Sorbent fiber compositions and methods of using the same

• US 8,658,041 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Koros, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRY, CHESTER T
• Application Number:
  US12/666,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20110011803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,069 Days
• Field of Search: 210/660, 210/670, 2105021-509
• US Class Current: 210/660
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/202 Polymeric adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/304 Linear dimensions, e.g. particle shape, diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/80 Water
• 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 53/047 Pressure swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28023 Fibres or filaments fibres or filaments in the form of membranes B01J20/28038; B01J20/28007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28028 Particles immobilised within fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sorbent fiber compositions. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fibers for pressure swing and temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a sorbent composition, comprising a fiber comprising a plurality of tortuous pathways; and a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of tortuous pathways. Aspects of the present invention comprise compositions, devices and methods of using sorbent fiber compositions.

Claims

1. A sorbent composition, the composition comprising:

a fiber comprising a plurality of tortuous pathways; and

a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of tortuous pathways, the fiber further comprises a polymer matrix, and the sorbent material is associated with the polymer matrix.

2. The sorbent composition of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tortuous pathways comprise one or more of a micropore, a mesopore or a macropore, wherein the one or more of a micropore, a mesopore or a macropore are in fluid communication.

3. The sorbent composition of claim 1, wherein the sorbent material has an average longest dimension of less than about 10 micrometers.

4. The sorbent composition of claim 1, wherein the fiber has an average longest cross-sectional dimension of at least about 100 micrometers.

5. The sorbent composition of claim 1, wherein the sorbent material comprises less than about 80% by weight of the fiber.

6. The sorbent composition of claim 1, wherein the fiber further comprises a lumen disposed within the fiber.

7. The sorbent composition of claim 6, wherein the lumen has an average longest cross-sectional dimension of at least about 55 micrometers.

8. The sorbent composition of claim 1, wherein the fiber further comprises a barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer prevents fluid communication between the sorbent material and a heat transfer medium.

9. A fiber-based adsorption contactor, the contactor comprising:

a chamber comprising;

a feed stream inlet;

a feed stream outlet;

a plurality of substantially aligned fibers, wherein each of the fibers comprises;

a plurality of tortuous pathways wherein the tortuous pathways are in fluid communication with the feed stream inlet and the feed stream outlet; and

a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of tortuous pathways.

10. The fiber-based adsorption contactor of claim 9, wherein a lumen is disposed within the fiber.

11. The fiber-based adsorption contactor of claim 10, wherein the contactor is used in a pressure swing adsorption process.

12. The fiber-based adsorption contactor of claim 9, the chamber further comprising a heat transfer fluid inlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet for flowing a heat transfer fluid, wherein the fiber is in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid inlet and the heat transfer fluid outlet.

13. The fiber-based adsorption contactor of claim 12, wherein a barrier layer is associated with a surface of the fiber and prevents fluid communication between the heat transfer fluid and the plurality of tortuous pathways in at least a substantial majority of the fibers.

14. The fiber-based adsorption contactor of claim 9, wherein a feed stream is a fuel, chemical, petrochemical, soil, flue gas, natural gas, fuel gas, bio gas, town gas, waste gas, water, coal gas, air, or a carbon dioxide-containing medium.

15. The fiber-based adsorption module of claim 12, wherein the heat transfer medium is water, water vapor, steam, gas, or combinations thereof.

16. A method of adsorbing a component of a medium, the method comprising:

contacting a medium with a fiber comprising a plurality of tortuous pathways, a plurality of sorbent elements in fluid communication with the plurality of tortuous pathways; and

adsorbing a component of the medium.

17. The method of adsorbing a component of a medium of claim 16, further comprising desorbing the component of the medium.

18. The method of adsorbing a component of a medium of claim 16, wherein the medium comprises air, water, fuels, chemicals, petrochemicals, soil, flue gas, natural gas, fuel gas, bio gas, town gas, waste gas, water, coal gas, air, or a carbon dioxide-containing fluid.

19. The method of adsorbing a component of a medium of claim 16, further comprising preventing fluid communication between the medium and a heat exchange fluid.

20. The method of adsorbing a component of a medium of claim 16, further comprising repeating the contacting and adsorbing.

21. The method of adsorbing a component of a medium of claim 20, wherein a cycle time between successive adsorptions is less than about 2 minutes.