Co2 separation apparatus for separating co2 from a supplied air stream from an environment

Abstract

The invention relates to a CO2 separation apparatus (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream (12), in particular air stream (12) from an environment, comprising at least a sorption chamber (14) for temporarily receiving pourable CO2 sorption means (16a), in order to sorb the CO2 from the supplied gas stream (12), in particular air stream (12), and a desorption chamber (18) for temporarily receiving the CO2-enriched pourable CO2 sorption means (16b), in order to desorb the CO2 from the pourable CO2 sorption means (16b), wherein the pourable CO2 sorption means (16a, b) can be circulated in a circuit (20) through the sorption chamber (14) and the desorption chamber (18), and wherein a conditioning unit (26) is provided for reducing a degree of soiling and / or for setting a total proportion of the pourable CO2 sorption means (16a, b) circulating in the circuit (20).

Description

[0001] R.413117

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from an supplied air stream of an environment

[0006] State of the art

[0007] The invention relates to a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, and to a method for operating a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment.

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

[0009] For this purpose, DAC systems are available, designed as continuous flow or fluidized bed systems, in which an adsorbent material is moved or circulated between separate chambers via pipes (C, Moving bed). These are continuously operating systems in which the free-flowing adsorbent material is guided through various process units or sub-units, which are connected to each other, for example, via a lock and exhibit different boundary conditions (e.g., temperatures or vacuum pressures) within the column.

[0010] For CO2 adsorption, adsorption materials made of polymeric, spherical beads with primary amino groups are frequently used. These beads are exposed to process stresses such as cooling, heating, humidification, and pressure fluctuations (vacuum sealing). These processes cause the material to change (e.g., swelling) and can also lead to clumping. This clumping can severely restrict the adsorption process because the air no longer flows past the beads, but instead enters clumps of beads.

[0011] - 2 - or even completely block areas. In the worst case, only individual channels form between the clumps through which the air flows, so that all amines that are supposed to serve CO2 adsorption, but are located inside clumps, can no longer be reached by the air and thus by the CO2 molecules (blockage).

[0012] Furthermore, abrasion must be expected when handling moving bulk materials. This abrasion can impair the function of, for example, seals and should therefore be monitored and, if necessary, reduced, especially in closed-loop processes.

[0013] The object of the present invention is therefore to increase the efficiency and reliability of devices or systems of the type described above.

[0014] Disclosure of the invention

[0015] The present invention relates to a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, comprising at least one sorption chamber for the temporary holding of bulk CO2 sorbents in order to sorb the CO2 from the supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream, and a desorption chamber for the temporary holding of the bulk CO2 sorbents enriched with CO2 in order to desorb the CO2 from the bulk CO2 sorbents, wherein the bulk CO2 sorbents are circulating in a circuit through the sorption chamber and the desorption chamber, and wherein a conditioning unit is provided for reducing a degree of contamination and / or for adjusting a total proportion of the bulk CO2 sorbents circulating in the circuit.

[0016] The present invention further relates to a method for operating a CO2 separation device for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream from an environment, wherein in at least one sorption chamber, pourable CO2 sorbents are temporarily taken up in order to sorb the CO2 from the supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream, and in a desorption chamber the CO2 sorbents are removed from the gas stream, in particular an air stream, as described in R.413117.

[0017] - 3 -

[0018] CO2-enriched bulk CO2 sorbents are temporarily absorbed in order to desorb the CO2 from the bulk CO2 sorbents, wherein the bulk CO2 sorbents circulate in a circuit through the sorption chamber and the desorption chamber, wherein a degree of contamination of the circulating bulk CO2 sorbents is reduced and / or a total proportion of the bulk CO2 sorbents circulating in the circuit is adjusted by means of a conditioning unit.

[0019] According to the invention, it is therefore proposed to provide a conditioning unit for reducing the degree of contamination and / or for adjusting the overall proportion of the circulating bulk CO2 sorbents, or alternatively, to reduce the degree of contamination of the circulating bulk CO2 sorbents and / or to adjust the overall proportion of the circulating bulk CO2 sorbents by means of a conditioning unit. In other words, contamination is removed, for example, by cleaning and / or replacing the CO2 sorbents, and / or the proportion of CO2 sorbents is adjusted or regulated, for example, by adding CO2 sorbents, thereby significantly increasing efficiency and reliability.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, the term "adjustment" encompasses both controlling and regulating the overall proportion, such as the number and / or mass fraction and / or volume fraction of the circulating, free-flowing CO2 sorbents. This adjustment can also involve continuously changing the CO2 sorbents.

