Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

The present disclosure relates to a carbon capture adapter that may attach to high air flow locations. A carbon capture adapter may utilize the air flow of a high air flow location to allow for capture of unfiltered air, allowing for carbon removal and the scrubbing of the unfiltered air. The carbon capture adapter may comprise carbon sensors that may detect carbon levels of the air before and after the carbon has been scrubbed or removed from the ambient air. The carbon capture adapter may capture and transform the carbon into secondary substances that may be useful unto itself. The carbon capture adapter will have all inputs, outputs, processes, and flows that meet all aspects of a closed loop system that is specifically designed for CCS. The carbon capture adapter may be at least temporarily secured to at least one portion of a vehicle.

Methods of using sorbents to enhance the production of hydrogen from fuel, and related systems, are generally described. In some embodiments, the production of hydrogen from the fuel involves a reforming reaction and/or a gasification reaction combined with a water-gas shift reaction.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for the capture of at least one acid gas in a composition, the release of said gas from said composition, and the subsequent regeneration of said composition for re-use, said method comprising performing, in order, the steps of: (a) capturing the at least one acid gas by contacting said at least one gas with a capture composition comprising at least one salt of a carboxylic acid and at least one water-miscible non-aqueous solvent; (b) releasing said at least one acid gas by adding at least one protic solvent or agent to said composition; and (c) regenerating the capture composition by partial or complete removal of said added protic solvent or agent from said composition. Optionally, said capture composition comprising at least one salt of a carboxylic acid and at least one water-miscible non-aqueous solvent additionally comprises water or another protic solvent. In another aspect, the invention envisages a composition which additionally comprises at least one protic solvent or agent and release of the at least one acid gas is achieved solely by subjecting the composition to the application of heat or stripping with a stream of air. The method is typically applied to the capture and subsequent release of carbon dioxide, and offers a convenient and simple process which uses inexpensive consumables and offers significant advantages over the methods of the prior art.

A composition for use in brine formation comprising a deliquescent desiccant, urea, and an optional component selected from the group consisting of starch, citric acid, clay, glucose, and a combination thereof. Methods of making and using the composition are provided. The composition may be pressed into tablet form. The composition may be used in a dehumidifying device.

A tablet having a deliquescent desiccant and a fragrance encapsulated on or within a binding agent. The tablet is in a pressed form. A method of making a tablet involves providing a deliquescent desiccant, encapsulating a fragrance by spray drying the fragrance on a carbohydrate, combining the deliquescent desiccant and the carbohydrate encapsulated fragrance, and pressing the combination into the tablet.

Consumed energy and cost relating to control of a carbon dioxide concentration is reduced. Each of CO.sub.2 concentration control systems (100 to 105) includes a measuring unit (20) that measures a CO.sub.2 concentration, a CO.sub.2 absorption unit (30) that has a CO.sub.2 absorption material (31) for absorbing CO.sub.2 at a rate depending on the temperature thereof, and a control unit (10) that controls the temperature of the CO.sub.2 absorption material (31) by using exhaust heat of a power system (40), so as to control a CO.sub.2 absorption rate of the CO.sub.2 absorption material (31).

A method for continuously removing carbon dioxide vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. This method includes, first, causing direct contact of the carrier gas with a liquid mixture in a separation chamber, the carrier gas condensing at a lower temperature than the carbon dioxide vapor. A combination of chemical effects cause the carbon dioxide to condense, complex, or both condense and complex with the liquid mixture. The liquid mixture is chosen from the group consisting of: first, a combination of components that can be maintained in a liquid phase at a temperature below the carbon dioxide vapor's condensation point, whereby the carbon dioxide condenses into the liquid mixture; second, a combination of components where at least one component forms a chemical complex with the carbon dioxide vapor and thereby extracts at least a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor from the carrier gas; and third, a combination of components that can both be maintained in a liquid phase at a temperature below the carbon dioxide's condensation point, and wherein at least one component forms a chemical complex with the carbon dioxide vapor and thereby extracts at least a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor from the carrier gas. The liquid mixture is then reconstituted after passing through the separation chamber by a chemical separation process chosen to remove an equivalent amount of the carbon dioxide vapor from the liquid mixture as was removed from the carrier gas. The reconstituted liquid mixture is restored to temperature and pressure through heat exchange, compression, and expansion, as necessary, in preparation for recycling back to the separation chamber. The liquid mixture is then returned to the separation chamber. In this manner, the carrier gas leaving the exchanger has between 1% and 100% of the carbon dioxide vapor removed.

An air revitalization system may include a humidity control device configured to remove water vapor from air within a pressurized enclosed volume. The system may further include an inlet duct configured to transport the air from the pressurized enclosed volume to the humidity control device. The system may also include an outlet duct configured to transport the air from the humidity control device to the pressurized enclosed volume. The system may include a sublimator configured to cool the air within the pressurized enclosed volume while generating additional water vapor. The system may further include a vacuum vent duct configured to transport the water vapor from the humidity control device and the additional water vapor from the sublimator to an exterior of the pressurized enclosed volume.

A vapor separator in an embodiment is arranged between a first space and a second space, and is used to allow vapor existing in the first space to permeate the second space by making a vapor pressure in the second space lower than a vapor pressure in the first space. The vapor separator in the embodiment includes: a porous body having a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, and fine pores passing from the first face to the second face; and a soluble absorbent existing in the fine pores of the porous body.