Capture and Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide in Flue Gases

• US 20110182779A1
• Filed: 04/04/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michigan Technological University
• Original Assignee: Michigan Technological University
• Inventors: Simmons, John J., Kawatra, Surendra Komar, Eisele, Timothy C.
• Application Number:
  US13/079,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20110182779A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/187
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/304 of sodium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/402 of magnesium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/404 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/602 Oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/606 Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/20738 Iron
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2256/22 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/0233 from cement factories
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/0291 from waste incineration plants
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1475 Removing carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/75 Multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/96 Regeneration, reactivation or recycling of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/60 Preparation of carbonates or bicarbonates in general of percarbonates C01B15/10; of specific carbonates or bicarbonates according to the cation C01B-C01G
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 11/18 Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 5/24 Magnesium carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/61 Micrometer sized, i.e. from 1-100 micrometer
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/88 Thick layer coatings
• 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: C09C 1/028 : Compounds containing only magnesium as metal
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 15/04 : using washing fluids scrubbers for removing solids only F23J15/022
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 2215/50 : Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 2219/40 : Sorption with wet devices, e.g. scrubbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 : of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/32 : Direct CO2 mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO₂ capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO₂ capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na₂CO₃). Other carbonates include (K₂CO₃) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include several alkaline earths including Cac and MgO. The captured CO₂ is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non-carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe⁺² oxidation state.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system for capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide in carbon dioxide bearing gases of interest comprising:

(a) a carbon dioxide capture device in the form of a scrubber for receiving and scrubbing said gas of interest using an aqueous carbonate solution to capture carbon dioxide as a bicarbonate in solution; and

(b) a sequestration device for reacting said captured CO₂ with one or more waste materials to form a stable product.

22. A system as in claim 21 wherein said sequestration device is designed for a direct reaction with said bicarbonate solution to produce a stable product and a recyclable carbonate solution is regenerated.

23. A system as in claim 21 further comprising a regenerator connected to said scrubber for regenerating said carbonate solution from said bicarbonate solution, recirculating said regenerated carbonate solution to said scrubber and sending separated carbon dioxide to said sequestration device.

24. A system as in claim 23 including means to pressurize and sequester said captured CO₂ in an unreacted state.

26. The system as in claim 21 including a heating device for adding heat to said solution.

27. The system as in claim 24 including a heating device for heating said solution.

25. A system for capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide in flue gases of interest comprising a capturing and sequestration vessel for scrubbing the gas of interest and sequestering CO₂ in a single step.

28. The system as in claim 25 including a heating device connected to a regenerator for heating the sequestered CO₂ to drive off gaseous CO₂.