System and method for collecting carbon dioxide utilizing dielectric heating.

(54) Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING CARBON DIOXIDE USING DIELECTRIC HEATING. (54) Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING CARBON DIOXIDE UTILIZING DIELECTRIC HEATING.

(57) Summary

A system for capturing carbon dioxide from a process gas that includes an adsorbent material to adsorb carbon dioxide molecules from a process gas, a dielectric heater near the adsorbent material, and a container that has an internal volume that encloses the adsorbent material and, optionally, the dielectric heater.

(57) Abstract

A system for collecting carbon dioxide from a process gas including an adsorbent material for adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules from the process gas, a dielectric heater proximate the adsorbent material, and a vessel having an infernal volume enclosing the adsorbent material and, optionally, the dielectric heater .

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Institute

Mexican Property

Industrial

PATENT TITLE NO. 337405

Owner (s): THE BOEING COMPANY

Address: 100 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, 60606-2016, USA

Name: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING CARBON DIOXIDE USING DIELECTRIC HEATING

Classification: lnt.CI.8: B01D53 / 00; B01D53 / 04; B01D53 / 92

Inventor (s): TAB H. CROOKS; D. ANTHONY GALASSO; JON A. MAGNUSON

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Validity: Twenty and Maturity Tokens ^ d

The reference attempt is (írgaconf damenti

Compliance with the aiticu 23 of the from the roof c presents the sollciti: ulo ha i i with fundami

Qi m subscribes the present Pr «age Industrial (Daily

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lustrial. og ables, _ bis 2 of the Federation branch (DO ^ 27 / 6Smemmsmada 26/12/1997, 1

I and III dd | Regulation of 12/14/1999, n

7 / 2002,15 / 07/2004, 28 / V / 2004 and 7 9/2007); Articles 1, 3, 4 &lt;WSiRSHmHEHRections i and III and 30 of the Statut »of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Opportunity (DOF, 12/27/1999, amended $ rTo / 1o72002,29 / 07/2004, 04/08/2004 and 09/13/21 and ΑΜΜη · Μ · Νη · Ι delegates

Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Industrial Institute. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

1/2004, 06/16/2005, 25/2006, 0 (15 / 2009,06 / 01/2010, anger oa), 4 * and 1? Fraction * 01 ey of the 105/1999, iction V the organic side | 7); 1st, 3rd is of the Property

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Issue Date: March 3, 2016

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

Sand! No. 550, Floor 1 „

Pueblo Sarita María Tepepan, Xochímilco, CP 16020,

Mexico City

Tel. (55) 53 34 07 00 www.iinpi.gob.inx

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MX / 2016/10001

33Ή0 &amp;

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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING DIOXIDE FROM &lt;? AWÉIÍSjS £

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USING DIELECTRIC HEATING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain molecules, such as carbon dioxide or water, can be chosen and captured from gas streams for a variety of applications. For example, carbon dioxide can be captured as a by-product of industrial processes and to remove excess carbon dioxide from an air supply.

Carbon dioxide can be obtained from various sources using various techniques. Traditional techniques for carbon dioxide capture can be very energy intensive, particularly when carried out on an industrial scale. The two most demanding energy requirements for carbon dioxide capture are typically the energy required to handle a past gas stream or through a capture medium and the energy required to regenerate and capture carbon dioxide from the capture medium. . Therefore, the costs of carbon dioxide materials can become significant, particularly when large quantities are used.

A method for carbon dioxide uptake employs a molecular sieve to absorb molecules of carbon dioxide.

Ref. 245637

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carbon. The removal of the absorbed carbon dioxide requires a significant amount of energy. Such energy is usually supplied by radiant heating and / or by pulling the molecules out using a high vacuum.

However, heating the system requires significant energy and is therefore inefficient. This also requires that the structural components of the system be designed in such a way that all component parts can uniformly radiate heat quickly and efficiently. This usually requires a metal system, a plurality of radiant heaters, and an electrical power supply. Additionally since most molecular sieve is made of ceramic materials, which are normally insulating, they do not easily conduct heat and must be designed in close proximity to multiple sources of heat.

