Catalyst functionalized buffer sorbent pebbles for rapid separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures

• US 8,992,845 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2013
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Aines, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silverman, Stanley
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERNS, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/758,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20130149768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 502400-403, 502/439, 423/220, 423/226, 423/230, 435/174, 435/176, 435/177
• US Class Current: 422/178
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/206 Ion exchange resins
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/00 Catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/86 Catalytic processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/864 Removing carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/003 containing enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/00 Catalysts, in general, characterised by their form or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/30 characterised by their physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 Coated

Abstract

A method for separating CO₂ from gas mixtures uses a slurried media impregnated with buffer compounds and coating the solid media with a catalyst or enzyme that promotes the transformation of CO₂ to carbonic acid. Buffer sorbent pebbles with a catalyst or enzyme coating are provided for rapid separation of CO₂ from gas mixtures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separation of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing the carbon dioxide, comprising:

a water wash, said water wash including a spray system wherein the gas mixture is washed with water by said spray system and wherein the carbon dioxide in the gas mixture is dissolved in said water producing carbon dioxide laden water,

an absorbing media made of a multiplicity of pebbles with each pebble being a porous sorbent pebble, said porous sorbent pebble including

a sorbent pebble body made of absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide and

a surface layer surrounding said sorbent pebble body, said surface layer having an embedded catalyst or enzyme that speeds the uptake of carbon dioxide,

said water wash including an area wherein a slurry is formed of said absorbing media and said carbon dioxide laden water wherein said embedded catalyst or enzyme and said absorbent material takes up the carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide laden water, and

a heating unit adapted to heat said absorbing media wherein said absorbing media is heated thereby driving off the carbon dioxide whereby the apparatus with said absorbing media made of a multiplicity of pebbles with each pebble being a porous sorbent pebble provides separation of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture.

2. An apparatus for separation of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing the carbon dioxide, comprising:

a water wash, said water wash including a spray system wherein the gas mixture is washed with water by said spray system and wherein the carbon dioxide in the gas mixture is dissolved in said water producing carbon dioxide laden water,

an absorbing media made of a multiplicity of pebbles with each pebble being a porous sorbent pebble, said porous sorbent pebble including

a sorbent pebble body made of absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide and

a surface layer surrounding said sorbent pebble body,

a catalyst attached to said surface layer providing an attached catalyst or enzyme that speeds the uptake of carbon dioxide,

said water wash including an area wherein a slurry is formed of said absorbing media and said carbon dioxide laden water wherein said attached catalyst or enzyme and said absorbent material takes up the carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide laden water, and

a heating unit adapted to heat said absorbing media wherein said absorbing media is heated thereby driving off the carbon dioxide whereby the apparatus with said absorbing media made of a multiplicity of pebbles with each pebble being a porous sorbent pebble provides separation of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture.

3. A system for separation of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing the carbon dioxide, comprising:

a water washing unit wherein the gas mixture is washed with water and wherein the carbon dioxide in the gas mixture is dissolved in said water producing carbon dioxide laden water,

an absorbing media made of a multiplicity of porous sorbent pebbles, each of said porous sorbent pebbles including

a sorbent pebble body made of absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide and

a surface layer surrounding said sorbent pebble body, said surface layer having an embedded catalyst or enzyme that speeds the uptake of carbon dioxide,

a slurry unit wherein a slurry is formed of said absorbing media and said carbon dioxide laden water wherein said embedded catalyst or enzyme and said absorbent material takes up the carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide laden water, and

a heating unit wherein said absorbing media is heated driving off the carbon dioxide whereby said absorbing media made of porous sorbent pebbles provides separation of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture.

4. A system for separation of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing the carbon dioxide, comprising:

a water washing unit wherein the gas mixture is washed with water and wherein the carbon dioxide in the gas mixture is dissolved in said water producing carbon dioxide laden water,

an absorbing media made of a multiplicity of porous sorbent pebbles, each of said porous sorbent pebbles including

a sorbent pebble body made of absorbent material that absorbs carbon dioxide and

a surface layer surrounding said sorbent pebble body, said surface layer having an attached catalyst or enzyme that speeds the uptake of carbon dioxide,

a slurry unit wherein a slurry is formed of said absorbing media and said carbon dioxide laden water wherein said attached catalyst or enzyme and said absorbent material takes up the carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide laden water, and

a heating unit wherein said absorbing media is heated driving off the carbon dioxide whereby said absorbing media made of porous sorbent pebbles provides separation of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture.