WO2024232890A1

WO2024232890A1 - Systems and methods for optimizing carbon dioxide capture using temperature management

Info

Publication number: WO2024232890A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/026240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Szymon Pawel Modelski; Douglas Beadie; Anindya Kanti De; Raub Warfield Smith
Original assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
Current assignee: GE Vernova Infrastructure Technology LLC
Priority date: 2023-05-09
Filing date: 2023-06-26
Publication date: 2024-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-09

Abstract

A capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide, the capture system including at least one adsorbent bed including at least one adsorption module and a sorbent. The at least one adsorbent bed is oriented to receive a gas stream, adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the sorbent, and discharge an exhaust stream. The capture system also includes a contactor oriented to receive a regulating fluid for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, the regulating fluid stream including a cold stream and a hot stream, wherein the contactor includes a cold stream valve oriented to receive the cold stream and a hot stream valve oriented to receive the hot stream. The capture system further includes a controller configured to modulate the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE USING TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to capture systems and, more specifically , to systems and methods that facilitate optimizing the temperature of an absorbent bed for the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide gas.

[0002] At least some known industrial and power generation processes may result in the production of a gas stream containing contaminants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2). To facilitate removing the contaminants from the gas stream prior to an exhaust stream being released into the atmosphere, at least some known systems include a capture system. For example, capture systems may be used to capture CO2 and store the CO2 underground to facilitate reducing an amount of CO2 undesirably released into the atmosphere.

[0003] At least some known capture systems use an adsorbent bed to capture CO2. In some of such capture systems, a sorbent material may be used with the adsorbent bed to enhance the adsorption and desorption of CO2. To facilitate increasing the amount of CO2 captured, at least some known capture systems use direct heating and cooling of the adsorbent bed. However, direct heating and cooling may contaminate the sorbent matenal. Additionally , allowing the temperature of the adsorbent bed to increase dunng adsorption may reduce the efficiency of the capture system. Accordingly, there exists a need for capture systems that use temperature management to optimize the efficiency and productivity of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect, a capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The capture system includes at least one adsorbent bed including at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, the at least one adsorbent bed oriented to receive a gas stream, adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the sorbent, and discharge an exhaust stream. The capture system also includes a contactor oriented to receive a regulating fluid for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, the regulating fluid stream including a cold stream and a hot stream, wherein the contactor includes a cold stream valve oriented to receive the cold stream and a hot stream valve oriented to receive the hot stream. The capture system further includes a controller configured to modulate the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0005] In another aspect, a method for capturing carbon dioxide is provided. The method includes receiving, by at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, a gas stream, and receiving, by a contactor, a regulating fluid stream for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, wherein the regulating fluid stream comprises a cold stream and a hot stream. The method also includes adsorbing, via the sorbent, carbon dioxide from the gas stream and discharging, by the at least one adsorbent bed, an exhaust stream. The method further includes modulating the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary capture system that may be used to capture CO2

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic illustration of an exemplary adsorption module that may be used with the capture system of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an alternative exemplary capture system that may be used to capture CO2.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an exemplary control system that may be used with the capture systems of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternative capture system that may be used to capture CO2 [001 1 ] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another alternative capture system that may be used to capture CO2.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for capturing CO2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods that use sorbent temperature management to optimize the efficiency and productivity of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption. The advantages of the systems and methods described herein, over the prior art, include, at least: (i) increasing the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption and desorption due to the use of temperature of the adsorbent bed; (ii) increasing the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide desorption due to the use of changes in temperature of the adsorbent bed; and (iii) increasing the performance of the capture system due to the use of multiple adsorbent beds connected in senes by valves.

[0014] When introducing elements of various embodiments disclosed herein, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “compnsing,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0015] Unless otherwise indicated, approximating language, such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about,” as used herein indicates that the term so modified may apply to only an approximate degree, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, rather than to an absolute or perfect degree. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, for example, a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, for example, a “first” or lower-numbered item or a “third” or higher-numbered item.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary capture system 100 that may be used to capture CO2 using an adsorbent bed 102. Tn the exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes at least one adsorption module 104. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, adsorbent bed 102 includes four adsorption modules 104a-d. In some embodiments, capture system 100 may include more or less than four adsorption modules 104. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the adsorbent bed 102 includes an inlet 106 and an outlet 108. The inlet 106 and the outlet 108 are oriented such that during operation, a gas stream 110 received through the inlet 106 is channeled through each adsorption module 104 in series towards the outlet 108. As the gas stream 110 is channeled through each adsorption module 104, the adsorbent bed 102 captures CO2 from the gas stream 110 and discharges an exhaust stream 112 through the outlet 108 that is depleted of CO2.