[0021] Preferably, for generating the cycle, the CO2-enriched CO2 sorbents from the sorption chamber are fed to the desorption chamber via a first pipe section, and the regenerated CO2 sorbents from the desorption chamber are fed back to the sorption chamber via a second pipe section. The conditioning unit is located in the first pipe section and / or in the second pipe section. The pipe sections can also be fully or partially integrated into, or form part of, the sorption or desorption chamber. R.413117

[0022] - 4 -

[0023] Similarly, in this procedure, conditioning takes place in the first line section and / or in the second line section.

[0024] Consequently, the entire conditioning unit can be located in one place, or all process steps can be performed at one location, such as the first or second pipe section. Alternatively, the conditioning unit can be distributed, or the process steps can be performed at different locations, which, however, can be linked by control technology.

[0025] It is advantageous if the conditioning unit is trained,

[0026] - To remove contaminants, in particular a fine fraction comprising abrasion and / or dust and / or dirt particles, from the CO2 sorbents, and / or

[0027] - to set, in particular to regulate, a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the total proportion of CO2 sorbents circulating in the cycle.

[0028] Similarly, in the process using the conditioning unit, at least one of the following steps is carried out:

[0029] - Removal of contaminants, in particular fine particles including abrasion and / or dust and / or dirt particles, from the CO2 sorbents; and / or

[0030] - Setting, in particular rules, a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the total proportion of CO2 sorbents circulating in the cycle.

[0031] It is also advantageous if the conditioning unit is designed to provide CO2 sorbents.

[0032] - to clean chemically and / or physically, in particular to wash, and / or

[0033] - to be cleaned mechanically, in particular by sieving and / or wind sifting.

[0034] Similarly, in the procedure using the conditioning unit, at least one of the following steps is carried out: R.413117

[0035] - 5 -

[0036] - Chemical and / or physical cleaning, in particular washing, of the CO2 sorbents; and / or

[0037] - Mechanical cleaning, in particular sieving and / or air classification, of the CO2 sorbents.

[0038] For cleaning or washing, the conditioning unit can, for example, include a washing drum, open troughs, or decanters. During washing, fine particles of the CO2 sorbent or floating dirt can be removed using established techniques.

[0039] The cleaning process can also include magnetic and / or electromagnetic cleaning of metallic contaminants. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning can also be carried out using plasma and / or magnetic fields, whereby magnetic or plasma zones can be used.

[0040] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if water desorbed in the desorption chamber and condensed in a condensation unit can be supplied to the conditioning unit for reducing the degree of contamination, especially for washing.

[0041] Similarly, in the process for reducing the degree of contamination, especially for washing, water desorbed in the desorption chamber and condensed in a condensation unit is used.

[0042] Alternatively, the condensation unit can also be designed to dry the moist CO2 sorbents, e.g. in air, with heat, vacuum-assisted or by centrifugation using a decanter or centrifuge.

[0043] It is also advantageous if the conditioning unit is designed to remove at least some of the CO2 sorbents from the cycle in order to reduce the level of pollution in it.

[0044] Similarly, the following step is performed in the process using the conditioning unit:

[0045] - Removing at least some of the CO2 sorbents from the cycle to reduce the level of pollution within it. R.413117

[0046] - 6 -

[0047] The proportion of CO2 sorbents removed can, for example, be in a range of greater than or equal to 0.1% to less than or equal to 100%, preferably greater than or equal to 1% to less than or equal to 10%.

[0048] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the conditioning unit is designed to introduce new CO2 sorbents and / or the removed purified CO2 sorbents into the cycle, especially continuously, in order to reduce the degree of contamination of the CO2 sorbents circulating in the cycle and / or to adjust the total proportion of CO2 sorbents circulating in the cycle.

[0049] Similarly, the following step is performed in the process using the conditioning unit:

[0050] - Introducing, in particular continuously introducing, new CO2 sorbents and / or the removed purified CO2 sorbents into the cycle to reduce the degree of contamination of the CO2 sorbents circulating in the cycle and / or to adjust the total proportion of CO2 sorbents circulating in the cycle.

[0051] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the conditioning unit is designed to determine a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the CO2 sorbents removed and / or a degradation of the circulating CO2 sorbents, and to carry out the injection depending on this.

