Device and method for extracting various components from ambient air or from a vapor-gas mixture, and a system for cooling air, heating air, desalination of water and/or purification of water

Abstract

Device for removing moisture and/or another substance from ambient air or from a gas, the device being configured to operate alternately in an adsorption phase and a desorption phase. The device comprises a vessel comprising an entry and an exit which comprise valves allowing the exit and entry to be opened and closed and a body of adsorption material positioned inside the vessel dividing the inside of the vessel in an upstream region and a downstream region. The device further comprises a condenser loop comprising a condenser located outside the vessel, a branch conduit which extends from the vessel to the condenser and which allows a branch flow of air or gas to flow from the downstream region to the condenser, and a condenser return conduit which extends from the condenser to the vessel and which allows the branch flow to return from the condenser to the upstream region of the vessel. The device further comprises at least one main return conduit for returning a main return flow of air or gas from the downstream region to the upstream region while bypassing the condenser.

1 . Device for removing moisture and/or another substance from ambient air or from a gas, the device being configured to operate alternately in an adsorption phase and a desorption phase, the device comprising:
 a vessel comprising an entry and an exit which comprise valves allowing the exit and entry to be opened and closed;   a body of adsorption material positioned inside the vessel dividing the inside of the vessel in an upstream region and a downstream region;   a fan arranged in the vessel for blowing air or gas through the body of adsorption material from the upstream region to the downstream region,   a heating element arranged in the vessel for heating the air or gas inside the device;   a condenser loop, the condenser loop comprising:   a condenser located outside the vessel,   a branch conduit which extends from the vessel to the condenser and which allows a branch flow of air or gas to flow from the downstream region to the condenser, and   a condenser return conduit which extends from the condenser to the vessel and which allows the branch flow to return from the condenser to the upstream region of the vessel;   
       wherein the device further comprises:
 at least one main return conduit for returning a main return flow of air or gas from the downstream region to the upstream region while bypassing the condenser. 
 
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to operate alternately in an adsorption phase and a desorption phase, 
       wherein in the adsorption phase:
 the device is configured to open the exit and entry of the vessel by means of the valves, and to create by means of the fan a main flow entering the vessel via the entry, subsequently flowing through the body of adsorption material and exiting the vessel via the exit wherein moisture and/or another substance is adsorbed by the adsorption material; 
 
       and wherein in the desorption phase:
 the device is configured to close the exit and entry of the vessel by means of the valves, and to create by means of the fan a main loop of repeated flow of the air or gas from the upstream region to the downstream region through the body of adsorption material and via the at least one main return conduit from the downstream region to the upstream region while heating the air or gas by means of the heating unit, thereby desorbing the one or more substances from the adsorbing material; 
 
       and wherein in the desorption phase:
 the device is configured to create a branch flow of a portion of the air or gas through the condenser loop for removing moisture from said portion of the air or gas while creating the main loop of repeated flow of the air or gas. 
 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein the device, preferably the condenser loop, is configured to let a relatively small flow of air or gas circulate through the condenser loop relative to the main loop of repeated flow of the air or gas bypassing the condenser. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein the condenser comprises a condenser entry for ambient air, a fan, an exchange surface for exchanging heat between the branch flow arriving through the branch channel and a flow of ambient air entering the condenser through the condenser entry, and a condenser discharge for discharging the heated ambient air. 
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein
 the body has a substantially tubular shape. 
 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 5 , 
       wherein
 a partition wall Is arranged in the vessel between the entry and the exit, said partition wall dividing the inner space of the vessel in an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber, said partition wall having arranged therein an opening; 
 the tubular body of adsorption material is open at one end and closed at the other end by means of an end wall, wherein the open end is positioned against the partition wall such that the body of adsorption material is arranged on one side of the partition wall, and the inner region of the body is in fluid communication with the other side of the partition wall via said opening. 
 
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 6 , 
       wherein
 the device further comprises a movable partition wall having openings, which is positioned within the tubular body of adsorption material, wherein the movable partition wall is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable partition wall divides the inner region inside the tubular body in a first part and a separate second part, the first and second part being in fluid communication via openings in the movable partition wall, and wherein in the open position the first part and second part are united and together form the inner region. 
 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 7 , 
       wherein
 the fan is arranged in the opening in the partition wall. 
 
