COMBUSTION AND/OR EXHAUST GAS BY ADSORPTION

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility, a system for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas, a vehicle or industrial facility comprising said system as well as the use of at least one particulate adsorber material in said method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility.

In the last three decades, the pollution of the environment has become a major concern, especially in urban areas. Pollutants such as CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, etc. contribute to the environmental pollution and are said to adversely affect the health of human beings as well as of animals and plants. These pollutants are typically emitted in the environment from combustion processes such as power and heating plants, and motor vehicles and/or production processes such as industrial facilities.

In the art, several attempts have been made to reduce the concentration of such pollutants in media such as gases released into the environment.

For example, US 5,158,582 refers to a method of removing NOx by adsorption wherein a gas containing NOx at a low concentration is brought into contact with an adsorbent comprising a copper salt supported on zeolite serving as a carrier, whereby the NOx is adsorbed and removed efficiently. The adsorbent for use in this method comprises at least one copper salt supported on natural or synthetic zeolite, the copper salt being selected from the group consisting of copper chloride, double salt of copper chloride and ammine complex salt of copper chloride.

US 4,507,271 refers to the removal of nitrous oxide gases containing hydrogen, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide by a process in which the gases are treated with molecular sieves. US 2005 0247049 A 1 relates to systems for removing NOx from exhaust. In one aspect of the invention, after adsorption, an NOx adsorber is isolated from the main exhaust flow and desorption induced by raising the temperature. The desorbed NOx is combined with a reductant and reduced over a catalyst. US 3,015,369 refers to the removal of nitrogen oxides from combustion gases. US 5,919,286 refers to the removal of nitrogen oxides from gas.

US 4,533,365 refers to the separation and recycling of NOx gas constituents through adsorption and desorption on a molecular sieve, the molecular sieve is passed through in sequential, alternating process steps. Initially, the NOx is retained up to saturation of the molecular sieve. Thereafter the molecular sieve is regenerated through the introduction of gas. In order to reduce the demands during scavenging of the molecular sieve, and then to facilitate the provision of a closed separating and recycling system, the molecular sieve for regeneration is heated to a temperature for desorbing the adsorbed NOx and scavenged with a portion of the waste gas containing the NOx which is to be cleaned. The scavenging gas flow is recycled after passing through the molecular sieve.

The reversible adsorption of pollutants such as CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, etc. present in combustion and/or exhaust gases using adsorbers is an effective purification method. However, gases released from combustion processes always contain water vapor, which is also bound by most of the used adsorbers, such that the pollutant binding capacity of the adsorber is reduced or even not existing. Thus, several different technologies have been developed in which the combustion and/or exhaust gas is dried. These are for example condensation over temperature decrease (cooling), condensation via pressure elevation, separation by mechanical means or membranes.

However, there is still a need in the art for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas released from combustion processes and thus provide an improved efficiency for adsorbing pollutants such as CO2, CO, NO _x , SO2, VOCs, etc..

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility. Another object may also be seen in the provision of a method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility that effectively increases the adsorption of pollutants such as CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, etc.. A further object may be seen in the provision of a method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility that effectively decreases the amount of pollutants such as CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, etc. in the combustion and/or exhaust gas released from the vehicle and/or an industrial facility. A further object may be seen in the provision of a method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility enabling a low overall energy consumption for the method and corresponding system. A still further object may be seen in the provision of method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility enabling increasing the efficiency of such a method, especially as regards time and the consumption of chemicals. One or more of the foregoing and other problems are solved by the subject-matter as defined herein in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the corresponding sub-claims.

According to one aspect of the present application a method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility is provided. The method comprising, more preferably consisting of, the following steps:

a) providing at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber,

b) providing a combustion and/or exhaust gas comprising water vapor, and c) contacting the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) with the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) for adsorbing at least a part of the water vapor from the combustion and/or exhaust gas onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas is provided. The system

comprising, preferably consisting of,

a) at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising at least one

particulate adsorber material as defined herein, wherein the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) are arranged in parallel, and

b) one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof, which is/are located after the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising at least one particulate adsorber material, wherein the system is placed in a vehicle and/or an industrial facility. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle or industrial facility comprising a system as defined herein is provided.

