Encapsulated CO2 H2O sorbent

• US 6,797,043 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Thibaud-Erkey, Catherine, Nalette, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAWRENCE JR, FRANK M
• Application Number:
  US10/264,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20040065205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 961/08, 961/34, 961/47, 961/54, 554/92, 555/21, 555/15, 555/25, 951/39, 423/220, 244/163, 206/0.7
• US Class Current: 96/134
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/34 Specific shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/80 Water
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4575 in aeroplanes or space ships
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/02 by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0446 Means for feeding or distributing gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28014 characterised by their form
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28033 Membrane, sheet, cloth, pad, lamellar or mat
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28035 with more than one layer, e.g. laminates, separated sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/2805 Sorbents inside a permeable or porous casing, e.g. inside a container, bag or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28052 Several layers of identical or different sorbents stacked in a housing, e.g. in a column
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

An assembly for removing carbon dioxide and water from a flow stream includes a housing that defines an inlet and an outlet. A CO₂ sorbent sheet is disposed within the housing and includes integrally formed airflow passages and support structures. The CO₂ sorbent sheet is encapsulated within a porous metal that is dimensionally stable and increases the rigidity and durability of the CO₂ sorbent sheet.

Claims

1. An assembly for removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) comprising;

a CO₂ sorbent sheet that has a variable thickness defining a portion of a flow passage; and

a metal material encapsulating said sorbent sheet providing diffusion of gases from a flow stream, wherein said CO₂ sorbent sheet completely fills an encapsulated space defined by said metal material.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said metal material is porous for allowing diffusion of gases from an adjacent flow stream.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said porous metal is formed from powdered metal.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said metal material comprises a fine mesh with a plurality of openings for allowing diffusion of gases from an adjacent flow stream.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said variable thickness sorbent sheet comprises a series of alternating peaks and valleys.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sorbent sheet includes first and second sides, and said flow passage is formed on one of said first and second sides.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sorbent sheet includes first and second sides, and said flow passage is formed on both of said first and second sides.

8. The assembly of claim 1, including a support structure disposed within said sorbent sheet.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said support structure is a rod extending laterally within said sorbent sheet.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said support structure is a rib formed within said sorbent sheet.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sorbent sheet is regenerable.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sorbent sheet is non-regenerable.

13. The assembly of claim 1, including a layer disposed between said sorbent sheet and said porous metal.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said layer comprises a porous hydrophobic material.

20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said CO₂ sorbent includes a first nominal thickness and a second thickness greater than said first thickness.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said first thickness and said second thickness alternate to provide said flow passage.

15. A sorbent sheet assembly comprising:

a CO₂ sorbent that has a variable thickness for defining a portion of a flow passage;

a porous metal encapsulating said CO₂ sorbent sheet and providing for diffusion of gases from an air stream, wherein said CO₂ sorbent sheet completely fills an encapsulated space defined by said porous metal; and

a support structure disposed within said CO₂ sorbent.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said flow passage is defined within said CO₂ sorbent.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said CO₂ sorbent has first and second sides and a plurality of said flow passages disposed on one of said first and second sides.

18. The assembly of claim 15, including a lining disposed between said sorbent material and said porous metal.

19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said support structure is a rod extending along a length of said sorbent sheet.

22. An assembly for removing Carbon dioxide (CO₂) comprising:

a CO₂ sorbent sheet that has a planer side and a non-planar side; and

a porous metal material encapsulating said CO₂ sorbent sheet such that said CO₂ sorbent sheet completely fills an encapsulated space defined by said porons metal.

23. The assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein said planar and non-planar sides are substantially parallel to each other.

24. The assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein said non-planar side includes a flow passage.

25. The assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein said flow passage comprises a groove.

26. The assembly as recited in claim 25, wherein said groove comprises a V-shaped cross-section.

27. The assembly as recited in claim 22, comprising at least two sorbent sheets stacked such that a planar side of one sorbent sheet is adjacent a non-planar side of a second sorbent sheet.

28. The assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein said at least two sorbent sheets are encapsulated together.