Apparatus for thermal swing adsorption and thermally-enhanced pressure swing adsorption

Gas adsorption and desorption apparatus comprising:

• at least one adsorption layer comprising an adsorption mesochannel containing adsorption media;
• and
• at least one heat exchanger in thermal contact with the adsorption layer;
• wherein the adsorption mesochannel has dimensions of length, width and height;
• wherein the height is at least 1.2 mm;
• and
• wherein the apparatus possesses capability such that, if the adsorption media is replaced with an equal volume of 13× zeolite, with a bulk density of 0.67 grams per cubic centimeter, and then saturated with carbon dioxide at 760 mm Hg and 5° C. and then heated to no more than 90 ° C., at 760 mm Hg, then at least 0.015 g CO2 per mL of apparatus is desorbed within 1 minute of the onset of heating.

Gas adsorption and desorption apparatus comprising:

• at least 4 adsorption/desorption cells
• each cell comprising at least one adsorption mesochannel in thermal contact with at least one heat exchanger;
• wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises a microchannel heat exchanger;
• wherein the adsorption channel contains adsorption media;
• the apparatus connected to a heat source and a heat sink;
• and
• conduits between each heat exchanger and the heat source and the heat sink and also conduits between at least one heat exchanger in each cell and at least one heat exchanger in another cell.

A sorption pump, comprising:

• an adsorption layer comprising an adsorption channel containing adsorption media;
• and
• a mesochannel heat exchanger in thermal contact with the adsorption layer;
• wherein the mesochannel heat exchanger has a fluid flowing therethrough that has a high thermal diffusivity, such that the characteristic heat transport time of the fluid in combination with the mesochannel heat exchanger is a value no greater than 10 seconds;
• and
• wherein said fluid is a liquid metal or a silicone-based fluid.

A sorption pump, comprising:

• an adsorption layer comprising an adsorption channel containing adsorption media;
• and
• a mesochannel heat exchanger in thermal contact with the adsorption layer;
• wherein the mesochannel heat exchanger has a fluid flowing therethrough that has a high thermal diffusivity, such that the characteristic heat transport time of the fluid in combination with the mesochannel heat exchanger is a value no greater than 10 seconds;
• wherein adsorption media fills at least 60% of the cross section of at least one portion of the adsorption channel.