According to still a further aspect of the present invention, the use of at least one particulate adsorber material as defined herein in the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility is provided.

According to one embodiment of the present method, the combustion and/or exhaust gas is a gas mixture resulting from the combustion of a carbon or hydrocarbon based fuel, preferably the carbon or hydrocarbon based fuel is selected from the group consisting of methane, propane, butane, petrol, diesel, jet fuel, natural gas, gasoline, fuel oil, coal, wood, methanol, dimethylether (DME), ethanol, biogas, biofuel, industrial fuel gas, syngas, waste incineration gas or mixtures thereof. According to another embodiment of the present method, the combustion and/or exhaust gas comprises the water vapor in an amount of at least 5 g/Nm ³ , preferably in an amount ranging from 5 to 700 g/Nm ³ .

According to yet another embodiment of the present method, the vehicle is selected from a car, truck, bus, ship, train, boat or aircraft and/or the industrial facility is selected from incineration plants, cement plants, refineries, petrochemical plants, power plants, biogas plants, chemical production plants, manufacturing plants or steel industry. According to one embodiment of the present method, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in form of a powder, crushed material, granulated powder, pellets, tablets, pressed or sintered material, cylinders, rings, spherical particles, filter material, in a column and/or cartridge.

According to another embodiment of the present method, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is selected from the group comprising silica, alumina, aluminium silicates, and mixtures thereof, preferably silica or a mixture of silica and alumina.

According to yet another embodiment of the present method, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) has i) a weighted average particle size of > 200 μιη, more preferably from 200 to 6 000 μιη, even more preferably from 500 to 5 500 μιη and most preferably from 1 000 to 5 000 μιη, and/or ii) a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 400 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 300 m ² /g and most preferably of from 300 to 1 200 m ² /g, and/or iii) a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 400 N and most preferably of from 4 to 300 N, and/or a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 400 to 900 kg/m ³ .

According to one embodiment of the present method, the reduction of the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas is substantially obtained by physisorption.

According to another embodiment of the present method, contacting step c) is carried out a) by passing the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) through the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a), and/or b) at a temperature ranging from - 50 to 500 °C, preferably from -40 to 350 °C, even more preferably from -30 to 250 C and most preferably from -30 to 180 °C, and/or c) at a pressure ranging from 0.1 to 20 bar, preferably from 0.5 to 15 bar and most preferably from 1 to 10 bar.

According to yet another embodiment of the present method, the reduction of the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas is achieved when the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas obtained after contacting step c) is below the water vapour content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b), preferably the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas obtained after contacting step c) is at least 10 wt.-%, more preferably at least 40 wt.-%, even more preferably at least 60 wt.-% and most preferably at least 80 wt.-%, based on the total weight of water vapor in the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b), below the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b).

According to one embodiment of the present method, the method comprises a further step d) of regenerating the at least one particulate adsorber material after step c) by substantially removing the water vapor adsorbed onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material.

According to another embodiment of the present method, step d) is carried out by passing a gas having a temperature of above the temperature in step c) in flow or counterflow through the at least one particulate adsorber material, preferably the gas has a temperature of at least 50 °C, more preferably at least 80 °C, even more preferably at least 80 °C and most preferably at least 100 °C. According to yet another embodiment of the present method, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) a) is provided in at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) which are arranged in parallel, and/or b) is arranged such that it is located before one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment of the present method, the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising the at least one particulate adsorber are configured such that method step c) is carried out in at least one of the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) and method step d) is carried out in at least one of the remaining column(s) and/or cartridge(s).

Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other non-specified elements of major or minor functional importance. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "consisting of is considered to be a preferred embodiment of the term "comprising of. If hereinafter a group is defined to comprise at least a certain number of embodiments, this is also to be understood to disclose a group, which preferably consists only of these embodiments.

Whenever the terms "including" or "having" are used, these terms are meant to be equivalent to "comprising" as defined above.

Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g. "a", "an" or "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. Terms like "obtainable" or "definable" and "obtained" or "defined" are used interchangeably. This e.g. means that, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the term "obtained" does not mean to indicate that e.g. an embodiment must be obtained by e.g. the sequence of steps following the term "obtained" even though such a limited understanding is always included by the terms "obtained" or "defined" as a preferred embodiment.

