How to Capture Carbon Dioxide from Air or Smoke Using Seawater

This patent describes a system that uses natural seawater to wash carbon dioxide out of industrial smoke or the air, then stores it safely in the ocean, aiming for an affordable, green way to fight climate change.

What it covers

The patent details an apparatus and process for ocean carbon capture and storage. It involves a carbon capture device that scrubs gas containing carbon dioxide, like smoke from a power plant or even the atmosphere itself (Claim 1, 5, 6). Seawater is pumped into this device to absorb the carbon dioxide. This 'after-scrubbing seawater,' now containing dissolved CO2, is then discharged into the ocean's water column for storage (Claim 2). The system is designed to use low pumping energy, often referred to as 'low head,' and can be powered by renewable sources like wind or waves (Abstract, Claim 7, 10). For example, a coastal facility could pass its exhaust fumes through this system, using pumped seawater to clean the gas before releasing the CO2-enriched water into the sea.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover carbon capture methods that use chemical solvents or other non-seawater scrubbing agents.
• —Does not cover storing captured carbon dioxide as a compressed gas, liquid, or solid, only dissolved in seawater within the ocean's water column.
• —Does not cover systems requiring high-pressure pumps to move seawater for scrubbing, as it specifically emphasizes 'low head' operation (Claim 10).
• —Does not cover land-based carbon capture systems that do not discharge the CO2-enriched seawater into the ocean (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover systems that capture CO2 from sources other than directly from the atmosphere or fossil fuel flue gas (Claims 5, 6).

The clever bit

The novelty lies in directly using natural seawater as both the scrubbing agent for CO2 capture and the medium for ocean storage, combined with a design focused on very low energy pumping. This avoids the need for complex, energy-intensive chemical processes often found in other carbon capture technologies.

Why it matters

This patent offers a method to address climate change by removing carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and the atmosphere. By using natural seawater and emphasizing low energy consumption, it aims to provide an affordable and environmentally friendly solution for carbon capture and storage. This approach could be particularly relevant for marine facilities and coastal industries, leveraging the ocean's natural capacity to absorb carbon.

Real-world examples

• 1.Coastal power plants
• 2.Marine ships with exhaust scrubbers
• 3.Direct air capture facilities located near oceans
• 4.Industrial facilities along coastlines