 contacts the outer surface (not shown) of the door 112 and induces a closing torque force against the door 112. Because of the combination of the material used in fabricating the doors 112, the overall size of the door 112, and the relative positions of the clevis brackets 208 and the pivot rod 203, a substantially even force is applied across the door 112 that facilitates sealing the door 112 substantially flush against the duct flange 130 (or the duct flange 131) as the door 112 is closed. As such, in the exemplary embodiment, when the doors 112 are fully closed, leakage between the perimeter of each door 112 and the duct flange 130 (or the duct flange 131) is facilitated to be prevented, if not eliminated.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, the doors are identical to each other. In alternative embodiments, at least one door 112 may be sized differently than at least one other door 112. Because the vessel 150 may be under vacuum during use, the doors 112 must be structurally robust. In the exemplary embodiment, the doors 112 may be fabricated from a metallic material that can withstand operating conditions present within the vessel 150. For example, in some embodiments, the doors are fabricated from, but not limited to only being fabricated from, titanium, stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum alloys, and / or carbon steel. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the door 112 is rectangular. Compared to known vessels used with DAC systems, which typically include only one large door on each side of the vessel, the doors 112 are considerably smaller and as such, a plurality of vessels may be placed side-by-side in close proximity within the DAC system. Additionally, as compared to known doors used with vessels in known DAC systems, the present doors 112 are considerably lighter in weight, which reduces stress on or damage to the door seals.

[0035] FIG. 2C is a side view 200c of a door actuator mechanism 210 to connect lever arms 114 or 115 of each door 112 together to enable doors 112 to be selectively moved in a coordinated movement. In the exemplary embodiment, the door actuator mechanism 210 includes a connecting bar assembly that is coupled to the outer end 207 ofeach lever arm 114 or 115. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each of the lever arms 114 (or lever arms 115) are connected together via a vertically oriented connector rod 212. In the exemplary embodiment, each vertically oriented connector rod 212 is coupled to each lever arm 114 or 115 at the outer end 207. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each lever arm outer end 207 includes an opening 213 (shown in FIG. 2B) that enables each lever arm 114 and / or 115 to be securely and rotatably coupled to each vertically oriented connector rod 212. More specifically, in the exemplary' embodiment, each lever arm 114 and / or 115 is rotatably coupled to a respective eyelet (not shown) extending from the vertically oriented connector rod 212 via a fastener (not shown) inserted through each eyelet and through a respective lever arm outer end opening 213.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting bar assembly 210 includes an actuator arm 215 that may be centered between the pair of vertically oriented rods 212. More specifically, the actuator arm 215 is coupled to lever arms 114 or 115 via the vertically oriented connector rod 212 such that movement of the actuator arm 215 causes concurrent movement of each vertically-oriented rod 212 and concurrent movement of each lever arm 114 or 115. More specifically, movement of actuator arm 215 causes concurrent and coordinated movement of all of the plurality of doors 112 coupled to duct flange 130 (or duct flange 131). In the exemplary embodiment, the actuator arm 215 may be coupled to an automatically actuated control system 300 (shown in FIG. 3) that enables coordinated closing and / or opening of doors 112. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the control system 300 includes a plurality of electrically activated mechanisms that enable the selective movement of the doors 112. In other embodiments, the control system 300 may include any other type of mechanism that enables the selective movement of the doors 112 such as, but not limited to pneumatic actuators, and / or hydraulic actuators.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary control system 300 that may be used to control selective movement of doors 112 during various operating modes of the direct air capture system. In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 302 includes a memory 304 and a processor 306. The controller 302 may be configured to automatically control opening and / or closing of the doors 112 of the vessel 150 in real-time based on data and / or instructions stored in the memory 304, and data analyzed by the processor 306.Alternatively, the controller 302 may accept manual inputs for operating the doors 112 of the vessel 150.

[0038] The vessel and the doors according to exemplary embodiments as described herein enable a complete extraction of the contactor cartridge and without requiring an access door coupled to a sidewall of the vessel. When the lid of the vessel is removed, cartridges within the vessel remain suspended from the lid and are removed concurrently with the lid. As such, any connections necessary for the contactor cartridge may be made external to the vessel including the maintenance and / or replacement of the cartridge or contactor. As such, maintenance of the vessel and / or the cartridge is facilitated to be performed in a less cumbersome and less time consuming manner as compared to the efforts that are generally required with known DAC vessels. The access doors according to exemplary embodiments as described herein provide an additional benefit of a low number of leakage points. The access doors, being relatively smaller, are more capable to handle pressure loads, and allow for more reinforced opening in the vessel. The linked access doors, as described herein, allow a large opening in the vessel for low pressure drop while the vessel is being operated.

[0039] The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Modifications, which fall within the scope of the present invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims. The systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather portions of the various systems may be utilized independently and separately from other systems described herein.

