Patent Application
20240198278
The present disclosure relates to sorbent material composite articles and structures for supporting the sorbent material composite articles during adsorption and desorption processes for direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels associated with greenhouse gas emission are shown to be harmful to the environment. As reported by the Climate.gov article “Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide,” the 2019 average CO2 level in the atmosphere was 409.8 ppm, the highest level that has been noted in the past 800,000 years. The rate of increase of CO2 in the atmosphere is also reported to be much higher than the rates in previous decades.
In order to limit climate change to acceptable levels, it is not only necessary to reduce CO2 emissions in the near future to zero but also to achieve negative CO2 emissions. Several possibilities exist in order to achieve negative emissions, e.g. combustion of biomaterials for the generation of electricity combined with CO2 capture from the combustion flue gas and subsequent CO2 sequestration (BECCS) or direct air capture (DAC) of CO2.
Capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere, referred to as DAC, is one of several means of mitigating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and has attractive economic perspectives as a non-fossil, location-independent CO2 source for the commodity market and for the production of synthetic fuels. The specific advantages of CO2 capture from the atmosphere include: a) DAC can address the emissions of distributed sources (e.g. vehicles . . . land, sea and air), which account for a large portion of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and can currently not be captured at the site of emission in an economically feasible way; b) DAC can address legacy emissions and can therefore create truly negative emissions, and c) DAC systems do not need to be attached to the source of emission but may be location independent and can be located at the site of further CO2 processing or usage.
There is increasing motivation to develop and improve upon the structures for facilitating adsorption and desorption cycles for sorbent material such that these processes may be performed more efficiently.
A direct air capture (DAC) device and methods of controlling the same are disclosed herein. In one example (“Example 1”), a shelving unit for a DAC device is configured to support at least one sorbent article therein and having an upstream location and a downstream location for transporting steam. The shelving unit includes a set of support members forming a plurality of housing portions in which the sorbent article is housed. The support members include first support members extending parallel to each other in a first orientation and second support members extending parallel to each other in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The second support members include an internal channel configured to receive the desorbing media, and a plurality of openings through which the desorbing media that is received in the internal channel is configured to pass into the housing portion in which the sorbent article is housed to facilitate adsorption.
In another example (“Example 2”) further to Example 1, the shelving unit includes a manifold defining at least one inlet configured to receive the desorbing media at the upstream location of the frame, and the internal channel is configured to extend from and fluidly coupled with the inlet for the internal channel to receive the desorbing media.
In another example (“Example 3”) further to Example 1 or 2, the internal channel includes a plurality of extension portions formed around the openings on a surface of the second support members and extending inwardly into the internal channel from the surface.
In another example (“Example 4”) further to Example 3, the extension portions define a reservoir formed in the internal channel and configured to collect water condensation inside the internal channel.
In another example (“Example 5”) further to any one of the preceding Examples, the second support members further include: at least one cooling channel located inside the internal channel and configured to facilitate collecting water by cooling the steam located inside the internal channel.
In another example (“Example 6”) further to Example 5, the second support members further include: at least one heating element located inside the internal channel and configured to generate the steam using the water collected inside the internal channel by heating the water located inside the internal channel.
In another example (“Example 7”) further to any one of the preceding Examples, the shelving unit includes a perforation control mechanism operatively coupled with the openings configured to control opening and closing of the openings.
In one example (“Example 8”), a direct air capture (DAC) device has an upstream location and an opposing downstream location with an inflow received by the DAC device at the upstream location. The DAC device also includes a plurality of first cartridges disposed adjacent to each other with each first cartridge supporting a plurality of first sorbent articles, the plurality of first cartridges disposed proximate to the upstream location. The DAC device also includes a plurality of second cartridges disposed adjacent to each other with each second cartridge supporting a plurality of second sorbent articles, the plurality of first cartridges disposed between the upstream location and the plurality of second cartridges. The DAC device also includes at least one channel extending from the upstream location through the plurality of first cartridges and through the plurality of second cartridges, a first portion of the at least one channel disposed to deliver a first portion of the inflow to the plurality of first cartridges and a second portion of the at least one channel disposed to deliver a second portion of the inflow to the plurality of second cartridges.
In another example (“Example 9”) further to Example 8, the DAC device also includes a manifold disposed between the inflow and the at least one channel.
In another example (“Example 10”) further to Example 8 or 9, the second portion of the inflow does not pass through the first plurality of cartridges.
In another example (“Example 11”) further to any one of Examples 8-10, the first and second portions of the inflow each have a same concentration of a component as the first portion of the inflow engages the plurality of first cartridges and the second portion of the inflow engages the plurality of second cartridges.
In another example (“Example 12”) further to any one of Examples 8-11, the at least one channel includes a plurality of extension portions formed around openings and extending inwardly into the at least one channel.
In another example (“Example 13”) further to any one of Examples 8-12, the extension portions define a reservoir formed in the at least one channel and configured to collect water condensation inside the at least one channel.
In another example (“Example 14”) further to any one of Examples 8-13, the at least one channel includes a cooling channel configured to facilitate collecting water by cooling steam located inside the at least one channel.
In another example (“Example 15”) further to any one of Examples 8-14, the at least one channel includes a heating element configured to generate steam using the water collected inside the at least one channel by heating the water located inside the at least one channel.
In another example (“Example 16”) further to any one of Examples 8-15, the DAC device further includes a perforation control mechanism operatively coupled with the openings configured to control opening and closing of the openings.
In one example (“Example 17”), a direct air capture (DAC) device has an upstream location and an opposing downstream location with an inflow received by the DAC device at the upstream location. The DAC device includes a plurality of cartridges disposed adjacent to each other with each cartridge supporting a plurality of sorbent articles, the plurality of cartridges including top cartridges disposed above bottom cartridges, the top and bottom cartridges each extending between the upstream and downstream locations. The DAC device also includes a top channel disposed above the top cartridges and extending along a length of the top cartridges to collect water provided by a top portion of the inflow. The DAC device also includes a bottom channel disposed below the bottom cartridges and extending along a length of the bottom cartridges to collect water provided by a bottom portion of the inflow. The DAC device also includes a middle channel disposed between the top and bottom cartridges and extending along at least one of the top cartridge length and the bottom cartridge length to collect water provided by a middle portion of the inflow. The DAC device also includes a common outlet disposed to receive water from at least one of the top channel, the middle channel, and the bottom channel. The top channel includes a top-channel upper surface disposed over a top-channel lower surface within the top channel, the top-channel lower surface including reservoirs and perforations disposed between the reservoirs, the top-channel upper surface including top-channel drip points shaped to collect water over the top-channel reservoirs, the top-channel reservoirs communicating to deliver the water to a top-channel outlet communicating with the common outlet.
