[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2025247788A1 - Système et procédé d'absorption d'un composant gazeux à partir d'air - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'absorption d'un composant gazeux à partir d'air

Info

Publication number
WO2025247788A1
WO2025247788A1 PCT/EP2025/064402 EP2025064402W WO2025247788A1 WO 2025247788 A1 WO2025247788 A1 WO 2025247788A1 EP 2025064402 W EP2025064402 W EP 2025064402W WO 2025247788 A1 WO2025247788 A1 WO 2025247788A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
working fluid
water
air
absorber
tubular element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2025/064402
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Evert Henrick DU MARCHIE VAN VOORTHUIJSEN
Reuben Aaron MOORE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Solaq International BV
Original Assignee
Solaq International BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solaq International BV filed Critical Solaq International BV
Publication of WO2025247788A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025247788A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B01D53/263—Drying gases or vapours by absorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/14—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by absorption
    • B01D53/1456—Removing acid components
    • B01D53/1475—Removing carbon dioxide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/14—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by absorption
    • B01D53/18—Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2258/00—Sources of waste gases
    • B01D2258/06—Polluted air
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02C—CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]
    • Y02C20/00—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases
    • Y02C20/40—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases of CO2

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a system and method for absorbing a gaseous component from air.
  • the gaseous component may be water vapor.
  • the system enables atmospheric water generation.
  • the system may be in the field of atmospheric water generation using wet desiccation.
  • the gaseous component may be carbon dioxide (CO2).
  • CO2 carbon dioxide
  • the system can be used for direct air capture of carbon dioxide and in the field of cleaning air from impurity gasses, such as ammonia.
  • the present disclosure addresses three major problems in the early twenty first century: the water scarcity problem, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.
  • An apparatus to produce liquid water out of the vapor in the air is typically called an Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG).
  • AWG Atmospheric Water Generator
  • I m 3 water vapor per unit air
  • Atmospheric water generation is a natural phenomenon in countries with a moderate climate. In the early morning of hot sunny days, blades of grass and plastic garden furniture cool down to a temperature below the dew point because of infra-red radiation towards the black night sky. They become covered with pure water.
  • Patent application US-2008168789-A1 “Method and apparatus for condensing water from ambient air” describes an AWG in which a surface is cooled down below the dew point with a heat pump. This technique is called cooling condensation.
  • Patent application EP-3675977-A1 "METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONDENSING A VAPOR” describes a version of cooling condensation in which artificial rain droplets are cooled down below the dew point before they are released. While falling down, the droplets grow in size, and the condensation heat is conversed in sensible heat of the falling water droplets while heating up to the dew point. The method was demonstrated at the Dutch pavilion of the world exhibition in Dubai in 2020.
  • Patent US-6156102-A “Method and apparatus for recovering water from air” describes an AWG in which a hygroscopic liquid is absorbing water vapour and the water is regenerated out of the liquid afterwards.” This technique is called wet desiccation.
  • a promising working material for AWG is a hydrogel network material like poly(N- isopropylacrylamide), (PNIPAAm), see for instance Fei Zhao et al. “Super Moisture- Absorbent Gels for All-Weather Atmospheric Water Harvesting”, Advanced Materials 2019, 31 , 1806446. This material is hydrophilic below a certain transition temperature, and hydrophobic above the transition temperature.
  • PNIPAAm poly(N- isopropylacrylamide),
  • Patent application WO-2021259760-A1 “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECT AIR CAPTURE OF CARBON DIOXIDE BY USING A SOLID POLYMERIC SUPPORT MATERIAL FUNCTIONALIZED WITH AMINO FUNCTIONALITIES AND THE USE OF THIS MATERIAL FOR CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE FROM AIR” gives a good overview of prior art in the field of direct air capture.
  • Loss of biodiversity is another pressing problem of today's age and time. Loss of biodiversity in nature reserves in Europe, and especially in The Netherlands, is becoming an important political issue. Nature reserves become heavily polluted by ammonia originating from cattle farming.
  • a patent application directed to removing ammonia from air in cattle stables is WG-2006060645-A1 , “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SCRUBBING AMMONIA FROM AIR EXHAUSTED FROM ANIMAL REARING FACILITIES”.
  • a good method for atmospheric water generation uses wet desiccation technology.
  • an incoming air stream is brought in contact with a relatively large surface area of a hygroscopic liquid.
  • Patent application WO-03070356-A2 “Energy efficient liquid desiccant regeneration”, describes a high density of disks on a horizontal axis. About 50% of the disk area is submerged in the liquid, the other 50% is wetted area in a stream of air passing by.
  • Patent application US-20220026081 -A 1 “An apparatus for removing water from a fluid”, describes another alternative. The system uses a similar method as WO- 03070356-A2.
  • WO12076658 A1 discloses a method and an arrangement for removal of acid gas from natural gas by means of a chemical absorbent.
  • Pressurized natural gas containing acid gas is supplied to an outer perimeter of at least one annular absorber packing, wherein the natural gas is forced towards the inner perimeter of the annular absorber packing.
  • a chemical absorbent is supplied to an inner perimeter of an annular absorber packing and is distributed relative to the inner perimeter by a distribution means rotated at a first rotational speed.
  • the annular absorber packing is rotated about its longitudinal axis (X) at a second rotational speed, subjecting the chemical absorbent to a centrifugal force sufficient to force the absorbent towards the outer perimeter of the annular absorber packing in the opposite direction of the natural gas, wherein a cross flow for mass transfer of acid gas (CO2/H2S) from the natural gas to the absorbent occurs to produce sweet natural gas.
  • CO2/H2S acid gas
  • US7306654 discloses a method of separating water from air comprising the steps of (a) contacting air having water vapour with an hygroscopic liquid mixture to produce a water rich hygroscopic liquid mixture, (b) heating at least a portion of the water rich hygroscopic liquid mixture to produce a gaseous mixture including water vapour and at least one other gaseous component, (c) condensing at least a portion of the water vapour in the gaseous mixture to produce liquid water and a depleted gaseous mixture at a first pressure, and (d) removing at least a portion of the at least one other gaseous component to maintain the first pressure below a predetermined pressure, wherein the depleted gaseous mixture is in fluid communication with the water rich hygroscopic liquid mixture.
  • any AWG large amounts of air must be processed and brought into contact with the working fluid.
  • An interfacial surface area is created for the mass transfer between the incoming air and the working fluid.
  • designs typically suffer from enormous amounts of electric power needed to run the absorption process, creating significant challenges in upscaling the AWG technology to larger systems.
  • regions that are relevant for AWG technology which are usually relatively dry, the absorption process takes place at night when the relative humidity is relatively high.
  • the power needed for the process typically comes from solar energy. This means that the electric energy for the absorption process at night needs to be stored in batteries overnight, resulting in a lower efficiency and higher per unit costs of the produced water.
  • the present disclosure aims to provide a more energy efficient system and method for capturing gaseous components from air.
  • the disclosure provides a system for capturing a gaseous component from air, the system comprising: an absorber comprising: at least one rotatable tubular element; and at least one gas capturing element arranged radially movable in the tubular element and extending along a length direction of the tubular element, the at least one gas capturing element being adapted to immerse in a working fluid upon rotation of the tubular element.
  • Radially moveable herein means that the gas capturing element is moveable in the radial direction of the tubular element. In effect, the gas capturing element may be free to move in the radial direction of the tubular element. Movement in radial direction herein means a (linear) movement along the radius of the tubular element. The radius of the tubular element herein extends from a centerline or midline of the tubular element towards a perimeter or circumference.
  • the assembly of the rotatable element and the at least one gas capturing element arranged radially moveable within the rotatable element is arranged in a frame and is replaceable.
  • the at least one gas capturing element comprises sheets or plates or pellets having a gas absorbing surface.
  • the gas capturing element comprises at least one cylinder having an axis of rotation aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tubular element and being moveable with respect to the tubular element in a radial direction.
  • the at least one gas capturing element comprises a number of cylinders, each being moveable with respect to the other in radial direction.
  • the gas capturing element comprises at least one spiral having an axis of rotation aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tubular element, wherein loops of the spiral are moveable with respect to the tubular element in a radial direction.
  • the spiral may be a spiraling element comprised of sheet material. The midline or centerline of the spiraling element is aligned with the tubular element. The spiral however may be substantially free to move in the radial direction with respect to the tubular element, i.e. in the direction of the radius of the tubular element.
  • the one or more cylinders or the spiral spiraling sheet may be unconnected to the tubular element, or at least, there is no fixed connection between the gas capturing elements and the tubular element.
  • the rotatable gas capturing element such as the cylinders or the spiraling element, can freely move in the radial direction.
  • the gas capturing element Upon rotation of the tubular element, the gas capturing element will rotate as well, for instance due to friction between the gas capturing element and the tubular element.
  • gravity will pull the cylinders or the loops of the spiral downward, i.e. in the direction of the radius of the tubular element.
  • the latter provides a significant advantage, as gravity will compact the freely movable gas capture element(s), pulling said element(s) in the working fluid. Consequently, the gas capture elements will compact, wherein a limited cross sectional area is required for contacting the working fluid while the majority of the cross section of the tubular element is available for contacting the gas capture element(s) with air.
  • the effect of the radially movable gas capture element is a limited power requirement to rotate the gas capture element in combination with a maximization of the available cross sectional area for contacting air. Said combination provides a significant improvement in the economics of the system, rendering the system viable for water generation from air even in remote areas.
  • the system comprises at least one connector, connecting longitudinal ends of the gas capturing elements to the tubular element.
  • the connectors have a dynamic length between a collapsed position, wherein respective gas capturing elements engage each other, and an extended position, wherein respective gas capturing elements are arranged at a maximum mutual distance with respect to each other.
  • the connectors comprise one or more of: a wire provided with a number of knots arranged at the mutual distance; a string provided with one or more knots, each knot being attached to openings in the gas capturing elements, a string with attached wire loops at regular distances, wherein the wire loops are connected to openings in the gas capturing elements, and/or a number of strings or wire loops which are threaded to openings in the gas capturing elements.
  • the at least one gas capturing element comprises flights which are arranged on an inner surface of the rotatable tubular element and extend in a longitudinal direction of the tubular element.
  • the gas capturing element comprises sheets or plates or pellets comprised of nylon.
  • the working fluid comprises ceramic particles with sharp edges, for instance quartz crystals, or sharp-sand particles, in order to keep the surface of the at least one gas capturing element in a good hydrophilic condition.
  • the gas capturing element comprises sheets or plates made out of a wire mesh covered with a fabric.
  • the working fluid is water and the gas capturing element comprises a material with a phase transition at low critical solution temperature (LCST), with a hydrophilic phase at temperatures below LCST and a hydrophobic phase at temperatures above LCST.
  • LCST critical solution temperature
  • the system is an atmospheric water generator, wherein the working fluid is hygroscopic.
  • the working fluid comprises a solution of calcium chloride in water, a solution of lithium chloride in water, a solution of lithium bromide in water, a solution of magnesium dichloride in water, a mixture of glycerol with water, a solution of sodium hydroxide in water, a solution of potassium hydroxide in water, a solution of cesium hydroxide in water or a combination of these liquids.