As set out above, the inventive method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility comprises the steps a), b) and c) and optionally step d). In the following, it is referred to further details of the present invention and especially the foregoing steps of the inventive method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility. Those skilled in the art will understand that many embodiments described herein can be combined or applied together.

Characterisation of step a): provision of at least one particulate adsorber material

According to step a) of the method of the present invention, at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber, is provided.

The term "at least one" particulate adsorber material in the meaning of the present invention means that the particulate adsorber material comprises, preferably consists of, one or more particulate adsorber material(s).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one particulate adsorber material(s) comprises, preferably consists of, one particulate adsorber material.

Alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material(s) comprises, preferably consists of, two or more particulate adsorber materials. For example, the at least one particulate adsorber material(s) comprises, preferably consists of, two or three or four particulate adsorber materials. Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material(s) comprises, preferably consists of, one particulate adsorber material.

If the at least one particulate adsorber material(s) comprises, preferably consists of, two or more particulate adsorber materials, the two or more particulate adsorber materials can be of the same or different material. Preferably, the two or more particulate adsorber materials are made from the same material. That is to say, the two or more particulate adsorber materials are preferably provided in different units. It is appreciated that the at least one particulate adsorber material can be any kind of adsorber material as long as it has a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber. Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 5 wt.-%, more preferably of at least 10 wt.-%, even more preferably of at least 15 wt.- %, and most preferably of at least 20 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber. For example, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C in the range from 10 to 90 wt.-%, more preferably from 15 to 80 wt.-%, and most preferably from 20 to 60 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber.

It is appreciated that, if not otherwise indicated, the moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C is determined at a relative humidity of 100 %, based on the total volume of the combustion and/or exhaust gas. In one embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material is selected from the group comprising silica, alumina, aluminum silicates and mixtures thereof.

Silica is well known in the art and is commercially available from a great variety of sources. Preferably, silica is amorphous silica (CAS 63231 67 4 or CAS 7631 86 9). Alumina, which is also called aluminum oxide, is well known in the art and is commercially available from a great variety of sources. Preferably, alumina is activated alumina (CAS 1344 28 1).

Aluminum silicates are well known in the art and are commercially available from a great variety of sources. Preferably, aluminum silicates are zeolites (CAS 1318 02 1).

Due to the low water heat adsorption, silica, such as amorphous silica, is preferably provided as the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a).

In one embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is a mixture of silica and alumina (or aluminum oxide). Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is silica comprising low amounts of alumina (or aluminum oxide). For example, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is silica comprising alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount ranging from 1 to 9 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material.

Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is silica

comprising alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount ranging from 1 to 5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material. More preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is silica comprising alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount ranging from 2 to 4 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) thus consists of silica in an amount ranging from 91 to 99 wt.-% and alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount ranging from 1 to 9 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material. Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) thus consists of silica in an amount ranging from 95 to 99 wt.-% and alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount ranging from 1 to 5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material. More preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) thus consists of silica in an amount ranging from 96 to 98 wt.-% and alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount ranging from 2 to 4 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material.

The at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) preferably has a weighted average particle size of > 200 μιη, more preferably from 200 to 6 000 μιη, even more preferably from 500 to 5 500 μιη and most preferably from 1 000 to 5 000 μιη.

The weighted average particle size refers to the weight distribution of different sizes of particles. The particle size of the particles can be e.g, determined by optical methods such as microscopy. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) has a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 400 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 300 m ² /g and most preferably of from 300 to 1 200 m ² /g. For example, if the at least one particulate adsorber material is silica, e.g. amorphous silica, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 000 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 000 m ² /g and most preferably of from 200 to 1 000 m ² /g, such as from 300 to 1 000 m ² /g.

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is alumina, e.g. activated alumina, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 200 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 000 m ² /g and most preferably of from 150 to 950 m ² /g, such as from 300 to 900 m ² /g.

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is aluminum silicates, e.g. zeolites, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 000 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 000 m ² /g and most preferably of from 300 to 900 m ² /g.

