REMOVAL OF CARBON DIOXIDE FROM AIR
The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO 2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO 2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) bound in a sorbent.
1 - 115 . (canceled)
116 . A method for the capture of CO 2 from ambient air, the method comprising: exposing an anion exchange material to a flow of ambient air; capturing CO 2 from said ambient air; and releasing said captured CO 2 from said anion exchange material by exposure to a secondary sorbent.
117 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said secondary sorbent comprises an amine solution or a carbonate solution.
118 . The method of claim 116 , further comprising collecting said released CO 2 .
119 . The method of claim 118 , further comprising storing said collected CO 2 .
120 . The method of claim 116 , whereby amount of CO 2 in said ambient air is reduced.
121 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises an amine.
122 . The method of claim 121 , wherein said amine has a permanent positive charge.
123 . The method of claim 121 , wherein said amine is covalently bound to four carbon groups.
124 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material has a carbonate or bicarbonate binding energy of 20 kJ/mole to 60 kJ/mole.
125 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material is regenerated in a process having a low energy penalty.
126 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises a plurality of membranes.
127 . The method of claim 126 , wherein said plurality of membranes are arranged in series.
128 . The method of claim 126 , wherein said plurality of membranes are spaced apart from one another with spacing from 1 mm to 25 mm.
129 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material has a thickness from 0.1 to 10 mm.
130 . The method of claim 126 , wherein said plurality of membranes are stacked in layers forming pie shaped sections that are assembled into a wheel.
131 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises tubes.
132 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises a foam structure.
133 . The method of claim 116 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises a honeycomb structure.
134 . The method of claim 133 , wherein said anion exchange material comprising a honeycomb structure comprises spacing from 1 mm to 25 mm.
135 . The method of claim 133 , wherein said honeycomb structure has a thickness from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.
136 . The method of claim 116 , further comprising disposing of said released CO 2 by deep well injection.