  • the system comprises a regeneration unit for regenerating the working fluid.
  • the regeneration unit applies mechanical vapor recompression.
  • the system comprises: a regeneration unit for regenerating the working fluid, wherein the regeneration unit comprises a distiller adapted to operate at a pressure of in the range of 1 bar to 100 mbar.
  • the system comprises: a heat source, comprising one of more of a field of solar thermal collectors, solar mirrors, solar linear Fresnell mirrors, parabolic trough mirrors, a device for thermal storage, a source of residual waste heat from industry, a source of residual waste heat from an electrolyser producing hydrogen, an electricity grid, a (diesel) generator, a heat pump, or combinations thereof.
  • a heat source comprising one of more of a field of solar thermal collectors, solar mirrors, solar linear Fresnell mirrors, parabolic trough mirrors
  • a device for thermal storage comprising one of more of a field of solar thermal collectors, solar mirrors, solar linear Fresnell mirrors, parabolic trough mirrors, a device for thermal storage, a source of residual waste heat from industry, a source of residual waste heat from an electrolyser producing hydrogen, an electricity grid, a (diesel) generator, a heat pump, or combinations thereof.
  • the gas capturing element comprises a Hydrogel network poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), or PNIPAAm doped with hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride (hygroscopic chloride-doped polypyrrole (PPy-CI)), or PNIPAAm doped with hydrophilic sodium alginate (Alg), or PNIPAAm doped with hydrophilic sodium alginate (Alg) and calcium dichloride, or of PNIPAAm doped with sodium acrylate (AacNa): copolymer (NPAAm-co-AAcNa).
  • PNIPAAm Hydrogel network poly
  • PNIPAAm PNIPAAm doped with hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride
  • PPy-CI hygroscopic chloride-doped polypyrrole
  • Alg hydrophilic sodium alginate
  • Alg hydrophilic sodium alginate
  • the working fluid is adapted to absorb carbon dioxide at a first temperature and to release carbon dioxide at a second temperature exceeding the first temperature.
  • the working fluid comprises a solution of potassium carbonate in water, ethanolamine, or related amines.
  • the working fluid may comprise an aqueous alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide in water, potassium hydroxide in water, sodium carbonate in water, or potassium carbonate in water, or a solution of aqueous amines comprising of ethanolamine, or related amines, or a solution of aqueous amino acids comprising of glycine or sarcosine, or related amino acids.
  • the system is adapted to dry air which enters the absorber, turning the system into a direct air capture device (DAC) for absorbing carbon dioxide.
  • DAC direct air capture device
  • the system is an air scrubber for filtering ammonia out of the air, wherein the working fluid comprises a fluid which absorbs ammonia, for instance sulphuric acid.
  • the gaseous component is water vapor, carbon dioxide, or ammonia.
  • the disclosure provides a method for capturing a gaseous component from air using wet desiccation, the system comprising: an absorber comprising: at least one rotatable tubular element; and at least one gas capturing element arranged radially moveable within the tubular element and extending along a length direction of the tubular element, , the method comprising the steps of: arranging working fluid in the tubular element; rotating the tubular element, thereby rotating the at least one gas capturing element through the working fluid; directing air through the tubular element and along the at least one gas capturing element.
  • the gas capturing element comprises at least one cylinder having an axis of rotation aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tubular element and being moveable with respect to the tubular element in a radial direction.
  • the at least one gas capturing element comprises a number of cylinders, each cylinder being moveable with respect to the other in radial direction.
  • the gas capturing element comprises at least one spiral having an axis of rotation aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tubular element , wherein loops of the spiral are moveable with respect to the tubular element in a radial direction.
  • the method comprises the step of blowing or sucking air through the absorber by means of a ventilator.
  • the method comprises the step of blowing air through the absorber by means of the wind.
  • the method comprises the step of rotating the absorber over a vertical axis in order to align a longitudinal direction of the absorber with the direction of the wind.
  • the system and method of the present disclosure enable atmospheric water generation, in particular the field of atmospheric water generation using wet desiccation.
  • the system and method enable to absorb a minority gas out of the atmosphere into a liquid in an energy efficient and cost-effective manner.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a system of the disclosure
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic overview of another embodiment of a system of the disclosure
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of yet another embodiment of a system of the disclosure
  • Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective view of respective embodiments of an absorber for a system of the disclosure
  • Figure 5A shows a side view in cross section of an absorber of the disclosure
  • Figure 5B shows a front view of the absorber of Fig. 5A
  • Figure 5C shows a side view in cross section of an absorber of the disclosure
  • Figure 5D shows a front view of the absorber of Fig. 50
  • Figure 6 shows a front view of an absorber
  • Figure 7 shows a front view of an embodiment of an absorber according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the content of an embodiment of the absorber.
  • Figure 9 shows a front view of yet another embodiment of an absorber for a system of the disclosure.
  • Figure 10 shows a front view of another embodiment of an absorber for a system of the disclosure
  • Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 10
  • Figure 12 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a dynamic connector in a first position, before mounting
  • Figure 13 depicts a schematic overview of a step to assemble a dynamic connector
  • Figure 14 depicts a cross sectional view of a number of hydrophilic elements connected by a dynamic connector in a stretched position
  • Figure 15 depicts a cross sectional view of a number of hydrophilic elements connected by another embodiment of a dynamic connector
  • Figure 16 depicts a cross sectional view of a number of hydrophilic elements connected by the same dynamic connector in the stretched position
  • Figure 17 depicts a cross sectional view of hydrophilic elements provided with an embodiment of a dynamic connector in a first position
  • Figure 18 depicts a cross sectional view of hydrophilic elements provided with another embodiment of a dynamic connector
  • Figures 19A and 19B schematically depict a system for water generation according to the disclosure in a batch process mode, during operation at night and during daytime respectively;
  • Figure 20 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an absorber according to the disclosure.
  • Figures 21 A to 21 D show schematic representations in front view of exemplary positions of an embodiment of an absorber during operation.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a system 1.
  • the system 1 can be used as an atmospheric water generator (AWG).
  • the system 1 comprises an absorption section A, a regeneration section B, and an energy section C.
  • the system can be used to produce liquid water out of air, by using the absorber section for capturing water vapour that is present in the air.
  • the system can also be used to absorb other gaseous components from air.
  • the absorption section A comprises one or more absorbers AB.
  • the system may comprise a ventilator 10 for sucking in air, or for driving air through the absorber AB.
  • the ventilator is not required, and the system may use the natural flow of air (wind) to pass air through the absorber AB.
  • the absorber AB comprises a tubular element 2.
  • the tubular element is rotatable along its longitudinal axis.
  • At least one gas capturing element HE is arranged inside the tubular element.
  • the gas capturing element is moveable in radial direction with respect to the tubular element 2.
  • the tubular element 2 can be, for instance, a tube, or a longitudinal object comprised of a multitude of sheets or planks.
  • a tube or a longitudinal object comprised of a multitude of sheets or planks.
  • any suitably shaped object can be used as an alternative.
  • the assembly of the tubular element 2 and the at least one radially moveable gas capturing element HE arranged in the tubular element can be positioned in a frame.
  • the assembly may be used as a cartridge, allowing to replace one assembly of tubular element 2 and gas capturing elements HE with another assembly. Said one assembly can subsequently be moved to another location for maintenance and/or to replace the at least one gas capturing element.
  • working fluid 15 is arranged in the tubular element.
  • the tubular element may be arranged in a bath of working fluid 15 or the working fluid may be included in the tubular element.
  • the working fluid 15 is comprised in the system and can be cycled through the respective sections, indicated by fluid cycle W1.
  • the working fluid is a hygroscopic fluid.
  • the working fluid may comprise a sorbent suitable to absorb any other gaseous component, such as but not limited to CO2, methane or ammonia.
  • the description below is mainly directed to hygroscopic fluid. Nevertheless, in each explanation of either technical features or method of operation, hygroscopic working fluid can be replaced with any other working fluid able to absorb a particular gaseous component of choice.
  • the first working fluid is typically a water based solution comprising a hygroscopic and hydrophilic compound.
  • the working fluid may comprise one or more of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide or glycerin.
  • the working fluid may comprise one or more of zinc chloride, , potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide (and many different salts). These compounds are so hygroscopic that they readily dissolve in the water they absorb, a property which is called deliquescence.
  • the first working fluid 15 is a concentrated solution of calcium chloride in water.
  • the first working fluid 15 can absorb water in the absorber section A.
  • the working fluid 15 loaded with water can be regenerated in the regeneration section B.
  • the energy section C can provide energy, such as electricity or heat, to respective parts of the system 1 as needed.
  • the absorber section A may comprise first reservoir 84 for storing regenerated or unloaded working fluid 15.
  • the absorber section A may comprise a second reservoir 32 for buffering loaded working fluid.
  • the absorber section A may comprise a number of valves 85, 88, 89, 90.
  • the absorber section may comprise a pump 87.
  • the absorber may comprise one or more sensors 81 , 82, 83.
  • the regenerator section B also referred to as distiller B or distiller section B, may comprise one or more of a first heat exchanger 33, a boiler tube 34, a condenser 35, a water tank 36, and a liquid tank 29.
  • the water tank 36 may be closed with respect to the ambient air.
  • the water tank 36 may hold distilled water.
  • the liquid tank 29 may be closed with respect to the ambient air.
  • the water tank 36 may be connected to a second water tank 39.
  • the pump 38 may be positioned lower than the first water tank 36, with height differential h therebetween.
  • the energy section C may comprise a solar field 40, 57.
  • the solar field may comprise, for instance, one or more of solar photovoltaic panels and solar heat panels.
  • ambient air 11 is sucked into the absorber AB by the ventilator 10.
  • the incoming air 11 may be filtered by air filter 80.
  • the ventilator may be powered by at least one battery BA.
  • the battery BA can be charged during the day by electric power provided by, for instance, photo-voltaic panels 40.
  • the at least one battery BA can provide electric power EP to the ventilator 10.
  • the system may comprise a first sensor 81, for measuring properties of the incoming air 11, such as temperature and relative humidity.
  • the first sensor 81 may comprise a solar irradiation sensor.
  • a level or height of the liquid 15 inside the absorber AB may be measured with a sensor.
  • Said sensor may be included in the first sensor 81.
  • a second sensor 82 may be provided for measuring the velocity of the air 11 entering the absorber AB.
  • the velocity of air may be the velocity of the wind, i.e. the velocity of air in the environment.
  • the second sensor 82 may also measure a level or height of the working fluid 15 in the absorber AB.
  • the second sensor 82 may contain a solar irradiation sensor.
  • FIG. 1 shows a vacuum controlled syphon, for instance comprised of pump 87, vacuum reservoir 86, and associated fluid line between tank 84 and the absorber AB and a second fluid line between the absorber AB and tank 32.
  • a controller may calculate the water vapor absorption speed of each absorber tube 2.
  • the controller may use the data provided by one or more of the sensors 81, 82, and 83.
  • fresh, relatively dry working fluid 15 may be stored in a first tank 84.