[0052] Similarly, the process determines the number and / or mass and / or volume of CO2 sorbents removed and / or the degradation of circulating CO2 sorbents, and the injection is carried out depending on this.

[0053] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "introduction" encompasses mixing, dosing, or re-dosing. Introduction can be performed for CO2 sorbents that were intentionally or selectively removed, as well as unintentionally or indiscriminately. R.413117

[0054] - 7 -

[0055] Determining this can include measuring at least one relevant sorbent property, e.g.

[0056] - Inline: o Particle diameter via laser diffraction o Particle shape, in particular particle breakage, which may be due to e.g. too rapid desorption, via combination and evaluation of several laser diffraction sensors in one measuring channel (described in DE102015209405) o Bulk density, porosity

[0057] - Offline, ex-situ, (or inline) by feeding into a precise measuring cell o Adsorption / desorption capacity or rate o Energy requirement for desorption by irradiation with microwave or heating and measuring the desorbed CO2 and / or H2O quantities over time (thermogravimetric analysis)

[0058] In this process, the removal and reintroduction of the CO2 sorbent can be carried out volumetrically, for example, using a screw conveyor, sampling, a sluice gate, or a time-controlled bulk material diverter, and / or the removed CO2 sorbent can be determined so that the CO2 sorbent can be continuously replenished.

[0059] Ideally, the CO2 sorbents undergo very slow, gradual mechanical wear, similar to the grinding beads in a ball mill, so that the CO2 sorbents are continuously replenished or replaced. If the mechanical wear and the associated removal correspond to the degradation caused by chemical wear, which necessitates replacing the CO2 sorbents anyway, the additional advantage arises that changing the CO2 sorbents becomes unnecessary, and the performance of the continuous CO2 separation device or DAC system remains constant over time.

[0060] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the conditioning unit is designed to introduce the new CO2 sorbents and / or the discharged purified CO2 sorbents into the cycle in a moist state. R.413117

[0061] - 8 -

[0062] Similarly, in the process of introducing the new CO2 sorbents and / or the removed purified CO2 sorbents, the new CO2 sorbents are introduced into the cycle in a moist state.

[0063] Consequently, the purified but still wet or moist CO2 sorbents that have been removed are mixed with the CO2 sorbents already in circulation. Surprisingly, it has been observed that the relatively drier CO2 sorbents from the air sorption process absorb the intergranular water or surface water, and that the CO2 sorbents remain free-flowing and visibly dry without forming clumps. Furthermore, clumps of wet or moist CO2 sorbents dissolve when they mix with dry CO2 sorbents that have already been saturated with CO2 and water from the air.

[0064] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a lump-breaking unit is provided, which is arranged at and / or downstream of an injection area of ​​the CO2 sorbents in the circuit.

[0065] Similarly, in this process, clumps of CO2 sorbents are broken up at and / or downstream of an injection point in the CO2 sorbent cycle. The injection point can be located, for example, at an inlet of the desorption section or desorption chamber.

[0066] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a sorbent tank is provided for storing the new CO2 sorbents to be introduced and / or for temporarily storing the purified CO2 sorbents that have been removed and are to be reintroduced.

[0067] The CO2 separation device is designed and configured for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream, from an environment (preferably the CO2 separation device). Within the scope of the present invention, the term "supply" or "supplied" primarily encompasses an actively carried out or initiated, and thus technically controlled or regulated, supply of the gas or air stream by means of a blower unit or fan unit of the CO2 separation device. However, the term "supply" or "supplied" can also refer to a passively carried out R.413117

[0068] - 9 - or the controlled supply of the gas or air flow, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the air flow can be supplied in any way, e.g., naturally (as wind).

[0069] The CO2 separation device comprises at least one sorption chamber in which bulk CO2 sorbents are temporarily held and / or absorbed to sorb the CO2 from the supplied gas stream, in particular an air stream. The CO2 separation device further comprises at least one desorption chamber in which the bulk CO2 sorbents enriched with CO2 are temporarily held and / or absorbed to desorb the CO2 from the bulk CO2 sorbents. The bulk CO2 sorbents are circulated in a closed loop through the sorption chamber and the desorption chamber.

[0070] The CO2 separation device can have a variety of sorption chambers and / or desorption chambers, which can be arranged, for example, one above the other and / or next to each other, or fluidically connected to each other when set up separately.

