Patents Assigned to CLIMEWORKS AG
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Patent number: 10882743Abstract: The invention relates to a process to convert hydrocarbons into hydrogen and a separate carbon phase, whereby in step a) the hydrocarbons are contacted with a molten salt, preferably comprising Zinc Chloride, at temperatures preferably above 500° C. and in step b) a solid or liquid carbon phase is separated from the molten salt at a lower temperature, preferably below 150° C. The molten salt is then preferably re-heated to the desired temperature and recycled to step a). The process avoids the emission of CO2, making the hydrogen produced in this way a zero CO2 emission fuel and which also produces a carbon product produced having a use value.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: CLIMEWORKS AGInventor: Paul O'Connor
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IMPROVED LOW-PRESSURE DROP STRUCTURE OF PARTICLE ADSORBENT BED FOR ADSORPTION GAS SEPARATION PROCESS
Publication number: 20200391153Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of a first gas, carbon dioxide, from a mixture, by using an adsorption/desorption process using a loose particulate sorbent material arranged in at least two stacked layers. The primary heat exchange piping is arranged on the two outer edges of the layer within the cavity extending along a longitudinal direction. Further, an essentially parallel array of secondary heat exchange pipes is provided, the secondary heat exchange pipes extending along a transverse direction. The first diameter of the secondary heat exchange pipes is at least twice as large as the second outer diameter of the secondary heat exchange pipes and the secondary heat exchange pipes are in thermal contact with sheets of metal which extend oscillating between pairwise adjacent secondary heat exchange pipes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Sebastian SAUERBECK, Christoph GEBALD, Jan André WURZBACHER -
Patent number: 10807042Abstract: A process is disclosed for reversibly absorbing carbon dioxide to an alkali metal or earth alkaline absorbent. For absorption the absorbent is contacted with a first gas composition. For desorption the absorbent is contacted with a second gas composition. The moisture contents of the first and second gas compositions are controlled so that during the absorption step the absorbent is converted to a bicarbonate, and during the desorption step the absorbent is converted to a carbonate hydrate. Compared to prior art processes the process of the invention requires less energy input. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for producing a carbon dioxide enriched gas for accelerating plant growth in a greenhouse.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Antonie Bijl, Timo Roestenberg, Rafael Rodriguez Mosqueda, Gerrit Brem, Paul O'Connor
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Publication number: 20200061519Abstract: A process for the production of at least one of amorphous carbon or graphite, preferably of carbon black, from atmospheric air, biogas or flue gas CO2 is given, including at least the following steps: a) isolation of concentrated CO2 of a concentration of at least 50% v/v from atmospheric air, green house air or flue gas preferably by means of a cyclic adsorption/desorption process on amine-functionalized adsorbents; b) conversion of said captured CO2 into a gaseous or liquid saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon by hydrogenation: c) cracking of said saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon to at least one of amorphous carbon or graphite, preferably carbon black, wherein the H2 resulting from step c) is at least partially used in the hydrogenation of step b).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Alexander SPITERI, Valentin GUTKNECHT, Jan Andre WURZBACHER, Christoph GEBALD
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LOW-PRESSURE DROP STRUCTURE OF PARTICLE ADSORBENT BED FOR IMPROVED ADSORPTION GAS SEPARATION PROCESS
Publication number: 20200001224Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of a first gas from a mixture containing said first gas as well as further gases by a cyclic adsorption/desorption process using a loose particulate sorbent material for gas adsorption. The particulate sorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers (5) that are mounted on a stiff rectangular circumferential frame (7). A plurality of tubes (11) is provided for a heat exchange fluid within the frame (7). The tubes (11) are in thermal contact with a plurality of sheets (9) of metal which are arranged essentially perpendicular to a main plane of the frame (7) and perpendicular to the tubes (11). The sheets (9) extend in a continuous manner between a first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles (7?) and are provided with a plurality of holes (10) through which the plurality of tubes (11) penetrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2017Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Jan André WURZBACHER, Nicolas REPOND, Tobias RUESCH, Sebastian SAUERBECK, Christoph GEBALD -