[0017] Generally, the gas stream 110 may be any suitable gas known in the art that includes contaminants targeted for removal. For example, the gas stream 110 may be air, flue gas, post-combustion gas, natural gas, and/or combinations thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, the gas stream 110 includes CO2. In some embodiments, CO2 may be present in the gas stream 110 in a range of from about 400 ppm to about 15v%. In other embodiments, CO2 may be present in the gas stream 110 in a range of from about 0.04v% to about 30v%.

[0018] In the exemplary embodiment, the concentration of CO2 of the gas stream 110 is generally at its highest as the gas stream 110 enters the inlet 106. As CO2 is adsorbed by each subsequent adsorption module 104, the concentration of CO2 in the gas stream 110 is reduced as the gas stream 110 is channeled through the adsorption modules 104a-d towards the outlet 108. In the exemplary embodiment, the concentration of CO2 in the gas stream 110 flowing through the adsorption modules 104a-d is at its lowest at the outlet 108. [0019] In the exemplary embodiment, the adsorption module 104 includes a contactor 114. The contactor 114 includes a contactor inlet 118, a contactor outlet 120, and a fluid circuit 202 (shown in FIG. 2) defined between and extending from the contactor inlet 118 to the contactor outlet 120. In the exemplary embodiment, the adsorption module 104 also includes a plate 204 (shown in FIG. 2) on which a sorbent 116 is coated, in a solid form, to facilitate adsorbing CO2. For example, the sorbent 116 may be, but is not limited to only being, in the form of powder, composites mixed with binders, films or coating, packed bed, and/or columns. In some embodiments, the sorbent 116 may be the same within each adsorption module 104. In other embodiments, the sorbent 116 may be different within at least one adsorption module 104. In the exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 and the plate 204 are adjacent to each other to facilitate indirect heating and/or cooling of the sorbent 116 coated on the plate 204.

[0020] In the exemplary embodiment, a stream 122 received through the contactor inlet 118 facilitates modulating the temperature of the sorbent 116 coated on the plate 204 via heat transfer between the stream 122 flowing within the fluid circuit 202 (shown in FIG. 2) and the plate 204. For example, a regulated temperature T_rc« of the stream 122 may be used to increase or decrease a control temperature Tcnti of the adsorption module 104. In some embodiments, the stream 122 may be in a liquid form. In other embodiments, the stream 122 may be in a gaseous form. Convection between the stream 122 flowing through the fluid circuit 202 and the sorbent 116 coated on the plate 204 facilitates controlling a temperature of the sorbent 116 without the risk of contamination that could occur from direct contact with the stream 122.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment, the stream 122 is composed of a mixture of a cold stream 132 and a hot stream 134 and exits the contactor outlet 120 as mixed stream 123. The mixture of the cold stream 132 and the hot stream 134 facilitates modulating the temperature of the sorbent 116. For example, a mixture of the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132 and a hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 may be used to increase or decrease the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 in order to control the temperature T_cnti of the adsorption module 104. In some embodiments, the cold and hot streams 132, 134 each include water, HjO in either a liquid (e.g., water) or a gaseous (e.g., steam) form. For example, H2O may be present in the cold and hot streams 132, 134 in a range of from about 50v% to 100v%. Tn other embodiments, the cold and hot streams 132, 134 may each include a non-water fluid.

[0022] In the exemplary embodiment, the capture system 100 also includes a controller 124 that dynamically adjusts operation of the capture system 100. For example, the controller 124 may facilitate optimizing the capture of CO2 by changing the control temperature T_cnti of at least one adsorption module 104 and/or changing the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 by controlling the mixture of the cold stream 132 and the hot stream 134 as described further herein.

