Systems and Methods for Extraction of Carbon Dioxide from Air

• US 20080138265A1
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Columbia University
• Inventors: Lackner, Klaus S., Zeman, Frank S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/224
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/404 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/604 Hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4558 for being employed as mobile cleaners for ambient air, i.e. the earth's atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/96 Regeneration, reactivation or recycling of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO₂), particularly from the air. The CO₂ extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO₂ via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base.

Claims

1. A method for extracting or capturing carbon dioxide from air, comprising:

(a) exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base;

resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution;

(b) causticizing the carbonate solution with a titanate containing reagent;

(c) increasing the temperature of the solution generated in step (b) to release carbon dioxide; and

(d) hydrating solid components remaining from step (c) to regenerate the base comprising step (a).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base of step (a) is selected from sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base is sodium hydroxide.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate solution of step (a) is a sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) solution.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solution of step (a) is causticized with sodium tri-titanate.

11. An air capture system for performing the method according to claim 1 or claim 6.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein an air convection tower comprises the system.

13. A wind capture system for performing the method according to claim 1 or claim 6.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein natural wind flow comprises the system.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein one or more wind turbines comprise the system.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein one or more wind funneling devices comprise the system.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein a venturi system is adapted to the wind flow.

6. A method for extracting or capturing carbon dioxide from air comprising:

(a) exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base;

resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution;

(b) causticizing the carbonate solution with a calcium hydroxide containing reagent;

(c) calcining the resulting calcium carbonate under thermal conditions in which one or more mixed solid oxide membrane is interposed between the combustion gases and the input air; and

(d) hydrating the product lime to regenerate the calcium hydroxide required in step (b).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the base of step (a) is selected from sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the base is sodium hydroxide.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the carbonate solution of step (a) is a sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) solution.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the calcining step (c) is performed in a furnace.

18. A method for extracting or removing carbon dioxide from air, comprising:

(a) calcining a calcium carbonate- or magnesium carbonate-containing material to obtain one or more metal hydroxide calcination products;

(b) introducing the calcination products of step (a) into a body of water wherein the calcination products dissolve at or near the water surface; and

(c) increasing the alkalinity of the water so as to capture at least two times the amount of carbon dioxide that is released by the calcining of step (a).

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the one or more metal hydroxide calcination products is selected from MgO/CaO;

Mg(OH)2/Ca(OH)2;

MgO/CaCO3;

Mg(OH)2/CaCO3;

or a combination thereof.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the calcium carbonate- or magnesium carbonate-containing material is selected from dolomite, limestone, or magnesite.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the calcining step (a) is performed at a temperature above about 400°

C.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the calcining step (a) is performed at a temperature above about 900°

C.

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein the calcination products of step (b) are finely dispersed into ocean or sea water from one or more vessels that drag behind or between them a line that drops fine powder in the water.

24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the calcination products of step (b) are fashioned into pellets that are dropped or ejected into the water.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the pellets comprise CaCO3/MgO mixtures.

26. The method according to claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the pellets are floatable.