Publication number: 20190375633Abstract: The invention relates to a process to convert hydrocarbons into hydrogen and a separate carbon phase, whereby in step a) the hydrocarbons are contacted with a molten salt, preferably comprising Zinc Chloride, at temperatures preferably above 500° C. and in step b) a solid or liquid carbon phase is separated from the molten salt at a lower temperature, preferably below 150° C. The molten salt is then preferably re-heated to the desired temperature and recycled to step a). The process avoids the emission of CO2, making the hydrogen produced in this way a zero CO2 emission fuel and which also produces a carbon product produced having a use value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventor: Paul O'CONNOR
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Patent number: 10427086Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of carbon dioxide from air is proposed for use in a cyclic adsorption/desorption process and using a loose particulate sorbent material. Sorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers, and each layer comprises two sheets of a flexible fabric material which is gas permeable but impermeable to the loose sorbent material. The sheets are arranged parallel defining an inlet face and an outlet face, are arranged with a distance in the range of 0.5-2.5 cm, and are enclosing a cavity in which the sorbent material is located. Said layers are arranged in the unit such that the inflow passes through the inlet face, subsequently through the particular sorbent material located in the cavity of the respective layer, subsequently to exit the layer through the outlet face to form the gas outflow.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph Gebald, Nicolas Repond, Tobias Ruesch, Jan André Wurzbacher
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Patent number: 10421913Abstract: A process for the production of synthetically produced methane (57)/gaseous and/or liquid hydrocarbons (114, 115, 116, 117). For this purpose, hydrogen (44, 84, 150) from an electrolytic arrangement (41, 81, 151, 159) which is operated by means of regeneratively generated electric energy and carbon dioxide (19, 46, 86) are synthesized in a methane synthesis (FIGS. 2-48) or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FIGS. 3-96) or other suitable hydrocarbon synthesis, the carbon dioxide (19, 46, 86) being produced from an air/gas flow (3, 134) by means of a carbon dioxide recovery system (FIG. 1). The carbon dioxide (19, 46, 86) is obtained from the air/gas flow (3, 134) in the carbon dioxide recovery system (FIG. 1) by way of a reversible adsorption process.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignees: SunFire GmbH, Climeworks AGInventors: Christian von Olshausen, Dietmar Rueger, Jan Andre Wurzbacher, Christoph Gebald
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LOW-PRESSURE DROP STRUCTURE OF PARTICLE ADSORBENT BED FOR IMPROVED ADSORPTION GAS SEPARATION PROCESS
Publication number: 20190255480Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of a first gas from a mixture containing said first gas as well as further gases by a cyclic adsorption/desorption process using a loose particulate sorbent material for gas adsorption. The particulate sorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers (5) that are mounted on a stiff rectangular circumferential frame (7). A plurality of tubes (11) is provided for a heat exchange fluid within the frame (7). The tubes (11) are in thermal contact with a plurality of sheets (9) of metal which are arranged essentially perpendicular to a main plane of the frame (7) and perpendicular to the tubes (11). The sheets (9) extend in a continuous manner between a first pair of mutually parallel metal profiles (7?) and are provided with a plurality of holes (10) through which the plurality of tubes (11) penetrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2017Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Jan André WURZBACHER, Nicolas REPOND, Tobias RUESCH, Sebastian SAUERBECK, Christoph GEBALD -
Patent number: 10279306Abstract: A method for separating gaseous carbon dioxide from a mixture by cyclic adsorption/desorption using a unit containing an adsorber structure with sorbent material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) contacting said mixture with the sorbent material to allow said gaseous carbon dioxide to adsorb under ambient conditions; (b) evacuating said unit to a pressure in the range of 20-400 mbarabs and heating said sorbent material to a temperature in the range of 80-130° C.; and (c) re-pressurization of the unit to ambient atmospheric pressure conditions and actively cooling the sorbent material to a temperature larger or equal to ambient temperature; wherein in step (b) steam is injected into the unit to flow-through and contact the sorbent material under saturated steam conditions, and wherein the molar ratio of steam that is injected to the gaseous carbon dioxide released is less than 20:1.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph Gebald, Nicolas Repond, Jan Andre Wurzbacher
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Patent number: 10232305Abstract: A vacuum chamber (2) for a direct air capture process and enclosing an interior space (13) for housing an adsorber structure (1) is given comprising a contiguous circumferential wall structure (115) along an axis (15), which circumferential wall structure (115) in an axial direction is closed by an inlet and an outlet axial wall (116), respectively. Both axial walls (116) comprise at least one closing stainless steel lid (6) allowing for, in an open position, gas to be circulated through the vacuum chamber (2) for passing an adsorber structure (1), and, in a closed position, to close the interior space (13) and to allow evacuation of the interior space (13) down to pressure of 500 mbarabs or less.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph Gebald, Werner Meier, Nicolas Repond, Tobias Ruesch, Jan André Wurzbacher
