Removal of carbon dioxide from air

• US 9,266,051 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2013
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
• Inventors: Wright, Allen B., Lackner, Klaus S., Wright, Burton, Wallen, Matt, Ginster, Ursula, Peters, Eddy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US13/733,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20130336722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 95/96, 951/14, 951/39, 951/48
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/1035 Sea water
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/206 Ion exchange resins
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/34 Specific shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/42 Ion-exchange membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/02 by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/025 with wetted adsorbents; Chromatography analytical chromatography G01N30/00 - G01N30/96; for liquids B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/04 with stationary adsorbents B01D53/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/228 characterised by specific membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/96 Regeneration, reactivation or recycling of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/445 with bipolar membranes; Water splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/10 Cellulose; Modified cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/54 Polyureas; Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/82 characterised by the presence of specified groups, e.g. introduced by chemical after-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 41/05 in the strongly basic form
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 5/00 Storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO₂ from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO₂ sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO₂) bound in a sorbent.

Claims

1. A method for the capture of CO₂ from outdoor ambient air, the method comprising:

capturing CO₂ from the outdoor ambient air with a solid sorbent material comprising an amine;

separating said CO₂ from said solid sorbent material; and

subsequently collecting said separated CO₂;

wherein said solid sorbent material is an anion exchange material.

2. A method for the capture of CO₂ from ambient air, the method comprising:

capturing CO₂ from the ambient air with a solid sorbent material comprising an amine;

separating said CO₂ from said solid sorbent material; and

subsequently collecting said separated CO₂;

wherein said solid sorbent material comprises a plurality of membranes.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of membranes are arranged in series.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said plurality of membranes are spaced apart from one another with spacing from 1 mm to 25 mm.

5. A method for the capture of CO₂ from ambient air, the method comprising:

capturing CO₂ from the ambient air with a solid sorbent material comprising an amine;

separating said CO₂ from said solid sorbent material; and

subsequently collecting said separated CO₂;

wherein said solid sorbent material comprises tubes.

6. A method for the capture of CO₂ from ambient air, the method comprising:

capturing CO₂ from the ambient air with a solid sorbent material comprising an amine;

separating said CO₂ from said solid sorbent material; and

subsequently collecting said separated CO₂;

wherein said solid sorbent material comprises a foam structure.