Furthermore, since molecular sieves are also porous materials that have polar charges, they also have an affinity to keep other molecules charged. This may make the molecular sieve less likely to release charged molecules, such as water. Therefore, certain target molecules may require even higher temperatures to be released, thus requiring more energy.

An additional energy source, such as a high vacuum,

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY may also be required to effectively release the molecules. Using a vacuum adds additional costs to the system by requiring additional energy for operation and additional structural components. The molecular sieve can be housed in a chamber that is capable of withstanding lower pressures, so the chamber must be reinforced and vacuum valves and seals must be added.

Known carbon dioxide capture systems commonly operate by passing a gas stream through a collection bed to absorb carbon dioxide from the gas stream. Carbon dioxide could then have to be recovered, or desorbed, from the collection bed by heat, vacuum, or a combination of the two. This would have to be done within a chamber that is capable of maintaining a vacuum. Thus, a thick-walled chamber thick, usually made of metal, that is capable of withstanding thermal exposure and high vacuum without deformation is required. After a period of time, the absorbed carbon dioxide is released into the chamber. The time period required depends on several factors, such as the absorbed gas and the conditions used to release the molecules. For example, the higher the temperature the time is faster, but more energy input is required at a higher operational cost. As another example, the lower the vacuum, the faster the time, but the greater

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high and at a higher cost for the vacuum chamber and associated vacuum components.

Consequently, those skilled in the art continue with the search and development of efforts in the field of carbon dioxide capture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the disclosed system for capturing carbon dioxide from a process gas may include an absorbent material to absorb carbon dioxide molecules from the process gas, a dielectric heater near the absorbent material to desorb the carbon dioxide. carbon from the absorbent material, and a container that has an internal volume surrounding the absorbent material.

In another embodiment, the system described for capturing carbon dioxide from a process gas may include a condenser to remove heat from the process gas, a desiccant chamber having a desiccant material to absorb water from the process gas to produce a substantially dry gas and a first dielectric heater to desorb the water from the desiccant material, and a contact chamber having an absorbent material to absorb carbon dioxide from the dry gas and a second dielectric heater to desorb the carbon dioxide from the absorbent material.

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In yet another embodiment, a method for desorbing carbon dioxide captured onto an absorbent material is described, the method may include the steps of: (1) providing an absorbent material; (2) absorbing carbon dioxide on the absorbent material, and (3) dielectrically heating the absorbed carbon to carry out desorption.

Other aspects of the described system and method for carbon dioxide uptake will be apparent from the following detailed description, accompanying figures, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the system described for carbon dioxide uptake;

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the described desiccant chamber;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the described contact chamber;

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the described method for carbon dioxide uptake; and, Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the described method for desorbing carbon dioxide captured on an absorbent material.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying figures, which specifically illustrate the modalities of the description. Other modalities having different operations and structures do not depart from the scope of the present description. Likewise, the numerical references can refer to the same element or component in different figures.

Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of the described system for capturing carbon dioxide, generally designated 10, may include a gas source 12 and a contact chamber 20. Optionally, system 10 may also include an air movement unit 14. , a condenser 16 and a desiccant chamber 18. Additional subsystems may be incorporated into system 10 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

System 10 can handle a stream of process gas 22 through series of controlled environments until at least a portion of the target molecules is captured from process gas 22 and released. As described further herein, examples of target molecules that can be captured by system 10 include water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Gas source 12 can be a source of process gas 22. Process gas 22 can be any gas that

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have one or more target molecules, such as¹ gao carbon dioxide heat exchanger, water vapor container gas, and the like. For example, process gas 22 can be a gaseous mixture, and can include carbon dioxide as well as other constituents, such as steam, nitrogen, oxygen, other rare gases, and the like.

In one implementation, the gas source 12 can be a power plant and the process gas 22 can be the effluent from the power plant. For example, the power plant may be a hydrocarbon burning power plant, such as a natural gas power plant, and process gas 22 may be the by-products of combustion of the hydrocarbon burning power plant. . Therefore, the process gas 22 can be at a relatively high temperature relative to ambient conditions, and can include significant amounts of carbon dioxide as a result of the combustion reaction of oxygen with the hydrocarbon. As an example, process gas 22 can have a ratio of water vapor to carbon dioxide equal to or less than one (1) by weight.

