Patent Application
20250205631
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2023-0190750 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 26, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure and operating method thereof.
To maintain the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, negative carbon emission technologies are necessary, and direct air capture (DAC) technology is one option.
The limitations of existing Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology for capturing CO2 from a large-scale CO2 source with high CO2 concentrations are supposed to be overcome and a paradigm shift toward small-scale, distributed CO2 capture is necessary. It has been evaluated as a technology that is capable of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere anytime and anywhere and removing 36 to 120 billion tons of CO2 annually worldwide (NASEM report, 2018).
The high cost of direct air capture of CO2 from the atmosphere has been a concern, but recent reports indicate that capture costs of less than $100 per ton of CO2 are now possible.
Furthermore, numerous products can be produced with carbon captured from the air (tremendous economic value can be achieved by utilizing one of the major climate pollutants currently discarded as waste).
Additionally, the demand for technologies that remove CO2 from a portion of the circulating air in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems is increasing.
The current operation of these systems involves absorbing carbon dioxide for a specific duration (working hours), and then releasing the absorbed carbon dioxide into the air and discharging it outside during lunch break or after work.
In this carbon dioxide capture and recovery technology, a low differential pressure process is the key. In other word, it is crucial to reduce the differential pressure generated as passing through the adsorbent module. A conventional method to mitigate the differential pressure is to increase the particle size of the adsorbent. However, in the case where the particle size becomes large, this method leads to a decrease in contact efficiency and adsorption performance.
Additionally, the carbon capture and utilization industry is expected to reach 800 billion dollars (approximately 800 trillion South Korean won) by 2030. Direct air capture technology enables countries without domestic oil reserves, currently facing high fuel costs, to produce fuels, potentially leveling fuel costs.
Indoor/atmospheric CO2 capture devices combined with air purifiers has been introduced to the market as premium products for home, automotive, and classroom use.
However, conventional direct air capture devices utilize an alternating regeneration process for reactors rather than continuous processes, leading to the drawback of requiring additional energy consumption and heating/cooling time.
Therefore, the present disclosure is contrived to address conventional issues as described above. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it aims to provide a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure and operating method thereof. This system, a continuous direct air capture device with a low differential pressure, is capable of processing a large flow rate while minimizing pressure drop without interrupting the adsorbent reaction process, wherein the adsorbent or adsorbent module embedded in the adsorption tower follows the adsorbent regeneration cycle, enabling continuous cycle operation through adsorption, preheating, regeneration, and adsorption.
Further according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it aims to provide a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure and operating method thereof, which enables reducing a differential pressure without increasing the adsorbent particle size by installing a guide plate to lower the packing height and increase the surface, thereby lowering the flow rate passing through the adsorbent layer.
Yet further according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple adsorption units are connected in an array and always operate in adsorption mode in a set number, thereby achieving continuous direct air operation.
Yet further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it aims to provide a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure and operating method thereof, wherein the number of adsorption units to be operated in adsorption mode within the installed space is determined, the time required for adsorption, heating, regeneration, and cooling is determined, and then the total number of adsorption units to match the number of adsorption units required to operate in the determined adsorption mode is determined.
Yet further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it aims to provide it aims to provide a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure and operating method thereof, which forms a closed-loop housing, and operates an adsorption unit located within the heating regeneration device in heating-regeneration mode by circulating this closed-loop through the heating regeneration device at a specific speed or rotating the housing, thereby enabling continuous operation without the need for multiple valves and valve control.
Meanwhile, technical objects to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned technical objects, and other technical objects, which are not mentioned above, will be apparently understood to a person having ordinary skill in the art from the following description.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, it can be achieved by, as a direct air capture system, a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure including: an adsorption unit including a housing having an inlet part for introducing external air and an outlet part for discharging carbon dioxide-removed air, and a plurality of adsorbent modules installed within the housing and composed of carbon dioxide adsorbents, wherein the adsorption unit is connected in plurality, and the adsorption unit sequentially undergoes adsorption mode and regeneration mode and always operates in adsorption mode in a set number of adsorption units; a suction valve provided at the inlet part for introducing external air, and an outlet valve provided at the outlet part for exhausting gas passed through the adsorbent modules; and a controller for controlling the suction valve and the outlet valve according to adsorption mode and regeneration mode, respectively.
