Described is the use of a mineral comprising a metal carbonate fraction and a fuel fraction, such as oil shale or coal shale, in a calcination process. The disclosed process can advantageously result in carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere. Further, in the process, heat energy generated during calcination can be used to separate oxygen from air, so that the oxygen can be fed back into the system. Alternatively or in addition, heat energy may also be used to compress the gaseous carbon dioxide generated from the calcination process.

Device for adsorbing a gas from a gas mixture to be treated, having an inlet for gas to be treated and an outlet for treated gas, including at least two vessels filled with a regenerable adsorbent and an adjustable valve system connecting the inlet and outlet to the vessels, whereby the adjustable valve system is such that at least one vessel will treat compressed gas while the other vessel is regenerated, whereby by adjusting the valve system the vessels each in turn treat compressed gas sequentially, and the adjustable valve system is assembled in a single valve block.

The apparatus comprises a first air duct with a first opening and a second opening, in the first air duct are: a cooler, a first suction device and at least part of a sorption heat exchanger having an integrated heating and/or an upstream device for preheating the incoming air. An element for collecting condensed water is also included. The apparatus also comprises a recuperative heat exchanger, which is positioned in the first air duct between the cooler and the sorption exchanger and simultaneously also between the cooler and the second opening. The recuperative heat exchanger has at least two internal conduits connected in such manner, that the first of these internal conduits air-interconnects the sorption exchanger and the cooler and that the second of these internal conduits air-interconnects the cooler and the second opening. The first and second internal conduits of the recuperative heat exchanger are in mutual thermal contact. The sorption exchanger is also air-interconnected to the first opening.

A desiccant member is disclosed that comprises a polymer material and a bentonite material. The desiccant member is capable of absorbing moisture from an atmosphere containing siloxanes, organic compounds having a boiling point greater than 60 C, or mixtures thereof. The desiccant member is contamination resistant and may be regenerable. The desiccant member may have a high working moisture capacity that is suited for demanding environments.

Compressed air dryer systems are described. In an aspect, a system includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of dryer modules and a controller operable to regulate a run-time of each of the plurality of dryer modules. Each dryer module is configured to direct a portion of cooling medium past a stream of compressed air. Each dryer module includes a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the portion of cooling medium, and a chiller configured to reduce a temperature of the portion of cooling medium based on the sensed temperature and a temperature set-point. The controller communicatively is coupled with the plurality of dryer modules and operable to monitor a plurality of run-times. Each run-time is associated with a corresponding dryer module. The controller is further operable to direct operation of each dryer module based on its run-time by modifying the temperature set-point of the dryer module.

A system for capturing CO.sub.2 from gases, a pre-cooled stream of the gases is conducted through a bed of CO.sub.2 adsorbent in a first direction capturing CO.sub.2 from the gases in the CO.sub.2 adsorbent bed, a stream of warm heating gas is conducted from a heat storage unit to said CO.sub.2 adsorbent bed in a second direction opposite the first direction transferring stored heat from the heat recovery unit to the adsorbent bed, while simultaneously transferring coldness from the adsorbent bed to the heat storage, the heating gas is conducted through the adsorbent bed in a closed loop desorbing CO.sub.2 from the adsorbent bed, the desorbed CO.sub.2 is extracted a stream of cooling gas is conducted through the heat storage unit and the CO.sub.2 adsorbent bed in the first direction transferring low-temperature heat to the adsorbent bed and high-temperature heat from the adsorption bed to the heat storage unit.

A humidity controlling material includes: a first particle; and a second particle. The first particle includes: a first humidity controlling liquid containing a hygroscopic substance; and a first holding portion holding the first humidity controlling liquid. The second particle includes: a second humidity controlling liquid containing the hygroscopic substance; and a second holding portion holding the second humidity controlling liquid. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are formed of a polymeric material. The first humidity controlling liquid includes a first indicator a color of which changes according to an amount of moisture contained in the first humidity controlling liquid. The second humidity controlling liquid includes a second indicator a color of which changes, in a transition range different from a transition range of the first indicator, according to an amount of moisture contained in the second humidity controlling liquid.

A process for removal of unwanted components from a feed gas mixture, wherein a temperature swing adsorption unit comprising at least two adsorption vessels is used, the method comprising cyclically operating the temperature swing adsorption unit in successive operation modes in each of which a different one of the at least two adsorption vessels is operated in an adsorption mode while a further one of the at least two adsorption vessels previously operated in the adsorption mode is operated in a regeneration mode, the adsorption mode comprising forming an adsorption gas stream using a part of the feed gas mixture and passing the adsorption gas stream through the adsorption vessel operated in the adsorption mode, and the regeneration mode comprising passing a regeneration gas stream through the adsorption vessel operated in the regeneration mode, thereby forming the purified gas mixture.

The present description relates to a process for producing magnesium metal from dihydrate magnesium chloride comprising the steps of dehydrating MgCI.sub.2.2H.sub.2O with anhydrous hydrochloric acid (HCI) to obtain anhydrous magnesium chloride in an inert environment, releasing the mixture of hydrous HCI and protection gas; and electrolyzing the anhydrous magnesium chloride in an electrolytic cell fed with hydrogen gas under free oxygen atmosphere content, wherein magnesium metal and anhydrous hydrogen chloride are produced, wherein a part of the hydrous HCI is passed through a scrubbing unit to obtain a hydrochloric acid solution, the other part of the hydrochloric chloride gas is dehydrated by contact with a desiccant agent in a drying unit to produce anhydrous HCI, and wherein the anhydrous HCI produced by at least one of the electrolytic cell and the drying unit is reused to dehydrate the of MgCI.sub.2.2H.sub.2O.

A dehumidifier apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior space and a vent for permitting airflow into the interior space. The apparatus also includes a cartridge sized for removable insertion into the interior space of the housing. The cartridge includes a tray defining a first pocket, a second pocket, and a channel extending from the first pocket to the second pocket. The cartridge also includes a cover coupled to the tray over the first pocket such that the first pocket is in fluid communication with the second pocket via the channel. The cover has a first layer and a second layer detachable from the first layer. The first layer is gas permeable and liquid impermeable. The second layer is gas impermeable and liquid impermeable. The cartridge further includes a desiccant material contained in the first pocket by the cover.