Process gas 22 may be at an elevated temperature relative to ambient conditions such that process gas 22 contains excess heat. In one expression, process gas 22 may be at a temperature of at least

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minus 25 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 50 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 100 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 200 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 300 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 400 ° C. In yet another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 500 ° C.

In another implementation, the gas source 12 may be cold, dry ambient air. In one expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 5 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 10 ° C. In another expression, the process gas 22 can be at a temperature of at least 20 ° C.

Air movement unit 14, although optional, can facilitate the transfer of process gas 22 from gas source 12 through system 10. Air movement unit 14 may be a fan, blower, or the like, and could control the flow (eg, flow rate) of process gas 22 to condenser 16. The use of multiple air movement units 14 is also contemplated.

Optionally, separator devices (not shown),

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such as scrubbers, they can be used between the gas source 12 and the condenser 16 to remove contaminants (eg, metals) from the effluent before the process gas enters system 10.

The condenser 16 can receive the process gas 22 and can condense the water vapor in the process gas 22 to remove a partially (if not completely) dry gas 24. Various configurations and types of condensers can be used, and the use multi-stage or single-stage condenser 16 is also contemplated.

Condenser 16 can condense water vapor into process gas 22 by cooling process gas 22. Optionally, the heat extracted from process gas 22 by condenser 16 during cooling can be transferred to the transfer assembly 26 heat for additional thermal use.

Thus, condenser 16 can decrease the temperature of process gas 22. In one expression, condenser 16 can decrease the temperature of process gas 22 by at least 10 ° C. In another expression, condenser 16 can lower the temperature of process gas 22 by at least 20 ° C. In another expression, condenser 16 can lower the temperature of process gas 22 by at least 30 ° C. In another expression, condenser 16 can lower the temperature of process gas 22 by at least 40 ° C. In another expression the

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY INDUSTRIAL</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>condenser</td><td> 16</td><td>can</td><td>decrease</td><td>the</td><td>temperature of</td><td></td><td>of</td>

<td>process 22</td><td colspan="2">by the</td><td>minus 50 °</td><td>'C.</td><td colspan="2">In another expression</td><td>the</td>

<td>condenser</td><td> 16</td><td>can</td><td>decrease</td><td>the</td><td>temperature of</td><td>gas</td><td>of</td>

<td>process 22</td><td colspan="2">by the</td><td>minus 100</td><td>° C.</td><td colspan="2">In another expression</td><td>the</td>

<td>condenser</td><td> 16</td><td>can</td><td>decrease</td><td>the</td><td>temperature of</td><td>gas</td><td>of</td>

<td>process 22</td><td>by</td><td colspan="2">at least 150 ° C.</td><td>In</td><td colspan="2">yet another expression</td><td>the</td>

<td>condenser</td><td> 16</td><td>can</td><td>decrease</td><td>the</td><td>temperature of</td><td>gas</td><td>of</td>

process 22 by at least 200 ° C.

Optionally, any water 28 removed from the process gas 22 by means of the condenser 16 can be captured as a by-product of the system 10. The water 28 can be captured in a water collection chamber 30 and can then be reused for any suitable purpose. . Alternatively, water 28 can be discharged into a drain.

Referring to Figure 2, the desiccant chamber 18 can receive the partially dry gas 24, either from the gas source 12 or from the condenser 16, and can draw a substantially dry gas 32. The desiccant chamber 18 may include a desiccant material 34 selected to remove substantially all of the remaining water in the partially dry gas 24, at least one dielectric heater 36, a closed container 38 defining a hollow internal volume 40 to enclose the desiccant material 34, and , optionally dielectric heater 36.

