An adsorption/desorption unit includes a hollow enclosure containing one or
more elongate hollow elements of activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) of
appropriate length to cross sectional area to provide suitable electrical
resistance for heating. The elements conduct electrical current to heat to
a temperature that permits selective adsorption of a gas stream
constituent and subsequent desorption to recover sorbate. An enclosure
houses the ACFC elements and is arranged to direct gas stream flow through
the elements and into and out of the enclosure via gas ports. The ability
to heat the elements to a desired temperature by electrical current flow
allows for straightforward implementation of selective adsorption. After
an adsorption step, altering the temperature of the element or elements
enables desorption. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the enclosure
with the element also includes a liquid condensate outlet and liquid
sorbate is directly recovered as liquid from the same unit used for
adsorption and desorption.