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is a mixture of silica and alumina (or aluminum oxide), the at least one particulate adsorber material has a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 000 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 000 m ² /g and most preferably of from 200 to 1 000 m ² /g, such as from 300 to 1 000 m ² /g.

The "BET specific surface area" of the particulate material in the meaning of the present invention is measured by nitrogen adsorption using the BET isotherm (ISO 9277:2010), and is specified in m ² /g. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) has a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 400 N and most preferably of from 4 to 300 N.

For example, if the at least one particulate adsorber material is silica, e.g. amorphous silica, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 400 N, even more preferably from 8 to 400 N and most preferably of from 10 to 300 N. If the at least one particulate adsorber material is alumina, e.g. activated alumina, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 400 N, even more preferably from 4 to 200 N and most preferably of from 5 to 150 N.

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is aluminum silicates, e.g. zeolites, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 200 N, even more preferably from 20 to 200 N and most preferably of from 40 to 150 N.

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is a mixture of silica and alumina (or aluminum oxide), the at least one particulate adsorber material has a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 10 to 400 N, even more preferably from 80 to 400 N and most preferably of from 100 to 300 N.

The "crush strength" of the particulate material in the meaning of the present invention is measured by using ASTM D4179 or ASTM D6175.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) has a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 400 to 900 kg/m ³ .

For example, if the at least one particulate adsorber material is silica, e.g. amorphous silica, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 400 to 800 kg/m ³ .

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is alumina, e.g. activated alumina, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 600 to 900 kg/m ³ .

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is aluminum silicates, e.g. zeolites, the at least one particulate adsorber material has a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 500 to 900 kg/m ³ .

If the at least one particulate adsorber material is a mixture of silica and alumina (or aluminum oxide), the at least one particulate adsorber material has a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 500 to 1 000 kg/m ³ .

The "bulk density" of the particulate material in the meaning of the present invention is measured in accordance with ASTM C29 / C29M.

In one embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) has

i) a weighted average particle size of > 200 μιη, more preferably from 200 to 6 000 μιη, even more preferably from 500 to 5 500 μιη and most preferably from 1 000 to 5 000 μιη, and

ii) a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 400 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 300 m ² /g and most preferably of from 300 to 1 200 m ² /g, and

iii) a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 400 N and most preferably of from 4 to 300 N, and

iv) a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 400 to 900 kg/m ³ . Alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) has i) a weighted average particle size of > 200 μιη, more preferably from 200 to 6 000 μιη, even more preferably from 500 to 5 500 μιη and most preferably from 1 000 to 5 000 μιη, or

ii) a BET specific surface area as measured by the BET nitrogen method of > 10 m ² /g, more preferably from 10 to 1 400 m ² /g, even more preferably of from 100 to 1 300 m ² /g and most preferably of from 300 to 1 200 m ² /g, or

iii) a crush strength of at least 4 N, more preferably of from 4 to 400 N and most preferably of from 4 to 300 N, or

iv) a bulk density of at least 300 kg/m ³ , more preferably of from 300 to 1 000 kg/m ³ and most preferably of from 400 to 900 kg/m ³ .

It is required that the at least one adsorber material of step a) is provided in particulate form. Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in form of a powder, crushed material, granulated powder, pellets, tablets, pressed or sintered material cylinders, rings, spherical particles, filter material, in a column and/or cartridge.

It is appreciated that the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided such that a flow of gas through the particles of the adsorber material is achieved. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the back pressure in the system is low. Thus, it is preferred that the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided as particulate adsorber material having relatively big particles and high interparticle space.

In one embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a), e.g. the mixture of silica and alumina (or aluminum oxide), has a pore volume in the range from 0.1 to 2.0 cm ³ /g, more preferably from 0.2 to 1.8 cm ³ /g, even more preferably from 0.2 to 1.2 cm ³ /g and most preferably from 0.2 to 1.0 cm ³ /g. These values are calculated from a mercury porosimetry measurement, which method is well known in the art. Thus, it is preferred that the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided as pellets, tablets, spherical particles, rings, cylinders, in a column and/or cartridge.