[0071] The desorption process is carried out under reduced pressure and at a temperature higher than ambient. Therefore, the desorption process is preferably carried out using a pump unit or vacuum unit to release CO2 bound in the bulk CO2 sorbent, which was previously bound by a sorption process. The CO2 is, understandably, temporarily bound. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "desorption" encompasses any meaningful method of releasing or expelling CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the bulk CO2 sorbent, wherein a dissolution and / or release and / or discharge of CO2 molecules from the bulk CO2 sorbent occurs. In this process, the CO2 is released or dissolved from the bulk CO2 sorbent, particularly by introducing energy or heat into the bulk CO2 sorbent.

[0072] The desorption process preferably comprises at least one of the following methods or combinations thereof:

[0073] - chemical desorption process R.413117

[0074] - 10 -

[0075] - physical desorption process

[0076] The sorption process is carried out at a higher pressure than that used in the desorption process, in particular at ambient pressure, and at a lower temperature than that used in the desorption process, in particular at ambient temperature. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "sorption" encompasses any meaningful method of separating or deposition of CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the gas or air stream, wherein binding and / or adhesion and / or storage and / or absorption of CO2 molecules by bulk CO2 sorbents takes place.

[0077] The sorption process preferably comprises at least one of the following processes or combinations thereof:

[0078] - chemical adsorption process

[0079] - physical adsorption process

[0080] - chemical absorption process

[0081] - physical absorption process

[0082] The free-flowing CO2 sorbents are designed to separate or sorb CO2 from a supplied gas or air stream. These free-flowing CO2 sorbents are either free-flowing or free-form. They can be, for example, granular or particulate. The free-flowing CO2 sorbents can consist of a single material or a mixture of materials. They can be dry, slurry-like, or suspended.

[0083] The free-flowing CO2 sorbents can, in particular, include appropriately functionalized free-flowing sorbents, e.g., adsorbents and / or absorbents. Accordingly, the free-flowing CO2 sorbents can, for example, have a granular or particulate solid as a support structure with a base material selected from the group consisting of: resins, polymers, ceramics, zeolites, silicates, organometallic compounds, organic materials such as cellulose or activated carbon, and combinations thereof. The base material can, in turn, be combined with R.413117.

[0084] - 11 -

[0085] Amines, potassium carbonate or other components designed to chemically and / or physically bind CO2 must be specifically functionalized.

[0086] The bulk CO2 sorbents can, in particular, comprise or be in the form of a granular ion exchange resin. The bulk CO2 sorbents can, for example, comprise or consist of granular Lewatit VP OC 1065 or Zeolite X13.

[0087] The CO2 separation device may further comprise at least one of the following units:

[0088] - Blower unit, in particular with a large number of fans for supplying the gas or air flow;

[0089] - Steam generator for providing steam for the desorption process;

[0090] - Inerting unit for supplying an inert gas stream, such as nitrogen, oxygen-free air and / or water vapor, to remove oxygen before the desorption process to protect the CO2 combustion agent from chemical degradation;

[0091] - Heating unit for additional heating of the bulk CO2 sorbents for the desorption process;

[0092] - Cooling unit for additional cooling of the bulk CO2 sorbents for the sorption process;

[0093] - Material conveying unit for conveying the free-flowing CO2 sorbents within the cycle;

[0094] - Sensor unit for the sorption process and / or the desorption process;

[0095] - Control unit for controlling and / or regulating the sorption process and / or the desorption process.

[0096] The control unit is configured to perform steps of the procedure described above and / or to control the relevant units for carrying out those steps. The control unit may be configured to be connected, via wireless transmission such as WLAN, Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication, etc., to other control units and / or a central control unit of the CO2 separation device or a higher-level system. It should be noted that, within the scope of this application, the term "control" also includes regulating the respective device and / or unit. R.413117

[0097] - 12 -

[0098] The CO2 separation device is preferably designed as a stationary unit. In particular, the CO2 separation device can be part of a building climate control system, especially integrated into a climate control system within a building. The chambers of the CO2 separation device can be integrated into the building's air conditioning circuit.

[0099] Drawings

[0100] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0101] Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of a CO2 system according to the invention.

[0102] Separation device.

[0103] Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of a CO2 separation device according to the invention, which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10. The CO2 separation device 10 is designed to separate CO2 (carbon dioxide) from a supplied air stream 12.