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Various desiccant materials 34

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• grr-la · desiccant chamber 18 to target water molecules first without departing from the scope of the present description. In a particular implementation, the desiccant material 34 may be (or may include) an absorbent material, such as a molecular sieve material. As an example, the desiccant material 34 can be (or can include) a porous ceramic material. As another example, the desiccant material 34 may be (or may include) a molecular sieve material with an alumino-silica alkali metal structure, which may have an effective pore opening size of from about 2 to about 5 angstroms (For example , approximately 3 angstroms). As yet another example, the desiccant material 34 can be (or can include) a zeolite material, such as zeolite 3A.

Desiccant material 34 in desiccant chamber 18 can be structured in various ways. As an example, the desiccant material 34 can be configured as a solid monolithic structure. As another example, the desiccant material 34 may be configured as pellets, spherical and / or powder extrudates in a fixed bed.

The desiccant material 34 may become depleted after the capture of a certain amount of water and, therefore, may require regeneration. When a sufficient amount of water has been absorbed on the material

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IMPI

Mexican Institute of Industrial Property desiccant 34, a desorption process can be initiated to release the water from the desiccant material 34. The desorption process can be carried out by applying electromagnetic radiation to the desiccant material 34 to heat the absorbed water. The process of desorbing the water absorbed from the desiccant material 34 can regenerate the desiccant material 34, thereby allowing further use of the desiccant material 34.

Absorbed water can be released from desiccant material 34, within desiccant chamber 18, in response to dielectric heating. When the desiccant material 34 is subjected to dielectric heating, electromagnetic radiation can be directed to the absorbed water on the desiccant material 34 by means of a dielectric heater 36 to heat the absorbed water and to promote the release of water from desiccant material 34. Other techniques, such as applying a low vacuum, can also be used to promote the release of absorbed water and regenerate the desiccant material 36. For example, an optional vacuum source 42 can be used to extract a vacuum within the internal volume 40 of the container 38. Combinations of desorption techniques, such as dielectric heating and vacuum, are contemplated.

Any water 28 (figure 1) removed from the partially dry gas 24 in desiccant chamber 18, can be

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captured in the water collection chamber 30 — t £ ig »ra Ή Thus, condenser 16 and desiccant chamber 18 can remove substantially all the water originally contained in process gas 22. The resulting dry gas 32 can then be used for carbon dioxide uptake. While the use of condenser 16 and desiccant chamber 18 is optional, a benefit of the described system 10 is the cost effectiveness of carbon dioxide capture where the ratio of water vapor to carbon dioxide in dry gas 30 is equal to or less than one by weight.

Referring to Figure 3, contact chamber 20 can receive dry gas 32, from gas source 12, condenser 16, or desiccant chamber 18, and can draw a dry gas substantially free of carbon dioxide 44. Contact chamber 20 may include an absorbent material 46 selected to absorb substantially all of the carbon dioxide from dry gas 32, at least one dielectric heater 48, and a closed container 50 defining a hollow internal volume 52 to enclose the absorbent material 46 and, optionally, the dielectric heater 48. The absorbent material 46 can absorb carbon dioxide from the dry gas 32.

While reference is made to a substantially dry gas (free of carbon dioxide 44 being removed from contact chamber 20), it is also contemplated that only

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A portion of the carbon dioxide in dry gas 32 can be absorbed into contact chamber 20 by a portion of the carbon dioxide 20. Therefore, in one variation, the dry gas substantially free of carbon dioxide may not be substantially free of carbon dioxide, but contain significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

A variety of absorbent materials 46 may be suitable for use in contact chamber 20 to primarily target carbon dioxide molecules from dry gas 32. As an example, absorbent material 46 may be (or may include) a material molecular sieve. As another example, the absorbent material 46 can be (or can include) a porous ceramic material. As another example, the absorbent material 46 can be (or can include) a molecular sieve material with a silico-alumino alkali metal structure, which can have an effective pore opening size of from about 8 to about 13 angstroms (for example , 10 angstroms). As yet another specific example, the absorbent material 46 can be (or can include) a zeolite material, such as 13X zeolite.

The absorbent material 46 in the contact chamber 20 can be structured in various ways. As an example, the absorbent material 46 can be configured as a solid monolithic structure. As another example, the material

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absorbent 46 may be configured as pellets. spherical and / or powder extrudates in a fixed bed.

