Integrated gas purification and thermal conditioning system utilizing molecular sieve adsorption
AssigneeAllied-Signal Inc.
InventorsMichel A. Jonqueres, Robert J. Kay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated system for removal of CO.sub.2 from and thermal conditioning of a gas mixture is disclosed. A pair of regenerating chemically impregnated molecular sieve absorption beds are used for removal of the CO.sub.2. A heat exchanger used in the thermal conditioning subsystem also heats the gas used to regenerate the beds and cools absorption gas. A recirculation fan moves the gas mixture throughout the entire thermal conditioning and gas purification system.
Claims24
A method for purifying and thermally conditioning airflow to an aircraft cabin, comprising the steps of:
- bleeding a fresh airflow from an aircraft engine;
- cooling the fresh airflow to a desired temperature;
- delivering the cooled fresh airflow to the aircraft cabin;
- delivering a first portion of return airflow being returned from the aircraft cabin to a molecular sieve adsorption bed for removal of CO.sub.2 therefrom, to produce a purified airflow;
- mixing the purified airflow with the fresh airflow being delivered to the aircraft cabin;
- heating a second portion of airflow being returned from the aircraft cabin;
- delivering the heated second portion of return airflow to the molecular sieve bed for desorption of CO.sub.2 from said bed to regenerate the latter;
- and
- selectively alternating flow of the first portion and second portions of return airflow to said molecular sieve bed to cycle adsorption and desorption of CO.sub.2 in said bed.
A gas purification and thermal conditioning system for removal of an impurity from and temperature control of a gas mixture in a confined area, comprising:
- an adsorption/desorption bed;
- a cooling pack, said cooling pack cooling the gas mixture for maintaining the mixture generally at a desired temperature within the confined area, said pack heating the gas mixture for enhanced desorption of the impurity from said bed;
- means for transmitting the gas mixture to said bed for adsorption and desorption;
- means for transmitting the gas mixture to said cooling pack for heating and cooling of the gas mixture;
- means for selectively alternating flow of heated gas mixture from said pack and cooled gas mixture from said pack into said bed in order to cycle adsorption and desorption of the impurity as desired.
An air purification and thermal conditioning system for removal of CO.sub.2 from and temperature control of air in an aircraft cabin, comprising:
- a molecular sieve adsorption bed for adsorbing and desorbing CO.sub.2 from the air;
- an aircraft engine bleed air source;
- a cooling pack receiving aircraft engine bleed air, said cooling pack cooling the bleed air in order to supply the cabin with fresh air at a desired temperature, and to supply said bed with air at a cool temperature for efficient adsorption;
- a first heat exchanger operatively connected to said cooling pack to extract heat energy from the bleed air for supplying said bed with heated air for efficient desorption;
- means for selectively alternating flow of cool air from said pack and heated air from said heat exchanger into said bed in order to cycle the adsorption and desorption of CO.sub.2 in the bed;
- means for recirculating air through the system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.