US2012055954 METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS RECOVERY OF CARBON DIOXIDE FORM ACIDIFIED SEAWATER
This will be an excessively cluttered dispatch, even though there's not really a lot of new ground to cover.
The point of it all is this:
Our very own United States Government, as it is embodied in the United States Department of Defense and more specifically in the United States Navy, knows full well, without doubt or grounded argument to the contrary, that Carbon Dioxide
- - as it arises in only a small, even insignificant, way, relative to natural sources of emission, such as the Earth's inexorable and unstoppable processes of planetary volcanism, from our essential use of Coal in the generation of truly abundant and genuinely affordable electric power - -
is a valuable, maybe even a precious, raw material resource.
We can, in processes powered by environmental, renewable, carbon-free energy, reclaim Carbon Dioxide from our environment, thus obviating any of the specious arguments being floated to saddle our vital Coal power plants with parasitic Carbon capture devices, or the consumers of Coal-based electric power with parasitic Cap and Trade Carbon taxes, and, then, convert that Carbon Dioxide into liquid hydrocarbon fuels, thus obviating any need at all to keep the United States of America saddled with the parasitic Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
We have already made that point in a number of previous reports, including, for just two examples:
West Virginia Coal Association | US Navy Awarded September, 2011, CO2 Recycling Patent | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 8,017,658 - Synthesis of Hydrocarbons via Catalytic Reduction of CO2; 2011; Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy; Abstract: A method of: introducing hydrogen and a feed gas containing at least 50 % carbon dioxide into a reactor containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; and heating the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a temperature of at least about 190 C. to produce hydrocarbons ... . The method ... wherein the hydrogen and carbon dioxide are introduced into the reactor as gases. The method ,,, comprising: extracting the hydrogen from water. The method ... further comprising: extracting the carbon dioxide from air. The method ... wherein the feed gas contains at least 90 % carbon dioxide"; and:
West Virginia Coal Association | US Navy Announces $3/Gallon Jet Fuel from CO2 | Research & Development; concerning the US Naval Research Laboratory news release: "'Fueling the Fleet, Navy Looks to the Seas'; September 24, 2012; The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is developing the chemistry for producing jet fuel from renewable resources in theater. The process envisioned would catalytically convert CO2 and H2 directly to liquid hydrocarbon fuel (and) initial studies predict that jet fuel from seawater (could cost as little as) $3 ... per gallon to produce".
The above "Fueling the Fleet, Navy Looks to the Seas", in point of fact, was an official news release issued publicly by a branch of our US Government; a news release which wasn't, insofar as we have been able to determine, picked up and rebroadcast or reprinted by any US Coal Country news organization.
Too occupied, we suppose, hanging out hungrily in the alley, like cats without a real home, behind the Chesapeake nat gas offices, waiting eagerly for scraps to be tossed out the back door.
And, as we see herein, the US Navy isn't waiting on the local news crews, they're telling the whole world about it all - fact which has implications we make conjectures concerning, in excerpts, with additional links and excerpts following, from the initial link in this dispatch to:
"Method for the Continuous Recovery of Carbon Dioxide from Acidified Sea Water
Publication No.: WO/2013/026068; International Application No.: PCT/US2012/055954
International Filing Date: Sept. 19, 2012; Publication Date: February 21, 2013
Applicants: The Government of the United States of America as represented by The Secretary of the Navy
Inventors: Frederick Williams, et. al., USA
(Note: We believe the technology disclosed herein to be virtually the same as that seen in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | US Navy Recovers 92% of Environmental CO2 for Fuel Synthesis | Research & Development; concerning: "US Patent Application 20130039837 - Continuous Recovery of CO2 from Acidified Seawater; February 14, 2013; Inventors: Heather Willauer, et. al.; A method for recovering carbon dioxide from acidified seawater using a membrane contactor and passing seawater with a pH less than or equal to 6 over the outside of a hollow fiber membrane tube while applying vacuum or a hydrogen sweep gas to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane tube, wherein up to 92% of the re-equilibrated CO2 is removed from the natural seawater";
although the order in which the inventors are named is changed, and there are some other variances in wording. But, again, we here are simply not qualified to discern subtle differences in the technical disclosure and thereby definitively determine if this is or is not exactly the same technology.)