In another example (“Example 18”) further to Example 17, the bottom channel includes a bottom-channel upper surface disposed over a bottom-channel lower surface within the bottom channel, the bottom-channel lower surface including a bottom-channel reservoir, the bottom-channel upper surface including perforations defining bottom-channel drip points shaped to collect water over the bottom-channel reservoir, the bottom-channel reservoir communicating to deliver the water to a bottom-channel outlet communicating with the common outlet.
In another example (“Example 19”) further to Example 17 or 18, the middle channel includes a middle-channel upper surface disposed over a middle-channel lower surface within the middle channel, the middle-channel lower surface including reservoirs and perforations disposed between the reservoirs, the middle-channel upper surface including perforations defining middle-channel drip points shaped to collect water over the middle-channel reservoirs, the middle-channel reservoirs communicating to deliver the water to a middle-channel outlet communicating with the common outlet.
In another example (“Example 20”) further to any one of Examples 17-19, at least one of the top channel, the bottom channel, and the middle channel is angled to use gravity to increase a delivery of water to the common outlet.
In another example (“Example 21”) further to any one of Examples 17-20, the DAC device further includes a manifold disposed between the inflow and at least one of the top channel, the bottom channel, and the middle channel.
In another example (“Example 22”) further to any one of Examples 17-21, the top channel includes a top-channel cooling channel configured to facilitate collecting water by cooling steam located inside the top channel.
In another example (“Example 23”) further to any one of Examples 17-22, the top channel includes a top-channel heating element configured to generate steam using the water collected inside the top channel by heating the water located inside the top channel.
In another example (“Example 24”) further to any one of Examples 17-23, the bottom channel includes a bottom-channel cooling channel configured to facilitate collecting water by cooling steam located inside the bottom channel.
In another example (“Example 25”) further to any one of Examples 17-24, the bottom channel includes a bottom-channel heating element configured to generate steam using the water collected inside the bottom channel by heating the water located inside the bottom channel.
In another example (“Example 26”) further to any one of Examples 17-25, the middle channel includes a middle-channel cooling channel configured to facilitate collecting water by cooling steam located inside the middle channel.
In another example (“Example 27”) further to any one of Examples 17-26, the middle channel includes a middle-channel heating element configured to generate steam using the water collected inside the middle channel by heating the water located inside the middle channel.
In another example (“Example 28”) further to any one of Examples 17-27, the DAC device further includes a perforation control mechanism operatively coupled with the perforations configured to control opening and closing of the perforations.
In one example (“Example 29”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: receiving information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first location; initiating a method of separating a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a second location, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the method of separating includes the use of the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and initiating a reporting of data regarding the second quantity.
In one example (“Example 30”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: receiving information about a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide; separating a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the method of separating includes the use of the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and reporting data regarding the second quantity.
In one example (“Example 31”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: transmitting information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first location; requesting initiation of a method of separating a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a second location, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the method of separating includes the use of the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and receiving a reporting of data regarding the second quantity.
In one example (“Example 32”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: receiving, from a computing device, a first electronic communication comprising information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first location; initiating a separating, by a carbon capture device, of a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a second location, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the carbon capture device is the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and initiating a reporting of data associated with the carbon capture device regarding the second quantity, wherein the data forms part of a second electronic communication.
In another example (“Example 33”) further to Example 32, the second electronic communication is configured to be transmitted to the computing device.
In another example (“Example 34”) further to Example 32 or 33, the second electronic communication is configured to be transmitted to an additional computing device.
In one example (“Example 35”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: receiving, from a computing device, a first electronic communication comprising information about a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide; separating, by a carbon capture device, a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the carbon capture device is the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and reporting, as a second electronic communication, data associated with the carbon capture device regarding the second quantity.
In another example (“Example 36”) further to Example 35, the second electronic communication is configured to be transmitted to the computing device.
In another example (“Example 37”) further to Example 35 or 36, the second electronic communication is configured to be transmitted to an additional computing device.
In one example (“Example 38”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: transmitting, to a computing device, a first electronic communication comprising information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first location; requesting a separating, by a carbon capture device, of a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a second location, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the carbon capture device is the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and receiving a second electronic communication comprising an indication of a reporting of data associated with the carbon capture device regarding the second quantity.
In another example (“Example 39”) further to Example 38, the second electronic communication is received from the computing device.
In another example (“Example 40”) further to Example 38 or 39, the second electronic communication is received in response to transmitting the first electronic communication.
In one example (“Example 41”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: receiving information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first location; initiating a separating of a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a second location, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the separating includes the use of the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and initiating a reporting of data regarding the second quantity.
In one example (“Example 42”), a method for removing gaseous carbon dioxide from an atmosphere includes: transmitting information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a first location; requesting a separating a second quantity of gaseous carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a second location, the second quantity being at least a portion of the first quantity, wherein the separating includes the use of the device of any one of Examples 1-28; and receiving a reporting of data regarding the second quantity.
The foregoing Examples are just that, and should not be read to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of any of the inventive concepts otherwise provided by the instant disclosure. While multiple examples are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative examples. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature rather than restrictive in nature.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
This disclosure is not meant to be read in a restrictive manner. For example, the terminology used in the application should be read broadly in the context of the meaning those in the field would attribute such terminology.