  • This liquid flows towards the absorber AB by means of, for instance, gravity, a pump or a vacuum controlled siphon.
  • a first valve 85 is opened, and liquid 15 flows into the absorber tube 2.
  • Processed, relatively wet, working fluid 15 flows from the absorber AB towards a second tank 32.
  • the second tank 32 may be controlled by second and third valves 89 and 90. Dust and dirt, which may be collected in the rotatable absorber tube 2, can settle in the second tank 32 as mud, which can be removed at regular intervals.
  • the embodiment of system 1 shown in Figure 1 is optimized to allow easy maintenance and to obviate damage due to collected dirt and scaling. Scaling may include, for instance, the formation of solid CaCI2.6H2O.
  • the siphons, or other components, for filling and emptying the absorber may be pumped vacuum by means of a vacuum pump 87.
  • Said component include, for instance, the siphons for filling working fluid into and discharging working fluid out of the absorber AB.
  • the vacuum pump may be a membrane vacuum pump.
  • the vacuum pump 37 can cause a constant or semi-constant stream W1 of working fluid 15 flowing out of the bottom tank 32, through optional filter 91, the heat exchanger 33, through the boiler tube 34, back through the heat exchanger 33, towards the “dry” liquid tank 29.
  • Pump 30 may pump regenerated working fluid 15 from the dry liquid tank 29 to the first tank 84.
  • the flow rate of the working fluid 15 may be controlled by valve 48.
  • a level sensor in the tank 29 for instance a sensor arranged at a high position in the wall of the tank 29, indicates that the liquid in the tank 29 exceeds a threshold
  • the liquid pump 30 may be activated, and “dry” liquid can be pumped into the first tank 84.
  • the working fluid flows towards the absorber AB, where it is wetted once again due to the absorption of water vapor from the air.
  • the energy section C may provide the necessary heat supply for a boiling process in the boiler 34.
  • heat can be provided by at least one collectors, which can be comprised in the solar field 40.
  • the at least one collector may be a field of flat-plate solar collectors.
  • a second working fluid W2 of the solar field can be pumped by pump 41 through tubes in a heat storage device 42.
  • the heat storage device may be, for instance, a heap of sand or stones, or a body of water.
  • the heat storage device 42 enables the regeneration process to continue after sunset.
  • the second working fluid W2 may be, for instance, glycol.
  • the heat storage device may act like a heat exchanger, allowing to store heat from the second working fluid, and transfer said heat to a third working fluid W3 in another cycle of the energy section C.
  • the W2 cycle can operate during daytime when the sun provides energy (see Fig. 19B), whereas the W1 , W3 and W4 cycle can operate at night when the air is relatively humid (see Fig. 19A).
  • Cooling for the condensation process in the condenser 35 may be provided by a fifth working fluid cycle, comprising a fifth working fluid W5.
  • Said fifth cycle may comprise a cooler 46.
  • the cooler 46 may be an air-cooled water cooler.
  • Pump 47 may transport cooled working fluid W5, for instance water, to tubes inside the condenser 35.
  • FIG 2 displays a schematic overview of another embodiment of a system 1 of the present disclosure.
  • the system of Fig. 2 can be operated as an atmospheric water generator (AWG).
  • the system 1 of Fig. 2 comprises the absorption section A, the regeneration section B, and the energy supply section C.
  • the absorption section A is substantially similar to the absorption section shown in Figure 1.
  • the regeneration section B is different and applies Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR).
  • MVR Mechanical Vapor Recompression
  • wetted first working fluid 15 supplied by the absorber AB to the tank 32 is pumped, for instance by pump 30, towards a heat exchanger 33 and the boiler 34.
  • the temperature of the working fluid 15 inside the boiler 34 is increased to, for instance, about 120 °C.
  • the first working fluid 15 is typically water based, the first working fluid will at least partly turn into steam.
  • a pressure of the steam above the boiling first working fluid 15 in the boiler 34 may be about 1 bar.
  • Regenerated or “dry” liquid 15 flows via the heat exchanger 33 to the open tank 29. Pump 58 pumps the “dry” liquid 15 back to the first tank 84 of the absorption section A.
  • the pump 56 may be a water ring pump.
  • the steam may be pressurized to a pressure of, for instance, 2 bar. At this increased pressure, the steam condenses inside condenser tubes 60 which are immersed in the boiling first working fluid 15 in the boiler 34.
  • the steam pump 56 may be provided with electrical power EP originating from solar panels 57 of the energy section C.
  • Condensation heat of condensing steam in the condenser tubes 60 can be sufficient to maintain the boiling process inside the boiler 34. Heat losses in this process may be compensated by electrical heating elements inside the boiler 34 (not shown). Said heating elements may be powered by and connected to the solar field 57.
  • the solar field 57 may be comprised of, for instance, photo-voltaic solar panels.
  • the distilled water DW can flow out of the condenser tubes 60 into a receptor tank 36.
  • the receptor tank can be closed.
  • a valve 61 may be opened and the distilled water can be collected in another tank 39.
  • the tank 39 may be open, allowing the distilled water to be removed from the system 1 for further use.
  • the water in the tank 39 may be cooled by the relatively cold liquid 15 that is pumped from the absorber section A towards the regenerator section B.
  • the energy supply section C may comprise one or more of photovoltaic panels, a connection to an electricity grid or a (diesel) generator.
  • the energy section C can be adapted to provide power to, for instance, the water ring pump 56, and the one or more ventilators 10.
  • the energy section C may comprise at least one battery BA to enable storage of solar power during the day and use thereof at night.
  • Figure 3 displays another embodiment of a system 1 of the disclosure.
  • the system 1 of Fig. 3 can be used as an atmospheric water generator.
  • the system 1 comprises an absorber AB as described herein below.
  • the water absorbing material of the working fluid 15 may comprise a hydrogel network, such as poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) with a phase transition at low critical solution temperature (LCST).
  • PNIPAAm poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)
  • LCST low critical solution temperature
  • a suitable low temperature is 32 degC.
  • the absorbing material may be supported by another material.
  • the support material may be a mesh of steel wire covered with a protective polymer layer.
  • the wire mesh may support a fabric of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm).
  • PNIPAAm Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)
  • the rotatable tube 2 of the absorber AB may be filled with wire mesh covered with PNIPAAm.
  • the wire mesh may be shaped in cylinders, as illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the wire mesh may be shaped as spirals, as illustrated in figure 9.
  • the ventilator 10 sucks the air 11 through a stationary housing H of the absorber AB.
  • the tube 2 of the absorber AB and all of its contents are rotated.
  • the wall of the tube 2 and the components comprised therein are regularly immersed in the working fluid 15.
  • the liquid 15 may be a bath of water at a temperature above LCST, for instance at 50 °C.
  • the working fluid 15 may be heated.
  • the working fluid 15 can be heated by a heating fluid HF, for instance water or glycol, flowing through a spiral 70 which is included in the housing H and is immersed in the working fluid 15.
  • the heating fluid can be pumped around by a pump 43, and can be heated in the heat storage 42.
  • the heat storage 42 may comprise one or more of a body of water, a heap of sand, or stones.
  • the heat storage 42 can be heated using the solar field 40.
  • the solar field 40 may comprise flat-plate solar thermal collectors. Heat can be transferred from the thermal collectors to the heat storage by means of a second working fluid W2, such as water or glycol, circulated by pump 41.
  • a second working fluid W2 such as water or glycol
  • the hydrophilic material such as PNIPAAm
  • the absorber AB is exposed to a stream of air 11.
  • Said air 11 has a temperature below LCST.
  • water vapor is absorbed out of the air 11 into the hydrophilic material.
  • the hydrophilic material is part of the time immersed in the heated working fluid 15.
  • the hydrophilic material expels the absorbed water into the bath of heated working fluid 15.
  • the amount of water in the working fluid 15 increases continuously, causing an overflow into the storage tank 39.
  • the working fluid 15 may be clean water
  • the overflow into the tank 39 can be considered as clean water or distilled water.
  • the system of the present disclosure enables an efficient method to extract water out of the atmosphere (Atmospheric Water Generation, AWG).
  • Figure 1 as described above exemplifies an AWG, including a method of operation.
  • the system 1 can be converted in a system to, for instance, extract carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere (Direct Air Capture, DAC), or filter poisonous gases out of the air, such as ammonia.
  • DAC Direct Air Capture
  • the regenerator section B will be different.
  • the absorber AB can be used to capture other gases than water.
  • the regeneration process may include other temperature steps, potentially combined with vacuum, or be based on a chemical desorption process. See for instance "Design and demonstration of a 10 kg CO2/day DAC pilot facility using sorbent circulation" by J. Klomp et al., as presented during the 16th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT-1623rd -27th October 2022, in Lyon, France.
  • the heart of the system is the absorber AB. Examples of the absorber are shown in Figures 4A to 11.
  • the absorber AB may comprise a rotatable tubular member 2. Inside the tubular member, one or more gas capturing elements HE are arranged.
  • the gas capturing elements HE may be adapted to absorb one or more predetermined gaseous components from air.
  • the gas capturing elements may be hydrophilic elements. The description herein below may focus on the hydrophilic version of the gas capturing element HE, but an application for many other gaseous components may be conceivable as well.
  • a drive mechanism DM may be provided for rotating the tubular member 2.
  • the hydrophilic elements HE may comprise, for instance, one or more cylinders 3 arranged inside the tube 2.
  • the cylinders 3 may be made of a hydrophilic material, or a material having a hydrophilic surface.
  • the cylinders may be unconnected to each other and to the tube.
  • the cylinders 3 are unconstrained by each other and are free to move with respect to each other, in particular in radial direction. That is, the cylinders are free to roll inside each other.
  • Respective cylinders may be comprised of segments, and cylinder segments may also be able to move in a radial direction.
  • Radial direction herein means the direction from the midline of respective cylinders towards the circumference, i.e. said midline can move along said radial direction with respect to other cylinders or the tube.
  • opposite ends of the tube 2 may be provided with one of more blocking elements 19 to block longitudinal movement of the cylinders 3 with respect to the tube 2.
  • the blocking element 19 may be spokes or similar bar or rod shaped elements.
  • the rotatable tube 2 may be filled with hydrophilic cylinders 3.
  • the diameters of respective cylinders 3 vary within a range.
  • the cylinders 3 may be mounted in a fixed position with respect to the tube 2 by means of the spokes 19.
  • the tube 2 and the cylinders 3 have one common axis of rotation 100. Every surface segment of any cylinder, that is, every gas capturing element (HE), has a constant distance to the rotation axis 100. In this case, in order to cover all cylinders 3 with the hygroscopic fluid 15, the tube 2 needs to be filled to nearly 50% of the total volume of the tube.
  • HE gas capturing element
  • the rotating tube 2 is also filled with hydrophilic cylinders 3.
  • the diameters of the cylinders 3 vary within a range.
  • the diameters of respective cylinders 3 may range from slightly smaller than the diameter of the tube 2 to about 10% of the diameter of the tube 2.
  • the cylinders 3 are free to roll inside tube 2 and inside each other.
