Carbon Dioxide Capture and Mitigation of Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), particularly from the air. The CO 2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO 2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.
1 . A method for extracting, capturing, or sequestering carbon dioxide from air, comprising:
(a) exposing the air to a solid sorbent material comprising a large absorption surface so as to saturate the sorbent material with carbon dioxide;
(b) removing remnant air from the saturated sorbent material under reduced pressure;
(c) condensing the carbon dioxide onto a cold surface to capture the carbon dioxide in solid form; and
(d) releasing the captured carbon dioxide to a system for collection, storage, or transport.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solid sorbent material comprises material moving along surfaces exposed to air.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the moving material is selected from beads, rods, fabric, or moveable objects comprising rough surfaces.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solid sorbent material is inert.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solid sorbent material is hydrophobic.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solid sorbent material is selected from activated carbon, activated alumina, silicalites, or zeolites.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the carbon dioxide sorbent is a material coated with one or more different sorbents.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (b) is performed in a first vacuum chamber.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (c) is performed in a second vacuum chamber comprising a temperature colder than that of the first chamber.
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cold surface of step (c) comprises a cold trap suitable for dry ice formation.
11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein solid carbon dioxide generated in step (c) is held in a confined volume and warmed so as to become a pressurized gas.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein captured carbon dioxide sublimates in a containment vessel.
13 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released under high pressure for storage, collection, or transport.