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 8 , 
       wherein
 the body of absorbing material comprises a first layer of a first adsorption material for adsorbing a first substance and a second layer of a second, different adsorption material for adsorbing a second substance, wherein the first and second layer form a multi-layer tubular body. 
 
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 9 , 
       wherein the device further comprises:
 a docking station for a container, wherein the docking station is connected to the vessel via a discharge conduit and comprises a pump for pumping the contents of the vessel, in particular air or gas which comprises one or more undesired substances, such as carbon dioxide, into the container. 
 
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit comprises a closed conduit system which is connectable to a source of heated fluid, wherein the conduit is preferably physically separated from the body of adsorption material. 
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the branch conduit of the condenser loop has an entry opening in the downstream region of the vessel and the condenser return conduit of the condenser loop has an exit opening in the upstream region of the vessel. 
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vortex tube which is provided in the condenser loop and positioned downstream from the condenser, the vortex tube comprising a vortex tube entry where air or gas under pressure coming from the condenser is fed into, a cold air exit for cold air and a hot air exit for hot air, wherein the cold air exit is connected to the air entry of the condenser and wherein the hot air exit exits into the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . Method of removing moisture or another substance from ambient air or from a gas, in 
       particular an exhaust gas, the method comprising:
 providing a device comprising 
 a vessel having positioned therein a body of adsorption material, said vessel further having an entry and an exit; and 
 a condenser: 
 operating said device alternately in an adsorption phase and a desorption phase, wherein 
 during the adsorption phase: 
 feeding ambient air or gas into the entry and through the body of adsorption material; 
 adsorbing moisture and/or another substance from the air or gas by the adsorption material; and 
 discharging the air or gas through the exit, 
 when the adsorption material is saturated, switching to the desorption phase, and—during the desorption phase: 
 closing the entry and the exit, 
 repeatedly circulating the air or gas through the body of 
 
       adsorption material in a main loop of repeated flow bypassing the condenser while heating the air or gas, thereby desorbing the one or more substances from the 
       adsorption material, and
 while circulating the air or gas through the body of adsorption material in a main loop of repeated flow bypassing the condenser, circulating a portion of the air or gas from the vessel through a condenser located outside the vessel for removing moisture and returning the dried air or gas into the vessel after the condensation. 
 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 14 , 
       wherein
 a relatively small flow of air or gas is circulated through the condenser loop relative to the main loop of repeated flow of the air or gas in the vessel. 
 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 15 , wherein the condenser is cooled by ambient air. 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 14 , 
       wherein
 during the adsorption phase moisture is adsorbed in a first layer of a first adsorption material and a second substance is adsorbed in a second layer of a second, different adsorption material; and 
 
       wherein
 during the desorption phase first moisture is removed from the air or gas inside the vessel and subsequently the air or gas is pumped out of the vessel in a container. 
 
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 17 , wherein the entry of the vessel is connected to a gas source, wherein in the desorption phase residual heat is used from a heat source, and wherein the heat source and the gas source form part of a common source device in particular a power plant, a heat plant, a hydrocarbon, processing plant, or a factory, and wherein during the adsorption phase gas from the gas source is fed into the vessel, and wherein during desorption phase heat, in particular residual heat, from the heat source is used to heat the air or gas inside the vessel. 
     
     
         19 . System for cooling air, heating air, desalination of water and/or water purification, the system comprising
 two devices according to any of the  claim 1  as a dehumidifier wherein the devices are configured to operate alternately in adsorption mode and desorption mode.   
     
     
         20 . System according to  claim 19 , 
       wherein 
       the devices share a single condenser which alternates between the vessels of the devices. 
     
     
         21 . System according to  claim 20 , 
       wherein
 the system comprises a primary air channel; 
 
       wherein
 the dehumidifier is arranged in the primary air channel, wherein the dehumidifier comprises: 
 a primary air inlet fluidly connecting the inlet of the vessel of each device to an upstream part of the primary air channel; and 
 a primary air outlet fluidly connecting the exit of the vessel of each device to downstream part of the primary air channel; 
 
       and wherein
 the system further comprises an evaporative air cooling device arranged downstream of the dehumidifier and connected to the primary air outlet via the primary air channel. 
 
     
     
         22 . System according to  claim 21 , wherein the evaporative air cooling device comprises:
 a first, indirect evaporative air cooler along the primary air channel in which dried air from the dehumidifier is cooled indirectly, and   a second, direct evaporative air cooler, the direct evaporative air cooler being arranged downstream from the indirect evaporative air cooler along the primary air channel.   
     