  • the tube 2 and the cylinders 3 have separate axes of rotation. Every surface segment of any cylinder, that is, every gas capturing element (HE), has a varying distance to the rotation axis 100.
  • every gas capturing element (HE) is arranged radially movable in the tubular element 2.
  • the one or more cylinders 3 may comprise a carrier material 6 provided with a curved sheet 16 of a hydrophilic material.
  • the sheets 16 may have ends interconnected by first connectors 17.
  • the material of sheets 16 may be connected to the carrier material by second connectors 18.
  • the first connectors 17 and/or the second connectors 18 may comprise a wire, thread or mesh, typically made of durable material having relatively high tensile strength. Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand without breaking while being pulled or stretched.
  • the material of the connectors may be selected from reinforced polymer, steel wire, carbon fiber, bamboo based fiber, Aramid (Kevlar® or Twaron®), Polybenzoxazole (Zylon®), Nylon fiber (drawn), LIHMWPE fibers (Dyneema® or Spectra®), etc.
  • the material of sheets 16 may be a hydrophilic sheet material.
  • This material may encompass a range of materials, including hydrophilic plastic sheet options, or plastics like polypropylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyethylene, each with distinct characteristics tailored for specific uses.
  • the material may be nylon.
  • the material may be machined with a surface treatment to increase its surface area and/or its hydrophilic properties.
  • the nylon sheets 16 may be arranged on a carrier material 6, such as glass fiber cylinders. Ends of the nylon sheets 16 may be interconnected using a flexible element, such as elastic, springs or rubber bands.
  • a flexible element such as elastic, springs or rubber bands.
  • the volume of the sheet 16 may change from a first volume, wherein the sheet 16 has not absorbed any water, and a second volume wherein the sheet 16 is saturated in absorbed water.
  • the second volume may be significantly larger than the first volume. Due to the change in volume, the sheet 16 may move with respect to the carrier material 6.
  • the flexible elements 17 can be tuned to allow the appropriate range of motion of the sheet 16 with respect to the carrier material 6.
  • the drive mechanism DM may comprise two or more rollers 12.
  • the tube 2 may be arranged on the rotatable rollers.
  • the rollers 12 can be driven by an electro motor MO, for instance via a gearbox 13 and a belt drive 14.
  • the motor MO can be electrically powered via the battery BA.
  • opposite longitudinal ends the tube 2 may be provided with flanges 75.
  • the flanges may have a height H1 adapted to a predetermined level of the working fluid 15 in the tube 2. If the level of working fluid in the tube 2 will start to exceed the first height hi of the flange 75, the working fluid will overflow, thus keeping the liquid level within a set range.
  • Figures 5A and 5B display an embodiment of the absorber AB wherein the working fluid 15 is contained inside the rotatable tube 2. Both ends of the rotatable tube 2 are partially closed by a ring-shaped flange 75 which prevent the liquid 15 from flowing out.
  • the drive mechanism DM may comprise bearings 76, supporting two rollers 12.
  • a belt drive 14 or any other mechanism may be provided to drive the rollers 12.
  • the rollers may be mounted on a stationary frame.
  • Fresh, relatively dry liquid 15 can enter the absorber through tube 77.
  • Relatively wet liquid 15 can leave the absorber through tube 78.
  • Fluid flow through the tube 78 may be caused by gravity, pumping, or siphoning.
  • the main advantage of keeping the working fluid 15 inside the rotatable tube 2 is, that the rollers 12 and the bearings 76 are not submerged in the liquid of the working fluid 15. This obviates corrosion and increases lifespan of the drive mechanism components.
  • the working fluid 15 may be a relatively corrosive liquid.
  • Figures 5C and 5D display an embodiment of the absorber AB, wherein the rotatable tube 2 is positioned inside a stationary housing H.
  • the housing may typically be cylindrical, in conformance with the shape of the tube 2.
  • a stationary bath of working fluid 15 may be positioned in the housing.
  • the housing H is mounted in a stationary position and contains the working fluid 15.
  • Vertical plates 70 at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing H may prevent the liquid 15 from flowing out.
  • the drive mechanism DM can be provided on the bottom of the tubular housing H.
  • the relatively thick-walled polymer tube 2 may be supported by the rollers 12.
  • the rollers can rotate the tube 2.
  • the rotatable tube 2 is filled with sheets 72 which are shaped as rolling cylinders 3 or spirals (see Fig. 9 and the related description below).
  • the tube 2 may be rotated at a speed of about one turn per minute.
  • Fresh, relative dry liquid 15 can enter the absorber through tube 73.
  • Wetted liquid 15 can leave the absorber through tube 74.
  • the working fluid 15 of an atmospheric water generator may comprise a hygroscopic salt, typically calcium chloride (CaCI2).
  • a hygroscopic salt typically calcium chloride (CaCI2).
  • metals suitable for the drive mechanism, such as bearings 71 and rollers 12, which can survive the chemical environment, are, for instance, titanium and special kinds of stainless steel or certain types of plastic.
  • FIG 9 shows another embodiment of the element HE.
  • the hydrophilic element HE comprises a spiral shaped element 5 arranged inside the rotatable tube 2.
  • the spiraling element 5 may be made of a similar hydrophilic sheet material as the cylinders 3 as described above.
  • Tube 2 can rotate around its longitudinal axis 100.
  • the spiraling element 5 may be made from a relatively long sheet of hydrophilic material, such as nylon. Herein, a spiral is rolled with a number of loops 8.
  • a central end of the spiral 5 may be provided with a rod or bar shaped element 28.
  • the rod 28 may extend along the longitudinal length of the spiral 5.
  • the rod may have a certain weight. Said weight may be in the range of about 5 to 20% of the weight of the spiraling element 5 without the rod.
  • a dynamic spacer herein means a connecting element having a variable length, within a predetermined range.
  • the dynamic spacers 20 can be attached to the tube 2 at connection points 27 (Fig. 9).
  • the loops 8 of the spiral 5 may be provided with openings OP to allow strings or chainlinks of the connectors 20 to pass (Fig. 13).
  • the dynamic spacers 20 may be provided with restricting elements 21 (Fig. 9), such as knots, to restrict the position of the hydrophilic elements, such as respective loops 8, with respect to each other.
  • the dynamic spacers 20 may also be used in combination with the cylinders 3, as shown in Figure 4A.
  • the longitudinal ends of each cylinder 3 may be interconnected using one or more dynamic spacers 20, as described herein above.
  • the hydrophilic element HE may also be comprised of a combination of flights 112, 114, 116 and pellets 110.
  • flights herein are material lifters.
  • the flights may be fin-like structures affixed to the interior of the rotatable tube 2.
  • the flights 112, 114, 116, etc. can be mounted to the inner surface of the tube 2.
  • the “pellets” are comprised of granular material included in the working fluid 15. The pellets provide a surface area for the working fluid, acting as a carrier material.
  • the pellets i.e. granular material, in the working fluid provide an emulsion of hygroscopic brine and the pellets.
  • the particles or pellets may be about 0.5 to 3, for instance about 1 mm in diameter.
  • the pellets may be made of a non-water- soluble material.
  • the pellets may be made of nylon, or a mineral such as quartz (sand), calcite, feldspar, olivine, etc.
  • the embodiment of Figure 11 provides an alternative method of creating a surface area of a hygroscopic liquid and exposing the liquid to an air stream.
  • the cylinder 2 may be partially filled by a mixture of the hygroscopic liquid 15, for instance a solution of calcium chloride in water, and the small particles 110 or so-called pellets.
  • the tube 2 may be rotated at a speed of about 1 to 3 turns per minute.
  • the flights 112 shovel the wetted pellets 110, and transport the wetted pellets upwards.
  • the angle of the flights changes continuously.
  • Flight 112 has a position in which the pellets start to spill over, and wet pellets start to fall down into the air stream inside the tube 2.
  • the stream 113 of falling pellets is relatively small.
  • the stream 115 of falling pellets also increases.
  • the respective flight is nearly empty, resulting in stream 117 which is relatively small.
  • the streams 113, 115, and 117, and all the other streams fill the tube 2 to a large extent.
  • the air passing through the tube 2 engages the falling wetted pellets.
  • the working fluid adhered to the surface of each falling pellet absorbs water from the air. Said water is dispersed in the rest of the working fluid 15 during the time that the respective pellet is subsequently submerged in the bath of working fluid 15 at the bottom of the tube 2.
  • FIGS 12 to 18 show examples of the connectors 20.
  • the connectors 20 or dynamic spacers may comprise, for instance, wire, strings or chainlinks.
  • the dynamic spacers 20 may be made of a relatively strong and corrosion resistant material, such as titanium, or strong polymer, such as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) or Dyneema®.
  • UHMWPE Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
  • Dyneema® Dyneema®.
  • the connectors 20 function as dynamic spacer.
  • the connectors herein have a variable length, between a minimum length, practically zero, and a maximum length d1.
  • the connectors define a range of a mutual distance d1 between respective hydrophilic element HE. See Figures 15 and 16.
  • Said mutual distance can range between a minimum.
  • said minimum is substantially zero, allowing the hydrophilic elements, such as the cylinders 3 or loops 8 of the spiral 5, to engage each other.
  • a maximum mutual distance can be set according to the design specifics of the respective absorber AB. Said maximum distance may typically depends on the number of hydrophilic elements HE compared to the diameter of the tube 2.
  • the maximum distance d1 can be set allowing an even distribution of the number of hydrophilic elements over the diameter of the tube 2, as exemplified in, for instance, Figures 4A, 7, and 9.
  • Figure 12 shows a connector 20 comprising a long wire 140.
  • the wire has a number of wire loops 142 attached to wire 140 at regular intervals d2.
  • the wire can be attached to the tube 2
  • the opposite of the loops 142 can be attached to the respective hydrophilic elements HE, as exemplified in Figures 13 and 14.
  • the loops 142 may have a first length L1.
  • the first length may be at least twice as long as a second length L2, i.e. a length between an opening OP in a respective hydrophilic element HE and an end thereof (Fig. 13).
  • the mutual distance d2 is substantially equal to the maximum distance d1.
  • the minimum distance between subsequent hydrophilic elements HE when the wire 140 is in a collapsed position is substantially zero.
  • the mutual distance between hydrophilic elements changes between the extreme positions, i.e. substantially d2 (when the spacers of the hydrophilic elements are located in the upper end of the absorber AB) and substantially zero (when the spacers of the hydrophilic elements are located in the lower end of the absorber AB).
  • Figure 13 exemplifies a step of attaching the connector 20 to the hydrophilic elements HE in a threading process.
  • the threading through the openings OP is finished for the 3 hydrophilic elements HE at the left hand side.
  • a wire loop 146 is pulled through the opening OP in the fourth hydrophilic elements HE.
  • the wire 140 is pulled through the opening of wire loop 146.
  • the many wire loops 142 which are attached to wire 140 are not drawn, however, in reality, they are present. After pulling the complete line 140 with the attached wire loops 142, the next wire loop 142 becomes available to be pulled through the opening OP in the next hydrophilic elements HE, etc..
  • Figures 15 and 16 respectively show a variant of the connectors 20.