The absorbent material 46 may become depleted after the capture of a certain amount of carbon dioxide and, therefore, may require regeneration. When a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide has been absorbed into an absorbent material 46, a desorption process can be initiated to release carbon dioxide from the absorbent material 46. The desorption process can be effected by applying electromagnetic radiation to the absorbent material 46 to heat the absorbed carbon dioxide. The process of desorbing the absorbed carbon dioxide from the absorbent material 46 can regenerate the absorbent material 46, thereby allowing further use of the absorbent material 46.

The absorbed carbon dioxide can be released from the absorbent material 46, into the contact chamber

20, by means of the dielectric heater 48. When the absorbent material 46 is subjected to dielectric heating, electromagnetic radiation can be directed to the absorbed carbon dioxide on the absorbent material 46 by the dielectric heater 48 to heat the absorbed carbon dioxide and promote the release of carbon dioxide molecules from the absorbent material 46. Other techniques, such as a vacuum application, may also

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be used to release captured carbon dioxide and regenerate absorbent material 48.

For example, a vacuum source 54 can be used to entrain a low vacuum within the internal volume 52 of container 50. Contact chamber 20 can be substantially sealed to the gas flow, and a vacuum can be entrained in the contact chamber. 20 by means of the vacuum source 54. Therefore, the applied vacuum can facilitate the process of desorbing carbon dioxide from the absorbent material 48. Combinations of techniques, such as dielectric heat and vacuum, are contemplated.

Thus, contact chamber 20 can remove a majority (if not substantially all) of the carbon dioxide originally contained in process gas 22. Optionally, gaseous carbon dioxide 56 removed by contact chamber 20 can be released and captured in the carbon dioxide capture chamber 58 (figure 1). The vacuum source 54 can also assist in the capture of gaseous carbon dioxide 56 in the carbon dioxide collection chamber 58. The captured gaseous carbon dioxide 56 and the resulting carbon dioxide free gas 44 can then be sent for storage or transport to a job site.

Gaseous carbon dioxide 56 can be transitioned to a solid using any suitable technique. For example,

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a chilled surface, such as a cold finger. gpr positioned downstream of contact chamber 20 to make contact with gaseous carbon dioxide 56. The cooled surface can be cooled by a cryogenic pump that circulates a cold liquid through the cooled surface. The cooled surface can be cooled to a temperature that is low enough to cause the gaseous carbon dioxide 56 to solidify on the cooled surface. Other techniques to solidify carbon dioxide are also contemplated. Solidified carbon dioxide can be removed using any suitable capture method. For example, solidified carbon dioxide can be taken up, either as a solid or by transitioning the carbon dioxide back to a gas (eg, with heat).

Dielectric heaters 36, 48 can provide high-frequency microwave, radio wave, or alternating field electromagnetic radiation to heat absorbed target molecules (eg, water; carbon dioxide). The absorbed target molecules can be polarized by an applied electric field produced by dielectric heaters 36, 48. The heating can be caused by a molecular dipole rotation within the absorbed target molecules.

Molecular rotation can occur in molecules

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Absorbed target molecules when the polar molecules align themselves with the electromagnetic field produced by the dielectric heater 36, 48. When the electromagnetic field is oscillating, the polar molecules rotate, thus continuously aligning themselves with the electromagnetic field (ie, dipole rotation). As the electromagnetic field alternates, the molecules reverse direction. The rotating molecules push, pull, and collide with other molecules, distributing the energy to adjacent molecules, thereby producing energy that is displayed as heat.

For example, dielectric heaters 36, 48 may include a high-voltage power source (eg, a transformer or an electronic power converter), which passes power to a cavity magnetron. A high voltage capacitor can be connected to the magnetron and the power source. The magnetron can convert high-voltage electrical energy to electromagnetic energy (for example, microwave radiation). A control circuit (eg, a micro-controller) can be used to control the magnetron. An emitter can be used to direct electromagnetic energy toward desiccant material 34 and / or absorbent material 46. A waveguide can also be used to control the direction of electromagnetic energy by targeting the material.

