LIQUID CARBON DIOXIDE ABSORBENT AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

• US 20100154639A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Perry, Robert James, Hancu, Dan, Soloveichik, Grigorii Lev, Lewis, Larry Neil, Kniajanski, Sergei, O'Brien, Michael Joseph, Rubinsztajn, Malgorzata Iwona, Lam, Tunchiao Hubert
• Application Number:
  US12/512,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20100154639A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/236
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/202 Alcohols or their derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/2025 Ethers or esters of alkylene glycols, e.g. ethylene or propylene carbonate
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/2026 Polyethylene glycol, ethers or esters thereof, e.g. Selexol
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/2028 Polypropylene glycol, ethers or esters thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/2041 Diamines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/20415 Tri- or polyamines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/20421 Primary amines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/2056 Sulfur compounds, e.g. Sulfolane, thiols
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/504 Mixtures of two or more absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1475 Removing carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1493 Selection of liquid materials for use as absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 2215/50 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 2219/40 Sorption with wet devices, e.g. scrubbers
• 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

Abstract

A carbon dioxide absorbent comprising (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO₂ or have a high-affinity for CO₂ is provided and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide absorbent comprising:

(i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that reversibly react with CO₂ and/or have a high-affinity for CO₂; and

(ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent

2. The absorbent of claim 1, wherein the functionalized silicon-based material comprises silanes, or compounds containing one or more siloxy units, or combinations of these.

3. The absorbent of claim 1, wherein the silicon-based material is functionalized with one or more nitrogen-containing groups.

4. The absorbent of claim 3, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more aliphatic amines, imines, amidines, amides, heterocyclic amino compounds such as pyridine, aromatic amines such as aniline, and combinations of these.

5. The absorbent of claim 4, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more amines.

6. The absorbent of claim 5, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s)one or more di-, tri- and polyamines or combinations of these.

7. The absorbent of claim 6, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more aminomethyl, aminoethyl, aminopropyl, aminoethylaminopropyl, piperazinopropyl, aminomethylaminoethyl, 2-aminopropylpryidyl, groups or combinations of these.

8. The absorbent of claim 7, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more amino hydroxy groups.

9. The absorbent of claim 1, wherein the said solvent has a vapor pressure below 150 mm Hg at 100°

C.

10. The absorbent of claim 9, wherein the said solvent comprises two or more hydroxyl groups.

11. The absorbent of claim 10, wherein the said solvent comprises a glycol, a hydroxylated silicone, a phenol or combinations of these.

12. The absorbent of claim 11, wherein the solvent comprises trimethylolpropane, glycerol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane, a hydrosilylation reaction product of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane and trimethylolpropane allyl ether, eugenol, isoeugenol, 2-allyl-6-methylphenol or combinations of these.

13. The absorbent of claim 1, further comprising water.

14. The absorbent of claim 1, further comprising antioxidants, stabilizers, accelerators, antifoaming agents or blends thereof.

15. A method for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream comprising contacting the stream with a carbon dioxide absorbent comprising (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that reversibly react with CO₂ and/or have a high-affinity for CO₂;

and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the process stream comprises an exhaust stream.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the hydroxy-containing solvent comprises trimethylolpropane, glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene, 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane, a hydrosilylation reaction product of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane and trimethylolpropane allylether, or combinations of these.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the carbon dioxide solvent further comprises water.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the functionalized silicon-based material comprises one or more aminosilicones.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more amines.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more di-, tri- and polyamines or combinations of these.

22. A power plant comprising a carbon dioxide removal unit further comprising a carbon dioxide absorbent comprising (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that reversibly react with CO₂ and/or have a high-affinity for CO₂;

and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent.

23. A method of generating electricity with reduced carbon dioxide emissions comprising combusting a fuel to produce an exhaust gas comprising carbon dioxide and directing the exhaust gas to a carbon dioxide removal unit comprising a carbon dioxide absorbent comprising (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that reversibly react with CO₂ and/or have a high-affinity for CO₂;

and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hydroxyl-containing solvent comprises trimethylolpropane, glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene, 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane, a hydrosilylation reaction product of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane and trimethylolpropane allylether, or combinations of these.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the absorbent further comprises water.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the functionalized silicon-based material comprises one or more silicones.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more amines.