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Publication number: 20170326494Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of carbon dioxide from air is proposed for use in a cyclic adsorption/desorption process and using a loose particulate sorbent material. Sorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers, and each layer comprises two sheets of a flexible fabric material which is gas permeable but impermeable to the loose sorbent material. The sheets are arranged parallel defining an inlet face and an outlet face, are arranged with a distance in the range of 0.5-2.5 cm, and are enclosing a cavity in which the sorbent material is located. Said layers are arranged in the unit such that the inflow passes through the inlet face, subsequently through the particular sorbent material located in the cavity of the respective layer, subsequently to exit the layer through the outlet face to form the gas outflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph GEBALD, Nicolas PIATKOWSKI, Tobias RUESCH, Jan André André WURZBACHER
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Patent number: 9751039Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of carbon dioxide from air is proposed for use in a cyclic adsorption/desorption process and using a loose particulate sorbent material. Sorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers, and each layer comprises two sheets of a flexible fabric material which is gas permeable but impermeable to the loose sorbent material. The sheets are arranged parallel defining an inlet face and an outlet face, are arranged with a distance in the range of 0.5-2.5 cm, and are enclosing a cavity in which the sorbent material is located. Said layers are arranged in the unit such that the inflow passes through the inlet face, subsequently through the particular sorbent material located in the cavity of the respective layer, subsequently to exit the layer through the outlet face to form the gas outflow.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph Gebald, Nicolas Piatkowski, Tobias Rüesch, Jan André Wurzbacher
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Publication number: 20170203249Abstract: A method for separating gaseous carbon dioxide from a mixture by cyclic adsorption/desorption using a unit containing an adsorber structure withsorbent material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a)contacting said mixture with the sorbent material to allow said gaseous carbon dioxide to adsorb under ambient conditions; (b)evacuating said unit to a pressure in the range of 20-400 mbarabs and heating said sorbent material to a temperature in the range of 80-130° C.; and (c) re-pressurisation of the unit to ambient atmospheric pressure conditions and actively cooling the sorbent material to a temperature larger or equal to ambient temperature; wherein in step (b) steam is injected into the unit to flow-through and contact the sorbent material under saturated steam conditions, and wherein the molar ratio of steam that is injected to the gaseous carbon dioxide released is less than 20:1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph GEBALD, Nicolas REPOND, Jan Andre WURZBACHER
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Publication number: 20170106330Abstract: A vacuum chamber (2) for a direct air capture process and enclosing an interior space (13) for housing an adsorber structure (1) is given comprising a contiguous circumferential wall structure (115) along an axis (15), which circumferential wall structure (115) in an axial direction is closed by an inlet and an outlet axial wall (116), respectively, both axial walls (116) comprising at least one closing stainless steel lid (6) allowing for, in an open position, gas to be circulated through the vacuum chamber (2) for passing an adsorber structure (1), and, in a closed position, to close the interior space (13) and to allow evacuation of the interior space (13) down to pressure of 500 mbarabs or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph GEBALD, Werner MEIER, Nicolas REPOND, Tobias RUESCH, Jan André WURZBACHER
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Publication number: 20160074803Abstract: A gas separation unit for the separation of carbon dioxide from air is proposed for use in a cyclic adsorption/desorption process and using a loose particulate sorbent material. Sorbent material is arranged in at least two stacked layers, and each layer comprises two sheets of a flexible fabric material which is gas permeable but impermeable to the loose sorbent material. The sheets are arranged parallel defining an inlet face and an outlet face, are arranged with a distance in the range of 0.5-2.5 cm, and are enclosing a cavity in which the sorbent material is located. Said layers are arranged in the unit such that the inflow passes through the inlet face, subsequently through the particular sorbent material located in the cavity of the respective layer, subsequently to exit the layer through the outlet face to form the gas outflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: CLIMEWORKS AGInventors: Christoph GEBALD, Nicolas PIATKOWSKI, Tobias RÜESCH, Jan André WURZBACHER