For example, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a)

is provided in a column and/or cartridge. Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided as powder, crushed material, granulated powder, pellets, tablets, pressed or sintered material cylinders, rings, spherical particles, filter material, in a column and/or cartridge. In one embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) which are arranged in parallel.

For example, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 8 and most preferably 2 to 6, column(s) and/or cartridge(s) which are arranged in parallel.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is arranged such that it is located before one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) which are arranged in parallel and the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is arranged such that it is located before one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof. Characterisation of step b): provision of a combustion and/or exhaust gas

According to step b) of the present method, a combustion and/or exhaust gas comprising water vapour is provided. It is appreciated that the combustion and/or exhaust gas is preferably a gas mixture resulting from the combustion of a fossile or non-fossile fuel on a hydrocarbon or carbon basis with oxygen. Preferably, the combustion and/or exhaust gas is a gas mixture resulting from the combustion of a hydrocarbon based fuel. For example, the hydrocarbon based fuel is selected from the group consisting of methane, propane, butane, petrol, diesel, jet fuel (or kerosene), natural gas, gasoline, fuel oil, coal, wood, methanol, dimethylether (DME), ethanol, biogas, biofuel, industrial fuel gas, syngas, waste incineration gas or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the hydrocarbon fuel is methane, diesel or gasoline. Herein, the terms gasoline and petrol are

exchangeable. Furthermore, the terms jet fuel and kerosene are exchangeable. Of course, principally any gas may be comprised in the combustion and/or exhaust gas depending on the industrial process from which the combustion and/or exhaust gas originates.

The combustion takes place in a vehicle and/or in an industrial facility. Preferably, the combustion takes place in a vehicle or in an industrial facility.

For example, the vehicle is selected from a car, truck, bus, ship, train, boat or aircraft. The vehicle may also be any other possible vehicle. The industrial facility is preferably selected from incineration plants, cement plants, refineries, petrochemical plants, power plants, biogas plants, chemical production plants, manufacturing plants or steel industry.

It is appreciated that the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is placed in the vehicle and/or industrial facility in which the combustion takes place.

Optionally, the vehicle and/or industrial facility uses the hydrocarbon based fuel as fuel and/or the combustion of the hydrocarbon based fuel provides the energy for motion and operation of the vehicle and/or industrial facility. The combustion and/or exhaust gas comprises water vapour. Preferably, the combustion and/or exhaust gas comprises the water vapor in an amount of at least 5 g/Nm ³ , preferably in an amount ranging from 5 to 700 g/Nm ³ .

Characterisation of step c): contacting the at least one particulate adsorber material with the combustion and/or exhaust gas

According to step c) of the present method, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is contacted with the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) for adsorbing at least a part of the water vapor from the combustion and/or exhaust gas onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material.

In general, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) and the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) can be brought into contact by any conventional means known to the skilled person. For example, contacting step c) is carried out by passing the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) through the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a). This embodiment is especially preferred if the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in form of a column, cartridge, or filter material.

It is appreciated that the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is contacted with the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) at a concentration and for a time sufficient for taking up the water vapor from the combustion and/or exhaust gas onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material.

It is appreciated that contacting step c) is can be carried out over a broad temperature and pressure range. For example, contacting step c) is carried out at the temperature and pressure conditions typically applied in the vehicle and/or industrial facility in which the combustion takes place.

Alternatively, contacting c) is carried out in that the combustion and/or exhaust gas is cooled down below the temperature conditions typically applied in the vehicle and/or industrial facility in which the combustion takes place.

Thus, contacting step c) is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from -50 to 500 °C, preferably from -40 to 350 °C, even more preferably from -30 to 250 °C and most preferably from -30 to 180 °C, and/or at a pressure ranging from 0.1 to 20 bar, preferably from 0.5 to 15 bar and most preferably from 1 to 10 bar. For example, contacting step c) is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from -50 to 500 °C, preferably from -40 to 350 °C, even more preferably from -30 to 250 °C and most preferably from -30 to 180 °C, or at a pressure ranging from 0.1 to 20 bar, preferably from 0.5 to 15 bar and most preferably from 1 to 10 bar. Alternatively, contacting step c) is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from -50 to 500 °C, preferably from -40 to 350 °C, even more preferably from -30 to 250 °C and most preferably from -30 to 180 °C, and at a pressure ranging from 0.1 to 20 bar, preferably from 0.5 to 15 bar and most preferably from 1 to 10 bar.

