US 6,746,515 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for thermal swing adsorption and thermally-enhanced pressure swing adsorption

AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute

InventorsRobert S. Wegeng, Scot D. Rassat, Ward E. TeGrotenhuis, Kevin Drost, Vilayanur V. Vishwanathan

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Abstract

The present invention provides compact adsorption systems that are capable of rapid temperature swings and rapid cycling. Novel methods of thermal swing adsorption and thermally-enhanced pressure swing adsorption are also described. In some aspects of the invention, a gas is passed through the adsorbent thus allowing heat exchangers to be very close to all portions of the adsorbent and utilize less space. In another aspect, the adsorption media is selectively heated, thus reducing energy costs. Methods and systems for gas adsorption/desorption having improved energy efficiency with capability of short cycle times are also described. In another aspect, the apparatus or methods utilize heat exchange channels of varying lengths that have volumes controlled to provide equal heat fluxes. Methods of fuel cell startup are also described. Advantages of the invention include the ability to use (typically) 30-100 times less adsorbent compared to conventional systems.

Claims47

Dependent claims

A method of adsorbing and desorbing a gas in a sorption pump, wherein the sorption pump comprises:

an adsorption layer comprising an adsorption mesochannel containing adsorption media;
and
a heat exchanger layer adjacent the adsorption layer, the heat exchanger layer comprising a first region comprising a first heat exchange fluid pathway and a second region comprising a second heat exchange fluid pathway;
the first fluid pathway having mutually perpendicular dimensions of length, width and height, and a second fluid pathway;
wherein the first fluid pathway connects a header and a footer;
wherein the second fluid pathway has mutually perpendicular dimensions of length, width and height, and wherein the second fluid pathway connects a header and a footer;
wherein length is measured in the direction of net fluid flow through the heat exchanger layer;
wherein the first fluid pathway has a shorter average length than the second fluid pathway;
and
wherein the product of the average width and average height (width×height) of the second fluid pathway is larger than the product of the average width and average height (width×height) of the first fluid pathway;
the method comprising:
adsorbing a gas onto an adsorbent in the adsorbent mesochannel to form an adsorbed gas at a first temperature;
passing a heat exchange fluid into the first and the second fluid pathways, wherein the heat exchange fluid is at a temperature that is higher than the first temperature;
and
desorbing at least a portion of the adsorbed gas.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/135,891Filed 29 Apr 2002 · continuation in part
Priority: 30 Apr 2001
Published: US 2002/0194990 A126 Dec 2002
Granted: 8 Jun 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification34 codes

H01M 8/0662
Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues: treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues,…
B01D 53/06
By adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography: with moving adsorbents, e.g. rotating beds
C01B 3/56
Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification: by contacting with solids; Regeneration of used solids
H01M 8/0263
Characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant: having meandering or serpentine paths

Family

Application09/845,776Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Apr 2001
Application60/363,858Us provisional application · filed 11 Mar 2002
US 2002/0194990 A1Pre-grant publication · published 26 Dec 2002
US 2003/0015093 A1Published application
US 6,630,012 B2Related patent
US 6,746,515 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.