[0023] The controller 124 facilitates modulating the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-d by monitoring the temperature of the stream 122 and/or the temperature of the sorbent 116 across the plate 204 (shown in FIG. 2). For example, the controller 124 may monitor the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 using a contactor sensor 126 (shown in FIG. 4). Additionally, for example, the controller 124 may monitor the control temperature Tcnti of at least one adsorption module 104 using a module sensor

128 (shown in FIG. 4).

[0024] In operating conditions where the control temperature T_cnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is lower than desired, the controller 124 may selectively increase the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122, thereby indirectly increasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, in operating conditions where the control temperature T_CIlti of at least one adsorption module 104 is higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively decrease the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122, thereby indirectly reducing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module 104.

[0025] The controller 124 may also monitor the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 using a first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) and a second valve sensor

129 (shown in FIG. 4). For example, the first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) may monitor the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132 as the cold stream 132 flows through a first valve 142. Additionally, for example, the second valve sensor 129 (shown in FIG. 4) may monitor the hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 as the hot stream 134 flows through a second valve 144. [0026] In operating conditions where the control temperature T_cnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is lower than desired, the controller 124 may selectively increase the flow of the hot stream 134 through the second valve 144 and/or selectively decrease the flow of the cold stream 132 through the first valve 142, based on the hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 and/or the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132 as sensed by the first valve sensor 127 and/or the second valve sensor 129. Alternatively, in operating conditions where the control temperature Tcnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively decrease the flow of the hot stream 134 through the second valve 144 and/or selectively increase the flow of the cold stream 132 through the first valve 142, based on the hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 and/or the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132 as sensed by the first valve sensor 127 and/or the second valve sensor 129.

[0027] Additionally , in operating conditions where the control temperature Tend of at least one adsorption module 104 is lower or higher than desired, the hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 and/or the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132 may be modulated to change the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122.

[0028] Generally, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122, and thereby the temperature of the adsorption module 104, may be any suitable temperature known in the art that facilitates the capture of CO2 by the systems described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-d. In some embodiments, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104. In other embodiments, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 may vary across different adsorption modules 104a-d.

[0029] Additionally , the controller 124 may vary the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 within any of the adsorption modules 104a-d. For example, one or more adsorption modules 104a-d may include one or more module sensors 128 (shown in FIG. 4). Thus, the controller 124 may create a temperature profile that includes varied values of the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 within any or all of the adsorption modules 104a-d. [0030] The regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 may be based on the temperature of an extraction flow (not shown) from a steam turbine (not shown). For example, the steam turbine may be part of a combined cycle power plant (not shown), with the extraction flow from the steam turbine being used to change the temperature of the stream 122. In some embodiments, the extraction flow may heat the stream 122 through convective transfer via one or more heat exchangers (not shown) either directly in lieu of mixing the cold and hot streams 132, 134 or indirectly to heat the hot stream 134.

[0031] Additionally, the controller 124 may facilitate modulating the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-d by monitoring the flow of the stream 122. For example, the controller 124 may monitor the flow of the cold stream 132 and/or the hot stream 134 entering the adsorption module 104 using the first valve sensor 127 (shown in FIG. 4) and/or the second valve sensor 129 (shown in FIG. 4). In operating conditions where the control temperature Tcnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is lower and/or higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively change the flow of the cold stream 132 through the first valve 142 and/or the flow of the hot stream 134 through the second valve 144 depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing CO2. In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates modulating the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-d by concurrently monitoring the flow and temperature of the stream 122.

[0032] Furthermore, the controller 124 may facilitate modulating the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-d by monitoring the flow of the mixed stream 123 through a third valve 146. For example, the controller may monitor the flow of the mixed stream 123 exiting the adsorption module 104 using a third valve sensor 147 (shown in FIG. 4). In operating conditions where the control temperature T_cnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is lower and/or higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively change the flow of the mixed stream 123 through the third valve 146 depending on whether the adsorption module 104 is adsorbing or desorbing CO2. In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 facilitates modulating the temperature of each adsorption module 104a-d by concurrently monitoring the flow and temperature of the mixed stream 123. [0033] Generally, the hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 and the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132, and thus the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 and the control temperature T_cnti of the adsorption module 104, may be any suitable temperature known in the art that facilitates the capture of CO2 by the systems described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-d. In some embodiments, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a-d. In other embodiments, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 may vary across different adsorption modules 104a-d.

