Parallel Channel Adsorbent Contactor via Diffusion Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swing adsorption systems face challenges in designing equipment for rapid pressure and temperature cycling, high area density requirements, and minimizing undesirable gaseous stream paths between monolith contactors, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a parallel channel adsorbent contactor system involving diffusion-bonded modules with oriented gaseous and utility fluid channels, allowing for efficient adsorption and regeneration of contaminants in a modular configuration that maximizes area density and minimizes leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large diameter beds are used to minimize the number of total beds, then the process goal is achieved with fewer beds, but manufacture and installation become difficult engineering problems resulting in compromise design at smaller diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent contactor is divided into multiple modular sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. Each module contains a portion of the total adsorbent volume, allowing the system to achieve large capacity without requiring a single large-diameter bed that is difficult to manufacture and install.
2Productivity
If multiple beds are used to achieve the same process goal, then the process goal is achieved, but greater expense and larger equipment footprint result
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adsorbent modules are combined within a single contactor vessel, allowing the system to achieve the required process capacity without requiring multiple separate beds. This merging reduces the total equipment footprint and number of individual units needed.
3Area of stationary object
If larger contactors are used to maximize process area, then the monolith process area is maximized, but unintentional and undesirable gaseous stream paths are created in regions between adjacent contactors
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful gaseous stream paths between adjacent contactors are eliminated by extracting or removing the spaces between them. The modular design allows contactors to be positioned adjacent to each other without creating unwanted flow paths, as the modules are designed to interface cleanly with minimal dead zones.
4Productivity
If monolith contactors with multiple parallel gas flow channels are used, then gas flow capacity is improved, but robust mechanical support and hold-down structure become difficult to design to retain monoliths in place during operating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The contactor is segmented into modular sections with standardized interfaces. Each module includes its own mechanical support features that are simplified compared to a single large monolith, making it easier to design and implement robust hold-down structures while maintaining high gas flow capacity through the multiple parallel channels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the efficiency of gas separation processes by reducing equipment costs and footprint, improving thermal efficiency, and enabling effective regeneration of adsorbent material, thereby improving the overall performance of swing adsorption systems.
Implementation Method 1
diffusion bonding the aligned plates to form a module
Implementation Method 2
improving thermal efficiency
Implementation Method 3
passing a mixture of gases over an adsorbent material in an adsorbent contactor that preferentially adsorbs more readily adsorbed components
Implementation Method 4
the pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) process adsorbs impurities from a gaseous stream into an adsorbent material in one step and releases the impurities in a subsequent step
Implementation Method 5
the temperature-swing adsorption (TSA) process, which may include PSA process steps, utilizes heating and cooling to enhance the effectiveness of this gas purification
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are described for swing adsorption processes. The method includes obtaining different plates, wherein the plates have gaseous openings and a utility fluid opening. Then, the gaseous openings are substantially oriented along a common axis for gaseous openings and the plates are diffusion bonded. Once diffusion bonded, the gaseous openings within the module are wash coated with an adsorbent material.