With respect to terminology of inexactitude, the terms “about” and “approximately” may be used, interchangeably, to refer to a measurement that includes the stated measurement and that also includes any measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement. Measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement deviate from the stated measurement by a reasonably small amount as understood and readily ascertained by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Such deviations may be attributable to measurement error, differences in measurement and/or manufacturing equipment calibration, human error in reading and/or setting measurements, minor adjustments made to optimize performance and/or structural parameters in view of differences in measurements associated with other components, particular implementation scenarios, imprecise adjustment and/or manipulation of objects by a person or machine, and/or the like, for example. In the event it is determined that individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts would not readily ascertain values for such reasonably small differences, the terms “about” and “approximately” can be understood to mean plus or minus 10% of the stated value.
Furthermore, the term “direct air capture (DAC) device” is defined to include examples with a single DAC cartridge and with multiple DAC cartridges (in a stacked configuration, for example, as further explained herein). The term “DAC cartridge” is defined to include a single frameless or framed structure (with any suitable framework defining the shape and size of the structure, as further explained herein) that is at least partially filled with sorbent material composite article(s) and can be used for capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere. As defined herein, a DAC device is also referred to as a carbon capture device capable of carrying out any method for separating gaseous CO2 from a gas mixture in the form of ambient air. Example sorbent articles and cartridges supporting sorbent articles are further disclosed in International Publication Nos. WO 2022/187730 (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.) and WO 2022/187733 (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
The present disclosure relates to devices for use in direct air capture (DAC) to adsorb and separate one or more desired substances from a source stream or flow, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) from a dilute feed stream, such as air. Such DAC devices may also be used in other adsorbent methods and applications. These methods include, but are not limited to, adsorption of substances from various inputs, including other gas feed streams (e.g., combustion exhaust) and liquid feed streams (e.g., ocean water). The adsorbed substance is not limited to CO2. Other adsorbed substances may include, but are not limited to, other gas molecules (e.g., N2, CH4, and CO), liquid molecules, and solutes. In certain embodiments, the input may be dilute, containing on the order of parts per million (ppm) of the adsorbed substance.
An example of articles and techniques for DAC includes using an article including a substrate such as a monolith that can support or be coated with a sorbent material. Variations are established by changing the type of substrate and the sorbent that is used. However, these previously established articles and methods present limitations in the ability to efficiently cycle between adsorbing and desorbing states. They also have limitations with respect to the energy required to perform the process.
Many times, swing adsorption is a very energy intense process. Whether Pressure Swing, Temperature Swing or Moisture Swing, energy is needed during many of the phases of operation.
As an example, in Temperature-Vacuum Swing Adsorption (TVSA) for Direct Air Capture (DAC) of CO2, the adsorption step may require fans to force large volumes of air through an air contactor, such as ceramic monolith or plate-pack having a series of adjacent plates with a spacing therebetween. At a point when the operator deems it useful to begin desorption (usually when the contactor has adsorbed an amount of CO2), the fans may be turned off or deactivated to terminate the adsorption phase.
Once the adsorption phase terminates, the inlet and outlet of the module are closed, which provides a seal for negative pressure. Next, vacuum may be applied to evacuate air within the module and steam is applied to increase the temperature to the point where the sorbent releases CO2. This CO2 is then pumped out of the module space and is further processed to remove humidity. Of the aforementioned processes, the desorption step requires significant energy to heat and then cool the module. During desorption, the temperature in the entire module volume must be increased from ambient (which, depending on geographic location, may be extremely cold) to the temperature which facilitates CO2 removal from the sorbent. In many cases steam is used for this increase in temperature since steam is efficient at transferring heat to a substance. An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of a DAC system by providing a module which is capable of variable volume. As an example, the air contactor or module may have one volume during the adsorption step which allows air to flow through it at a very low pressure, thereby facilitating adsorption of CO2 and at least a second, reduced volume during the desorption step which provides an energy savings by reducing the amount of volume that needs to be increased in temperature. Reducing the volume will also reduce the energy required to apply negative pressure, although in some cases the negative pressure maybe the force that causes the volume reduction.
Similarly, in moisture swing and pressure swing adsorption processes, it is the desorption step that is typically the most energy intensive. In moisture swing, energy used in moving moisture to the contactor and energy used in drying the contactor once the CO2 is desorbed from it. In pressure swing, energy is used to apply pressure to the sorbent to cause the CO2 to release from it. In both cases it may also be beneficial to provide an air contactor or module which is capable of variable volume configurations. Current state air contactors and modules are deficient in this respect.
The shelving unit 101 has two types of dividers: a first divider 108 and a second divider 110, which separate the different housing portions 104 from each other. The first divider 108 in some examples may be substantially vertical, and the second divider 110 in some examples may be substantially horizontal. As further disclosed therein, there may be additional different orientations that can be assumed by the dividers. The dividers 108 and 110 may divide the internal volume of the shelving unit 101 into rows and columns of individual housing portions 104, such that the articles 106 or cartridges of articles 106 may be inserted into their respective housing portions. The dividers 108, 110 and the frame structure 102 may include holes or perforations (not shown explicitly in
The shelving unit 101 may also have a distribution plate 112 or manifold which operates to evenly distribute the incoming fluid, such as air and/or desorbing media stream 103a or flow (represented schematically by a large arrow), into smaller and more numerous fluid media streams 103b, 103c, and 103d or flows (represented schematically by smaller and more numerous arrows; see
As shown, the frame structure 102 of the shelving unit 101 may be a single, unitary construct which includes multiple compartments or housing portions (spaces) 104 for discretization of the sorbent articles 106. The sorbent articles 106 or cartridges of sorbent articles may be stored or housed within each compartment/housing portion 104 such that different types of sorbent articles may be stored or housed within different compartments/housing portions, as well as reducing the need for the individual sorbent articles to be self-supporting or supported by cartridges.
The shelving unit 101 may facilitate passage of airflow in to, out from, and between different compartments/housing portions 104 so as to allow air to flow from one location to another. Such airflow facilitates drying of the sorbent articles after being subjected to desorbing media (e.g., steam) during adsorption and desorption processes. As further disclosed herein, the shelving unit 101 may include means of collecting condensation formed during the adsorption and desorption processes (e.g., water formed as a result of steam vapor condensation). In some examples, the condensation that is collected may be reused in a subsequent adsorption and desorption process, thereby providing efficient cycling of desorbing media. In some examples, the condensation that is collected may be redirected to a drainage outlet. The shelving unit 101 may include localized or integrated heating/cooling features such as a circuit for providing chilled water and a heating element to form steam vapor from the liquid water collected in the shelving unit 101, as further disclosed herein.
