Highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials, and methods for making and using the same

• US 10,203,434 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Planet Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Planet Blue Incorporated
• Inventors: Constantz, Brent R., Camire, Chris, Kang, Seung-Hee
• Primary Examiner(s): Peets, Monique R
• Application Number:
  US14/214,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20140271440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 52596, 52750, 423230, 423220, 422176, 428221, 4285377, 428446, 428230, 428220, 106817, 106772, 106 1505, 106789, 106705
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 11/18 Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 11/181 Preparation of calcium carbonate by carbonation of aqueous solutions and characterised by control of the carbonation conditions
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 5/24 Magnesium carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/82 by IR- or Raman-data
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/02 obtained by optical microscopy
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/03 obtained by SEM
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/50 Agglomerated particles
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2006/60 Optical properties, e.g. expressed in CIELAB-values
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 14/28 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/00586 Roofing materials
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/0075 for road construction
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 26/26 Bituminous materials, e.g. tar, pitch C08L95/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 28/02 containing hydraulic cements other than calcium sulfates
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 40/0231 Carbon dioxide hardening
• CPC Class Codes: C09C 1/02 Compounds of alkaline earth metals or magnesium C09C1/0003, C09C1/0009, C09C1/0015, C09C1/0078 take precedence; dolomitic solids C09C1/009
• CPC Class Codes: C09C 1/021 Calcium carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/1618 with means for fixing the insulating material between the roof covering and the upper surface of the roof purlins or rafters
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/1675 on saddle-roofs or inclined roof surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 7/005 characterised by loose or embedded gravel or granules as an outer protection of the roof covering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0891 : Ultraviolet [UV] mirrors apparatus for microlithography exposure G03F7/70; X-ray multilayer structures G21K1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 40/18 : Carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24372 : Particulate matter

Abstract

Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO₂ sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing the albedo of a surface of a roof shingle surface, the method comprising:

applying to the roof shingle surface a carbonate material so that the carbonate material is present only on the surface of the roof shingle, wherein the carbonate material comprises a CO₂ sequestering carbonate compound that is produced by a method comprising;

(a) contacting a CO₂ containing gas with a bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium having a pH that ranges from 8 to 10 under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product that comprises droplets of a liquid condensed phase (LCP) in a bulk liquid; and

(b) combining the bicarbonate rich product with a cation source under conditions sufficient to produce a solid carbonate composition comprising the CO₂ sequestering carbonate compound.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium has a pH that ranges from 8 to 9.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium is sea water.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pCO₂ of the CO₂ containing gas in contact with bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium is 10⁴ Pa or higher.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the droplets of a liquid condensed phase (LCP) have a diameter ranging from 10 to 100 nm.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the CO₂ containing gas is contacted with the bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium in the presence of a catalyst that mediates the conversion of CO₂ to bicarbonate.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cation source is a source of divalent cations.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the divalent cations are alkaline earth metal cations.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the divalent alkaline earth metal cations are selected from the group consisting of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and combinations thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solid carbonate composition is produced without the use of an alkalinity source.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material comprises a UV absorber.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material applied onto the surface has a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 25 mm.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material comprises a granular composition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the granular composition comprises a pigment.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein applying comprises dispensing the granular composition onto the surface.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the granular composition comprises granules ranging in size from 50 μ

m to 5 mm.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material exhibits a near infra-red (NIR) reflectance ranging from Rg;

0=0.0 to Rg;

0=1.0.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material has a hardness ranging from 3 to 8 Mohs.