  • the wire 140 and loops 142 are created differently.
  • the wire 140 herein is comprised of mutually interconnected connectable elements 150.
  • the connectable elements 150 may, for instance, comprise chain links, pieces of wire, rods, springs, etc.
  • the basic idea is that the connectable elements 150 can collapse to a minimum length of the wire element 140, and restrict the maximum length of the wire element at a predetermined threshold.
  • Figures 17 and 18 show yet other embodiments of the connector 20.
  • the hydrophilic elements are provided with two openings OP.
  • the connectors 20 are comprised of hexagonal shaped elements 160 (Fig. 17) or diamond-shaped elements 162 (Fig. 18). Said elements 160, 162 allow mutual movement of the hydrophilic elements with respect to each other, enabling the mutual distance d1 to vary within a predetermined range.
  • the absorber AB may comprise a tubular element 2 comprised of a frame 170.
  • the frame may comprise, for instance, a front end and an aft end.
  • the front end and aft end may be comprised of a wheel shaped structure having a number of spokes 172.
  • First ends of said spokes 172 may be connected to a central axis 100 of the tubular element 2.
  • Second ends of the spokes 172 may be interconnected by first rods 174.
  • the second ends of the spokes of the front end may be connected to corresponding second ends of the spokes of the aft end by second rods 176.
  • a lower end of the frame 170 is arranged in an open container 180.
  • the working fluid 15 is arranged in said container 180.
  • the frame constitutes a substantially fixed or solid structure.
  • the gas capturing elements HE are loosely arranged within the fixed structure of the frame 170.
  • the gas capturing elements are, for instance, a number of cylinders 3.
  • the cylinders 3 are typically made of sheet like polymer.
  • the cylinders 3 can move in radial direction, i.e. in a direction along the of length of the spokes 172, with respect to the frame 170 of the tubular element 2. Due to gravity, the cylinders will therefore rest on the bottom of the frame.
  • the centerlines of each cylinder is eccentric with respect to the centerline 100 of the frame 170 of the tubular element 2.
  • the frame 170 can rotate around its centerline 100. Upon rotation of the frame 170 of the tubular element 2, the cylinders 3 will rotate as well. Due to gravity, the cylinders 3, which can move freely within the frame 170, will drop down (in radial direction along the length of the spokes 172.
  • the hydrophilic element HE such as the eccentric rolling cylinders 3 ( Figure 4), the rotating sagging spirals 5, 8 (Fig. 9) and/or the flights and pellets (Fig. 10 and 11), are partly immersed in the working fluid 15.
  • the tubular element 2 is rotated and the respective hydrophilic elements HE create a surface area for contacting air that is constantly regenerated due to the rotation of the absorber tube 2.
  • the air stream is brought about mechanically, for instance by a ventilator, or without mechanical by the wind.
  • the hydrophilic elements may be cylinders 3 which are arranged concentrically.
  • the level of the working fluid 15 in the tube 2 needs to be relatively high, to ensure that all the cylinders 3 will contact the working fluid upon rotation.
  • each of the one or more cylinders 3 is substantially eccentric with respect to the tubular element 2.
  • the hydrophilic elements HE have around 70 to 95%, for instance more than 80%, for instance more than 85%, for instance about 90% or more of their wetted areas positioned in the stream of air.
  • the level of the working fluid can be correspondingly adapted, being in the order of about 5 to 30%, for instance about 10%, for instance about 15%, for instance about 20%, of the diameter of the tube 2.
  • the absorber of the disclosure enables a relatively high absorption rate of minority gasses out of the air stream compared to the size, i.e. diameter and length, of the absorber tube and/or the incoming air surface area.
  • the working fluid 15 may be a concentrated solution of a hygroscopic liquid.
  • the hygroscopic liquid can be a water based solution of calcium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, glycerol or a combination thereof.
  • Concentrated may mean near-saturated.
  • the level of saturation herein depends on ambient temperature and the solubility curve. For instance for calcium chloride, concentrated may mean between 40-50% mass concentration of calcium chloride in an aqueous solution.
  • dry working fluid 15 comprises about up to 76 grams of CaCI2 per 100 mL, while wetted working fluid 15 comprises about 45 to 55, for instance about 50 grams of CaCI2 per 100 mL.
  • the absorber section A is typically combined with a regeneration section B and an energy section C, as exemplified in Figures 1 to 2.
  • the regeneration system B may be a low-temperature distillation unit running under vacuum (see Figure 1 for an exemplary setup), a high-temperature distillation unit running at atmospheric pressure, a distillation unit applying mechanical vapor recompression (see Figure 2 for an exemplary setup), a form of membrane distillation, or a reverse osmosis system.
  • the energy section C of the system 1 includes an energy supply, such as a field of flat-plate solar thermal collectors combined with a field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of parabolic trough mirrors with a field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of photovoltaic collectors, residual waste heat from industry, residual waste heat from an electrolyser producing hydrogen, an electricity grid, or a (diesel) generator.
  • an energy supply such as a field of flat-plate solar thermal collectors combined with a field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of parabolic trough mirrors with a field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of photovoltaic collectors, residual waste heat from industry, residual waste heat from an electrolyser producing hydrogen, an electricity grid, or a (diesel) generator.
  • the respective embodiments of the absorber AB as described above can be included in a system 1 for harvesting water out of ambient air.
  • the absorber section A comprises the absorber AB.
  • the absorber has hydrophilic elements HE, for instance, cylinders 3, spirals 5, or flights and pellets.
  • the hydrophilic elements are, for instance, comprised of a Metal Organic Framework, i.e. sheets or fabrics of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide.
  • the hydrophilic elements HE rotate through a shallow bath of working fluid 15.
  • the working fluid may be heated water.
  • the energy section C comprises the energy supply.
  • the energy supply 40 may comprise a field of flat-plate solar thermal collectors combined with a relatively small field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of parabolic trough mirrors with a relatively small field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of photo-voltaic collectors, residual waste heat from industry, residual waste heat from an electrolyser producing hydrogen, an electricity grid or a (diesel) generator.
  • the absorber AB as described above may be included in a system for capturing carbon dioxide out of ambient air.
  • the capturing section A of the system comprises the absorber AB.
  • the absorber may comprise cylinders 3 (Fig. 4A), spirals 5 (Fig. 9) or flights and pellets (Fig. 11) as described above.
  • the absorber tube 2 rotates through a shallow bath of working fluid 15.
  • the working fluid may comprise ethanolamine or potassium carbonate.
  • the regeneration section B comprises a low-temperature regeneration vessel.
  • the energy section C comprises the energy supply.
  • the energy supply may comprise one or more of a field of flat-plate solar thermal collectors with a small field of photo-voltaic collectors, a field of parabolic trough mirrors with a small field of photovoltaic collectors, a field of photo-voltaic collectors, residual waste heat from industry, an electricity grid or a (diesel) generator.
  • the absorber AB as described above may be included in a system for capturing ammonia out of ambient air.
  • the system comprises an absorber section A including the absorber AB.
  • the absorber AB has cylinders, spirals or flights and pellets ( Figures 4A, 9 or 11 respectively).
  • the absorber tube 2 rotates through a shallow bath of working fluid 15.
  • the working fluid 15 may comprise sulphuric acid.
  • the energy section may comprise one or more of a field of photo-voltaic collectors, an electricity grid or a (diesel) generator.
  • the system and method of the disclosure enable an efficient AWG absorption process, and provide a solution to the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the absorber AB applies interfacial surface material within a rotating drum 2 and directs the airflow in a direction parallel to the rotational axis 100 and parallel to the interfacial surface area.
  • the interfacial surface material is partially immersed in a bath of the working fluid 15. For each rotation of the rotating drum, the entire surface area of the interface is refreshed with the liquid, thus permanently covering the surface area with working fluid.
  • the remaining challenge is to create a large interfacial surface area relative to the surface area of the incoming airflow, while maintaining the benefits described above.
  • the solution proposed herein introduces surprising interfacial surface area designs to be used in a surprising rotating absorber design.
  • a rotating drum absorber comprises an interfacial surface area designed as a contracting arrangement of material, which is free in the airflow and compressed when in the liquid bath.
  • the electric power consumption for rotating the absorber tube 2 and the hydrophilic elements HE and for processing the airflow to overcome the flow resistance and for wetting the entire surface area many times is relatively small.
  • the energy consumption of the absorber and the absorber section A as disclosed herein is significantly smaller than the energy consumption of conventional solutions.
  • the disclosure provides three examples of an interfacial surface design: eccentric rolling cylinders 3, sagging spirals 5 and flights and pellets.
  • Each of the designs has elements which are freely mobile with respect to the rotating tube 2 under specific degrees of freedom, while allowing the respective hydrophilic elements to become completely wetted with working fluid after each rotation of the rotatable tube 2.
  • the hydrophilic elements HE such as the cylinders 3, spirals 5 or flights and pellets are immersed in a bath of the hygroscopic working fluid.
  • the surface of the hydrophilic elements is permanently covered by the fluid.
  • the water absorption speed is proportional to the total active liquid area. So, a dense packing of material is preferred.
  • the respective cylinders 3 or spiral loops 8a, 8b etc. have unequal diameters within the rotatable drum 2.
  • the tube 2 in order to get all cylinders covered with liquid, in an absorber AB with centralized cylinders, the tube 2 must be filled by nearly 50% of the available volume, wherein only about 50% of the surface area of the wetted cylinders is exposed to the air stream and contributes to the absorption of water out of the air.
  • the cross section of the absorber exposed to incoming airflow is increased with around a factor two or more. See Figure 7.
  • the invention effectively increases the surface area available for absorption with at least about a factor two, and thus the absorption rate with a factor two as well.
  • the cylinders 3 or spiral loops 8a, 8b etc. can rest upon each other at the bottom end of the tube 2.
  • all cylinders 3 or spiral loops 8a, 8b roll inside each other, wherein their entire surface becomes wetted with working fluid 15.
  • the minimally required amount of liquid in the bath of working fluid 15 in the tube 2 can be reduced.
  • absorber AB in a starting position, absorber AB is provided with a number of cylinders 3 as gas capturing elements loosely arranged within the rotatable element 2.
  • the rotatable element 2 is stationary. Due to gravity, the cylinders 3, which can move freely with respect to the tubular element 2, rest on the lower end of the tubular element 2.
  • Line 188 substantially indicates a minimal distance between the respective cylinders, which corresponds to a minimal height of the working fluid 15 required for optimal operation.
  • the rotatable element 2 Upon start of operation, see Fig. 21 B, the rotatable element 2 will start to rotate, for instance in the direction of the arrow 190.
  • the cylinders 3 will start to rotate as well, due to friction between the rotatable element 2 and the outermost cylinder.
  • the cylinders may move along with the rotatable element 2, see line 192 in Fig. 21 B. Due to gravity however, see line 194 in Fig. 21C, the cylinders will move in radial direction RD. Due to gravity, said radial direction is, in fact, a direction in downward direction along the radius of the tubular element 2. Substantially, the cylinders move downward due to gravity, as they are unconstrained and are not fixated with respect to the rotatable element 2. During operation, the position of the cylinders 3 within the rotatable element 2 will vary between the positions as exemplified in Figures 21B to 21D.