[0034] Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the mixed stream 123 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-d, based on the hot temperature Thot of the hot stream 134 and/or the cold temperature T_cid of the cold stream 132. In some embodiments, the temperature of the mixed stream 123 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a-d. In other embodiments, the temperature of the mixed stream 123 may vary across different adsorption modules 104a-d.

[0035] Generally, the flow of the stream 122 and the mixed stream 123 may be any suitable flow known in the art that facilitates the capture of CO2 by the systems described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, the flow of the stream 122 is monitored within each adsorption module 104a-d. In some embodiments, the flow of the stream 122 may be substantially uniform across each adsorption module 104a-d. In other embodiments, the flow of the stream 122 may vary across different adsorption modules 104a-d.

[0036] Generally, the temperature of the gas stream 110 entering the fourth adsorption module 104d is higher than the temperature of the gas stream 110 entering any of the first through third adsorption modules 104a-c due to the heat generated by the exothermic process of adsorbing CO2. Thus, the temperature of the gas stream 110 generally increases from the adsorption of CO2 as the gas stream 110 is channeled from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the mixed stream 123 varies across different adsorption modules 104a-d based on the control temperature T_cnti of and heat generation within each adsorption module 104a-d. For example, the temperature of the mixed stream 123 may be lowest for the fourth adsorption module 104d to maximize CO2 capture from the gas stream 1 10 at its lowest CO2 content across the adsorption modules 104a-d. Additionally, for example, the temperature of the mixed stream 123 may be highest for the first adsorption module 104a to manage CO2 capture during the adsorption mode of operation for which the gas stream 110 at its highest CO? content across the adsorption modules 104a-d.

[0037] By varying the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 and/or the temperature of the mixed stream 123 across different adsorption modules 104a-d, the controller 124 may facilitate optimizing the adsorption of CO2 of the adsorbent bed 102 by increasing an adsorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. Generally, increasing a percentage of module capacity used by at least one adsorption module 104a-d increases the efficiency of the capture system 100. For example, varying the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 and/or the temperature of the mixed stream 123 across adsorption modules 104a-d to decrease the control temperature T_cnti of subsequent adsorption modules 104a-d may increase the percentage of module capacity used by the subsequent adsorption modules (such as adsorption modules 104b-d), thereby increasing the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0038] Additionally , for example, varying the adsorption and/or desorption cycle times within at least one adsorption module 104a-d may increase the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent bed 102. Generally, varying adsorption and/or desorption cycle times based on temperature increases the efficiency of the capture system 100. For example, concurrently increasing the adsorption cycle time and decreasing the control temperature T_cnti of at least one adsorption module 104a-d may increase the percentage of module capacity used by the at least one adsorption module 104a-d, thereby increasing the efficiency of the capture system 100.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the adsorption module 104 including the contactor 114 and the plate 204. In the exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 includes the fluid circuit 202 extending between the contactor inlet 118 and the contactor outlet 120. The plate 204 is coated with the sorbent 116 to adsorb CO2. In the exemplary embodiment, the contactor 114 and the plate 204 are in close proximity to each other to facilitate indirect heating and/or cooling of the sorbent coated on the plate 204. [0040] FTG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary capture system 300 that may be used to capture CO2 using a plurality of adsorbent beds 102. In the exemplary embodiment, system 300 includes three adsorbent beds 102a-c. The capture system 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the capture system 100 (shown in FIG. 1), with the differences noted below, and as such, the same reference numbers for the same components are used in FIG. 3 as were used in FIG. 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the inlet 106 of each adsorbent bed 102 is connected in parallel by an inlet line 302. In some embodiments, capture system 300 may include more or less than three adsorbent beds 102a- c.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, the gas stream 110 is channeled through the inlet line 302, wherein the flow of the gas stream 110 through each respective adsorbent bed 102 is controlled via a plurality of respective inlet valves 304. In the exemplary embodiment, each inlet valve 304 is in communication with the controller 124 to enable the controller 124 to selectively control the flow of the gas stream 110 from the inlet line 302 through the corresponding adsorbent bed 102. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, inlet valve 304a controls a flow of gas stream 110 to adsorbent bed 102a. In the exemplary embodiment, the outlet 108 of each adsorbent bed 102a-c is coupled in parallel by an outlet line 308 such that the exhaust stream 112 is channeled from each adsorbent bed 102 through the outlet line 308 to be discharged from the capture system 300. Additionally, the mixed stream 123 outputted from one or more adsorbent beds 102a-c may be processed or routed for reuse as the hot stream 134 and/or the cold stream 132 in one or more other adsorbent beds 102a-c via heat addition or rejection exchangers (not shown in Figures).