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INDUSTRIAL desiccant 34 and / or absorbent material — 46. The closed containers 38, 50 of the desiccant chamber 18 and the contact chamber 20, respectively, can act as a heating chamber. An interior surface of the container walls 58 (Figures 2 and 3) can be lined with metal to reflect electromagnetic energy.

In one implementation the dielectric heater 36, 48 can produce electromagnetic waves that have high frequency electric fields and short wavelengths (eg, microwaves). For example, electromagnetic waves can be 2.45 gigahertz (GHz) with a wavelength of 122 millimeters. In another example, electromagnetic waves can be 915 megahertz (MHz) with a wavelength of 328 millimeters. The microwaves can be thrown into the desiccant material 34 and / or the absorbent material 46 from a small emitter and transported through the internal volume 40, 52 of the container 38, 50 to the desiccant material 34 and the absorbent material 46, respectively.

Dielectric heaters 36, 48 can be operated at a minimum time increment and energy level to release absorbed water and carbon dioxide from desiccant material 34 and absorbent material 46, respectively, with minimal heating and under minimal vacuum. By using dielectric heaters 36, 48 the water molecules

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INDUSTRIAL and / or the carbon dioxide molecules — can — be energized to a sufficient state that they are rapidly released from desiccant material 34 and absorbent material 46, respectively. By controlling the energy and time of the dielectric heater 36, 48, the amount of energy required to effect the necessary heating can be minimized, thus leading to a direct reduction in operational costs.

In an example of system 10, water can be released from the desiccant material in approximately 3.5 minutes at -0.14 kgf / cm² (-2 pounds per square inch psig). In another example of system 10, carbon dioxide can be released from the absorbent material in approximately 1.5 minutes at atmospheric pressure.

In addition, the use of dielectric heating at low vacuum pressure or atmospheric pressure also reduces the material cost of the system 10, particularly of the walls 58 (Figures 2 and 3) of the containers 38, 50 of the desiccant chamber 18 and of the contact chamber 20, respectively. The walls of the container 58 can be constructed of a thin, economical polymer-based material.

It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the use of the condenser 16, heat transfer assembly 26, and desiccant chamber 18 may not be required for use in

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INDUSTRIAL the system 10 for capturing carbon dioxide from the process gas 22 and the use of such components may depend on several factors, including characteristics of the process gas 22, particularly the amount of water and the temperature of the process gas 22.

As such, while not explicitly shown, system 10 may include only gas source 12 and contact chamber 20, which can use absorbent material 46 to absorb carbon dioxide from the dioxide-containing process gas. carbon 22, and dielectric heater 48 to release the absorbed carbon dioxide.

Referring to Figure 4, a method, generally designated 100, for capturing carbon dioxide is also described.

Method 100 can start at block 102 with the step of providing a carbon dioxide containing process gas. As described above, the carbon dioxide container process gas can be the hot effluent from a power plant, such as a hydrocarbon burning power plant. The use of other carbon dioxide container process gases is also contemplated.

As shown in block 104, optionally, excess heat and water can be removed from the carbon dioxide containing process gas. For example, him

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INDUSTRIAL excess heat can be removed using — a_capacitor.

as described above, which can also beneficially remove some (if not all) of the water vapor from the carbon dioxide containing process gas.

As shown in block 106, the water can be removed from the carbon dioxide containing process gas. The step of removing the water can be carried out using a desiccant material to absorb the water, as described above.

As shown in block 110, absorbed water can be desorbed from the desiccant material by dielectric heating. Optionally, a vacuum can also be applied to promote desorption of water from the desiccant material. Then, as shown in block 112, the released water can be captured or discharged into the drain.

As shown in block 108, carbon dioxide can be removed from the carbon dioxide containing process gas. The step of removing carbon dioxide can be carried out using an absorbent material, as described above.

As shown in block 114, the absorbed carbon dioxide can be desorbed from the absorbent material by dielectric heating. Optionally, a vacuum can also be applied to promote desorption of carbon dioxide from the absorbent material. So as shown in

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at block 116, the desorbed carbon dioxide can be taken up.