  • the circles having reference number 3 in Figures 21 A to 21 D may also be loops of a spiral, like the loops 8 of the spiral in Fig. 9.
  • the loops may be connected by dynamic spacers 20.
  • the maximum lengths of the dynamic spacers 20 may be such, that at the bottom of tube 2 depicted in Figures 21A to 21 D, the loops do not touch each other, resulting in a positioning of the loops at the lowest possible position, not only at rest, but also during the rotation, see Fig. 21 C.
  • the maximum lengths of the dynamic spacers 20 may be such, that at the bottom in Fig. 21 , the loops touch each other, resulting in a shifted positioning of the loops during the rotation, see Fig. 21 B.
  • the diameter of the rotatable element 2 is in the range of 1 tot 2 meter.
  • the diameter of the rotatable element 2 is much smaller, typically 10 or 20 cm, it may become practical to apply a hygroscopic element HE comprising a spiral with relatively thick loops, and without dynamic spacers, as gas capturing element.
  • the desired sagging of the loops as illustrated in Figures 4, 5B, 5D, 7, and 21, becomes the result of the equilibrium between the weight and the stiffness of the spiral, an equilibrium between gravitational and elastic forces.
  • the necessary elastic counter forces may be delivered by separate springs.
  • around 90% of the volume of the tube 2 can be available for the air stream and around 90% of the surface area of the cylinders or spirals can contribute to the water production out of the ambient air passing by.
  • the tube 2 may have a diameter of about 0.5 to 2.4 meter.
  • the tubular element 2 can be rotated.
  • the tube may rotate relatively slowly.
  • the tube can rotate along its longitudinal axis 100 with a speed of, for instance, 0.5 to 2 turns per minute.
  • the ventilator 10 can blow or suck air through the tube 2.
  • the tube can be provided with hydrophilic elements.
  • the hydrophilic elements may be cylinders 3 or a spiral 5 made of sheets of nylon which are cylindrically curved.
  • the cylinders 3 or spirals 5 have a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the flow direction of the air.
  • the nylon sheet is arranged in such a way, that all parts of the nylon are immersed in the liquid at least once upon each rotation of the tube 2.
  • the working fluid 15 may comprise water.
  • the nylon has a hydrophilic surface, by nature. So, when during the rotation of the tube a segment of the nylon sheet is moving upwards out of the liquid, the surface of the segment remains covered with a film of the liquid. Next, this film is exposed to the air stream. During this exposure the liquid absorbs a minority gas from the air, dependent on the chemical properties of the liquid.
  • the absorber AB can be used in a system to provide an atmospheric water generator.
  • the liquid consists of a solution of potassium carbonate or ethanolamine in water
  • carbon dioxide is absorbed
  • the invention is a direct air capture device.
  • the nylon sheets of the absorber AB may be replaced by sheets which comprise a Metal Organic Framework, or a hydro gel network.
  • a Metal Organic Framework for instance poly isopropylacrylamide, with a phase transition at a certain critical temperature.
  • a simple atmospheric water generator can be constructed.
  • the sagging spiral may comprise a relatively large number of loops 8a, 8b.
  • the loop rest upon each other due to gravity.
  • the loops may be connected to each other by means of dynamic spacers 20, such as strings or chainlinks.
  • the spacers 20 control an equal distance between adjacent loops, preventing undesired winding and unwinding of the loops, and preventing the migration of loops out of the rotating tube 2.
  • the eccentric cylinders 3 may be free to rotate inside and with respect to each other, giving them the same tangential velocity and different angular velocities.
  • the migration of cylinders out of the rotating tube 2 may be prevented by bars.
  • the flights and pellets (Fig. 11) comprise ‘flights’ or buckets that are fixed onto the rotating drum which, when passing through the liquid bath, fill up with pellets which are wet with working fluid.
  • the pellets and liquid continuously fall out of the flights, creating a constant curtain of interfacial surface that comes in contact with the incoming airflow.
  • the pellets improve the efficiency. Due to the relatively viscous nature of the working fluid, the pellets increase the effective surface area.
  • the absorber of the disclosure enables an atmospheric water generator in which the water is regenerated out of the hygroscopic liquid 15 in different possible ways.
  • Regeneration may include thermal distillation under vacuum at a low temperature ( Figure 1), atmospheric thermal distillation at a higher temperature, mechanical vapour recompression ( Figure 2), membrane distillation or reverse osmosis.
  • Low temperature heat sources may include: flat-plate solar collectors, waste heat from industry, residual waste heat from an electrolyser producing hydrogen, a heat pump or a (diesel) generator.
  • High temperature heat sources may include: concentrating solar collectors, waste heat from industry, or a heat pump. Electricity for mechanical vapour recompression, membrane distillation or reverse osmosis can come from photo-voltaic solar collectors, an electricity grid or a (diesel) generator.
  • the absorber AB may comprise a rotatable tube including cylinders 3.
  • the tube 2 may have a diameter of about 1.5 to 2.4 meter.
  • the tube 2 may be about 1 to 2 meters long.
  • the tube 2 may be connected to a rotation mechanism DM which is driven by a motor.
  • This liquid may comprise a concentrated solution of calcium chloride, CaCI2, in water.
  • the tube 2 is filled with cylinders, comprised of nylon sheets. Because of the rotation of the tube 2, the nylon sheets will rotate as well and will be covered with a film of liquid. Ventilators 10 pull air through the tubes 2. Water vapour is continuously absorbed out of the passing air into the liquid film on the nylon sheets.
  • each surface section of the sheets is submerged in the liquid bath of the working fluid 15, bringing about a refreshment of the liquid film on the respective cylinder 3.
  • the liquid in the bath in the absorber tubes is refreshed by working fluid flowing out of a tank, either in a continuous or batch process, which contains “dry” liquid. “Wet” liquid is regularly flowing to a second tank of the absorber section.
  • the absorber tube 2 can be rotated at a speed of about 0.5 to 3 turns per minute.
  • the water vapour absorption speed is proportional to the total area of the liquid-air interface.
  • the absorber AB of the present invention allows to increase the total active surface area within the absorber tube 2.
  • the active surface area is increased with about a factor 160 to 350 with respect to the surface area of the incoming air.
  • the latter is proportional to the open cross section of the tube 2, which is about 2 to 4 m2 per tube. This increase is achieved in the following way.
  • the active surface may be comprised of both sides of a 0.3 to 1 mm thick sheet made out of nylon (polyamide).
  • the rotatable polymer tube 2 is completely filled with curved nylon sheet, in an open structure.
  • the air flow resistance is relatively small.
  • the distance between two neighbouring sheets may vary, for instance between zero and about 5 to 50 mm. Because of the rotation of the tube 2, every part of the sheet becomes submerged in the liquid during a limited amount of time.
  • Nylon may be chosen as sheet material because of its excellent hydrophilic properties.
  • Every part of the sheet remains wet after being risen out of the liquid in the course of the rotational movement of the whole system.
  • the remaining part of the surface is submerged in the working fluid, for instance a CaCI2 solution.
  • the working fluid for instance a CaCI2 solution.
  • the nylon can be mounted in two possible ways, in freely rolling eccentric cylinders (figure 4A), or in a sagging spiral (figure 9), or a combination of both.
  • nylon cylinders with diameters varying from 10 to 220 cm may fill about 80-95% of the space inside the tube 2.
  • the cylinders 3 can roll inside each other, so they become completely wet even in a shallow layer of liquid. At the bottom, in the liquid, they are resting upon each other, pressing the liquid away, and improving the speed of replacement of the liquid on the nylon surface, thus creating turbulence and mixing within the working fluid.
  • the cylinders are constructed in a way that both defines and maintains the cylindrical shape, and keeps the surface from bending from the free movement in axial direction.
  • the cylinders need to be strong enough or supported to keep their shape.
  • the cylinders are free to roll, but are also free to move out of the rotating tube, unless measures are taken to keep them in position.
  • a 100 to 200 meter long sheet for instance of nylon or a comparable hygroscopic material, may be rolled into a spiral.
  • the diameters of the neighbouring loops 8a, 8b, of the spiral 5 may differ about 5 to 50 mm.
  • the loops can be connected to each other with dynamic spacers 20, such as chain links or strings made out of strong material that can withstand corrosion, such as titanium or IIHMWPE.
  • dynamic spacers 20 such as chain links or strings made out of strong material that can withstand corrosion, such as titanium or IIHMWPE.
  • Regular spacing distances bring about a regular filling of the space, and sufficient space for the air stream to reach every surface element of the wet nylon.
  • the strings are connected until the inner most nylon cylinder. So, when this cylinder is rolling, the spiral is forced to rotate too. Because of the gravitational force all loops of the spiral are resting upon each other at the lowest position at any angular position of the rotating tube. So the whole surface of the spiral is submerged in the liquid at regular intervals, and the whole surface of the spiral is covered with a film of fresh liquid while the air stream is passing by.
  • the working fluid can be cycled by means of gravity, or pumping or siphoning from the absorber tubes towards a tank at a lower position.
  • the CaCI2-concentration of the liquid is calculated from the specific density. The liquid is at rest in the tank for a longer period of time, and dirt from dust and sand particles will settle down at the bottom of the tank. Air filters in front of the absorber tubes keep large particles out of the system.
  • the energy supply can be organised in the following way.
  • the hot water which is flowing through the spirals in the boiler tubes is part of a closed circuit, resembling a standard solar driven home central heating system, with a pressure tank with a spiral, and an expansion tank.
  • the spiral is connected to a set of parallel tubes inside a heap of sand or stones, which functions as a storage tank for solar heat.
  • the solar field may comprise flat-plate solar collectors, delivering heat with a high solar efficiency at a temperature of about 70 °C. Most of the heat must be stored, because the rotating absorber has a higher production at night than during the day, and it is advantageous to operate the regenerator and the absorber simultaneously. Heat storage is done by storing sensible heat in water, a heap or pile of sand or stones, or underground.
  • a small fraction of the solar field may comprise photo-voltaic (PV) panels. Most of the electricity may be stored in batteries and consumed at night by the ventilators, the motors of the absorber tubes and the pumps.
  • PV photo-voltaic
  • an atmospheric water generator is applied, which comprises three elements: the rotating absorber, the regenerator, and the solar field.
  • the distillation temperature is much higher, the vacuum pump is omitted, the thermal storage is omitted, and the capacity of the tanks which store the working fluid is increased substantially. This way the absorption and the regeneration processes do not need to occur simultaneously.
  • the rotating absorber is the same as in the first embodiment.
  • the high temperature is achieved by concentrating the solar rays by means of parabolic trough mirrors, by high temperature industrial waste heat, an electric grid with a heat pump or with a (diesel) generator.
  • the concentrated solution of calcium chloride is pumped through the boiler, where it boils at a temperature of 120 °C, creating steam at a pressure of about 1 bar.
  • the steam condenses in an air-cooled condenser, and the distilled water flows directly into the storage tank by means of gravity.