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 may control the flow of the gas stream 110 into the adsorbent beds 102a-c through control of the inlet valves 304a-c. The selective use of at least one adsorbent bed 102a-c to capture CO2 from the gas stream 110 may facilitate optimizing the efficiency of the capture system 300. For example, the controller 124 may use a minimum number of adsorbent beds 102a-c as needed to facilitate optimizing the capture of CO2 from the gas stream 110. Accordingly, flow of the gas stream 1 10 into at least one adsorbent bed 102a-c may be adjusted by the controller 124 by selectively opening and/or closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a-c. When an adsorbent bed 102 is not receiving the gas stream 110, an exhaust isolation valve 306 may be closed. Additionally, for example, the controller 124 may use more than one of adsorbent beds 102a-c in parallel to optimize the capture of CO2 from the gas stream 110. Accordingly, the flow of the gas stream 110 into and out of at least one adsorbent bed 102a-c may be variably adjusted by the controller 124 by selectively opening and/or closing at least one of the inlet valves 304a-c. In the exemplary embodiment, the contactor outlet 120 of each adsorption module 104 is connected in parallel to an outlet line 308.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an exemplary control system 400 that may be used to capture CO2 with a capture system, such as the capture system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or the capture system 300 (shown in FIG. 3). In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 124 includes a memory 402 and a processor 404. The controller 124 may adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a-d based on data received by the control system 400 from the contactor sensor 126, such as, but not limited to, the regulated temperature T_reg of the stream 122 and/or the mixed stream 123 (shown in FIG. 1). The controller 124 may adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a-d based on comparisons to data stored in the memory 402, such as desired ranges of the regulated temperature T_reg, instructions stored in the memory 402, and/or data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0044] Additionally, the controller 124 may adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104a-d based on data received by the control system 400 from the module sensor 128, such as, but not limited to, the control temperature T_cnti of one or more adsorption modules 104. The controller 124 may adjust the temperature of one or more adsorption modules 104 based on comparisons to data stored in the memory 402, such as desired ranges of the control temperature T_cnti, instructions stored in the memory 402, and/or data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0045] The controller 124 may also adjust the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a-d based on data received by the control system 400 from the first valve sensor 127, the second valve sensor 129, and/or the third valve sensor 147, such as, but not limited to, the temperature and/or the flow of the stream 122 and/or the mixed stream 123. The controller 124 may adjust the temperature and/or the flow of the stream 122 and/or the mixed stream 123 based on comparisons to data stored in the memory 402, such as desired ranges of the temperature and/or the flow of the stream 122 and/or the mixed stream 123, instructions stored in the memory 402, and/or data analyzed by the processor 404.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a capture system 500 that may be used to capture CO2 using the adsorbent bed 102. The capture system 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to the capture system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) and the capture system 300 (shown in FIG. 3), with the differences noted below, and as such, the same reference numbers for the same components are used in FIG. 5 as were used in FIGs. 1 and 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the first adsorption module 104a includes the contactor inlet 118 and the fourth adsorption module 104d includes the contactor outlet 120. The stream 122 received by the contactor inlet 118 facilitates modulating the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a-d, with each adsorption module 104a-d being connected in a series flow relationship from the first adsorption module 104a to the fourth adsorption module 104d.

