Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air
A method and apparatus for extracting CO 2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO 2 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 CO 2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO 2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO 2 is fed to an algae culture.
1. An apparatus for the capture of CO 2 from air comprising an anion exchange material that captures CO 2 from a flow of air and from which captured CO 2 is releasable by wetting or a swing in humidity; and a wetting or humidity source contained within an enclosure containing a growing biomass, wherein the anion exchange material is a movable filter that is moveable into and out of the enclosure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is a greenhouse.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said anion exchange material extracts CO 2 when dry and releases CO 2 when exposed to higher humidity.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the anion exchange material is a component of a heterogeneous ion exchange material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the anion exchange material comprises a strong base resin.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said resin comprises a Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said ion exchange resin comprises Anion I-200 ion exchange membrane material.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sorbent to which released CO 2 is transferred.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said sorbent is selected from the group consisting of: a liquid amine, an ionic liquid, a solid CO 2 sorbent, lithium zirconate, lithium silicate, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said sorbent comprises an ion exchange resin.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises a material from which 60% of said captured CO 2 is releasable by wetting or swing in humidity.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is located adjacent a controlled environment into which captured CO 2 is released.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said enclosure comprises a greenhouse.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said anion exchange material is cycled into and out of the enclosure.