  • the liquid flows by means of gravity out of the boiler via a heat exchanger into a tank, from where the ’’dry” liquid is pumped to the absorber.
  • an atmospheric water generator is applied, which comprises three elements: the rotating absorber, the regenerator, and the solar field, but differs from the second embodiment in two aspects.
  • the parabolic trough-boiler combination is replaced by an integrated boilercondenser together with a steam pump and the solar field consists of photo-voltaic panels only, or a connection to an electric grid.
  • This regeneration method is called mechanical vapour recompression (MVR).
  • MVR mechanical vapour recompression
  • the main source of energy for the regeneration process is not in the form of heat, but in the form of electricity.
  • the rotating absorber is the same as in the first embodiment.
  • the boiler of the distiller is operating at a high temperature, 120 °C instead of 55 °C in the first embodiment. Because of this integrated design the condensation process occurs at only a slightly higher temperature, 121 °C, than the boiling process, but all condensation heat is available for the boiling process. Only a limited amount of extra heat is needed for the continuation of the MVR process. This extra heat is delivered by resistance heating using a part of the electricity from the energy supply.
  • an atmospheric water generator is applied, which comprises only two elements: the absorber and the solar field.
  • the working principle differs from wet desiccation.
  • PNIPAAm poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)
  • LOST critical solution temperature
  • the absorber can be built in the same way as in the first embodiment, but the nylon sheet is now replaced by a mesh covered with a polymer protection layer.
  • the mesh is supporting a fabric of PNIPAAm.
  • the rotating tube of the absorber is filled with the mesh with PNIPAAm in cylinders and/or spirals.
  • the PNIPAAm is then in the hydrophilic state, and absorbs the water molecules out of the passing air.
  • the liquid consists of pure water at a temperature well above 32 °C.
  • the PNIPAAm is than in the hydrophobic state, and all the water that was absorbed during its stay in the cold air is pressed out of the pores in the PNIPAAm into the water bath. So the amount of water in the hot water bath increases continuously.
  • the solar field supplies the necessary heat that is consumed in the hot water bath.
  • the heat from the solar field is partially stored in sand, stones, and/or water, in order to be able to operate the absorption process at night.
  • a direct air capture device for capturing carbon dioxide which comprises three elements: the rotating absorber, the regenerator, and the solar field. It is a machine which produces pure concentrated CO2-gas out of the dilute CO2-gas that is present in the air, using solar energy.
  • the absorber is organised in the same way as in the first embodiment of the invention, with an interfacial surface in the form of cylinders, spirals or flights and pellets.
  • an interfacial surface in the form of cylinders, spirals or flights and pellets.
  • a shallow layer of a CO2-absorbing liquid is present, for instance ethanolamine.
  • the interfacial surface becomes completely covered with ethanolamine.
  • the ethanolamine liquid is circulating along the absorber, the bottom tank, the heat exchanger, the boiler tubes, the heat exchanger and the top tank in the same way as the hygroscopic working fluid is doing in the first embodiment.
  • the regenerator is such as in the second embodiment.
  • the boiler tubes are operating at a temperature where the ethanolamine is emitting the earlier absorbed C02 at an optimum speed without causing an undesired chemical change to the liquid.
  • the condenser of the embodiment 2 is replaced by a compressor in order to deliver the carbon dioxide at the desired pressure for its application: underground storage, in greenhouses, production of solar fuels together with green hydrogen, etc.
  • DAC direct air capture device
  • AVG atmospheric water generator
  • the productivity of a certain category of DAC devices depends heavily on the relative humidity of the incoming air. This is especially the case for DAC’s that apply activated carbon. Air with a moderate to high relative humidity causes a serious reduction of the amount of produced pure CO2.
  • the air is first processed by an atmospheric water generator as described in the embodiments 1 , 2, 3, or 4.
  • the air leaving the AWG is processed next in a DAC that applies active carbon, resulting in a higher yield of CO2.
  • a device is applied to clean the air from i.e. a cow shed or a pig shed from ammonia that is produced by the faeces and urine of the animals.
  • the biodiversity of nature reserve areas is heavily attacked by ammonia.
  • the invention as described in the first embodiment is applied as an air scrubber for filtering ammonia out of the air by replacing the hygroscopic liquid by sulphuric acid. The acid binds the ammonia that is present in the air that is passing through the rotating absorber.
  • Figures 6 and 7 display the working principle of the rotating absorber, with stationary cylinders (Fig. 6), and free rolling cylinders (Fig. 7).
  • Figure 6 shows a tube 2 provided with a number of cylinders 3.
  • the cylinders are hydrophilic, or have a hydrophilic coating.
  • the cylinders are connected to spokes 19, which in turn are connected to the tube 2.
  • the tube 2 is filled with a working fluid 15, typically a hygroscopic liquid.
  • the working fluid has a level filling up to nearly 50% of the available volume of the tube 2.
  • a ventilator 10 (Fig. 1) blows or sucks ambient air through the open top part of the tube 2, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 100.
  • Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the absorber AB according to the invention.
  • the spokes 19 may be removed.
  • the cylinders 3 may be hydrophilic, or may be provided with a hydrophilic coating.
  • the cylinders 3 are unconnected, and are free to roll inside each other when the outer tube 2 rotates. Complete wetting of all the cylinders 3 can be achieved with a much shallower bath of hygroscopic working fluid 15. A much larger fraction of the hydrophilic cylinders 3 is active in the absorption process, compared to the implementation shown in Figure 6. Simple measures to contain the cylinders 3 inside tube 2 can be envisaged, and examples are shown in and described with respect to figures 4A and 4B.
  • Figure 4B displays a perspective view of the rotatable absorber AB.
  • the ventilator 10 can pull air out, thus causing a relatively strong wind of fresh air 11 through the tube.
  • a thick walled tube 2 is arranged on the two rollers 12.
  • the electro motor MO with delaying gearbox 13 may drive the rollers 12 by means of a timing belt 14.
  • the tube 2 may be rotated continuously.
  • the rotatable tube 2 is filled with a number of cylinders 3. Each cylinder 3 may be free to rotate and move within adjacent cylinder.
  • the tangential velocity of the cylinder walls is equal to the tangential velocity of the rotating tube 2.
  • the rotational speed in terms of number of rotations per hour is inversely proportional to the diameter of the cylinders 3.
  • the cylinders may be made of hydrogel PNIPAAm, or alternatively the cylinders may be comprised of nylon (polyamide, PA).
  • the bottom of the stationary tube H is filled with a working fluid 15.
  • the working fluid 15 is wetting the inner and outer surfaces of the cylinders 3. Most of the time, the wet cylinder surface is outside the liquid, and present in the stream of air 11 , flowing through the cylinders 3. Minority gasses in the air, like water vapour, carbon dioxide or ammonia, are absorbed out of the air and into the working fluid, dependent on the physical and chemical properties of the working fluid 15.
  • the working fluid is a hygroscopic liquid like a concentrated solution of CaCI2 in water, or a mixture of glycerol and water, or pure water in the embodiment with poly-N-isopropylacrylamide).
  • the working fluid may be a CO2-capturing liquid, like potassium carbonate in water, or ethanolamine.
  • the working fluid may comprise a NH3-capturing component like sulphuric acid.
  • the cylinders 3 are free to roll, but also free to move out of the rotating tube 2, and out of the stationary tube 1.
  • measures are taken to prevent movement of the cylinders in longitudinal direction.
  • a bar 4 may be mounted in the rotating tube 2 on both sides of the freely rotatable cylinders 3. The bar 4 typically intersects the rotational axis 100 of the rotatable tube 2.
  • the liquid 15 at the bottom may be contained by vertical plates, exemplified in for instance Figure 5C.
  • the tube 2 may be rotated at a constant speed.
  • Said speed may be in the range of about 0.2 to 5 turns per minute, for instance about 1 turn per minute or 6 degrees per second.
  • Figure 9 shows the rotation of tube 2, wherein the arrows 26 exemplify the tangential velocity.
  • the shape of the spiral 5 does not change.
  • the four dynamic spacers 20 prevent such a change.
  • the angular velocity of each loop 8 is also equal to, for instance, 6 degrees per second.
  • the tangential velocity of each separate loop 8 is illustrated by the arrows 26.
  • the tangential velocity is equal to the radius of the loop times the angular velocity, which is for instance about 0.1 radians per second.
  • the tangential velocity 26 is proportional to the diameter of the loop 8. Adjacent loops, which touch each other at the bottom of the tube 2, have a different velocity.
  • forces must be applied to overcome the frictional resistance between the neighbouring loops at the bottom. These forces may be mainly delivered by the one or more spacers 20.
  • the main function of the connector or spacer 20 on the left is to keep the loops at a more or less cylindrical shape.
  • the loops are resting on the knots 21 in the spacer.
  • the other spacers, on the bottom and on the right of Figure 8, are passive at the position as shown in Figure 9.
  • the absorber AB shown in Fig. 9 is rotated a quarter of a turn. Respective spacers or connectors 20 take over each other’s function. The connectors at the top and on the left keep the loops 8 in their proper shape. The connectors on the bottom and on the right are passive, etc.
  • the bottom of the tube 2 is filled with the working fluid 15.
  • the working fluid 15 is wetting the inner and outer surfaces of the spiral 5. Most of the time, the wet surface of a loop 8 is outside the liquid, and present in the stream of air. Minority gasses in the air, like water vapour, carbon dioxide or ammonia, are absorbed out of the air and into the working fluid, dependent on the physical and chemical properties of the working fluid 15.
  • the loops 8 and the cylinders 3 in Figure 4A and 4B may comprise of nylon.
  • the sheets of the cylinders or spiral may be kept in its cylindrical position by stretching the sheet over fibreglass or metal hoops, applying metal spring or elastic bands to connect both sides of the sheet with each other, and polymer strings to baste the sheet to the hoops.
  • the edges of the cylinders 3 may be reinforced by fibreglass or metal hoops.
  • the sheet or plate or mesh may be fabric organized in one or more spirals.
  • the loops 8 of the spiral 5 may be distorted by the gravitational force, such that the complete surface of the spiral is wetted after one complete rotation of the tube which contains the spiral.
  • the neighbouring loops of the spiral may be connected by a polymer string with knots or by a chain in order to limit the distance between the neighbouring loops.
  • the neighbouring loops of the spiral 5 may be connected with each other by means of separate, individual strings.
  • the rotating tube 2 can be filled with packages of rolling cylinders 3, as well as with spirals 5.
  • the regeneration section B may comprise a distillation unit operating at a reduced pressure, causing a boiling temperature well below 100 degrees Celsius, enabling a field of solar collectors, or waste heat from an industrial process, as heat source for the boiling process.
  • the regeneration unit of the working fluid water may be a distillation unit operating at atmospheric pressure.
  • the heat for the distillation may be supplied by evacuated tube solar collectors, parabolic trough mirrors or linear Fresnel mirrors.
  • Solar heat may be stored in a tank containing water, a tank containing working fluid, a pile or heap of sand or stones or clay, also containing water, underground, before being consumed in the boiler of the distiller.
  • the regeneration unit of the working fluid may be a distillation unit operating by means of mechanical vapour recompression.
