Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air

• US 9,266,052 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2014
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
• Inventors: Wright, Allen B., Lackner, Klaus S., Ginster, Ursula
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US14/183,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20150020683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 33/00 Cultivation of seaweed or algae
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/02 Treatment of plants with carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/18 Greenhouses for treating plants with carbon dioxide or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/246 Air-conditioning systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/10 Inorganic absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/204 Amines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/30 Ionic liquids and zwitter-ions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/206 Ion exchange resins
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/38 Hydrophobic membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/04 with stationary adsorbents B01D53/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/047 Pressure swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1425 Regeneration of liquid absorbents
• 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: B01J 41/05 in the strongly basic form
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 47/14 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/50 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 : Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/18 : Open ponds; Greenhouse type or underground installations
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/36 : Means for collection or storage of gas; Gas holders
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/00 : Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps pumps per se F04B
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 : of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 : Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/20 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/678 : Aviation using fuels of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A method and apparatus for extracting CO₂ from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO₂ to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO₂ to greenhouses where increased levels of CO₂ will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO₂ is fed to an algae culture.

Claims

1. A process for removing carbon dioxide from ambient air, comprising the steps of passing ambient air in contact with a solid sorbent comprising an amine to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, and releasing absorbed carbon dioxide into the interior of a greenhouse;

wherein the solid sorbent comprising an amine has a carbon dioxide holding ability dependent on humidity.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the solid sorbent comprising an amine is an anion exchange material.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the anion exchange material is a component of a heterogenous ion exchange membrane.

4. The process of claim 3, including the step of preconditioning the anion exchange material by first hydrating and then drying the membrane before use.

5. The process of claim 2, wherein the anion exchange material comprises a strong base Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein releasing absorbed carbon dioxide comprises raising the H₂O partial pressure whereupon carbon dioxide is exhaled by the solid sorbent.

7. An apparatus for adding carbon dioxide to a greenhouse which comprises (i) an extractor comprising a solid sorbent comprising an amine that absorbs carbon dioxide from ambient air outside of the greenhouse, wherein the solid sorbent comprises absorbed carbon dioxide;

and (ii) the greenhouse having an interior that is in fluid communication with the solid sorbent and into which the absorbed carbon dioxide is released;

wherein the solid sorbent comprising an amine has a carbon dioxide holding ability dependent on humidity.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the solid sorbent comprising an amine comprises a heterogenous ion exchange membrane.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the solid sorbent comprising an amine is a humidity sensitive anion exchange material.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the anion exchange material comprises a strong base Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the exchange resin is moveable from the outside to the inside of the greenhouse.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the extractor is mounted on a moveable fixture built into a wall of the greenhouse.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the extractor is located adjacent a lower end of a convection tower built adjacent the greenhouse.