In
In
In some examples, the media stream 103 passing through the DAC device 100 may be any suitable feed stream during each cycle of adsorption and desorption. The feed stream may be the air passing through the DAC device 100, and the one or more components may include CO2 or any other aforementioned gas molecules, for example. In some examples, desorbing the articles 106 may include submerging the articles 106 into a desorption source such as water (or alternatively using steam or heat as the desorption source in some examples) in order to desorb the CO2. The feed stream may then escape from the DAC device 100 as gas or vapor.
As shown in
In
The frame structure 102 of the shelving unit 101 which supports at least one sorbent article 106 therein has an upstream location 202a and a downstream location 202b facilitating the passage of desorbing media. The shelving unit 101 includes at least one manifold 202 defining at least one inlet 204 configured to receive the desorbing media 203a at the upstream location 202a of the shelving unit 101. The shelving unit 101 also includes a set of support members or support structure (also referred to as the dividers 108 and 110) forming a plurality of housing portions (or spaces) 104 in which the sorbent article is housed. The first support members or dividers 108 extend parallel to each other in a first orientation, and the second support members or dividers 110 extend parallel to each other in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The orientations may be vertical and horizontal, and based on the orientation of the shelving unit 101 the designation may be interchangeable; for example, the first support members or dividers 108 are the “vertical” members in
With further reference to
In some examples, a single channel 200 may have a first set of perforations 206A facing one way and a second set of perforations 206B facing another (opposite) way, where the two sets may direct the desorbing media into different housing portions (or spaces) 104 within the shelving unit 101. A single support member or divider 110 may, in some examples, include a first surface (e.g., top surface) 208A defining a first set of openings or perforations 206A, and a second surface (e.g., bottom surface) 208B opposite from the first surface and defining a second set of openings or perforations 206B, such that the first set of openings or perforations 206A are positioned offset from the second set of openings or perforations 206B. In some examples, the openings or perforations 206 have various opening sizes configured to evenly distribute the desorbing media across different sections of the housing portion. For example, the openings or perforations 206 located closer to the upstream location 202a of the frame 102 may have smaller opening sizes compared to the openings or perforations 206 located closer to the downstream location 202b of the frame 102.
In the example illustrated in
In some examples, only the uppermost second support member 110A may include perforations 206B along only the bottom surface 208B of the support member 110A, and only the lowest horizontal support member 110B may include perforations 206A along only the top surface 208A of the support member 110B. As the desorbing media 203a enters, the desorbing media 203b travels through the hollow horizonal support members 110 and exits through the perforations 206 (e.g., as the flow of media stream 103c shown in
Beneficially, as illustrated in
Referring to the combination of
Referring to
In some examples, the manifold 204 may be disposed between the inflow 203a and at least one of the top channel 200A, the bottom channel 2000, and the middle channel 200B. Referring to
Referring back to
When the collection of liquid water reaches a critical size within the reservoir 304 or on another water-receiving surface to cause water droplets to form, the forces of surface tension and gravity will act upon the water droplets to fall downward. The shelving unit 101 is designed to collect liquid water from the sorbent articles 106 above, such as via the dimpled perforations guiding water to enter the frame structure 102, and this prevents or reduces the chance of the upper sorbent articles (e.g., 106A, 106B, 106C) located in an upper housing portion causing the lower the sorbent articles (e.g., 106D, 106E, 106F) located in a lower housing portion to receive water from the upper articles and be soaked with water from condensation received from adjacent articles.
The locations of the dimpled surfaces 306 and the reservoirs 304 may be configured in such a way that the dimpled surfaces 306 and the perforations 206 are not in alignment with respect to a vertical axis, for example being offset from each other to inhibit flow through from an upper article to a lower article. Furthermore, in some examples, the lowest second support member 110B may have a substantially flat portion that forms a shallow or low-volume reservoir 304C as illustrated in
In
In some examples, the tilt may be defined by the angle (ϕ) between the first orientation of the first support member or divider 108 and the second orientation of the second support member or divider 110, or by a corresponding angle provided in articles 106 or cartridges supporting articles 106. When the first support members 108 are vertical and the second support members 110 are horizontal (or the articles/cartridges provide corresponding vertical and horizontal surfaces), the angle ϕ therebetween is 90 degrees. In the tilted configuration, the angle ϕ therebetween may be from 30 degrees to 35 degrees, from 35 degrees to 40 degrees, from 40 degrees to 45 degrees, from 45 degrees to 50 degrees, from 50 degrees to 55 degrees, from 55 degrees to 60 degrees, from 60 degrees to 65 degrees, from 65 degrees to 70 degrees, from 70 degrees to 75 degrees, from 75 degrees to 78 degrees, from 78 degrees to 80 degrees, from 80 degrees to 83 degrees, from 83 degrees to 85 degrees, from 85 degrees to 87 degrees, from 87 degrees to 89 degrees, from 30 degrees to 89 degrees, or any other suitable range or value therebetween. As such, the condensation is directed toward the outlet 400 as caused by the tilt such that the condensation collected from the sorbent articles 106 in the housing portions 104 flow toward a predetermined direction, using gravity to increase a delivery of water to the outlet 400.
In
In some examples, steam is created within the shelving unit 101 using a submerged heating element 504. Since steam may have a temperature that is at or greater than 100 degrees C. at sea level atmospheric pressures, a chilled water circuit (which may be part of or included in the cooling channel 500) can be included just above water level to control temperature by changing the temperature and flow rate of the circuit (e.g., in the cooling channel 500). Condensation in the chamber or space (e.g., of the housing portion 104) can also be recollected into the same shelving unit 101. Beneficially, by generating steam closer to the sorbent article 106, heat losses may be reduced, insulation design may be improved, and tighter control may be achieved. Chilled water may also beneficially serve to cool down chamber or spacing (e.g., of the housing portion 104) to reduce cycle time.
