Air collector with functionalized ion exchange membrane for capturing ambient CO 2

• US 8,221,527 B1
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kilimanjaro Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Wright, Allen B., Peters, Eddy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Greene, Jason M
• Application Number:
  US13/208,156
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 951/39, 951/48, 961/43, 961/54, 962/36
• US Class Current: 95/139
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/10 Inorganic adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/202 Polymeric adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/206 Ion exchange resins
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/302 Dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/306 Surface area, e.g. BET-specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/34 Specific shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/3425 Honeycomb shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40083 Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4508 for cleaning air in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0407 Constructional details of adsorbing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1493 Selection of liquid materials for use as absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/22 by diffusion manufacturing semi-permeable membranes B01D67/00; form, structure or properties of semi-permeable membranes B01D69/00; material for semi-permeable membranes B01D71/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 59/12 by diffusion through barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 41/04 Processes using organic exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 47/00 Ion-exchange processes in general; Apparatus therefor ion-exchange chromatography processes or apparatus B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 1/12 from carbon dioxide with hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 9/04 : Methane production by treatment of sewage C02F11/04; natural gas, synthetic natural gas C10L3/06
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/34 : Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/08 : Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/20 : of methane
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 : of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

An apparatus for capture of CO₂ from the atmosphere comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air.

Claims

1. A method for removing CO₂ from air, comprising the steps of:

(a) passing the air in contact with an apparatus comprising a solid capture material comprising an amine, whereupon CO₂ is captured directly by the solid capture material;

(b) treating the solid capture material to remove and concentrate the captured CO₂; and

(c) using the captured CO₂ from step (b) in the production of a useful product.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the useful product is a fuel or a plastic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid capture material is an anion exchange material.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the anion exchange material is coated on an inert substrate material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating comprises treatment with a liquid.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said liquid comprises a sorbent chemical.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said solid capture material is formed as a matrix, a honeycomb, or a mesh.