Patent Application
20220008866
The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the field of removing carbon dioxide gas, and specifically to an apparatus for absorbing and removing carbon dioxide gas from an enclosed space.
Life support systems that are utilized in enclosed spaces such as submarines, spacecraft or space suits require the continuous removal of carbon dioxide. A regenerative carbon dioxide removal system is utilized for this purpose and commonly includes amine beds that are placed in contact with a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. The amine beds adsorb carbon dioxide from the air stream through commonly understood chemical processes and reactions.
An amine bed is utilized until it is saturated to a selected saturation level. The selected saturation level can be a saturation level where the amine bed can no longer efficiently remove carbon dioxide from an air stream or any saturation level less than the saturation level where the amine bed can no longer efficiently remove carbon dioxide from the air stream. Another amine bed is then switched into contact with the carbon dioxide laden air stream. The saturated amine bed is then desorbed to expel carbon dioxide in preparation for the next cycle.
According to one embodiment, a monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus is provided. The monolithic swing bed absorption including a first bed. The first bed including a bed housing including a first side and a second side, a first manifold section extending from the first side to the second side within the bed housing, a filtration section extending from the first side to the second side within the bed housing, and a second manifold section extending from the first side to the second side within the bed housing. The filtration section being interposed between the first manifold section and the second manifold section. The monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus is a single piece including a unitary structure.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus is a monolithic structure formed via an additive manufacturing technique.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the additive manufacturing technique is powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the first bed further includes a first screen portion interposed between the first manifold section and the filtration section, and a second screen portion interposed between the filtration section and the second manifold section.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the first manifold section, the filtration section, and the second manifold section have an engineered open cell structural geometry configured to increase flow and filtration.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the open cell structural geometry is a Kelvin cell geometry.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the bed housing further includes a first opening in the first side of the bed housing. The first opening in the first side being aligned with the first manifold section. The bed housing further includes a second opening in the first side of the bed housing. The second opening in the first side being aligned with the filtration section. The bed housing further includes a first opening in the second side of the bed housing. The first opening in the second side being aligned with the second manifold section.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a first end portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a second bed and a parting sheet interposed between the first bed and the second bed.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a first end portion, a second bed, a third bed, a fourth bed, and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion.
According to another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus is provided. The method including: forming a first bed, including: forming, using an additive manufacturing technique, a bed housing including a first side and a second side; forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a first manifold section extending from the first side to the second side within the bed housing; forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a filtration section extending from the first side to the second side within the bed housing; and forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a second manifold section extending from the first side to the second side within the bed housing, the filtration section being interposed between the first manifold section and the second manifold section. The monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus is a single piece including a unitary structure.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the additive manufacturing technique is powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus is a monolithic structure formed by the additive manufacturing technique.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the forming the first bed further includes: forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a first screen portion interposed between the first manifold section and the filtration section; and forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a second screen portion interposed between the filtration section and the second manifold section.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the first manifold section, the filtration section, and the second manifold section have an engineered open cell structural geometry configured to increase flow and filtration.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the open cell structural geometry is a Kelvin cell geometry.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the forming the first bed further includes: forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a first opening in the first side of the bed housing, the first opening in the first side being aligned with the first manifold section; forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a second opening in the first side of the bed housing, the second opening in the first side being aligned with the filtration section; and forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a first opening in the second side of the bed housing, the first opening in the second side being aligned with the second manifold section.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a first end portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a second bed; and forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a parting sheet interposed between the first bed and the second bed.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a first end portion; forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a second bed; forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a third bed; forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a fourth bed; and forming, using the additive manufacturing technique, a second end portion located opposite the first end portion.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
A multi-piece swing bed absorption apparatus for the amine beds are typically constructed utilizing a complex arrangement of a multitude of brazed amine support features, filters, and screens. The assembly process is complex and time consuming due to the multitude of parts involved. The brazing process is a process that requires the entire housing to be exposed to a temperature sufficient to form the desired brazed joints and leaves being visible joints and seams. Embodiments disclosed herein seek to simplify the assembly process by reducing the number of components and eliminating brazing entirely and eliminating any joints on the structure that are left over from brazing.
Referring now to
Advantageously, by manufacturing the monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 as a monolithic structure using additive manufacturing it eliminates the manufacturing and/or procurement of all the separate components in the multi-piece assembly, which saves cost and time. Also advantageously, by manufacturing the monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 as a monolithic structure using additive manufacturing it eliminates the need to braze all of the separate components of a multi-piece swing bed absorption apparatus, which saves cost and time. Also advantageously, by avoiding the need to braze any components together, different materials may be utilized for the monolithic structure that would have not be utilized previously due to the excess heat involved in brazing. Additionally, the potential for leaks or leak paths from numerous brazed joints is eliminated and thus an all-around more robust design is created.
The monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 is composed of two or more beds 240. The two or more beds 240 are formed stacked on top of each other. The beds 240 may be formed one bed 240 at a time, such as, for example, starting from the second end portion 220 and moving to the first end portion 210, or starting from the first end portion 210 and moving to the second end portion 220. The monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 of
Referring now to
It is understood that while the exemplary monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 of
The filtration section 270 is interposed between the first manifold section 250 and the second manifold section 290. The first screen portion 260 is interposed between the first manifold section 250 and the filtration section 270. The second screen portion 280 is interposed between the filtration section 270 and the second manifold section 290. Advantageously, since the first screen portion 260 is produced via additive manufacturing there is no need for a screen frame. Previously designs that were produced via brazing techniques required a separate screen and a separate screen frame be assembled together. The screen frame would provide structural support to the screen, which is no longer necessary in the present design. Also advantageously, since the second screen portion 280 is produced via additive manufacturing there is no need for a screen frame.
Through the use of additive manufacturing, material of the first manifold section 250, the filtration section 270, and the second manifold section 290 are no longer limited to a foam or foam-like material, as in previous designs. The first manifold section 250, the filtration section 270, and the second manifold section 290 may be shaped by the additive manufacturing technique to have an engineered open cell structural geometry configured to increase flow and filtration over previous designs. In other words, the engineered open cell structural geometry performs flow optimization and filtration. The open cell structural geometries may include but are not limited to a Kelvin cell geometry. In an embodiment, the first manifold section 250 may have the same engineered open cell structural geometry as the second manifold section 290.
The bed housing 242 includes a first opening 245 in a first side 243 of the bed housing 242 and a second opening 247 in the first side 243 of the bed housing 242. The first opening 245 is aligned with the first manifold section 250 and the second opening 247 is aligned with the filtration section 270.
The bed housing 242 includes a first opening 246 in a second side 244 of the bed housing 242 and a second opening 248 in the second side 244 of the bed housing 242. The first opening 246 is aligned with the second manifold section 290 and the second opening 248 is aligned with the filtration section 270. In an embodiment, the second opening 248 may not be present.
Air 208 to be filtered is configured to flow into the monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 through the first opening 245 in the first side 243 of the bed housing 242, through the first manifold section 250, then through the first screen portion 260, then through the filtration section 270, then through the second screen portion 280, then through the second manifold section 290 and then through a first opening 246 in the second side 244 of the bed housing 242 to exit the monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200.
The filtration section 270 is desorbed to expel carbon dioxide in preparation for the next cycle by exposing the bed to a vacuum.
Referring now to
At block 602, a first bed 240a is formed comprising the steps of blocks 604, 606, 608, and 610. In an embodiment, blocks 604, 606, 608, and 610 may occur simultaneously or near simultaneously as each of the bed housing 242, the first manifold section 250, the filtration section 270, and the second manifold section 290 are built up in layers.
At block 604, a bed housing 242 comprising a first side 243 and a second side 244 is formed using an additive manufacturing technique. At block 606, a first manifold section 250 extending from the first side 243 to the second side 244 is formed within the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. At block 608, a filtration section 270 extending from the first side 243 to the second side 244 is formed within the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. At block 610, a second manifold section 290 extending from the first side 243 to the second side 244 is formed within the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. The filtration section 270 being interposed between the first manifold section 250 and the second manifold section 290.
The monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 is a single piece comprising a unitary structure.
The monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus 200 is a monolithic structure formed by the additive manufacturing technique. In an embodiment, the additive manufacturing technique is powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
The method 600 may further comprise that a first screen portion 260 is formed interposed between the first manifold section 250 and the filtration section 270 using the additive manufacturing technique. The method 600 may further comprise that a second screen portion 280 is formed interposed between the filtration section 270 and the second manifold section 290 using the additive manufacturing technique. In an embodiment, the first manifold section 250, the filtration section 270, and the second manifold section 290 have an engineered open cell structural geometry configured to perform filtration. In another embodiment, the open cell structural geometry is a Kelvin cell geometry. In is understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to geometries other than the Kelvin cell geometry.
The method 600 may further comprise that a first opening 245 is formed in the first side 243 of the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. The first opening 245 in the first side 243 being aligned with the first manifold section 250. The method 600 may further comprise that a second opening 247 is formed in the first side 243 of the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. The second opening 247 in the first side 243 being aligned with the filtration section 270. The method 600 may further comprise that a first opening 246 is formed in the second side 244 of the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. The first opening 246 in the second side 244 being aligned with the second manifold section 290. The method 600 may further comprise that a second opening 248 is formed in the second side 244 of the bed housing 242 using the additive manufacturing technique. The second opening 248 in the second side 244 being aligned with the filtration section 270. The second opening 248 may not be present.
The method 600 may further comprise that a first end portion 210 is formed using the additive manufacturing technique.
The method 600 may further comprise that a second bed 240b is formed using the additive manufacturing technique and a parting sheet 230 interposed between the first bed 240a and the second bed 240b is formed using the additive manufacturing technique.
The method 600 may additionally comprise that a first end portion 210, a second bed 240b, a third bed 240c, a fourth bed 240d, and a second end portion 220 located opposite the first end portion 210 are each formed using the additive manufacturing technique.
While the above description has described the flow process of
Technical effects and benefits of the features described herein include forming a monolithic swing bed absorption apparatus through additive manufacturing.
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
