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 .- 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.