[0104] For this purpose, the CO2 separation device 10 has a sorption chamber 14 for the temporary holding of bulk CO2 sorbents 16a in order to sorb the CO2 from the supplied air stream 12, and a desorption chamber 18 for the temporary holding of the CO2-enriched bulk CO2 sorbents 16b in order to desorb the CO2 from the bulk CO2 sorbents 16b. The bulk CO2 sorbents 16a, b are circulated in a circuit 20 through the sorption chamber 14 and the desorption chamber 18. To generate the cycle 20, the CO2-enriched CO2 sorption agents 16b from the sorption chamber 14 can be supplied to the desorption chamber 18 by means of a first conduit section 22 and the regenerated CO2 sorption agents 16a from the desorption chamber 18 can be supplied back to the sorption chamber 14 by means of a second conduit section 24.

[0105] According to the invention, a conditioning unit 26 is provided for reducing a degree of contamination and / or for adjusting a total proportion of the free-flowing CO2 sorbents 16a, b circulating in the circuit 20 R.413117

[0106] - 13 - provided. The conditioning unit 26 is located in the first line section 22.

[0107] The conditioning unit 26 is designed to remove contaminants, in particular a fine fraction comprising abrasion and / or dust and / or dirt particles, from the CO2 sorbents 16a and to adjust, in particular to regulate, a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the total fraction of the CO2 sorbents 16a, b circulating in the circuit 20.

[0108] For this purpose, the conditioning unit 26 is designed to remove at least a portion of the CO2 sorbent 16c from the circuit 20 in order to reduce the degree of contamination within it. The conditioning unit 26 is designed to chemically purify the CO2 sorbent 16c, in particular to wash it, whereby water desorbed in the desorption chamber 18 and condensed in a (not shown) condensation unit can be supplied to the conditioning unit 26 for washing.

[0109] The conditioning unit 26 is further configured to introduce new CO2 sorbents 16d from a sorbent tank 28 and / or the discharged purified CO2 sorbents 16c into the circuit 20, particularly continuously, in order to reduce the degree of contamination of the CO2 sorbents 16a, b circulating in the circuit 20 and / or to adjust the total proportion of CO2 sorbents 16a, b circulating in the circuit 20. The conditioning unit 26 is configured to determine the number and / or mass and / or volume of the discharged CO2 sorbents 16c and / or the degradation of the circulating CO2 sorbents 16a, b, and to carry out the introduction accordingly.

[0110] Furthermore, the conditioning unit 26 is designed to introduce the new CO2 sorbents 16d and / or the removed purified CO2 sorbents 16c into the circuit 20 in a moist state.

[0111] Furthermore, the CO2 separation device 10 has a (not shown) lump breaker unit which is arranged at an inlet area 30 of the CO2 sorbents 16c, d in the circuit 20.

Claims

R.413117 - 14 - Claims 1. CO2 separation device (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream (12), in particular an air stream (12) from an environment, comprising at least one sorption chamber (14) for the temporary holding of bulk CO2 sorbents (16a) in order to sorb the CO2 from the supplied gas stream (12), in particular an air stream (12), and a desorption chamber (18) for the temporary holding of the CO2-enriched bulk CO2 sorbents (16b) in order to desorb the CO2 from the bulk CO2 sorbents (16b), wherein the bulk CO2 sorbents (16a, b) are circulated in a circuit (20) through the sorption chamber (14) and the desorption chamber (18), characterized by a conditioning unit (26) for reducing a degree of contamination and / or for adjusting a total proportion of the CO2 in the circuit (20) circulating free-flowing CO2 sorption media (16a, b).

2. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, for the generation of the cycle (20), the CO2-enriched CO2 sorption agents (16b) from the sorption chamber (14) can be supplied to the desorption chamber (18) by means of a first line section (22) and the regenerated CO2 sorption agents (16a) from the desorption chamber (18) can be supplied back to the sorption chamber (14) by means of a second line section (24), wherein the conditioning unit (26) is arranged in the first line section (22) and / or in the second line section (24).

3. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conditioning unit (26) is designed to remove contaminants, in particular a fine fraction comprising abrasion and / or dust and / or dirt particles, from the CO2 sorption agents (16a, b, c), and / or R.413117 - 15 - - to set, in particular to regulate, a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the total proportion of the CO2 sorption agents (16a, b) circulating in the cycle (20).

