Method and apparatus for the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream

• US 7,964,170 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FluGen, Inc.
• Original Assignee: FlueGen, Inc.
• Inventors: Singh, Uday
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayes; Melvin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAVIS, SHENG HAN
• Application Number:
  US11/875,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20090104098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 423/224
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/304 of sodium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/404 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/604 Hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/606 Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1493 Selection of liquid materials for use as absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/501 by treating the gases with a solution or a suspension of an alkali or earth-alkali or ammonium compound
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/864 Removing carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/01 by means of electric or electrostatic separators
• 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

The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatuses for absorbing carbon dioxide from a coal-fired boiler flue gas stream using an absorbing solution and for regeneration of an alkaline component used in the absorbing solution. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream by contacting a gas stream containing carbon dioxide with an alkaline liquid stream; absorbing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide into the alkaline liquid stream to produce absorbed carbon dioxide; and catalyzing a reaction of the: absorbed carbon dioxide to a form of carbonate.

Claims

1. A method for removing at least a portion of carbon dioxide in a gas stream from a coal-fired boiler, comprising:

contacting a gas stream from a coal-fired boiler comprising carbon dioxide with an alkaline liquid stream;

absorbing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide into the alkaline liquid stream to produce absorbed carbon dioxide; and

catalyzing a liquid phase reaction of the absorbed carbon dioxide to form bicarbonate and carbonate with a catalyst, wherein the alkaline liquid stream comprises the catalyst and wherein the catalyst comprises an aldehyde.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said absorbing comprises absorbing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide into the alkaline liquid stream to produce bicarbonate and wherein said catalyzing comprising catalyzing the liquid phase reaction of the bicarbonate to carbonate.

2. A method for removing at least a portion of carbon dioxide in a gas stream, comprising:

contacting a gas stream comprising carbon dioxide with an alkaline liquid stream;

absorbing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide into the alkaline liquid stream to produce absorbed carbon dioxide; and

catalyzing a liquid phase reaction of the absorbed carbon dioxide to form bicarbonate and carbonate using a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises an aldehyde.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said absorbing comprises absorbing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide into the alkaline liquid stream to produce bicarbonate and wherein said catalyzing comprising catalyzing the liquid phase reaction of the bicarbonate to carbonate.