University of Illinois

K James Hay

Mark J Rood

David Johnsen

Kaitlin Mallouk

Byung Joon Kim

Zaher Hashisho

Hamidreza Emamipour

Patrick Sullivan

The invention provides gas purification systems for the recovery and liquefaction of low boiling point organic and inorganic gases, such as methane, propane, CO, NH, and chlorofluorocarbons. Many such gases are in the effluent gas of industrial processes and the invention can increase the sustainability and economics of such industrial processes. In a preferred system of the invention, low boiling point gases are adsorbed with a heated activated carbon fiber material maintained at an adsorption temperature during an adsorption cycle. During a low boiling point desorption cycle the activated carbon fiber is heated to a desorption temperature to create a desorption gas stream with concentrated low boiling point gases. The desorption gas stream is actively compressed and/or cooled to condense and liquefy the low boiling point gases, which can then be collected, stored, re-used, sold, etc. Particular systems of the invention include an active condensation loop that actively cools and/or compresses a desorption gas stream from said vessel to liquefy low boiling point gases.

Gas purification system for liquefaction of dilute gas components

The invention provides gas purification methods and systems for the recovery and liquefaction of low boiling point organic and inorganic gases, such as methane, propane, CO, NH, and chlorofluorocarbons. Many such gases are in the effluent gas of industrial processes and the invention can increase the sustainability and economics of such industrial processes. In a preferred method of the invention, low boiling point gases are adsorbed with a heated activated carbon fiber material maintained at an adsorption temperature during an adsorption cycle. During a low boiling point desorption cycle the activated carbon fiber is heated to a desorption temperature to create a desorption gas stream with concentrated low boiling point gases. The desorption gas stream is actively compressed and/or cooled to condense and liquefy the low boiling point gases, which can then be collected, stored, re-used, sold, etc. Systems of the invention include an active condensation loop that actively cools and/or compresses a desorption gas stream from said vessel to liquefy low boiling point gases.

Gas purification system and method for liquefaction of dilute gas components

A preferred embodiment steady state tracking desorption system achieves steady tracking of either a fixed sorbate output set point, or a set point that changes over time. The system includes an electrically heated thermal adsorption/desorption device A temperature sensor senses the temperature of an adsorbent material within the adsorption/desorption device. A sorbate sensor senses a sorbate level from an outlet of the adsorption/desorption device. A power sensor senses the power supplied by the desorption device. A controller interprets levels sensed by the temperature sensor, the sorbate sensor and the power sensor and provides a signal to achieve steady set point tracking of a sorbate level from the outlet of the adsorption/desorption device.

Steady state tracking desorption system and method

An adsorption/desorption unit includes a hollow enclosure containing one or more elongate hollow elements of activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) of appropriate length to cross sectional area to provide suitable electrical resistance for heating. The elements conduct electrical current to heat to a temperature that permits selective adsorption of a gas stream constituent and subsequent desorption to recover sorbate. An enclosure houses the ACFC elements and is arranged to direct gas stream flow through the elements and into and out of the enclosure via gas ports. The ability to heat the elements to a desired temperature by electrical current flow allows for straightforward implementation of selective adsorption. After an adsorption step, altering the temperature of the element or elements enables desorption. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the enclosure with the element also includes a liquid condensate outlet and liquid sorbate is directly recovered as liquid from the same unit used for adsorption and desorption.

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Mahomet, IL, United States of America

K James Hay