# US 11,439,927 B2 · Species extraction

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- Number: US 11,439,927 B2
- Document ID: US11439927B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/660,080
- Filed: 2019-10-22
- Published: 2020-05-14
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-08
- Assignees: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
- Applicants: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
- Inventors: Matthew S. Ide; Mohsen S. Yeganeh; John B. Barnes; Jessica L. Vreeland
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439927B2

## CPC

- B01D 19/0031: {by filtration}
- B01D 53/18: Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor (B01D3/16, B01D3/26, B01D3/30 take precedence; packing elements B01J19/30, B01J19/32)
- B01D 53/1475: {Removing carbon dioxide}
- B01D 69/147: {containing embedded adsorbents}
- B22F 3/105: by using electric current {other than for infrared radiant energy}, laser radiation or plasma (B22F3/11 takes precedence){; by ultrasonic bonding (B22F3/115 takes precedence)}
- B01D 11/0492: {Applications, solvents used}
- B01D 2252/204: Amines
- B01D 2257/504: Carbon dioxide
- B01D 2258/0283: Flue gases
- B01D 2313/2031: Frame or cage-like structures
- B01D 2313/205: characterised by the shape
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER

## Abstract

A species extraction apparatus for liquid-based extractions is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a body supporting a matrix structure comprising cellular units. The apparatus is configured to uptake an absorptive liquid, and the absorptive liquid can remove at least one species from a working fluid that contacts the apparatus. In certain embodiments, the at least one species can be CO2, and the absorptive liquid can be liquid water-free tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The apparatus is advantageously manufacture using additive manufacturing techniques.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A species extraction apparatus comprising:
an additively manufactured body supporting a matrix structure, wherein the matrix structure has a surface area to volume (S/V) ratio of greater than 180 m−1 and wherein the body supporting the matrix structure is additively manufactured using a predetermined energy density of from 0.5 J/mm to 5 J/mm; and
an absorptive liquid for removing at least one species from a working fluid that contacts the matrix support structure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one species is CO2 and the absorptive liquid is liquid water-free tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the matrix structure has a S/V ratio in a range of 2500 m−1 to 12500 m−1.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solid outer shell encasing the matrix structure, the solid outer shell configured to channel and maintain flow of the working fluid inside the shell.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of cellular units.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cellular units comprise hex prism laves phase units.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cellular units comprise cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, hexagonal, rhombohedral, monoclinic, triclinic, or trigonal units.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical in shape.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body supporting a matrix structure is pre-treated before the absorptive liquid is disposed thereon.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, where the body supporting a matrix structure comprises metal and the pre-treatment comprises calcining in air at a temperature below that of the melting point of the metal.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additive manufacturing comprises direct metal laser sintering.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the performance index (PI) of the apparatus is greater than 150.0 m−1.

### Claim 13

A method for liquid-based extraction comprising:
i) forming an apparatus via additive manufacturing, the apparatus comprising a body supporting a matrix structure comprising cellular units, and having a surface area to volume (S/V) ratio of greater than 180 m−1, wherein the body supporting the matrix structure is additively manufactured using a predetermined energy density of from 0.5 J/mm to 5 J/mm;
ii) loading the apparatus with an absorptive liquid to form a loaded apparatus; and
iii) contacting the loaded apparatus with a working fluid;
wherein mass transfer of at least one substance in the working fluid occurs across the interface between the working fluid and the absorptive liquid.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising pre-treating the apparatus prior to loading.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the pre-treating comprises calcining the apparatus in air at a temperature of at least 150° C.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the calcining is conducted for at least 30 minutes.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the surface area of the absorptive liquid after loading, A1, is within 5% of the surface area, S, of the apparatus.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises metal and the additive manufacturing comprises selective laser sintering at an energy density less than 4.5 J/mm.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the loaded apparatus has a PI of greater than 150 m−1.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises a solid outer shell encasing the matrix structure such that the solid outer shell channels and maintains flow of the working fluid inside the shell.