In some examples, the heating element 504 may include integrated heating of individual sorbent articles 106 of packages of sorbent articles 106. For example, integrated flexible resistive heaters (with holes) may act as active insulation to reduce the need for heating individual chambers of the housing portions 104. The heating elements 504 may also take the form of a jacket disposed around all or part of the sorbent articles 106. Beneficially, pre-heating of the sorbent articles 106 may also reduce condensation. In some examples, steam may be directed to point upward or downward as shown by the bold arrows in
As such, when aligned in a first configuration such that the perforations 206 and 602 are in line with each other, fluid may be allowed to pass through the perforations and into the surrounding environment from within the channel 200. In a second configuration where the perforations 206 and 602 are in a staggered configuration, the wall of the divider 108 or 110 may block the perforations 602, and the wall of the mechanism 600 may block the perforations 206, thereby preventing fluid from flowing therethrough. The user or the device which controls the opening and closing of the perforations may do so by, for example, twisting and/or sliding the mechanism 600 with respect to the divider 108 or 110 in order to switch between the first (open) configuration and the second (closed) configuration. Alternatively, the mechanism 600 may include tabs or flaps which may be activated to open or close the respective perforations 206 in the divider 108 or 110, in order to switch between the first and second configurations.
In some examples, the frame structure 102 of the shelving unit 101 includes a first set of support members 108 and a second set of support members 110, each of which is hollow and defines an internal channel 200 to be used during adsorption and desorption processes. In some examples, chilled water may pass through the first support members 108 to cool down the frame 102 in order to cool down the desorbing media and form condensation. Furthermore, hot steam may pass through the first and second support members to heat up the frame 102 in order to heat up the condensation to provide water vapor inside the frame 102. The water vapor may then be provided back into the sorbent articles 106 through holes or openings 206 (not shown) in the second support members 110, continuing the adsorption and desorption cycle. In some examples, the openings may be controllable to close or open as needed at different stages during adsorption and desorption.
In some examples, the individual sorbent articles 106 may be removed from the shelving unit 101 and replaced with another sorbent article 106, for example when replacing the old sorbent material(s) contained inside the shelving unit 101 with new sorbent material(s). The removing and replacing of the sorbent articles 106 may be performed without removing the entire DAC device 100 from inside the DAC reactor, such that if only one sorbent article needs to be removed, it may be removed (and subsequently replaced) without affecting one or more of the other cartridges that form the DAC device 100.
The second support members 110 includes the uppermost (top) support member 110A and the lowest (bottom) support member 110B such that the support member 110A includes a plurality of dimpled surfaces 306 (or dimpled portions of the surface) that are “closed” or having no openings therein, such that the dimpled surfaces 306 cause condensation formed on the surface to collect as droplets at the tip portion of the dimpled surface 306 as shown in
The shelving unit 101 of
Beneficially, switching steam supply circuit with chill water may reduce cycle time. Running steam supply in walls may provide active insulation and reduce condensation. Cooling water is prevented from exiting steam holes. The individual sorbent articles may potentially snap into walls of the shelving unit to add to a circuit while also providing structural support and assisting the locating of the sorbent articles.
Furthermore, beneficially, the shelving unit allows for discretized storage of sorbent articles. The shelving unit also provides uniform steam distribution to each sorbent article or modular cartridges of sorbent article. The shelving unit allows each sorbent article to cost less in both manufacturing and shipping by obviating the need for individual frames for each sorbent article. In some examples, the shelving unit facilitates cross-flow between sorbent articles, therefore facilitating water to be collected and reused as steam vapor (e.g., via heating by an external heating device) for a more self-sustaining DAC system, as well as for water to be drained more efficiently, for example using the tilted or angled configuration of the shelving unit as disclosed herein. In some examples, providing the shelving unit with integrated heating/cooling features allows for the cooling of the steam vapor inside the shelving unit in order to facilitate efficient formation of water to be used in a subsequent adsorption/desorption cycle, and/or heating of the collected water in order to facilitate efficient use of the desorbing media for a self-sustaining DAC system.
The sorbent material as referred to herein may include any suitable carbon dioxide adsorbing material which may include, but is not limited to, an ion exchange resin (e.g., a strongly basic anion exchange resin such as Dowex™ Marathon™ A resin available from Dow Chemical Company), zeolite, activated carbon, alumina, metal-organic frameworks, polyethyleneimine (PEI), or another suitable carbon dioxide adsorbing material, such as desiccant, carbon molecular sieve, carbon adsorbent, graphite, activated alumina, molecular sieve, aluminophosphate, silicoaluminophosphate, zeolite adsorbent, ion exchanged zeolite, hydrophilic zeolite, hydrophobic zeolite, modified zeolite, natural zeolites, faujasite, clinoptilolite, mordenite, metal-exchanged silico-aluminophosphate, uni-polar resin, bi-polar resin, aromatic cross-linked polystyrenic matrix, brominated aromatic matrix, methacrylic ester copolymer, graphitic adsorbent, carbon fiber, carbon nanotube, nano-materials, metal salt adsorbent, perchlorate, oxalate, alkaline earth metal particle, ETS, CTS, metal oxide, chemisorbent, amine, organo-metallic reactant, hydrotalcite, silicalite, zeolitic imidazolate framework and metal organic framework (MOF) adsorbent compounds, and combinations thereof, for example as further disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 18/199,506 (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Also disclosed herein are methods for removing gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere using any suitable means, methods, processes, or devices for atmospheric CO2 removal as disclosed herein. In some examples, a carbon dioxide removal service provider that may be a person, a device, an atmospheric processing facility, a carbon dioxide removal plant, software, an internet site, an electronic interface, an organization, or a corporate agent or entity (that may include a control center, a headquarters, a data management center, an intermediary data collection or processing center, or facilitating organizations that provide information and/or control functions for or services to the provider) or an electronic device or display associated with or accessible to the provider may receive and/or become aware of information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous CO2 in the atmosphere at a first location. The information may be complete, partial, derivative, or a summary and may be received in the form of an electronic display, an electronic alert, a notification, or other electronic communication (e.g., an email message, a telephone call, or a video call) and may include digital data representing the amount of gaseous CO2 being dispersed at the first location (e.g., in tons of CO2) and/or the rate of dispersion (e.g., in tons of CO2 per minute, hour, day, etc.) as well as the data associated with the first location, such as a name of the city and/or country, GPS location, weather information, etc. In some examples, the information may be in the form of an electronic communication (e.g., first electronic communication) that includes information about the dispersion of the first quantity of gaseous CO2 into the atmosphere at the first location that may be received from and/or provided to a computing and/or electronic display device.
