HIGHLY REFLECTIVE MICROCRYSTALLINE/AMORPHOUS MATERIALS, AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME

• US 20140271440A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,203,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/430
• 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, the method comprising providing the surface with a carbonate material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material comprises a CO₂ sequestering carbonate compound.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the CO₂ sequestering carbonate compound is produced from a bicarbonate mediated protocol.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the bicarbonate mediated protocol comprises contacting a CO₂ containing gas with a bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product and then combining the bicarbonate rich product or a component thereof with a cation source under conditions sufficient to produce a solid carbonate composition.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium ranges from 8 to 10.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bicarbonate buffered aqueous medium is sea water.

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

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the bicarbonate rich product comprises droplets of a liquid condensed phase (LCP) in a bulk liquid.

9. The method according to claim 4, 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.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cation source is a source of divalent cations.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the divalent cations are alkaline earth metal cations.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the divalent alkaline earth metal cations are selected from the group consisting of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and combinations thereof.

13. The method according to claim 4, wherein the solid carbonate composition is produced without the use of an alkalinity source.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material is provided to the surface by incorporating it into an object having the surface.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carbonate material is provided to the surface by applying the carbonate material onto the surface.

16. A carbonate material configured for use in a method according to claim 1.

17. A surface produced by a method according to claim 1.