     
         23 . System according to  claim 22 , 
       wherein the indirect evaporative air cooler comprises:
 a regenerative air channel which is fed with a regenerative air flow to be used as a coolant, wherein the regenerative air channel is branched off from the primary air channel at a branch off point, 
 an evaporative water distribution system for distributing evaporative water in the regenerative air channel for cooling the regenerative air flow, 
 a heat exchange surface placed between the primary air channel and the regenerative air channel for conducting heat from the primary air flow to the regenerative air flow. 
 
     
     
         24 . System according to  claim 23 , wherein the system further comprises a third, auxiliary air cooler for cooling the regenerative air flow with an auxiliary air flow, wherein the third, auxiliary air cooler comprises:
 an auxiliary air inlet for the auxiliary air flow, an auxiliary air channel and an auxiliary air outlet for the auxiliary air flow,   an auxiliary evaporative water distribution system for distributing an evaporative water in the auxiliary air channel for cooling the auxiliary air flow,   a heat exchange surface placed between the auxiliary air channel and the regenerative air channel for conducting heat from the regenerative air flow to the auxiliary air flow,   
       wherein the regenerative air flow cools the primary air flow and is simultaneously cooled itself by the auxiliary air flow. 
     
     
         25 . System according to  claim 24 , wherein the system further comprises a heat exchanger comprising:
 a heat exchanger air inlet which is connected to the auxiliary air flow outlet of the third, auxiliary air cooler,   a heat exchanger air outlet which is connected via a return channel to the primary air channel at a return point upstream of the dehumidifier,   a heat exchanger coolant inlet which branches off from the primary air channel downstream of the second, direct evaporative air cooler.   
     
     
         26 . System according to  claim 25 , wherein the system is configured for an air cooling mode of warm humid air, wherein a primary air flow is taken from a space to be cooled via an air return opening, guided through the dehumidifier and through the evaporative air cooling device. 
     
     
         27 . System according to  claim 25 , wherein the system is configured for an air cooling mode for warm dry air, wherein a primary air flow is taken from a space to be cooled, bypasses the dehumidifier via a bypass channel, and is guided through the evaporative air cooling device. 
     
     
         28 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the system is configured for an air heating mode, wherein outside air which enters the system via an air intake is supplied to an evaporator, wherein the evaporator is fed with warm water which is recovered in a desorption cycle of the dehumidifier, and wherein the heated and humidified primary air flow from the evaporator is dehumidified and heated in an desorption step in the dehumidifier. 
     
     
         29 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the system is configured for a desalinisation or purification mode, wherein saline water is supplied to the evaporator where it is evaporated in a primary air flow, thereby moistening the primary air flow. and wherein the moistened primary air flow is dried in a compartment of the dehumidifier by adsorption of the moisture to the adsorption material, and wherein subsequently the compartment is switched to desorption mode, wherein during the desorption mode the moisture is recovered in a condenser of the dehumidifier and discharged into a tank. 
     
     
         30 . Evaporative air cooling device 
       comprising:
 a first, regenerative indirect evaporative air cooler comprising: 
 a primary air channel for conveying a primary air flow between a primary air inlet and a primary air outlet, 
 a regenerative air channel which is fed with a regenerative air flow to be used as a coolant, wherein the regenerative air channel is branched off from the primary air channel at a branch off point, 
 an evaporative water distribution system for distributing an evaporative water in the regenerative air channel for cooling the regenerative air flow, 
 a heat exchange surface placed between the primary air channel and the regenerative air channel for conducting heat from the primary air flow to the regenerative air flow, 
 a second, direct evaporative air cooler, the direct evaporative air cooler device being arranged downstream from the indirect evaporative air cooler and coupled to the primary air outlet of the indirect evaporative air cooler, 
 a third, auxiliary air cooler for cooling the regenerative air flow with an auxiliary air flow, wherein the third, auxiliary air cooler comprises: 
 an auxiliary air inlet for the auxiliary air flow, an auxiliary air channel, and an auxiliary air outlet for the auxiliary air flow, 
 an auxiliary evaporative water distribution system for distributing an evaporative water in the auxiliary air channel for cooling the auxiliary air flow, 
 a heat exchange surface placed between the auxiliary air channel and the regenerative air channel for conducting heat from the regenerative air flow to the auxiliary air flow.