[0040] Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Moreover, references to “one embodiment” in the above description are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and / or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

[0041] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0042] A door assembly for use with a vessel, the door assembly comprising: a first duct flange circumscribing a first opening defined in an annular sidewall of the vessel; and a first plurality of doors coupled to the first duct flange, each of the first plurality of doors selectively openable to provide airflow into the vessel through the first opening, and each of the first plurality of doors includes a plurality of lever arms coupled along each door, wherein the plurality of lever arms coupled to each of the first plurality of doors are coupled together such that the first plurality of doors are selectively opened and selectively closed concurrently together.

[0043] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first plurality of doors includes at least three doors coupled to the first duct flange.

[0044] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses further comprising a second duct flange circumscribing a second opening defined within the annular sidewall of the vessel, wherein the second duct flange is diametrically opposite to the first duct flange.

[0045] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses further comprising a second plurality of doors coupled to the second duct flange.

[0046] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second plurality of doors includes at least three doors.

[0047] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second plurality of doors is configured to be selectively moved concurrently together, independent of the first plurality of doors.

[0048] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses further comprising a control system coupled to the plurality of lever arms, the control system configured to selectively move the plurality of first doors concurrently.

[0049] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein each door of the first plurality of doors is identical and each door of the first plurality of doors is configured to substantially seal against the first duct flange when closed.

[0050] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors includes a seal that facilitates sealing between the at least one door and the vessel when the at least one door is closed.

[0051] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors is pivotally coupled along a centerline of the at least one door to the vessel via a hinge.

[0052] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein the hinge includes a biasing mechanism that facilitates preventing wear of the seal.

[0053] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors is configured to induce a substantially even pressure to the seal when the at least one door is closed.

[0054] A door assembly for a vessel including a cavity defined therein, the door assembly comprising: a plurality of first doors coupled to an annular wall of the vessel, the plurality of first doors selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plurality of first doors are in the open position, the vessel cavity is open for airflow therethrough and wherein when the plurality of first doors are in the closed position, the plurality of first doors are sealed against the annular wall of the vessel; a lid sealingly coupled to the vessel, wherein the cavity is accessible when the lid is removed, and at least one contactor cartridge coupled to the lid, the contactor cartridge containing a sorbent that adsorbs at least one of carbon dioxide or water from the airflow; and a linkage assembly coupling the plurality of first doors together such that the doors are only moveable concurrently together.

[0055] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein a vacuum is induced within the vessel cavity during operations of the vessel, and wherein the plurality of first doors is substantially sealed against the annular wall when the plurality of first doors is in the closed position.

[0056] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses further comprising a plurality of second doors coupled to the annular wall of the vessel, the plurality of second doors are selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plurality of second doors are in the open position, the vessel cavity is open for airflow therethrough, and wherein when the plurality of second doors are in the closed position, the plurality of second doors are substantially sealed against the annular wall of the vessel.

[0057] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of first doors is coupled to the annular wall at a location on the annular wall that is opposite to a location on the annular wall where the plurality of second doors is coupled to the annular wall.

[0058] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses further comprising a control system coupled to the plurality of first doors and to the plurality of second doors, the control system configured to selectively move the plurality of first doors and to selectively move the plurality of second doors independently of movement of the plurality of first doors.

[0059] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of first doors is moveable independently of movement of the plurality of second doors.

[0060] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the plurality of first doors is identical to each other, and wherein the plurality of second doors is identical to each other.

[0061] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein each of the plurality of first doors are identical to each of the plurality of second doors.

[0062] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses further comprising a linkage assembly coupled only to the plurality of second doors, the second linkage assembly restricts movement of the plurality of second doors to only being moved concurrently together.

[0063] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors comprises a seal that facilitates sealing between the vessel and at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors.

[0064] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors further comprises a biasing mechanism that facilitates preventing wear of the seal.

[0065] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors when closed are configured to induce a substantially even pressure to the seal.

[0066] The door assembly in accordance with any of the preceding clauses wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors are pivotally coupled to the vessel along a centerline of the at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors.

[0067] A vessel that includes a cavity defined therein, the vessel comprising: a first door assembly coupled to the vessel, the first door assembly including at least two doors coupled to a wall of the vessel, the first door assembly configured to selectively move the at least two doors of the first door assembly concurrently between an open position that provides access to the vessel cavity and a second position that substantially seal the at least two doors of the first door assembly against the wall of the vessel; a second door assembly coupled to the vessel diametrically opposite from the first door assembly, the second door assembly including at least two doors coupled to the wall of the vessel, the second door assembly configured to selectively move the at least two doors of the second door assembly concurrently between the open position that provides access to the vessel cavity and the second position that substantially seal the at least two doors of the second door assembly against the wall of the vessel; and a linkage assembly coupled to one of the first door assembly and the second door assembly, the linkage assembly facilitates opening and closing a plurality of doors of the first door assembly or the second door assembly concurrently, at least a portion of the linkage assembly is substantially centered with respect to at least one of the first door assembly and the second door assembly.