The carbon dioxide removal service provider may initiate an immediate or subsequent separating of or a method of separating a second quantity of gaseous CO2 at a second location which may be different from the first location. The second location may be located remote to the first location such as, for example, when the first location is in a populated commercial area and the second location is near a geothermal or other hazardous energy source that powers the separating process at the second location. The second quantity may be at least a portion of the first quantity such as from 0% to 10%, from 10% to 20%, from 20% to 30%, from 30% to 40%, from 40% to 50%, from 50% to 60%, from 60% to 70%, from 70% to 80%, from 80% to 90%, from 90% to 100%, or any other suitable value, combination, or range therebetween. The second quantity may be a portion of the first quantity or the entirety of the first quantity, and the second quantity may be associated with a partial delivery of a carbon removal service involving multiple separating cycles. The separating may include any suitable method or process as disclosed herein or the use of any suitable device as disclosed herein. In some examples, the separating may be initiated by the sending or transmitting of instructions or confirmation to a location that has the capability of performing such separating. In some examples, the separating may be performed by a carbon capture device capable of carrying out any method for separating gaseous CO2 from a gas mixture in the form of ambient air, as disclosed herein. In some examples, the distance from the first location to the second location may be from 100 km to 200 km, from 200 km to 500 km, from 500 km to 800 km, from 800 km to 1000 km, from 1000 km to 2000 km, from 2000 km to 3000 km, from 3000 km to 4000 km, from 4000 km to 5000 km, from 5000 km to 6000 km, from 6000 km to 7000 km, from 7000 km to 8000 km, from 8000 km to 9000 km, from 9000 km to 10,000 km, from 10,000 km to 15,000 km, from 15,000 km to 20,000 km, or any other suitable value or range therebetween.
The carbon dioxide removal service provider may initiate a reporting of data regarding the second quantity that will be, is being, or has been removed from the atmosphere. The initiating may be initial steps taken to start an immediate or subsequent reporting of data that may be performed via any suitable means of electronic communication or data transmission which may be wired or wireless. In some examples, the reporting may involve the preparing of information to be included in such reporting or later reporting and the subsequent sending or transmitting of instructions or confirmation to another entity or device which has the capability of starting or fully performing such reporting. The reported data may be associated with the carbon capture device as disclosed herein regarding the second quantity. For example, the carbon capture device may generate or provide data associated with the separating of the second quantity of gaseous CO2, which may be obtained from the carbon capture device directly or indirectly (e.g., via an intermediary entity or device). In examples, at least a part of the data generated by the carbon capture device is provided in an electronic communication. As another example, the data may be summarized or otherwise processed, such that an indication of the data is provided in an electronic communication (e.g., second electronic communication). In some examples, the second electronic communication may be transmitted to the computing or display device. In some examples, the second electronic communication may be transmitted to an additional computing or display device that may be separate or different from the aforementioned computing or display device.
In some examples, the method for removing gaseous CO2 from the atmosphere may involve a carbon dioxide removal service provider (as described above) that may receive and/or become aware of information about a first quantity of gaseous CO2 which may include a dispersion of gaseous CO2. The information may be complete, partial, derivative, or a summary and may be received in the form of an electronic display, an electronic alert, a notification, or other electronic communication (e.g., an email message, a telephone call, or a video call) and may include digital data representing the amount of gaseous CO2 being dispersed at the first location (e.g., in tons of CO2) and/or the rate of dispersion (e.g., in tons of CO2 per minute, hour, day, etc.) as well as the data associated with the first location, such as a name of the city and/or country, GPS location, weather information, etc. Such quantity may represent the amount of gaseous CO2 being dispersed at a location (e.g., in tons of CO2) and/or the rate of dispersion (e.g., in tons of CO2 per minute, hour, day, etc.). In some examples, the information may be received as an electronic communication from another entity or device which sends or transmits instructions concerning gaseous CO2 removal as disclosed herein. In some examples, an electronic communication (e.g., first electronic communication) that includes information about the dispersion of the first quantity of gaseous CO2 that may be received from and/or provided to a computing and/or electronic display device.
The carbon dioxide removal service provider may separate or begin separation of a second quantity of gaseous CO2 from the atmosphere, where the second quantity is at least a portion of the first quantity such as from 0% to 10%, from 10% to 20%, from 20% to 30%, from 30% to 40%, from 40% to 50%, from 50% to 60%, from 60% to 70%, from 70% to 80%, from 80% to 90%, from 90% to 100%, or any other suitable value, combination, or range therebetween. The second quantity may be a portion of the first quantity or the entirety of the first quantity, and the second quantity may be associated with a partial delivery of a carbon removal service involving multiple separating cycles. The separating may include any suitable method or process as disclosed herein or the use of any suitable device as disclosed herein. In some examples, the separating may be performed by a carbon capture device capable of carrying out any method for separating gaseous CO2 from a gas mixture in the form of ambient air, as disclosed herein.
The carbon dioxide removal service provider may report the data regarding the second quantity that will be, is being, or has been removed from the atmosphere. The reporting of data may be performed via any suitable means of electronic communication or data transmission which may be wired or wireless. In some examples, the reporting may be in response to receiving instructions or confirmation as transmitted from another entity or device which has the capability of starting or fully performing such reporting. The reported data may be associated with the carbon capture device as disclosed herein regarding the second quantity. For example, the carbon capture device may generate or provide data associated with the separating of the second quantity of gaseous CO2, which may be obtained from the carbon capture device directly or indirectly (e.g., via an intermediary entity or device). In examples, at least a part of the data generated by the carbon capture device is provided in an electronic communication. As another example, the data may be summarized or otherwise processed, such that an indication of the data is provided in an electronic communication (e.g., second electronic communication). In some examples, the second electronic communication may be transmitted to the computing or display device. In some examples, the second electronic communication may be transmitted to an additional computing or display device that may be separate or different from the aforementioned computing or display device.
