Removing carbon dioxide from the air

• US 4,047,894 A
• Filed: 05/17/1974
• Issued: 09/13/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Kuhl, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Scovronek, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US05/470,905
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 23/284, 23/252 R, 23/252 US, 423/220, 423/230, 423/234, 136/86 A, 136/86 C, 55/278, 55/524, 55/DIG. 24, 429/27
• US Class Current: 261/101
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/18 Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor B01D3/16, B01D3/26, B01D3/30 take precedence; packing elements B01J19/30, B01J19/32
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0668 Removal of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide
• 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: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from the air in which the air is passed at a slightly elevated pressure over the surfaces of absorption elements impregnated with a carbon dioxide-absorbing liquid. The elements are corrugated plates, and the air flows transverse to the corrugations.

Claims

1. Apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from air comprising:

a. a housing opened on two opposing sides, said opposing sides forming an inlet and outlet for the air from which carbon dioxide is to be removed; and

b. a plurality of corrugated porous sintered plates of polyvinyl chloride impregnated with a carbon dioxide absorbing liquid supported within said housing in parallel spaced relationship to each other with the peaks and valleys of the corrugations also in parallel relationship to define a plurality of spaces, one between each two adjacent plates which spaces are open between said inlet and outlet, the corrugations extending transverse to the direction of flow of air from said inlet to said outlet, whereby the air is conducted through said spaces from said inlet to said outlet between the plates at right angles to the corrugations to result in a longer reaction time and larger surface area to give better material transfer between the air and absorption liquid without appreciable pressure loss.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said carbon dioxide absorbing liquid is potassium hydroxide.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the volume porosity of said absorption elements is greater than 30%.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said porous sintered plates are arranged at a spacing to each other which is approximately equal to their thickness.