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 .- 46 . (canceled)
47 . A method for the capture of CO 2 from air, the method comprising the steps of exposing an anion exchange material to a flow of air; releasing CO 2 captured by said anion exchange material; and capturing released CO 2 with a sorbent.
48 . The method of claim 47 , further comprising continuously cycling said anion exchange material between exposure to air and release of captured CO 2 .
49 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said anion exchange material captures CO 2 when exposed to lower humidity and releases CO 2 when exposed to higher humidity.
50 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said anion exchange material is a component of a heterogeneous ion exchange material.
51 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises a strong base resin.
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein said strong base resin comprises a Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin.
53 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said sorbent comprises an ion exchange resin.
54 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said released CO 2 is concentrated close to 100%.
55 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said released CO 2 is concentrated up to 20%.
56 . The method of claim 47 , wherein 60% of said captured CO 2 is released during said wetting or swing in humidity.
57 . The method of claim 47 , wherein said captured CO 2 is releasable in the absence of a pressure swing.
58 . A method for the capture of CO 2 from air, comprising the steps of exposing an anion exchange material to air; and releasing captured CO 2 from said anion exchange material by washing said anion exchange material with a regeneration solution comprising carbonate and/or bicarbonate, wherein released CO 2 is transferred to said regeneration solution.
59 . The method of claim 58 , further comprising the step of introducing CO 2 transferred to said regeneration solution into an algae culture
60 . The method of claim 58 , further comprising continuously cycling said anion exchange material between exposure to air and release of captured CO 2 .
61 . The method of claim 58 , wherein said anion exchange material captures CO2 when exposed to lower humidity and releases CO 2 when exposed to higher humidity.
62 . The method of claim 58 , wherein said anion exchange material is a component of a heterogeneous ion exchange material.
63 . The method of claim 58 , wherein said anion exchange material comprises a strong base resin.
64 . The method of claim 63 , wherein said resin comprises a Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin.
65 . The method of claim 58 , wherein 60% of said captured CO 2 is released during said releasing step.
66 . The method of claim 58 , wherein said captured CO 2 is releasable in the absence of a pressure swing.