Abstract: A method for recovering carbon dioxide from acidified seawater using a membrane contactor and passing seawater with a pH less than or equal to 6 over the outside of a hollow fiber membrane tube while applying vacuum or a hydrogen sweep gas to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane tube, wherein up to 92% of the re-equilibrated CO2 is removed from the natural seawater.
Technical Field: The present invention relates generally to CO2 extraction and, more specifically, to recovery of CO2 from acidified natural seawater.
Background: total carbon content of the world's oceans is roughly 38,000 GtC (gigaton of carbon). Over 95% of this carbon is in the form of dissolved bicarbonate ion (HCO3 ). This ion along with carbonate is responsible for buffering and maintaining the ocean's pH, which is relatively constant below the first 100 meters. This dissolved bicarbonate and carbonate is essentially bound CO2 ... .
The acidification of natural seawater offers an indirect approach to recovery of CO2 from its bicarbonate and carbonate form from the equilibrium conditions of CO2 in seawater ... . (It has been) demonstrated that carbonate and bicarbonate re-equilibrate to CO2 gas at seawater pH less than or equal to 6. This method has been the basis for standard quantitative ocean CO2 measurements for over 25 years
The present invention relates generally to CO2 extraction and, more specifically, to recovery of CO2 from acidified natural seawater. The total carbon content of the world's oceans is roughly 38,000 GtC (gigaton of carbon). Over 95% of this carbon is in the form of dissolved bicarbonate ion (HCO3 ). This ion along with carbonate is responsible for buffering and maintaining the ocean's pH, which is relatively constant below the first 100 meters. This dissolved bicarbonate and carbonate is essentially bound CO2 ... . The acidification of natural seawater offers an indirect approach to recovery of CO2 from its bicarbonate and carbonate form from the equilibrium conditions of CO2 in seawater shown ... .
An electrochemical method to acidify seawater and recover CO2 simultaneously with hydrogen gas from alkaline water sources such as seawater has been developed at the Naval Research Laboratory.
(West Virginia Coal Association | US Navy Recovers More CO2 for Hydrocarbon Synthesis | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent Application 20110281959 - Extraction of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen from Seawater and Hydrocarbon Production Therefrom; 2011; Feice DiMascio, et. al.; Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy;
Abstract: Apparatus for seawater acidification including an ion exchange ... the ion exchange reaction can be conducted under conditions which produce hydrogen as well as carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen may be used to produce hydrocarbons". The technology disclosed by Application 20110281959 is specifically cited herein in the text of WO/2013/026068, but under a prepublication number.)
To complement this technology, the Naval Research Laboratory has developed the present invention to enhance re-equilibrated CO2 recovery up to 92% from seawater at pH of (less than) 4.
The present invention provides a method for recovering re-equilibrated CO2 from acidified natural seawater using a membrane contactor and passing seawater with a pH less than 6 over the outside of the hollow fiber membrane tube while applying vacuum or a hydrogen sweep gas to the inside of the membrane tube, wherein up to 92% of the re-equilibrated CO2 is removed from the natural seawater.
(Note that this could work on any water solution of carbonate/bicarbonate, perhaps one which has been generated, as in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | Columbia University August 2012 Practical CO2 Air Capture | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 8,246,731 - Systems and Methods for Extraction of Carbon Dioxide from Air; 2012; Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York; Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to - - a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution".
However, the above "United States Patent 8,246,731", as do most others, similar, propose different methods, usually involving the application of heat, to release the CO2 and regenerate the absorbent. The Navy is using an entirely different method of accomplishing that.)
The method of the present invention requires only vacuum or a sweep gas to recover low concentrations of CO2 from acidified seawater. In the case of vacuum, CO2 can be concentrated in proportions needed for feedstock. In the case of hydrogen as a sweep gas, no additional energy penalty is required to recover the CO2. The hydrogen / CO2 mixture produced in the acidification of the seawater can be used directly as a feedstock.
