Modular co2 sequestration units and systems, and methods for using the same

Abstract

Shippable modular units configured for use in sequestering CO 2 are provided. Aspects of the units include a support having one or more of: a CO 2 gas/liquid contactor subunit, a carbonate production subunit and an alkali enrichment subunit; associated therewith. Also provided are systems made up of one or more such modular units, and methods for using the units/systems in CO 2 sequestration protocols.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shippable modular unit configured for use in sequestering CO 2  from a gaseous source of CO 2 , the shippable modular unit comprising:
 (a) a support; and   (b) at least one type of subunit selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit; 
 a carbonate production subunit; 
 an alkali enrichment subunit; 
 a water softening subunit; 
 a cation recovery subunit; 
 a heat exchange subunit; 
 a reverse osmosis subunit; 
 a nanofiltration subunit; 
 a microfiltration subunit; 
 an ultrafiltration subunit; and 
 a purified CO 2  collection subunit; 
   associated with the support.   
     
     
         2 . The shippable modular unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the shippable modular unit includes only one type of subunit selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit;   a carbonate production subunit;   an alkali enrichment subunit;   a water softening subunit;   a cation recovery subunit;   a heat exchange subunit;   a reverse osmosis subunit;   a nanofiltration subunit;   a microfiltration subunit;   an ultrafiltration subunit; and   a purified CO 2  collection subunit;   present in the housing.   
     
     
         3 . The shippable modular unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the type of subunit is a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit or a carbonate production subunit or an alkali enrichment subunit. 
     
     
         4 . The shippable modular unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the modular unit includes at least two types of subunits selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit;   a carbonate production subunit;   an alkali enrichment subunit;   a water softening subunit;   a cation recovery subunit;   a heat exchange subunit;   a reverse osmosis subunit;   a nanofiltration subunit;   a microfiltration subunit;   an ultrafiltration subunit; and   a purified CO 2  collection subunit;   present in the housing.   
     
     
         5 . The shippable modular unit according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least two types of subunits comprise: a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit and a carbonate production subunit; or a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit and an alkali enrichment subunit; or a carbonate production subunit and an alkali enrichment subunit. 
     
     
         6 . The shippable modular unit according to any of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the shippable modular unit is configured to be operatively coupled to one or more additional shippable modular units each comprising:
 (a) a support; and 
 (b) at least one type of subunit selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit; 
 a carbonate production subunit; and 
 an alkali enrichment subunit; 
 a water softening subunit; 
 a cation recovery subunit; 
 a heat exchange subunit; 
 a reverse osmosis subunit; 
 a nanofiltration subunit; 
 a microfiltration subunit; 
 an ultrafiltration subunit; and 
 a purified CO 2  collection subunit; 
 
 associated with the support. 
 
     
     
         7 . The shippable modular unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shippable modular unit is configured to be transported by rail. 
     
     
         8 . The shippable modular unit according to any of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the shippable modular unit is configured to be transported by truck. 
     
     
         9 . The shippable modular unit according to any of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the shippable modular unit is configured to be transported by boat. 
     
     
         10 . The shippable modular unit according to any of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the housing has an internal volume ranging from 8 to 30,000 m 3 . 
     
     
         11 . The shippable modular unit according to any of  claims 1  to  10 , wherein the shippable modular unit has a mass ranging from 1 ton to 20,000 tons. 
     
     
         12 . A system configured to sequester CO 2  from a gaseous source of CO 2 , the system comprising:
 two or more operably coupled shippable modular units, each shippable modular unit comprising:   (a) a housing having at least one material input and least one product output; and   (b) at least one type of subunit selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit; 
 a carbonate production subunit; 
 an alkali enrichment subunit; 
 a water softening subunit; 
 a cation recovery subunit; 
 a heat exchange subunit; 
 a reverse osmosis subunit; 
 a nanofiltration subunit; 
 a microfiltration subunit; 
 an ultrafiltration subunit; and 
 a purified CO 2  collection subunit; 
   present in the housing.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the housing of at least one of the shippable modular units includes only one type of subunit selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit;   a carbonate production subunit;   an alkali enrichment subunit;   a water softening subunit;   a cation recovery subunit;   a heat exchange subunit;   a reverse osmosis subunit;   a nanofiltration subunit;   a microfiltration subunit;   an ultrafiltration subunit; and   a purified CO 2  collection subunit;   present in the housing.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the housing of at least one of the shippable modular units comprises at least two types of subunits selected from the group consisting of:
 a CO 2  gas/liquid contactor subunit;   a carbonate production subunit;   an alkali enrichment subunit;   a water softening subunit;   a cation recovery subunit;   a heat exchange subunit;   a reverse osmosis subunit;   a nanofiltration subunit;   a microfiltration subunit;   an ultrafiltration subunit; and   a purified CO 2  collection subunit;   present in the housing.   
     
     
         15 . A method for sequestering CO 2  from a gaseous source of CO 2 , the method comprising:
 (a) introducing a gaseous source of CO 2  into a system according to any of  claims 12  to  14 ; and   (b) obtaining a carbonate product material from the modular unit.