The term "adsorption" in the meaning of the present invention is understood as the adhesion of water molecules to the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material, whereby the adsorbent builds up a layer on the surface or in the pores of the adsorbent. It is a surface phenomenon. This process differs from absorption, in which a fluid (the absorbate) permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid (the absorbent). Adsorption is a surface-based process while absorption involves the whole volume of the material.

It is appreciated that the reduction of the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas is substantially obtained by physisorption.

In general, the amount of water vapor adsorbed from the combustion and/or exhaust gas by the at least one particulate adsorber material may vary depending on the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas and the at least one particulate adsorber material used.

However, it is preferred that the reduction of the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas is achieved when the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas obtained after contacting step c) is below the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b).

For example, the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas obtained after contacting step c) is at least 10 wt.-%, more preferably at least 40 wt.-%, even more preferably at least 60 wt.-% and most preferably at least 80 wt.-%, based on the total weight of water vapor in the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b), below the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b).

In one embodiment, the contacting is carried out for a time such that no further reduction of the water vapor content in the combustion and/or exhaust gas is detected. The contacting time may be empirically determined using common methods known to the skilled person or described in the present application.

It is appreciated that contacting step c) can be repeated one or more times.

Accordingly, the combustion and/or exhaust gas obtained in step c) preferably has a water vapor content below the water vapor content of the combustion and/or exhaust gas provided in step b).

One advantage of the present invention is that the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) can be regenerated if the maximum water vapor capacity of the at least one particulate adsorber material is reached.

Thus, the present method may comprise a further step of regenerating the at least one particulate adsorber material after step c) by substantially removing the water vapor adsorbed onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material.

In this embodiment, the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility, comprises, preferably consists of, the steps of:

a) providing at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber, providing a combustion and/or exhaust gas comprising water vapor, contacting the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) with the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) for adsorbing at least a part of the water vapor from the combustion and/or exhaust gas onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material, and regenerating the at least one particulate adsorber material after step c) by substantially removing the water vapor adsorbed onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material.

The term "removing the water vapour" is the reverse of adsorption, i.e. is the release of the adsorbed substance, here water vapor, from the at least one particulate adsorber material. The release of the water vapor from the at least one particulate adsorber material is also called desorption. Preferably, step d) is carried out by passing a gas having a temperature of above the temperature in step c) in flow or counterflow, preferably counterflow, through the at least one particulate adsorber material. For example, the gas passing in flow or counterflow through the at least one particulate adsorber material has a temperature of at least 50 °C, more preferably at least 80 °C, even more preferably at least 80 °C and most preferably at least 100 °C.

For example, step d) is carried out after contacting step c).

When the maximum capacity of the at least one particulate adsorber material is reached, the combustion and/or exhaust gas is preferably redirected onto at least one further particulate adsorber material, while the saturated at least one particulate adsorber material is regenerated in parallel. Thus, step d) is preferably carried out in parallel to contacting step c). As already mentioned above, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is preferably provided in at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) which are arranged in parallel. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is arranged such that it is located before one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is provided in at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) which are arranged in parallel and the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) is arranged such that it is located before one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines,

formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof.

In order to regenerate the at least one particulate adsorber material after step c), the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising the at least one particulate adsorber are preferably configured such that method step c) is carried out in at least one of the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) and method step d) is carried out in at least one of the remaining column(s) and/or cartridge(s).

Thus, the method may comprises one or more particulate adsorber material(s) at which neither step c) nor step d) is carried, i.e. the one or more particulate adsorber material(s) are provided on hold, while step c) and/or step d) is/are carried out at the remaining particulate adsorber material(s).

For example, the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising the at least one particulate adsorber are configured such that method step c) is carried out in at least one of the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) and method step d) is carried out in the remaining column(s) and/or cartridge(s).