A second aspect of the present disclosure, it can be achieved by, as a direct air capture system, a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure including an adsorption unit including a housing having an inlet part for introducing external air and an outlet part for discharging carbon dioxide-removed air, and a plurality of adsorbent modules installed within the housing and composed of carbon dioxide adsorbents, wherein the adsorption unit is configured in a tower shape with a width smaller than its length and height and a plurality of adsorption units are radially arranged around a central circle.
Further, the adsorption unit undergoes sequential cyclic process of adsorption mode, temperature increase mode, heating mode, regeneration mode, cooling mode, and adsorption mode.
Yet further, the suction valve and the outlet valve are 5-ways valves.
Yet further, the suction valve includes a suction connection port connected to the inlet part of the adsorption unit, an air inlet port for introducing air in adsorption mode, a preheating inlet port for introducing preheated gas in temperature increase mode, a heating inlet port for introducing heated gas in the heating mode, a regeneration inlet port for introducing regenerated gas, and a cooling inlet port for introducing coolant in cooling mode.
Yet further, the outlet valve includes an outlet connection port connected to the outlet part of the adsorption unit, an air outlet port for discharging air passed through an adsorption unit in adsorption mode, a preheating outlet port for discharging heated gas that has passed through an adsorption unit in temperature increase mode, a heating outlet port for discharging heated gas that has passed through an adsorption unit in heating mode, a regeneration outlet port for discharging regenerated gas that has passed through an adsorption unit in regeneration mode, and a cooling outlet port for discharging coolant passed through an adsorption unit.
Yet further, coolant discharged through the cooling outlet port is introduced into the preheating inlet port, and coolant discharged to the preheating outlet port is introduced into the cooling inlet port through a cooler.
Yet further, carbon dioxide enriched gas passed through the adsorption unit in regeneration mode is cooled, condensed, and stored.
Yet further, gas heated by a heater is introduced into the regeneration inlet port and gas that has passed through the adsorption unit and regenerated a carbon dioxide adsorbent is discharged and then a portion of the gas is heated by the heater and circulated, while the remaining portion is introduced into the heating inlet port to heat the adsorption unit operating in heating mode, and then discharged to the heating outlet port.
Yet further, carbon dioxide enriched gas passed the adsorption units in heating mode is cooled, condensed, and stored.
Yet further, in a regeneration zone, heated regeneration streams are uniformly distributed to the adsorbent module through an inlet header.
Yet further, in the regeneration zone, the adsorption unit is located within a tray. In the adsorption unit, the adsorbent modules are stacked in a stepped manner and a guide plate is included, connecting one corner of an adsorbent module to the opposite corner of another adsorbent modules located below the adsorbent module.
Yet further, the adsorbent modules are stacked in a stepped manner in an inlet zone where the regeneration stream is introduce during regeneration mode, with the width decreasing in direction of fluid flow.
Yet further, the adsorption unit has a tower-shaped structure where the width is smaller than the length and height, and a guide plate is included connecting one corner of the front side of the one adsorption unit to the opposite corner of the back side of another adsorption unit.
According to a continuous direct air capture system and operating method thereof in accordance of the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an effect of being able to process a large flow rate while minimizing pressure drop without interrupting the adsorbent reaction process, wherein the adsorbent or adsorbent module embedded in the adsorption tower follows the adsorbent regeneration cycle, enabling continuous cycle operation through adsorption, preheating, regeneration, and adsorption.
