LIQUID CARBON DIOXIDE ABSORBENTS, METHODS OF USING THE SAME, AND RELATED SYSTEMS

• US 20120171095A1
• Filed: 12/21/2011
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Perry, Robert James, Lam, Tunchiao Hubert, Soloveichik, Grigorii Lev, Kniajanski, Sergei, Lewis, Larry Neil, Rubinsztajn, Malgorzata Iwona, Hancu, Dan, O'Brien, Michael Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/228
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/20 Organic absorbents
• 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 2252/2028 Polypropylene glycol, ethers or esters thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/20405 Monoamines
• 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 2252/20426 Secondary amines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/20468 containing a pyrrolidone-ring
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/205 Other organic compounds not covered by B01D2252/00 - B01D2252/20494
• 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 2258/0283 Flue gases
• 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: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

A carbon dioxide absorbent composition is described, including (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; and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO₂. 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 that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO₂.

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 thereof.

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, aromatic amines, and combinations thereof.

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 3, wherein the functional group(s) comprise(s) one or more amino hydroxy groups.

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

C.

10. The absorbent of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises two or more hydroxyl groups.

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

12. The absorbent of claim 11, wherein the solvent comprises trimethylolpropane ethoxylates, 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, 2-allylphenol or combinations of the foregoing.

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 that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and carbon dioxide.

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 ethoxylates, glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 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 the forgoing.

22. A power plant comprising a carbon dioxide removal unit that further includes 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 that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO₂.