Removal of carbon dioxide from air

Abstract

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: capturing CO 2  from the ambient air with a solid sorbent material comprising an amine; separating said CO 2  from said solid sorbent material; and subsequently collecting said separated CO 2 . 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said CO 2  is separated from said solid sorbent material using a thermal swing. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein a flow of said ambient air is kept laminar. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material is an anion exchange material. 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 116 , further comprising storing said collected CO 2 . 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said amine has a permanent positive charge. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said amine is covalently bound to four carbon groups. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material comprises a plurality of membranes. 
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 123 , wherein said plurality of membranes are arranged in series. 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 123 , wherein said plurality of membranes are spaced apart from one another with spacing from 1 mm to 25 mm. 
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material has a thickness from 0.1 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material comprises tubes. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material comprises a foam structure. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material comprises a honeycomb structure. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 116 , further comprising disposing of said released CO 2  by deep well injection. 
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material reacts with CO 2  in said ambient air to form a covalent bond. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material reacts with CO 2  in said ambient air to form a carbamate. 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said solid sorbent material comprises a substrate to which said amine is covalently bound.