The present invention generally relates to the continuous recovery of re-equilibrated CO2 from acidified natural seawater. A hollow fiber membrane contactor is used to increase the seawater surface area. A vacuum is applied to the inside of hollow fiber membrane tubes in the contactor as effluent seawater is passed over the outside of the hollow fiber membrane tubes. Alternatively, the vacuum can be replaced with a hydrogen sweep gas on the inside of the hollow fiber membrane tubes.
Using either method, up to 92% of the re-equilibrated CO2 in seawater can be removed."
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There's more to it, but, it is essentially repetitive of the "US Patent Application 20130039837 - Continuous Recovery of CO2 from Acidified Seawater", the subject of our previous report as cited above in our introductory comments. Further, though, the Navy is seeking International patent protection on virtually all of their CO2 capture and recycling technologies about which we've told you. We won't cite our original reports, but, have a look, for a few examples, at:
2496349 CATALYTIC SUPPORT FOR USE IN CARBON DIOXIDE HYDROGENATION REACTIONS;
"International Patent Application Number: 10828934; Application Date: October 29, 2010;Catalytic Support For Use In Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation Reactions; Applicant: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy; Inventors: Heather Willauer, et. al., US; Abstract: A catalyst support which may be used to support various catalysts for use in reactions for hydrogenation of carbon dioxide including a catalyst support material and an active material capable of catalyzing a reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction associated with the catalyst support material. A catalyst for hydrogenation of carbon dioxide may be supported on the catalyst support. A method for making a catalyst for use in hydrogenation of carbon dioxide including application of an active material capable of catalyzing a reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction to a catalyst support material, the coated catalyst support material is optionally calcined, and a catalyst for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide is deposited on the coated catalyst support material. A process for hydrogenation of carbon dioxide"; and:
US2011023708 EXTRACTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN FROM SEAWATER AND HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION THEREFROM; "International Application Number: WO/2011/14285408; Filing Date: February 4, 2011; Extraction of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen from Seawater and Hydrocarbon Production Therefrom;Applicant: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy; Inventors: Dennis Hardy, et. al., US; Abstract: Apparatus for seawater acidification including an ion exchange, cathode and anode electrode compartments and cation-permeable membranes that separate the electrode compartments from the ion exchange compartment. Means is provided for feeding seawater through the ion exchange compartment and for feeding a dissociable liquid media through the anode and cathode electrode compartments. A cathode is located in the cathode electrode compartment and an anode is located in the anode electrode compartment and a means for application of current to the cathode and anode is provided. A method for the acidification of seawater by subjecting the seawater to an ion exchange reaction to exchange H+ ions for Na+ ions. Carbon dioxide may be extracted from the acidified seawater. Optionally, the ion exchange reaction can be conducted under conditions which produce hydrogen as well as carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen may be used to produce hydrocarbons".
Ring any bells? If not, then you haven't, as we've suspected for nearly all of these lo now-many years of our reportage, been paying attention.
Or, as we also have come to suspect, as we were long ago told, you really just don't care.
We remain hopeful that someone, somewhere, does care; that someone, some perhaps lonely someone, does care, and cares enough to join us in speaking the Truth, as demonstrated again herein by the Federal Government of the United States of America, in it's - - perhaps somewhat venal - - seeking to protect and secure it's international commercial rights to technology that, first, collects CO2 from the environment, and, then, converts that CO2 into the same sorts of things, liquid hydrocarbon fuels, that we, as a nation, have, for the past several decades, been debasing ourselves and our democratic values, and mortgaging our grandchildren's economic future, in service, in subservience, to the often less-than-noble and often autocratic governments of OPEC to keep ourselves supplied with in the here and now.
Carbon Dioxide, as is co-produced in only a very small way, relative to natural sources of emission such as volcanoes, from our economically essential use of Coal in the generation of genuinely abundant and truly affordable electric power, is a valuable raw material resource.
As the Government of the United States of America is now openly telling the entire world, and is, we again conjecture, now securing their economic rights to the process for doing so:
Carbon Dioxide can be efficiently reclaimed from the environment and then be productively converted into liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
When, do you suppose, the Coal Country public press will find the valor and the fortitude within themselves to stop sniffing the gas and clear their heads, and to start telling the Coal Country public that same Truth?