4. CO2 separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conditioning unit (26) is configured to provide CO2 sorption agents (16a, b) - to clean chemically and / or physically, in particular to wash, and / or - to be cleaned mechanically, in particular by sieving and / or wind sifting.

5. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that water desorbed in the desorption chamber (18) and condensed in a condensation unit can be supplied to the conditioning unit (26) for the reduction of a degree of contamination, in particular for washing.

6. CO2 separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conditioning unit (26) is configured to remove at least a portion of the CO2 sorbents (16c) from the circuit (20) in order to reduce the degree of contamination in it.

7. CO2 separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conditioning unit (26) is configured to introduce new CO2 sorbents (16d) and / or the removed purified CO2 sorbents (16c) into the circuit (20), in particular continuously, in order to reduce the degree of contamination of the CO2 sorbents (16a, b) circulating in the circuit (20) and / or to adjust the total proportion of the CO2 sorbents (16a, b) circulating in the circuit (20).

8. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the conditioning unit (26) is configured to provide a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the removed CO2 sorbents (16c) and / or a degradation of the circulating R.413117 - 16 - to determine CO2 sorption agents (16a, b) and, depending on this, to carry out the injection.

9. CO2 separation device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the conditioning unit (26) is configured to introduce the new CO2 sorbents (16d) and / or the removed purified CO2 sorbents (16c) into the circuit (20) in a moist state.

10. CO2 separation device (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by a lump breaker unit which is arranged at and / or downstream of an inlet area (30) of the CO2 sorption agents (16c, d) in the circuit (20).

11. CO2 separation device (10) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by a sorbent tank (28) for storing the new CO2 sorbents (16d) to be introduced and / or for temporarily storing the purified CO2 sorbents (16c) that have been removed and are to be reintroduced.

12. Method for operating a CO2 separation device (10) for separating CO2 from a supplied gas stream (14), in particular an air stream (14) from an environment, wherein in at least one sorption chamber (14) free-flowing CO2 sorbents (16a) are temporarily taken up to sorb the CO2 from the supplied gas stream (12), in particular an air stream (12), and in a desorption chamber (18) the CO2-enriched free-flowing CO2 sorbents (16b) are temporarily taken up to desorb the CO2 from the free-flowing CO2 sorbents (16b), wherein the free-flowing CO2 sorbents (16a, b) circulate in a circuit (20) through the sorption chamber (14) and the desorption chamber (18), characterized in that a degree of contamination of the circulating free-flowing CO2 sorbent (16a,b) is reduced and / or a total proportion of the free-flowing CO2 sorbents (16a, b) circulating in the cycle (20) is discontinued. R.413117 - 17 - 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the following steps is carried out by means of the conditioning unit (26): - Removal of contaminants, in particular a fine fraction comprising abrasion and / or dust and / or dirt particles, from the CO2 sorbents (16a, b, c); and / or - Setting, in particular rules, a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the total proportion of the CO2 sorption agents (16a, b) circulating in the cycle (20); and / or - Chemical and / or physical cleaning, in particular washing, of the CO2 sorbents (16c); and / or - Mechanical cleaning, in particular sieving and / or air classification, of the CO2 sorbents (16c); and / or - Discharge at least some of the CO2 sorbents (16c) from the cycle (20) in order to reduce the level of pollution in it; and / or - Introducing, in particular continuously introducing, new CO2 sorbents (16d) and / or the discharged purified CO2 sorbents (16c) into the circuit (20) in order to reduce the degree of contamination of the CO2 sorbents (16a, b) circulating in the circuit (20) and / or to adjust the total proportion of the CO2 sorbents (16a, b) circulating in the circuit (20).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that - to reduce the degree of soiling, in particular for washing, water desorbed in the desorption chamber (18) and condensed in a condensation unit is used; and / or - a number and / or a mass and / or a volume of the discharged CO2 sorbents (16c) and / or a degradation of the circulating CO2 sorbents (16a, b) is determined, and injection is carried out depending on this; and / or - during introduction, the new CO2 sorbents (16d) and / or the discharged purified CO2 sorbents (16c) are introduced into the cycle (20) in a moist state; and / or R.413117 - 18 - - clumps of CO2 sorbents (16a, b) are broken up at and / or downstream of an injection area of ​​the CO2 sorbents (16c, d) in the circuit (20).

15. Control unit configured to perform steps of the method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 and / or to control the corresponding units for performing the steps.

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