[0047] The controller 124 facilitates modulating the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a-d by monitoring the temperature of the stream 122 as it proceeds through each adsorption module 104a-d in series. For example, the line 502 may include one or more of the first valve sensor 127, the second valve sensor 129, and/or the third valve sensor 147 (shown in FIG. 4) to monitor the temperature of the stream 122a-d at each adsorption module 104a-d. In operating conditions where the control temperature Tcnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is higher than desired, the controller 124 may selectively decrease the temperature of the stream 122, thereby decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module 104. Alternatively, in operating conditions where the control temperature Tcnti of at least one adsorption module 104 is higher than desired and the temperature of the stream 122 is lower than the control temperature Tcnti of the at least one adsorption module 104, the controller 124 may selectively increase the flow of the stream 122, thereby decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module 104.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a capture system 600 that may be used to capture CO2 using the adsorbent bed 102. The capture system 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to the capture system 500 (shown in FIG. 5), with the differences noted below, and as such, the same reference numbers for the same components are used in FIG. 6 as were used in FIG. 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the fourth adsorption module 104d includes the contactor inlet 118 and the first adsorption module 104a including the contactor outlet 120. The stream 122d received by the contactor inlet 1 18 facilitates modulating the temperature of at least one adsorption module 104a-d, with each adsorption module 104a-d being connected in a series flow relationship from the fourth adsorption module 104d to the first adsorption module 104a.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 700 for capturing CO2. In the exemplary embodiment, method 700 includes receiving 702, by at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, a gas stream, and receiving 704, by a contactor, a regulating fluid stream for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, wherein the regulating fluid stream comprises a cold stream and a hot stream. Method 700 also includes adsorbing 706, via the sorbent, carbon dioxide from the gas stream and discharging 708, by the at least one adsorbent bed, an exhaust stream. Method 700 further includes modulating 710 the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed. The method 700 may be used with, but is not limited to use with, the capture systems as described herein.

[0050] Exemplar}' systems and methods for using temperature management to optimize the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide by an adsorbent bed are described herein. The exemplary systems and methods as described herein provide several advantages over conventional designs and processes, including, at least, increasing the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide adsorption enabled by the use of changes in temperature of the adsorbent bed, increasing the efficiency and performance of carbon dioxide desorption due to the use of changes in temperature of the adsorbent bed, and increasing the performance of the capture system due to the use of multiple adsorbent beds connected in series by valves.

[0051] The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Modifications, which fall within the scope of the present invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims. The systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather portions of the various systems may be utilized independently and separately from other systems described herein.

[0052] Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Moreover, references to “one embodiment” in the above description are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

[0053] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0054] A capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide, the capture system comprising: at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, the at least one adsorbent bed oriented to: receive a gas stream; adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the sorbent; and discharge an exhaust stream; a contactor oriented to receive a regulating fluid for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, the regulating fluid stream comprising a cold stream and a hot stream, wherein the contactor comprises a cold stream valve oriented to receive the cold stream and a hot stream valve oriented to receive the hot stream; and a controller configured to modulate the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0055] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to decrease the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing efficiency of the capture system by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0056] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to decrease a fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream to facilitate decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module. [0057] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein decreasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve.

[0058] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate the flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve by selectively opening or closing at least one of the cold stream valve and the hot stream valve.

[0059] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the flow of the cold stream through the cold stream valve is increased.

[0060] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the flow of the hot stream through the hot stream valve is decreased.

[0061] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein decreasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a stream temperature of at least one of the cold stream and the hot stream.

[0062] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate a duration of an adsorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0063] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the adsorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module is based on a carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust stream discharged from the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0064] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate a duration of a desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed. [0065] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module is based on a carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust stream discharged from the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0066] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to increase the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing efficiency of the capture system by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide desorbed by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0067] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to increase a fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream to facilitate increasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module.

[0068] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein increasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve.

[0069] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate the flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve by selectively opening or closing at least one of the cold stream valve and the hot stream valve.

[0070] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the flow of the cold stream through the cold stream valve is decreased.

[0071] The capture system in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the flow of the hot stream through the hot stream valve is increased.

[0072] A method of capturing carbon dioxide, the method comprising: receiving, by at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, a gas stream; receiving, by a contactor, a regulating fluid stream for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, wherein the regulating fluid stream comprises a cold stream and a hot stream; adsorbing, via the sorbent, carbon dioxide from the gas stream; discharging, by the at least one adsorbent bed, an exhaust stream; and modulating the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0073] The method in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, further comprising decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0074] The method in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, further comprising decreasing a fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream to facilitate decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module.

