Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air

Abstract

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 . A process for removing carbon dioxide from ambient air, comprising the steps of passing ambient air in contact with a sorbent to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, and delivering the extracted air to the interior of the greenhouse. 
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the sorbent comprises an ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the sorbent has a carbon dioxide holding ability dependent on humidity. 
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the ion exchange resin is a component of a heterogeneous ion exchange membrane. 
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 4 , including the step of preconditioning the ion exchange membrane by first hydrating and then drying the membrane before use. 
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein a carbon credit is generated for the carbon dioxide removed. 
   
   
       7 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A method for preconditioning a humidity sensitive ion exchange heterogeneous membrane for use for carbon dioxide extraction from air comprising first hydrating and then drying the material before use. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the ion exchange resin comprises a strong base Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       16 . A process for extraction of carbon dioxide from air which comprises providing a first store of a humidity sensitive sorbent,
 passing the air in contact with the sorbent under a first H 2 O partial pressure whereupon carbon dioxide is absorbed on the sorbent, and   raising the H 2 O partial pressure whereupon carbon dioxide is exhaled by the sorbent.   
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein the sorbent comprises a strong base Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       18 . A process for extraction of carbon dioxide from air which comprises providing a first store of a first sorbent;
 passing the air in contact with the first sorbent whereupon carbon dioxide is absorbed on the first sorbent;   interacting the first sorbent with a second sorbent whereupon carbon dioxide is absorbed onto the second sorbent from the first sorbent; and   raising the H 2 O partial pressure whereupon carbon dioxide is exhaled by the second sorbent.   
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein the first sorbent and the second sorbent each comprise a strong base Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein the first sorbent and the second sorbent are in a selectively closed loop recirculating system. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for extraction of carbon dioxide from the air comprising:
 a first store of humidity sensitive sorbent;   a second store of humidity sensitive sorbent, and   a selectively closed loop recirculation system for selectively recirculating air through the first store and the second store.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , including flow valves for controlling recirculation. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first store of sorbent and second store of sorbent comprise the same ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first store of ion exchange resin and the second store of ion exchange resin each comprise a strong base Type 1 or Type 2 functionality ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       25 . A process for removing carbon dioxide from ambient air, comprising the steps of absorbing carbon dioxide from ambient air using a sorbent, and releasing the carbon dioxide from the sorbent to an algae culture. 
   
   
       26 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the sorbent releases the carbon dioxide upon being immersed in the algae culture. 
   
   
       27 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the algae is subsequently immersed in a nutrient solution. 
   
   
       28 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the sorbent comprises a carbonate/bicarbonate brine. 
   
   
       29 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent using an electro-dialysis process. 
   
   
       30 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent using a gas-permeable membrane. 
   
   
       31 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent using an anion-permeable membrane. 
   
   
       32 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent using a humidity swing. 
   
   
       33 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent using a humidity swing. 
   
   
       34 . An apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from ambient air, comprising;
 a collector including a sorbent for removing carbon dioxide from air;   a separation station for separating the carbon dioxide from the sorbent; and   a delivery system for delivering the carbon dioxide from the extractor to a bioreactor containing algae.   
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the separation station separates the carbon dioxide from the sorbent using a humidity swing. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the bioreactor has a percolating mechanism for bringing the gaseous carbon dioxide released into contact with the algae culture. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the bioreactor has a headspace for bringing the gaseous carbon dioxide released into contact with the algae culture. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the sorbent is sodium carbonate which becomes sodium bicarbonate upon absorbing carbon dioxide. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the separation station is an electrodialytic cell having a first half-cell and a second half-cell. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the delivery system is configured to deliver sodium bicarbonate in substantially equal amounts to each of the first half-cell and the second half-cell. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the delivery system is configured to deliver sodium bicarbonate in substantially equal amounts to each of the first half-cell and the bioreactor. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , the first half cell and the second half cell each being divided by an anion permeable membrane 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the separation station comprises a membrane cell. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the membrane cell has a gas permeable membrane. 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the membrane cell has an anion permeable membrane. 
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising a harvester for harvesting algae.