Additionally, according to a continuous direct air capture system and operating method thereof in accordance of the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an effect of being able to reduce a differential pressure without increasing the adsorbent particle size by installing a guide plate to lower the packing height and increase the surface, thereby lowering the flow rate passing through the adsorbent layer.
Further according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple adsorption units are connected in an array and always operate in adsorption mode in a set number and thus there is an effect of being able to achieve continuous direct air operation.
Yet further, according to a continuous direct air capture system and operating method thereof in accordance of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of adsorption units to be operated in adsorption mode within the installed space may be determined, the time required for adsorption, heating, regeneration, and cooling may be determined, and then the total number of adsorption units to match the number of adsorption units required to operate in the determined adsorption mode may be determined.
Yet further, according to a continuous direct air capture system and operating method thereof in accordance of the embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an effect of being able to form a closed-loop housing, and to operate adsorption units located within the heating regeneration device in heating-regeneration mode by circulating this closed-loop through the heating regeneration device at a specific speed or rotating the housing, thereby enabling continuous operation without the need for multiple valves and valve control.
Meanwhile, advantageous effects to be obtained in the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects, which are not mentioned above, will be apparently understood to a person having ordinary skill in the art from the following description.
The accompanying drawings of this specification exemplify a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the spirit of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and thus it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to only contents illustrated in the accompanying drawings;
Hereinafter, the aforementioned aims, other aims, features and advantageous effects of the present disclosure will be understood easily referring to preferable embodiments related to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments described in this specification, and may be embodied into other forms. Preferably, the embodiments in this specification are provided in order to allow disclosed contents to be exhaustive and to communicate the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.
In this specification, when a certain element is placed on another element, this means that it may be formed directly thereon or that the third element may be interposed between them. Further, in the drawings, the thickness of an element may be overstated in order to explain the technical content thereof efficiently.
The embodiments described in this specification will explained with reference to a cross-sectional view and/or a plane view. In the drawings, the thickness of a film and a region may be overstated in order to explain the technical content thereof efficiently. Accordingly, the form of exemplary drawings for a fabrication method and/or an allowable error et cetera may be reformed. Thus, the embodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited to specific forms illustrated herein, but may include variations in the form resulting from the fabrication method. For example, the region illustrated with perpendicular lines may have a form to be rounded or with a predetermined curvature. Thus, regions exemplified in the drawings have attributes, and shapes thereof exemplify specific forms rather than limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In the various embodiments of this specification, terms such as ‘first’ and ‘second’ et cetera are used to describe various elements, but these elements should not be limited to such terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from others. The embodiments explained and exemplified herein may include complementary embodiments thereto.
The terms used in this specification is to explain the embodiments rather than limiting the present disclosure. In this specification, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms, such as ‘comprise” and/or “comprising” do not preclude the potential existences of one or more elements.
When describing the following specific embodiments, various kinds of specific contents are made up to explain the present disclosure in detail and to help understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent for those who have knowledge to the extent of understanding the present disclosure that the present disclosure can be used without any of these specific contents. In a certain case when describing the present disclosure, the content that is commonly known to the public but is largely irrelevant to the present disclosure is not described in order to avoid confusion.
Hereinafter, the configuration, functions and operating method of a continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure according to an embodiment is described.
A continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to include multiple adsorption units 10. An adsorption unit 10 includes a housing that has an inlet part 2 for introducing external air and an outlet part 3 for discharging carbon dioxide-removed air, and a plurality of adsorbent modules 20 installed within the housing and composed of carbon dioxide adsorbents.
Further, in the adsorption units 10, the adsorbent modules 20 are stacked with a predetermined spacing, and a guide plate 21 is included, connecting one corner of one adsorbent module 20 to the opposite corner of another adsorbent module 20. Therefore, inlet gas contacts the adsorbent module 20 perpendicularly to its planar surface by a guide plate 21, allowing the gas to pass through the adsorbent module 20 in its thickness direction.