[0075] The method in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein receiving, by the contactor, the regulating fluid stream comprises receiving the cold stream through a cold stream valve and receiving the hot stream through a hot stream valve.

[0076] The method in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein decreasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve.

[0077] The method in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, further comprising modulating a duration of at least one of an adsorption cycle and a desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0078] The method in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein modulating the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycle and the desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module comprises basing the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycle and the desorption cycle on a carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust stream discharged from the at least one adsorbent bed.

[0079] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT TS CLAIMED IS:

1. A capture system for use in capturing carbon dioxide, the capture system comprising: at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, the at least one adsorbent bed oriented to: receive a gas stream; adsorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream via the sorbent; and discharge an exhaust stream; a contactor oriented to receive a regulating fluid stream for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, the regulating fluid stream comprising a cold stream and a hot stream, wherein the contactor comprises a cold stream valve oriented to receive the cold stream and a hot stream valve oriented to receive the hot stream; and a controller configured to modulate the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

2. The capture system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to decrease the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing efficiency of the capture system by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

3. The capture system in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to decrease a fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream to facilitate decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module.

4. The capture system in accordance with Claim 3, wherein decreasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve.

5. The capture system in accordance with Claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate the flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve by selectively opening or closing at least one of the cold stream valve and the hot stream valve.

6. The capture system in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the flow of the cold stream through the cold stream valve is increased.

7. The capture system in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the flow of the hot stream through the hot stream valve is decreased.

8. The capture system in accordance with Claim 3, wherein decreasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a stream temperature of at least one of the cold stream and the hot stream.

9. The capture system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate a duration of an adsorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

10. The capture system in accordance with Claim 9, wherein the duration of the adsorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module is based on a carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust stream discharged from the at least one adsorbent bed.

11. The capture system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate a duration of a desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

12. The capture system in accordance with Claim 11 , wherein the duration of the desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module is based on a carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust stream discharged from the at least one adsorbent bed.

13. The capture system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to increase the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing efficiency of the capture system by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide desorbed by the at least one adsorbent bed.

14. The capture system in accordance with Claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to increase a fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream to facilitate increasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module.

15. The capture system in accordance with Claim 14, wherein increasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve.

16. The capture system in accordance with Claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to modulate the flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve by selectively opening or closing at least one of the cold stream valve and the hot stream valve.

17. The capture system in accordance with Claim 16, wherein the flow of the cold stream through the cold stream valve is decreased.

18. The capture system in accordance with Claim 16, wherein the flow of the hot stream through the hot stream valve is increased.

19. A method of capturing carbon dioxide, the method comprising: receiving, by at least one adsorbent bed comprising at least one adsorption module and a sorbent, a gas stream; receiving, by a contactor, a regulating fluid stream for use in controlling a temperature of the at least one adsorption module, wherein the regulating fluid stream comprises a cold stream and a hot stream; adsorbing, via the sorbent, carbon dioxide from the gas stream; discharging, by the at least one adsorbent bed, an exhaust stream; and modulating the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing an amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

20. The method in accordance with Claim 19, further comprising decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

21. The method in accordance with Claim 20, further comprising decreasing a fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream to facilitate decreasing the temperature of the at least one adsorption module.

22. The method in accordance with Claim 21, wherein receiving, by the contactor, the regulating fluid stream comprises receiving the cold stream through a cold stream valve and receiving the hot stream through a hot stream valve.

23. The method in accordance with Claim 22, wherein decreasing the fluid temperature of the regulating fluid stream comprises modulating a flow of at least one of the cold stream through the cold stream valve and the hot stream through the hot stream valve.

24. The method in accordance with Claim 19, further comprising modulating a duration of at least one of an adsorption cycle and a desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module to facilitate increasing the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the at least one adsorbent bed.

25. The method in accordance with Claim 24, wherein modulating the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycle and the desorption cycle of the at least one adsorption module comprises basing the duration of at least one of the adsorption cycle and the desorption cycle on a carbon dioxide concentration of the exhaust stream discharged from the at least one adsorbent bed.