  • the fabric may be comprised of a material with two phases: hydrophilic at a temperature below a certain critical temperature and hydrophobic above this temperature.
  • the fabric may comprise a Hydrogel network poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), or PNIPAAm doped with hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride (hygroscopic chloride-doped polypyrrole (PPy-CI)), ), or PNIPAAm doped with hydrophilic sodium alginate (Alg), or PNIPAAm doped with hydrophilic sodium alginate (Alg) and calcium chloride, or of PNIPAAm doped with sodium acrylate (AacNa): copolymer (NPAAm-co- AAcNa).
  • PNIPAAm Hydrogel network poly
  • PNIPAAm PNIPAAm doped with hygroscopic polypyrrole chloride
  • PPy-CI hygroscopic chloride-doped polypyrrole
  • PNIPAAm doped with hydrophilic sodium alginate (Alg) and calcium chloride or of PNIPAAm doped with sodium acrylate (Aac
  • the working fluid may be water at a temperature above the low critical solution temperature (LCST).
  • LCST low critical solution temperature
  • the disclosure provides a direct air capture device for harvesting carbon dioxide, wherein the working fluid absorbs carbon dioxide at ambient temperature and desorbs carbon dioxide at a higher temperature.
  • the direct air capture device for harvesting carbon dioxide may comprise a working fluid comprising a solution of potassium carbonate in water, ethanolamine, or related amines.
  • Atmospheric minority gas absorber comprising an atmospheric water generator in order to dry the air, and comprising a direct air capture device for harvesting carbon dioxide wherein the air is flowing first through the atmospheric water generator and next through the direct air capture device.
  • An air scrubber wherein the liquid at the bottom of the rotating tubes absorbs ammonia.
  • the necessary bath of working fluid is very small (low), such that a larger surface area is available to come in contact with the input airflow.
  • a relatively small amount of mechanical energy is required for the rotation of the absorber and the constant regeneration of the hygroscopic liquid on the surface area, due to the geometry of the cylinders and/or spirals.
  • the liquid is pumped in once during either a batch or continuous process, after which no pumping is necessary to bring the hygroscopic liquid in contact with the input airflow many times (thus for a longer period of time).
  • the working fluid is pumped up many times during the absorption process, before going to the regeneration step or 2) the working fluid absorbs a relatively small amount of water, such that the input concentration for the regeneration process is higher, thus resulting in a less efficient regeneration process. 5.
  • a relatively simple absorber design makes it acceptable for all kinds of pollution and contaminants (bugs, dust, sand, etc.) to enter the absorber, without a negative effect on the absorption rate or on the mechanical rotation during the absorption process.
  • this open design makes it possible to direct rainwater into the system, thus increasing production and efficiency of the distillation process due to ‘free’ extra water.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Gas Separation By Absorption (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne un système de capture d'un composant gazeux à partir d'air, le système comprenant : un absorbeur (2) comprenant : au moins un élément tubulaire rotatif (2) ; et au moins un élément de capture de gaz (HE) situé radialement mobile dans l'élément tubulaire et s'étendant dans le sens de la longueur de l'élément tubulaire, le ou les éléments de capture de gaz étant conçus pour immerger dans un fluide de travail lors de la rotation de l'élément tubulaire.
PCT/EP2025/064402 2024-05-28 2025-05-23 Système et procédé d'absorption d'un composant gazeux à partir d'air Pending WO2025247788A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2037795 2024-05-28
NL2037795 2024-05-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025247788A1 true WO2025247788A1 (fr) 2025-12-04

Family

ID=92209142

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2025/064402 Pending WO2025247788A1 (fr) 2024-05-28 2025-05-23 Système et procédé d'absorption d'un composant gazeux à partir d'air

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025247788A1 (fr)

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5679290A (en) 1996-09-16 1997-10-21 Cameron; Gordon M. Packed absorption towers
US6156102A (en) 1998-11-10 2000-12-05 Fantom Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for recovering water from air
WO2003070356A2 (fr) 2002-02-19 2003-08-28 The Indian Institute Of Technology, Bombay Systeme de regeneration ecoenergetique de deshydratant liquide
WO2006060645A1 (fr) 2004-12-03 2006-06-08 The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture Procede et dispositif de purification d'ammoniac de l'air evacue d'installations d'elevage d'animaux
BRPI0507284A (pt) * 2004-01-30 2007-07-03 G2T Technologies Inc método, recipiente e sistema de absorção para a recuperação de água a partir do ar atmosférico
US7306654B2 (en) 2004-01-30 2007-12-11 Ronald King Method and apparatus for recovering water from atmospheric air
US20080168789A1 (en) 2003-08-20 2008-07-17 Vital Earth Technologies Pty Limited Method and Apparatus For Condensing Water From Ambient Air
WO2012076658A1 (fr) 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 Statoil Petroleum As Procédé et appareil pour éliminer un gaz acide d'un gaz naturel
US20120205823A1 (en) * 2009-08-11 2012-08-16 Logos Innovationen Gmbh Device for extracting water from atmospheric air
EP3675977A1 (fr) 2017-08-28 2020-07-08 SunGlacier Technologies B.V. Procédé et dispositif de condensation d'une vapeur
WO2021259760A1 (fr) 2020-06-22 2021-12-30 Climeworks Ag Procédé et appareil pour la capture directe d'air de dioxyde de carbone au moyen d'un matériau de support polymère solide fonctionnalisé avec des fonctionnalités amino et utilisation de ce matériau pour la capture de dioxyde de carbone présent dans l'air
US20220026081A1 (en) 2018-12-06 2022-01-27 Intex Holdings Pty Ltd An apparatus for removing water from a fluid
WO2024046597A1 (fr) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-07 Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie - S.R.L. Absorbeur à lit rotatif à mailles en spirale destiné au capture de carbone compacte

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5679290A (en) 1996-09-16 1997-10-21 Cameron; Gordon M. Packed absorption towers
US6156102A (en) 1998-11-10 2000-12-05 Fantom Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for recovering water from air
WO2003070356A2 (fr) 2002-02-19 2003-08-28 The Indian Institute Of Technology, Bombay Systeme de regeneration ecoenergetique de deshydratant liquide
US20080168789A1 (en) 2003-08-20 2008-07-17 Vital Earth Technologies Pty Limited Method and Apparatus For Condensing Water From Ambient Air
BRPI0507284A (pt) * 2004-01-30 2007-07-03 G2T Technologies Inc método, recipiente e sistema de absorção para a recuperação de água a partir do ar atmosférico
US7306654B2 (en) 2004-01-30 2007-12-11 Ronald King Method and apparatus for recovering water from atmospheric air
WO2006060645A1 (fr) 2004-12-03 2006-06-08 The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture Procede et dispositif de purification d'ammoniac de l'air evacue d'installations d'elevage d'animaux
US20120205823A1 (en) * 2009-08-11 2012-08-16 Logos Innovationen Gmbh Device for extracting water from atmospheric air
WO2012076658A1 (fr) 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 Statoil Petroleum As Procédé et appareil pour éliminer un gaz acide d'un gaz naturel
NO332683B1 (no) * 2010-12-09 2012-12-10 Statoil Petroleum As Fremgangsmate og anordning for fjerning av sur gass fra naturgass ved hjelp av et kjemisk absorpsjonsmiddel
EP3675977A1 (fr) 2017-08-28 2020-07-08 SunGlacier Technologies B.V. Procédé et dispositif de condensation d'une vapeur
US20220026081A1 (en) 2018-12-06 2022-01-27 Intex Holdings Pty Ltd An apparatus for removing water from a fluid
WO2021259760A1 (fr) 2020-06-22 2021-12-30 Climeworks Ag Procédé et appareil pour la capture directe d'air de dioxyde de carbone au moyen d'un matériau de support polymère solide fonctionnalisé avec des fonctionnalités amino et utilisation de ce matériau pour la capture de dioxyde de carbone présent dans l'air
WO2024046597A1 (fr) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-07 Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie - S.R.L. Absorbeur à lit rotatif à mailles en spirale destiné au capture de carbone compacte

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
CHEN ZHIHUI ET AL: "Recent progress on sorption/desorption-based atmospheric water harvesting powered by solar energy", SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS, ELSEVIER SCIENCE PUBLISHERS, AMSTERDAM, NL, vol. 230, 18 June 2021 (2021-06-18), XP086765872, ISSN: 0927-0248, [retrieved on 20210618], DOI: 10.1016/J.SOLMAT.2021.111233 *
FEI ZHAO ET AL.: "Super Moisture-Absorbent Gels for All-Weather Atmospheric Water Harvesting", ADVANCED MATERIALS, vol. 31, 2019, pages 1806446, XP055651918, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806446
J. KLOMP ET AL.: "Design and demonstration of a 10 kg CO2/day DAC pilot facility using sorbent circulation", 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, 23 October 2022 (2022-10-23)
YUNHO ET AL.: "An Experimental Evaluation of A Residential Sized Evaporatively Cooled Condenser", INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRIGERATION, vol. 24, 2001, pages 238 - 249, XP004287431, DOI: 10.1016/S0140-7007(00)00022-0

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8999279B2 (en) Laminar flow air collector with solid sorbent materials for capturing ambient CO2
CN113164859A (zh) 用于被动收集大气二氧化碳的装置、系统和方法
US20210339191A1 (en) Systems for water extraction from air
US4210121A (en) Solar energy collection
AU2012230190B2 (en) Solar desalination plant for sea water, brines or waste water and desalination method
CN110325733A (zh) 使用大气蒸发驱动系统生成电力、冷量和蒸馏水的方法
WO2008154427A2 (fr) Refroidissement par convection/radiation d'un fluide de refroidissement de condensateur
AU2021401538B2 (en) Atmospheric water generation systems and methods
RU2010110009A (ru) Оборудование для промышленной обработки разнообразных материалов с использованием солнечной энергии
CN106800320A (zh) 一种蓄热式加湿除湿太阳能海水淡化系统及工艺方法
WO2015122852A1 (fr) Collecteur d'eau douce
WO2025247788A1 (fr) Système et procédé d'absorption d'un composant gazeux à partir d'air
US11148958B2 (en) Desalination device
US20140342443A1 (en) PHOTO-BIOREACTOR (Algae Greenhouse-Dry Cooling Tower)
CN2542043Y (zh) 生物能太阳能生态温室
CN215290380U (zh) 一种可再生能源驱动的空气取水装置
CN107044152B (zh) 一种高温环境制水装置
WO2009068030A1 (fr) Évaporateur flottant alimenté par énergie solaire
CN206928368U (zh) 一种高温环境制水装置
CN115010199B (zh) 充气式简易太阳能海水处理装置及其使用方法
CN119774695B (zh) 一种太阳能界面蒸发海水淡化装置及海水淡化方法
CN2867846Y (zh) 沼气太阳能暖气致冷温室
CN218909941U (zh) 海水淡化装置
HK40057584A (en) Device, system, and method for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide
Ali et al. Water Production from Atmospheric Air Using a Solar Water Recuperator by Glass Pyramid Device