In some examples, the method for removing gaseous CO2 from the atmosphere may involve a carbon dioxide removal service provider (as described above) that may transmit, emit, or send out information about a dispersion of a first quantity of gaseous CO2 into the atmosphere at a first location. The information may be complete, partial, derivative, or a summary and may be received in the form of an electronic display, an electronic alert, a notification, or other electronic communication (e.g., an email message, a telephone call, or a video call) and may include digital data representing the amount of gaseous CO2 being dispersed at the first location (e.g., in tons of CO2) and/or the rate of dispersion (e.g., in tons of CO2 per minute, hour, day, etc.) as well as the data associated with the first location, such as a name of the city and/or country, GPS location, weather information, etc. The transmitting may be an emitting and/or a sending out performed via any suitable means of electronic communication or data transmission which may be wired or wireless that may not be received by the intended recipient or any recipient. In some examples, the information may be in the form of an electronic communication (e.g., first electronic communication) that includes information about the dispersion of the first quantity of gaseous CO2 into the atmosphere at the first location that may be transmitted, emitted, and/or sent out to a computing device with such transmission, emitting, and/or sending out not necessarily being received by any recipient.
The carbon dioxide removal service provider may request an immediate or subsequent separating of or a method of separating a second quantity of gaseous CO2 from the atmosphere at a second location. The second location may be located remote to the first location such as, for example, when the first location is in a populated commercial or industrial area and the second location is near a geothermal or other hazardous energy source that powers the separating process at the second location. The second quantity may be at least a portion of the first quantity such as from 0% to 10%, from 10% to 20%, from 20% to 30%, from 30% to 40%, from 40% to 50%, from 50% to 60%, from 60% to 70%, from 70% to 80%, from 80% to 90%, from 90% to 100%, or any other suitable value, combination, or range therebetween. The second quantity may be a portion of the first quantity or the entirety of the first quantity, and the second quantity may be associated with a partial delivery of a carbon removal service involving multiple separating cycles. The separating may include any suitable method or process as disclosed herein or the use of any suitable device as disclosed herein. The requesting of the separating or an initiation of the separating may be performed via any suitable means of electronic communication or data transmission which may be wired or wireless. In some examples, the requesting may be by sending, emitting, or transmitting of instructions to a start command to a location that has the capability of starting or fully performing such separating. In some examples, the separating may be performed by a carbon capture device capable of carrying out any method for separating gaseous CO2 from a gas mixture in the form of ambient air, as disclosed herein. In some examples, the distance from the first location to the second location may be from 100 km to 200 km, from 200 km to 500 km, from 500 km to 800 km, from 800 km to 1000 km, from 1000 km to 2000 km, from 2000 km to 3000 km, from 3000 km to 4000 km, from 4000 km to 5000 km, from 5000 km to 6000 km, from 6000 km to 7000 km, from 7000 km to 8000 km, from 8000 km to 9000 km, from 9000 km to 10,000 km, from 10,000 km to 15,000 km, from 15,000 km to 20,000 km, or any other suitable value or range therebetween.
The carbon dioxide removal service provider may receive a reporting, an indication of such reporting, and/or an indication of an availability of data regarding the second quantity that will be, is being, or has been removed from the atmosphere. The receiving of the reporting does not require examination or review by a human, may be achieved by simply making the reporting accessible even if subsequently never reviewed or acknowledged, and/or may be performed via any suitable means of electronic communication or data transmission which may be wired or wireless. In some examples, the receiving of the reporting may regard the second quantity, such as how much of the gaseous CO2 was separated within a predetermined amount of time, for example within a day, a week, a month, etc. The reported data may be associated with the carbon capture device as disclosed herein regarding the second quantity. For example, the carbon capture device may generate or provide data associated with the separating of the second quantity of gaseous CO2, which may be obtained from the carbon capture device directly or indirectly (e.g., via an intermediary entity or device). In examples, at least a part of the data generated by the carbon capture device is provided in an electronic communication. As another example, the data may be summarized or otherwise processed, such that an indication of the data is provided in an electronic communication (e.g., second electronic communication). In some examples, the second electronic communication is received from the computing device. In some examples, the second electronic communication is received in response to the transmitting of the first electronic communication. In some examples, the second electronic communication is received from the computing or display device in response to the transmitting of the first electronic communication to the computing or display device.
As used herein, “receiving” information is to be understood as an act of “receiving” which requires only one party (or entity, device, etc.) to perform, such that a separate party for performing the act of “sending” is not required.
As used herein, “initiating” a separating (or a method of separating) is to be understood as an act of “initiating” that includes an initial or completed act of preparing or dispatching instructions to another party or device with the intent that there is an execution or start of a separating process or the association of an already started separating process with the initiating step. For example, the act of “initiating” the separating of gaseous CO2 may cause a carbon capture device to subsequently receive an instruction, either directly or indirectly (e.g., via intermediary entities or devices) to initiate the separating, in response to which the carbon capture device operates accordingly. In another example, the act of “initiating” a separating (or a method of separating) gaseous CO2 may include a carbon dioxide removal service provider associating carbon dioxide that has already been removed from the atmosphere (or presently in an active removal process) with a subsequent initiating of a separating. It will be appreciated that the instruction received by the carbon capture device need not be provided as part of such an “initiating” operation. Further, the act of “separating” of the CO2, for example, is therefore not necessarily part of the act of “initiating” such separating, such as when the “initiating” of the separating is performed by a first party and the subsequent “separating” itself is performed by a second party different from the first party. Furthermore, the act of “separating” does not need to be accomplished or fully completed, either by the first party or the second party. It will also be appreciated that the act of initiating can be fully performed in one jurisdiction or country even though an acknowledgement of the initiating or an act subsequent to or associated with the initiating takes place in a different jurisdiction or country.