In one embodiment, method steps c) and d) can be carried out simultaneously or separately. If method steps c) and d) are carried out simultaneously, method step c) is carried out in at least one of the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) and method step d) is carried out in at least one of the remaining column(s) and/or cartridge(s) in parallel. If method steps c) and d) are carried out separately, method step c) is carried out in at least one of the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) and method step d) is carried out in the same column(s) and/or cartridge(s) in the given order, i.e. step d) is carried out after step c). In view of method steps c) and d), the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility is preferably a continuous method, i.e. method steps c) and d) are carried out simultaneously. It is appreciated that step d) can be repeated one or more times.

It is to be noted that the at least one particulate adsorber material regenerated in step d) can be provided again in step a). Thus, method steps a), b), c) and d), preferably in the given order, can be carried out one or more times, i.e. in cycle. The present invention further provides a system for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas, the system comprising

a) at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising at least one

particulate adsorber material, wherein the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) are arranged in parallel, and

b) one or more adsorber unit(s) suitable for the adsorption of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide(s), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compound(s), sulphur oxide(s), hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptane(s), volatile amines, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, dialkyl ether(s), particulate matter or mixtures thereof, which is/are located after the at least two column(s) and/or cartridge(s) comprising at least one particulate adsorber material, wherein the system is placed in a vehicle and/or an industrial facility.

With regard to the definition of the system for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas and preferred embodiments thereof, reference is made to the statements provided above when discussing the technical details of the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility of the present invention.

A "column" and/or "cartridge" may be any container which can contain the at least one particulate adsorber material for water vapor and which can be placed in a stream of combustion and/or exhaust gas to adsorb the water vapour. The cartridge may be in the form of an axial flow scrubber, wherein the combustion and/or exhaust gas linearly passes through the adsorbent in the cartridge, in the form of a radial flow scrubber, wherein the combustion and/or exhaust gas first passes the sorbent in vertical direction and then leaves the adsorbent material from the middle to the outer part in horizontal direction or the other way round. The column and/or cartridge design must take the following aspects into consideration: A) the surface area of the at least one particulate adsorber material needs to be adequate to the percentage of water vapor in the combustion and/or exhaust gas and the time period the at least one particulate adsorber material should capture the water vapor without desorption taking place. B) The gas flow rate needs to be slow enough for the water vapor to be absorbed or adsorbed (dwell time). C) Optimal packing of the at least one particulate adsorber material to avoid that a path is formed which allows the combustion and/or exhaust gas to pass the at least one particulate adsorber material without being captured (known as channeling). For this purpose, a net/grid/diffuser is placed inside the cartridge and along its longitudinal direction.

The column and/or cartridge may have any form suitable for performing the method of the invention. Examples of such forms are cylindrical, conical, cube-shaped, cuboid, and others and mixtures thereof. Further, the column and/or cartridge is suitable for containing the at least one particulate adsorber material and has at least one opening for entry of the combustion and/or exhaust gas and at least one opening for exit of the combustion and/or exhaust gas.

It is preferred to install more than one cartridge in parallel in one single industrial facility or vehicle.

The system may be further equipped with a chemical indicator which indicates that the at least one particulate adsorber material is saturated or close to saturation with water vapor. In this case, the regenerating step should follow in due time in order to provide a regenerated at least one particulate adsorber material in the method. The system can also optionally be equipped with a temperature and/or pressure sensor since step d) may be carried out at elevated temperature and/or pressure. The present invention further provides a vehicle or industrial facility comprising the system of the present invention.

With regard to the definition of the vehicle or industrial facility comprising the system and preferred embodiments thereof, reference is made to the statements provided above when discussing the technical details of the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility and the system for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of the present invention.