These adsorption units 10 are connected in plurality. The adsorption units 10 are configured to sequentially undergo adsorption mode and regeneration mode and to always operate in adsorption mode in a set number of adsorption units 10. The ratios of adsorption, regeneration, and the number of units may be set to optimize the total amount adsorbents required, the time ratio of regeneration and adsorption, equipment cost and operating cost.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is designed so that the inlet air passes through the adsorbent modules 20 uniformly (with uniform differential pressure) in adsorption mode, and the regenerated streams pass through the adsorbent modules 20 uniformly in regeneration mode.
As shown in
An inlet header 4 and an exhausting header 5 may be installed to allow gas to pass through each adsorbent module 20 uniformly (with uniform differential pressure). Therefore, gas is introduced into the inlet header 4 and uniformly supplied to the adsorbent modules through outlet holes of the inlet header 4.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, this header structure is not applied to an adsorption unit 10 operating in adsorption mode but is installed only in the regeneration zone. When the adsorption unit 10 is located in the regeneration zone, the regenerated streams are passed through the adsorbent modules 20 uniformly via the headers, thereby enabling the adsorbent modules 20 to be regenerated at a uniform rate.
In addition, as shown in
Hereinafter, an operating method of the aforementioned continuous direct air capture system with a low differential pressure is described in more detail.
As mentioned above, an adsorption unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected in plurality. The adsorption unit 10 sequentially undergoes adsorption mode and regeneration mode and always operates in adsorption mode in a set number of adsorption units
More specifically, the adsorption unit 10 undergoes sequential cyclic process of adsorption mode, temperature increase mode, heating mode, regeneration mode, cooling mode, and adsorption mode.
Additionally, a suction valve 30 is provided at an inlet part 2 to introduce gas according to the mode. An outlet valve 40 is provided an outlet part 3 to exhaust gas passed through adsorbent modules according to the mode.
Furthermore, a controller controls the suction valve 30 and the outlet valve 40 according to adsorption mode, temperature increase mode, heating mode, regeneration mode, and cooling mode.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction valve 30 and the outlet valve 40 are 5-ways valves.
The suction valve 30 includes a suction connection port 31 connected to the inlet part 2 of an adsorption unit 10, an air inlet port 32 for introducing air in adsorption mode, a preheating inlet port 33 for introducing preheated gas in temperature increase mode, a heating inlet port 34 for introducing heated gas in heating mode, a regeneration inlet port 35 for introducing regenerated gas, and a cooling inlet port 36 for introducing coolant in cooling mode. Basically, a suction connection port 31 is always open. The air inlet port 32 opens only in adsorption mode, the preheating inlet port 33 opens only in temperature increase mode, the heating inlet port 34 opens only in heating mode, the regeneration inlet port 35 opens only in regeneration mode, and the cooling inlet port 36 opens only in cooling mode
On the other hand, the outlet valve 40 is configured to include an outlet connection port 41 connected to the outlet part 3 of the adsorption unit 10, an air outlet port 42 for discharging air passed through the adsorption unit 10 in adsorption mode, a preheating outlet port 43 for discharging heated gas that has passed through an adsorption unit in temperature increase mode, a heating outlet port 44 for discharging heated gas that has passed through an adsorption unit in heating mode, a regeneration outlet port 45 for discharging regenerated gas that has passed through an adsorption unit in regeneration mode, and a cooling outlet port 46 for discharging coolant passed through an adsorption unit. Basically, an outlet connection port 41 is always open. The air outlet port 42 opens only in adsorption mode, the preheating outlet port 43 opens only in temperature increase mode, the heating inlet port 44 opens only in heating mode, the regeneration outlet port 45 opens only in regeneration mode, and the cooling inlet port 46 opens only in cooling mode.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Further, the configuration and method of the embodiments as described above are not restrictively applied to the aforementioned apparatus and method. The whole or part of the respective embodiments may be selectively combined so as to make various modifications of the embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0190750 | Dec 2023 | KR | national |