As used herein, “initiating” a reporting (e.g., of data) is to be understood as an act of “initiating” that includes the initial or complete act of preparing or dispatching instructions to another party to prepare, start, or complete the reporting at a later time. The act of “reporting” any data, for example, is therefore not necessarily part of the act of “initiating” such reporting, such as when the “initiating” of the reporting is performed by a first party (the initiating party) and the “reporting” itself is performed by a second party (the reporting party) different from the first party (the initiating party). Furthermore, the act of “reporting” does not need to be accomplished or fully completed, either by the first party or the second party. It will be appreciated that the act of initiating can be fully performed in one jurisdiction or country even though an acknowledgement of the initiating or an act subsequent to or associated with the initiating takes place in a different jurisdiction or country.
As used herein, “reporting” data is to be understood as an act of “reporting” which may require only one party (reporting party) to perform. Furthermore, the act of “reporting” does not require the receipt (or confirmation of receipt) of such reporting by another party (receiving party). The reporting may be a storage of the data or display of the data at a location that is accessible to an intended recipient, and may still be considered to be a reporting even when the intended recipient does not access or review the data.
As used herein, “transmitting” information is to be understood as an act of “transmitting” which may require only one party (the transmitting party) to perform. Furthermore, the act of “transmitting” does not require a receiver (e.g., receiving party) or receipt (e.g., confirmation of receipt) of the information that is transmitted.
As used herein, “requesting” a separating (or initiation of a method of separating) is to be understood as an act of “requesting” which may require only one party (the requesting party) to perform. Also, the act of “separating” which is requested by the act of “requesting” may be performed by another party (the separating party). Furthermore, the act of “requesting” may be only intended or started and does not need to be accomplished or fully completed (e.g., when no separating results from the act of “requesting” such separating). In an example, the act of “requesting” a separating (or initiation of a method of separating) of gaseous CO2 may include a carbon dioxide removal service provider associating carbon dioxide that has already been removed from the atmosphere (or presently in an active removal process) with a subsequent request for a separating. It will be appreciated that the act of requesting can be fully performed in one jurisdiction or country even though an acknowledgement of the requesting or an act subsequent to or associated with the requesting takes place in a different jurisdiction or country.
As used herein, “receiving” a reporting or an indication of the reporting is to be understood as an act of “receiving” which does not require a sender (e.g., sending party). The receiving may be a storage of the data or display of the data at a location that is accessible to an intended recipient, and may still be considered to be a receiving even when the intended recipient does not access or review the data.
As can be appreciated, the first quantity, the second quantity, and the portion of the first quantity may be estimated or projected values. It can be further appreciated that carbon dioxide gas released or dispersed at the first location may not necessarily include or be the same CO2 molecules separated or collected at the second location, and that the second quality may be an equivalent quantity of CO2 that was released or dispersed. The CO2 in the portion of the first quantity may be in a non-gaseous form. The portion of the first quantity or the second quantity may refer to carbon dioxide that is entrapped in the sorbent as disclosed herein or that has been stored or otherwise converted into another form. The portion of the first quantity or the second quantity may also include gases other than carbon dioxide. For example, the second quantity may be in a non-gaseous form or combined with other materials.
As used herein, a “carbon capture device” refers to any one or more devices as disclosed herein that is capable of separating gaseous CO2 from the atmosphere at the location at which the device is installed or located. The carbon capture device may refer to a single device or a plurality of devices, or a facility containing therein one or more such devices or component devices that act in concert. The device may include, for example, the desorbing media source(s) and the adsorber structure(s) as disclosed herein. The device may be operable by a user or operator using an electronic device. The device may generate data associated with its operation, for example as may be detected by one or more sensors and/or as may include log data, among other examples.
As used herein, an “electronic device” is capable of performing one or more electronic operations, for example a computer, smartphone, smart tablet, etc. The electronic device may include for example a display device and/or one or more processing units and one or more memory units. The processing unit may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, system on a chip (SoC), or any other processor capable of performing such operations. The memory unit may by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs or instructions thereon which, when run on the processing unit, causes the processing unit or the electronic device to perform one or more methods as disclosed herein. The memory unit may include one or more memory chips capable of storing data and allowing storage location to be accessed by the processing unit(s), for example a volatile or non-volatile memory, static or dynamic random-access memory, or any variant thereof. In some examples, the electronic device may be referred to as a computing device.
Technical advantages of removing gaseous CO2 from an atmosphere using the methods or processes as disclosed herein includes, but are not limited to, facilitating a network of entities and/or devices that are capable of communicating with other entities and/or devices in order to remotely provide instructions or facilitating separation and removal of gaseous CO2 without requiring to be physically at the location to do so. Furthermore, the methods and processes as disclosed herein provide a robust network of interinstitutional communication such that each entity (which may be an institution associated with a physical location) is capable of directing or initiating the separation and removal of gaseous CO2 at multiple locations simultaneously, as well as having the capability of flexibly changing the location at which separation and removal of gaseous CO2 is determined to be removed. The change in location may be performed at or near real-time such that there is minimal time lag between when the instructions are provided and when the separating of gaseous CO2 takes place at the designated location, for example. In some examples, the methods or processes as disclosed herein provides a flexible communication network in which the entity or device which performs the separation and removal of gaseous CO2 at the designated location may provide a timely reporting (e.g., operation summary and/or invoice for the service rendered) associated with the amount of gaseous CO2 that was removed during a predetermined time period. Such reporting may be generated automatically or manually, may be generated at a predetermined time interval (e.g., once every day, week, month, etc.) or more flexibly as manually determined (e.g., each time a user or entity requests), or may be generated in response to achieving or exceeding a predetermined threshold, including but not limited to the amount of gaseous CO2 that was separated and removed from the atmosphere (e.g., every 1 ton, 5 tons, 10 tons, etc., of gaseous CO2 that was removed from the atmosphere), and any other suitable conditions as determined and agreed upon by the entities involved, for example.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/433,949, filed Dec. 20, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/611,314, filed Dec. 18, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63433949 | Dec 2022 | US | |
| 63611314 | Dec 2023 | US |
