Extraction and sequestration of carbon dioxide

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from a fluid stream and for delivering that extracted CO 2 to controlled environments for utilization by a secondary process. Various extraction and delivery methods are disclosed specific to certain secondary uses, included the attraction of CO2-sensitive insects, the ripening and preservation of produce, and the neutralization of brine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for removing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from ambient air, comprising passing a stream of the ambient air into contact with a sorbent thereby absorbing CO 2  from the ambient air and flowing a CO 2 -depleted flow into the ambient air; releasing the carbon dioxide from the sorbent; and delivering the carbon dioxide for use in a secondary process. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon dioxide is delivered to the secondary process in a gaseous state, solid state, or liquid state. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary process is selected from a group consisting of: machining coolant and lubricant, grit blasting, for smoothing or paint or rust removal, cryogenic cleaning, quick freeze processes, R744 refrigerant, dry cleaning solvent, perishable shipping container pre-cooling, perishable shipping inert environment maintenance, beverage carbonation, fire suppression, plant fertilization, horticulture, agriculture, silvaculture, aquatic algae production, enhanced oil recovery, water softening, Solvay process, propellant, pressurizing gas, e.g. for aerosol cans, inflation gas, e.g. for life rafts, supercritical CO2 extraction, semi conductor manufacturing, organic solvent, perfume aromatics, decaffeinating coffee or tea, supramics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical production of urea, methanol, inorganic carbonates, organic carbonates, polyurethanes, paint pigments, foaming agents, carbon based fuels, synthetic fuels, fumigation of farm products, neutralization of alkaline waters or slurries or solid materials, and gas shields for welding or electronics manufacturing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sorbent is an ion exchange membrane material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent by exposing the sorbent to increased humidity, by using water, humid air, or pulses of steam. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent using a weak liquid amine as a secondary sorbent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sorbent is a resin, and wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent utilizing a humidity swing, and wherein the resin is contained in a chamber that also contains activated carbon, further comprising the step of drying out the activated carbon to capture the carbon dioxide in a concentrated form prior to delivering the carbon dioxide for use in a secondary process. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon dioxide is released from the sorbent by washing the sorbent with a wash fluid to create an effluent, placing the effluent on the acid side of an electrodialysis cell, driving the pH of the acid side of the electrodialysis cell to a neutral pH to release carbon dioxide, prior to delivering the carbon dioxide for use in a secondary process. 
     
     
         9 .- 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbing and/or said releasing steps are performed below about 15° C. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbing takes place in a plurality of chambers in sequence, each chamber comprising a CO 2  sorbent, wherein said plurality of chambers comprises three chambers, N−1, N, and N+1, wherein chamber N is full of air and chambers N−1 and N+1 contain water; and further wherein said releasing step comprises wetting or an increase in humidity in a process that moves water and air such that:
 (a) water from chamber N−1 moves into chamber N; 
 (b) air leaves chamber N; 
 (c) water leaves chamber N+1; and, 
 (d) chamber N+1 fills with air. 
 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said water comprises carbonate. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein water from chamber N+1 moves into a fourth chamber. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said fourth chamber is nominally evacuated prior to the movement of water from chamber N+1. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said fourth chamber contains water prior to the movement of water from chamber N+1. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sorbent comprises an anion exchange material. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sorbent comprises a material from which captured CO 2  is releasable by wetting or a swing in humidity in the absence of a thermal swing. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sorbent captures CO 2  when exposed to lower humidity and releases CO 2  when exposed to higher humidity. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sorbent comprises a strong base resin. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sorbent comprises a coating comprising a membrane that is hydrophobic and gas-permeable; and further wherein said releasing step comprises exposing said coated sorbent to an aqueous solution, wherein said sorbent is separated from said aqueous solution by said coating. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said aqueous solution is an alkaline brine. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said aqueous solution absorbs CO 2  released from said sorbent. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising collecting and concentrating CO 2  released from said sorbent prior to delivering said CO 2  to said secondary process. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said CO 2  is used in a secondary process on site. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said CO 2 -depleted flow having the same oxygen content as the stream of ambient air.