Carbon Capture

Brian J Holman

Saeb M Besarati

Noah David Liebman

William Tod Gross

Dan Fang

Mazdak Kebria

Eric W Colbert

David Wait

Alex Welch

Jonas Lee

Andrea Pedretti

Eric Colbert

Systems and methods for modular and adaptable carbon dioxide (CO) capture, separation, and storage in a variety of disparate site locations are provided. The systems and methods include utilizing a plurality of transportable, mass-producible, and stackable COcapture modules locally arranged in a cluster serviced by modular or locally fixed utilities modules that are in turn serviced by centralized plant services facilities, which may be dedicated to the COcapture system or may alternatively be shared with other co-located operations. The COcapture modules comprise a plurality of sorbent reactors, each comprising removable sorbent cartridges which may be easily exchanged for maintenance or upgrade purposes. The COsorbent reactors are alternatively operated in adsorption and desorption modes and synchronized with each other within the sorbent module and the corresponding cluster to achieve continuous operation.

Modular open systems architecture direct air capture platform

A modular structure accommodating structured sorbent in a parallel plate arrangement for the separation of gases, such as the removal of COfrom air in a direct air capture process is provided. The modular structure includes individual units which act as support structures for the sorbent, and the individual units can be assembled into a larger bed of arbitrary dimensions. The sorbent includes parallel plates through which fluid can flow in many directions (at least two perpendicular directions), with additional features in the support structure that mitigate bypassing effects and reduce parasitic thermal mass. A method for integrating sensors into the bed to understand the performance of the bed in gas separation while minimizing damage to the structure or disruption to performance is also provided.

Modular structures to contain structured sorbent materials for gas separation processes

Systems and methods for providing regeneration heat to a sorbent material and subsequently recovering a significant portion of the heat are provided. The systems and methods are useful, for example, for energy-efficient direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO) from the atmosphere or flue gases. The systems and methods include introducing steam generated by an evaporator into a reactor of the system to directly heat sorbent material in the reactor and to purge desorbed COfrom the reactor using the steam. Water condensing within the reactor is drained and returned to the evaporator. The purged steam and COfrom the reactor are directed to a vapor re-compressor to lift their temperature and then to a condenser or re-boiler where the water is condensed and separated from the COand latent heat transferred to the cooling water is recovered, optionally via use of a jet ejector.

Mechanical vapor re-compressor heat pump for separating COfrom water vapor in temperature-vacuum swing adsorption cycles

The present invention uses an inert gas medium to heat an adsorbent bed and effect desorption of one or more chemical moieties adsorbed thereon. In particular, the invention is useful for the desorption of COfrom adsorption beds utilized for direct air capture (DAC) of COas well as adsorption beds utilized for capture of COfrom flue gases. The inert gas medium is heated to the necessary sorbent desorption temperature and passed through a COadsorbent bed to bring it up to the proper desorption temperature and effect desorption. Once the bed is fully desorbed, the CO-enriched gas medium is passed through one or more condensers to separate the inert gas medium from the COproduct.

Carbon capture process utilizing inert gas medium to assist thermal desorption

The direct air capture (DAC) systems and methods efficiently and economically regenerate a desiccant bed without adding any thermal energy and without requiring any pressurization or depressurization of the desiccant reactors. The methods leverage water concentration differences in stream flows, the water concentration profile across a desiccant bed, and, optionally, exothermic water adsorption. These three elements, working in combination, are referred to as 'reverse dry flow regeneration' or a 'reverse dry air swing' regeneration process. Systems and methods for reverse flow regeneration include those for CODAC applications, but they are also applicable to point source carbon capture and other similar technologies that require initial gas dehydration before exposure to a hydrophilic material.

Continuous processes and systems to reduce energy requirements of using zeolites for carbon capture under humid conditions

Solid sorbents, and especially zeolites, are attractive candidates for COdirect air capture (DAC) and point source capture applications because of their potential for high selectivity, fast kinetics, and low energy COcapture cycles. A common issue with solid sorbents, including zeolites, is their low thermal conductivity, which makes them difficult to heat for regeneration without using complex and expensive heat transfer systems. This invention utilizes a modified TVSA process which utilizes the product COgas itself as the heating medium for the adsorbent bed, alone or in conjunction with internal or external heaters. The use of COas a heating medium allows efficient heating of the sorbent bed and enables high purity COproduct.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Brian J Holman