The present invention also comprises the use of the at least one particulate adsorber material in the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility. Thus, the use of the at least one particulate adsorber material in the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility is provided, the method comprising, preferably consisting of, the steps of:

a) providing at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber,

b) providing a combustion and/or exhaust gas comprising water vapor, c) contacting the at least one particulate adsorber material of step a) with the combustion and/or exhaust gas of step b) for adsorbing at least a part of the water vapor from the combustion and/or exhaust gas onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material, and d) optionally regenerating the at least one particulate adsorber material after step c) by substantially removing the water vapor adsorbed onto the surface and/or into the pores of the at least one particulate adsorber material. With regard to the definition of the at least one particulate adsorber material, the method and preferred embodiments thereof, reference is made to the statements provided above when discussing the technical details of the method for reducing the water vapor content in a combustion and/or exhaust gas of a vehicle and/or an industrial facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows the schematic setup of such a method. The hot combustion and/or exhaust gas is cooled down to adsorption temperature through heat exchange with the environment (surrounding air) (3). This can be achieved over a heat exchanger, cooling fins or in the simplest way over surrounding air passing around the surface of the pipe containing the combustion and/or exhaust gas. During this step, part of the water vapor is eventually already condensated and can be removed via a water trap. The cooled down combustion and/or exhaust gas is then passed over the adsorption unit (la) comprising at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber, where it is dehumidified and therefore prepared for the subsequent adsorptive pollutant removal in the second adsorber unit (or multiple adsorber units) (2) which is suitable for the adsorption of pollutants. In this step, the targeted pollutants are removed from the combustion and/or exhaust gas via adsorption, leading to a significant reduction of pollutants in the combustion and/or exhaust gas stream that leaves the system (into the environment). Prior to the initial exhaust gas cooling step, a part of the hot exhaust gas is diverted in order to be used for the regeneration of the saturated adsorber unit (lb) comprising at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber. The adsorber unit is flushed in flow or counterflow with the hot combustion and/or exhaust gas leading to the desorption of the bound water vapor due to the temperature increase. The desorbed water vapor is removed with the combustion and/or exhaust gas stream.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative setup to Fig. 1, where another purging gas (for example surrounding air) can be used for desorption. Therefor the purging gas could, for example by means of a blower, be directed over a heat exchanger and be heated up by the hot combustion and/or exhaust gas, which is in parallel be cooled down to adsorption temperature (leading already to condensation of a part of the contained water vapor). The hot purging gas is then, in accordance with the setup in Fig. 1, directed in counterflow over the saturated adsorption unit comprising at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber, for regeneration. The desorbed water is removed with the purge gas.

Fig. 3 shows a further alternative setup, where not the purging gas that is heated by the hot combustion and/or exhaust gas, but rather the adsorption unit (3a, 3b) comprising at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber, itself for example over a double jacket. While the adsorption unit (3a, 3b) is heated up, the combustion and/or exhaust gas is cooled down. The heated adsorption unit (3a, 3b) is then passed through with the purging gas in counterflow during regeneration.

EXAMPLE

In accordance with the setup in Fig. 1, diesel exhaust gas from a motor vehicle (about 3 to 10 Nm ³ /h (stationary: about 3 Nm ³ /h; driving: 10 Nm ³ /h)) comprising CO2 and NOx in usual amounts and 20-30 g water vapour per m ³ exhaust gas was passed in split mode over the adsorption unit (la) comprising the at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber. The at least one particulate adsorber material consisted of silica in an amount of about 97 wt.-% and alumina (or aluminum oxide) in an amount of about 3 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the particulate adsorber material. The particulate adsorber material had a BET specific surface area of 750 m ² /g, a crush strength of 200 N, a bulk density of 800 kg/m ³ , and a pore volume of 0.4 cm ³ /g. The adsorption unit (la) had a total volume of about 9 L and contained about 6 kg of the at least one particulate adsorber material having a moisture adsorption capacity at 40 °C of at least 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the adsorber. The adsorption unit (la) was able to bind about 2 kg of water vapor corresponding to a dewatering of exhaust gas in the range of about 60 to 70 Nm ³ . At about 10 Nm ³ /h, the reduction of water vapour in the exhaust gas was achieved over an operation time of about 7 h by the adsorption unit (la) such that an almost complete removal of nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas was achieved in the second adsorber unit (2) following the adsorption unit (la). As already mentioned above, the diesel exhaust gas was splitted such that a part of the hot gas was used to regenerate the adsorber unit after its saturation with water vapor (lb). The desorbed water vapor was removed with the exhaust gas stream. The regenerated adsorber unit (la) was then again used for reducing the water vapor content in the exhaust gas.