[0068] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A door assembly for use with a vessel, the door assembly comprising:3.a first duct flange circumscribing a first opening defined in an annular sidewall of the vessel; and4.a first plurality of doors coupled to the first duct flange, each of the first plurality of doors selectively openable to provide airflow into the vessel through the first opening, and each of the first plurality of doors includes a plurality of lever arms coupled along each door, wherein the plurality of lever arms coupled to each of the first plurality of doors are coupled together such that the first plurality of doors are selectively opened and selectively closed concurrently together.

2. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of doors includes at least three doors coupled to the first duct flange.

3. The door assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second duct flange circumscribing a second opening defined within the annular sidewall of the vessel, wherein the second duct flange is diametrically opposite to the first duct flange.

4. The door assembly of claim 3 further comprising a second plurality of doors coupled to the second duct flange.

5. The door assembly of claim 4, wherein the second plurality of doors includes at least three doors.

6. The door assembly of claim 4, wherein the second plurality of doors is configured to be selectively moved concurrently together, independent of the first plurality of doors.

7. The door assembly of claim 1 further comprising a control system coupled to the plurality of lever arms, the control system configured to selectively move the plurality of first doors concurrently.

8. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein each door of the first plurality of doors is identical and each door of the first plurality of doors is configured to substantially seal against the first duct flange when closed.

9. The door assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors comprises a seal that facilitates sealing between the at least one door and the vessel when the at least one door is closed.

10. The door assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors is pivotally coupled along a centerline of the at least one door to the vessel via a hinge.

11. The door assembly of claim 10 wherein the hinge comprises a biasing mechanism that facilitates preventing wear of the seal.

12. The door assembly of claim 9 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors is configured to induce a substantially even pressure to the seal when the at least one door is closed.

13. A door assembly for a vessel including a cavity defined therein, the door assembly comprising:16.a plurality of first doors coupled to an annular wall of the vessel, the plurality of first doors selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plurality of first doors are in the open position, the vessel cavity is open for airflow therethrough and wherein when the plurality of first doors are in the closed position, the plurality of first doors are sealed against the annular wall of the vessel;17.a lid sealingly coupled to the vessel, wherein the cavity is accessible when the lid is removed, and at least one contactor cartridge coupled to the lid, the contactor cartridge containing a sorbent that adsorbs at least one of carbon dioxide or water from the airflow; and18.a linkage assembly coupling the plurality of first doors together such that the doors are only moveable concurrently together.

14. The door assembly of claim 13, wherein a vacuum is induced within the vessel cavity during operation of the vessel, and wherein the plurality of first doors is substantially sealed against the annular wall when the plurality of first doors are in the closed position.

15. The door assembly of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of second doors coupled to the annular wall of the vessel, the plurality of second doors are selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plurality of second doors are in the open position, the vessel cavity is open to enable airflow therethrough, and wherein when the plurality of second doors are in the closed position, the plurality of second doors are substantially sealed against the annular wall of the vessel.

16. The door assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of first doors are coupled to the annular wall at a location on the annular wall that is opposite to a location on the annular wall where the plurality of second doors are coupled to the annular wall.

17. The door assembly of claim 15 further comprising a control system coupled to the plurality of first doors and to the plurality of second doors, the control system configured to selectively move the plurality of first doors and to selectively move the plurality of second doors independently of movement of the plurality of first doors.

18. The door assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of first doors is moveable independently of movement of the plurality of second doors.

19. The door assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of first doors are identical to each other, and wherein the plurality of second doors are identical to each other.

20. The door assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of first doors are identical to each of the plurality of second doors.

21. The door assembly of claim 15 further comprising a linkage assembly coupled only to the plurality of second doors, the linkage assembly coupled to the plurality of second doors restricts movement of the plurality of second doors to only being moved concurrently together.

22. The door assembly of claim 15 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors comprises a seal that facilitates sealing between the vessel and at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors.

23. The door assembly of claim 22 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors further comprises a biasing mechanism that facilitates preventing wear of the seal.

24. The door assembly of claim 22 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors when closed are configured to induce a substantially even pressure to the seal.

25. The door assembly of claim 15 wherein at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors are pivotally coupled to the vessel along a centerline of the at least one of the first plurality of doors and the second plurality of doors.

26. A vessel that includes a cavity defined therein, the vessel comprising:30.a first door assembly coupled to the vessel, the first door assembly including at least two doors coupled to a wall of the vessel, the first door assembly configured to selectively move the at least two doors of the first door assembly concurrently between an open position that provides access to the vessel cavity and a second position that substantially seals the at least two doors of the first door assembly against the wall of the vessel;31.a second door assembly coupled to the vessel diametrically opposite from the first door assembly, the second door assembly including at least two doors coupled to the wall of the vessel, the second door assembly configured to selectively move the at least two doors of the second door assembly concurrently between an open position that provides access to the vessel cavity and a second position that substantially seals the at least two doors of the second door assembly against the wall of the vessel; and a linkage assembly coupled to at least one of the first door assembly and the second door assembly, the linkage assembly facilitates opening and closing a plurality of doors of the first door assembly or the second door assembly concurrently, at least a portion of the linkage assembly is substantially centered with respect to at least one of the first door assembly and the second door assembly.

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