Carbon dioxide capture/regeneration method using monolith

• US 9,227,153 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2013
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Thermostat Operations LLC
• Original Assignee: Graciela Chichilnisky
• Inventors: Eisenberger, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US14/055,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20150298049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40098 with other heating means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0407 Constructional details of adsorbing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0462 Temperature swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/06 with moving adsorbents, e.g. rotating beds B01D53/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

New and useful system and method concepts are provided, for removing carbon dioxide from a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. More specifically, a sorbent structure is used in new and useful structures and techniques to bind carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide laden air stream, and process heat is used to separate carbon dioxide from the sorbent structure and regenerate the sorbent structure.

Claims

1. A method of removing carbon dioxide from carbon dioxide-laden ambient air, the method comprising:

directing a flow of the carbon dioxide-laden ambient air through a unitary, porous, pancake-shaped carbon dioxide capture structure that is supporting an amine sorbent capable of binding carbon dioxide to the sorbent, so as to remove carbon dioxide from the ambient air,

moving said unitary, porous, pancake shaped carbon dioxide capture structure from contact with said flow into a regeneration enclosure,

regenerating the sorbent by causing saturated steam carrying process heat at a temperature of not greater than about 120°

C. to come into contact with the unitary, porous, pancake shaped, carbon dioxide capture structure in the regeneration enclosure, thereby causing separation of carbon dioxide from the sorbent,

withdrawing separated carbon dioxide from the regeneration enclosure,

selectively moving the unitary, porous, pancake shaped, carbon dioxide capture structure out of the regeneration enclosure back to a position disposed in the flow path of carbon dioxide-laden ambient air, thereby permitting the regenerated sorbent to bind additional carbon dioxide from the flow of said carbon dioxide-laden ambient air, and

cyclically repeating said movements of the unitary, porous, pancake shaped carbon dioxide capture structure between the regeneration enclosure and into the flow of carbon dioxide-laden ambient air.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the amine sorbent is coated on the surface area of the unitary, porous, pancake-shaped carbon dioxide capture structure.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the unitary, porous, pancake shaped, carbon dioxide capture structure has a thin cross-section in the direction of the flow of ambient air and a large surface area perpendicular to the flow of ambient air.