Methods of sequestering CO2

• US 8,333,944 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2010
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arelac, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Calera Corporation
• Inventors: Constantz, Brent R., Youngs, Andrew, Tuet, Philip Brian, Omelon, Sidney, Farsad, Kasra, Gilliam, Ryan J., Decker, Valentin, Kirk, Donald W., Way, J. Douglas, Bard, Allen J., Danziger, Robert, Fernandez, Miguel, Ryan, Cecily
• Primary Examiner(s): McCracken, Daniel C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERNS, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US12/942,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20110059000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 423/210, 423/220, 423/225, 423/230, 423/234
• US Class Current: 423/225
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/402 of magnesium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/404 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/302 Sulfur oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/404 Nitrogen oxides other than dinitrogen oxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/602 Mercury or mercury compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1425 Regeneration of liquid absorbents
• 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: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/77 Liquid phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/60 Preparation of carbonates or bicarbonates in general of percarbonates C01B15/10; of specific carbonates or bicarbonates according to the cation C01B-C01G
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 11/18 Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 5/24 Magnesium carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/03 obtained by SEM
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/66 by neutralisation; pH adjustment for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/683 by addition of complex-forming compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 7/367 Avoiding or minimising carbon dioxide emissions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 40/18 : Carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/33 : using wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 : using solar energy

Abstract

Methods of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO₂) are provided. Aspects of the methods include precipitating a storage stable carbon dioxide sequestering product from an alkaline-earth-metal-containing water and then disposing of the product, e.g., by placing the product in a disposal location or using the product as a component of a manufactured composition. Also provided are systems for practicing methods of the invention.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

treating at least a portion of flue gas emitted from a cement plant, wherein said flue gas comprises carbon dioxide, with a proton removing agent to produce a solution comprising carbonate ions;

treating said solution with alkaline-earth-metal-ions to produce a carbonate precipitate comprising metastable compound selected from the group consisting of vaterite, amorphous calcium carbonate, and combination thereof, under one or more of precipitation conditions comprising precipitation facilitator, pH, temperature, additive, ion ratio, rate of precipitation, mixing rate, presence of seed crystals, catalysts, membranes or substrates, batch or continuous protocol, or combination thereof; and

producing a building material directly from at least a portion of said precipitate, wherein said building material is a cement composition comprising metastable compound selected from the group consisting of vaterite, amorphous calcium carbonate, and combination thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising dewatering said precipitate to produce a slurry comprising said precipitate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said precipitate comprises calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium magnesium carbonate, or combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said precipitate further comprises strontium in an amount ranging from 3 to 10,000 ppm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said alkaline-earth-metal-ions are obtained from a mineral selected from the group consisting of serpentine, olivine, and combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said solution further comprises bicarbonate ions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said proton removing agent raises a pH of said solution to 9.5 or higher.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said building material is selected from the group consisting of hydraulic cement, aggregate, supplemental cementitious material, and combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said proton removing agent is selected from the group consisting of oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, mineral, cement kiln dust, ash, natural body of alkaline water, slag, and combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said hydroxide is made using an electrochemical process.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said alkaline-earth-metal-ions are obtained from saltwater or fresh water.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said saltwater is brackish water, sea water, or brine.