Referring to Figure 5, a method, generally designated 200, is also described for desorbing captured carbon dioxide onto an absorbent material. Method 200 may start at block 202 with the step of providing an absorbent material comprising an amount of absorbed carbon dioxide. As shown in block 2 04, dielectric heat can be applied to the absorbent material, such as by a dielectric heater, to desorb carbon dioxide from the absorbent material.

Optionally, a vacuum can also be applied to promote desorption of carbon dioxide from the absorbent material. As shown in block 206, the desorbed carbon dioxide can be taken up.

Consequently, the described systems and methods can use dielectric heating to quickly and efficiently release absorbed target molecules, such as water or carbon dioxide, faster than traditional methods and with less costly energy requirements and structural materials due to lack of need for high temperatures or voids.

Although various aspects of the described system and method for capturing target molecules have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those

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subject matter experts after reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Clause 1. A system 10 for capturing target molecules of a process gas 22, said system comprises: an absorbent material to absorb said target molecules of said process gas 22; and a dielectric heater 36 positioned to dielectrically heat said absorbed target molecules within said absorbent material.

Clause 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said target molecules are carbon dioxide molecules.

Clause 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said target molecules are water molecules.

Clause 4, The system according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprises a container defining an internal volume 40, wherein said absorbent material is positioned in said internal volume 40.

Clause 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric heater 36 is also positioned in said internal volume 40.

Clause 6. The system according to claim 4 further comprises a vacuum source for entraining a vacuum within said internal volume 40.

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Clause 7. The cewíoimiddet · -TOTI system claim 1, wherein said absorbent material comprises a molecular sieve material.

Clause 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent material comprises a zeolite material.

Clause 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said zeolite material comprises 13X zeolite.

Clause 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said zeolite material comprises zeolite 3A.

Clause 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric heater 36 comprises an electromagnetic energy generator.

Clause 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said dielectric heater 36 is directed to said absorbent material.

Clause 13. A system for capturing carbon dioxide from a process gas 22, said system comprising: a desiccant chamber 18 comprising a desiccant material to absorb water from said process gas 22 to produce a substantially dry gas and a first dielectric heater 36 to desorb said water from said desiccant material; and a contact chamber comprising an absorbent material for

IMPI

<img file="MX337405B_D0035.tif" />

absorbing carbon dioxide from said gas — disgust — and — a second · dielectric heater 36 to desorb said dioxide from

<td colspan="3">carbon of said material</td><td colspan="2">absorbent.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Clause</td><td> 14.</td><td>The</td><td>system</td><td>of</td><td>accordance</td><td>with</td><td>the</td>

<td>vindication</td><td> 13,</td><td>in</td><td>where</td><td>saying</td><td>material</td><td colspan="2">absorbent</td>

<td colspan="2">comprises a material</td><td>of</td><td>zeolite.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Clause</td><td> 15.</td><td>The</td><td>system</td><td>of</td><td>accordance</td><td>with</td><td>the</td>

<td>vindication</td><td> 13,</td><td>in</td><td>where</td><td>saying</td><td>material</td><td colspan="2">desiccant</td>

<td colspan="2">comprises a material</td><td>of</td><td>zeolite.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Clause</td><td> 16 .</td><td>The</td><td>system</td><td>of</td><td>accordance</td><td>with</td><td>the</td>

Claim 13 further comprises a condenser 16 for removing heat from said process gas.

Clause 17. A method of capturing a target molecule from a process gas 22 comprising the steps of: providing an absorbent material [block 202]; contacting said absorbent material with said process gas 22, wherein at least a portion of said target molecule in said process gas 22 is absorbed on said absorbent material during said contact step; and dielectrically heat said absorbed carbon dioxide [block

204] .

Clause 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said absorbent material comprises a molecular sieve material.

Clause 19. The method in accordance with

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX337405B_D0036.tif" />

Claim 17, wherein said carbon molecule qq.

<td>Clause 20.</td><td>The</td><td>method</td><td>in accordance with</td><td>the</td>

<td>claim 17,</td><td>in</td><td colspan="2">where said contact stage</td><td>is</td>

<td>repeated later</td><td>of</td><td>bliss</td><td colspan="2">warm-up stage</td>

<td>dielectrically.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to put the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

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