A system and method for capturing greenhouse gases

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (100) and method for capturing greenhouse gases from atmosphere comprising: (a) at least one gas inlet (102) for receiving an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128); (b) at least one moisture removal unit (104) connected in sealed fluid communication to said at least one gas inlet (102) and configured to receive said atmospheric mixture, said moisture removal unit (104) configured to remove moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128); (c) at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104) and configured to activate the greenhouse gas; and (d) at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) connected in sealed fluid communication to said ME unit (108) and configured to absorb / adsorb the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in absorption / adsorption mode to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114), and desorb the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said unit for transfer to storage and / or utilization facility.

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING GREENHOUSE GASESFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for capturing greenhouse gases from air. Further, the present invention relates to a system and method for capturing greenhouse gases to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With industrial revolution, companies have started to grow, develop, and innovate resulting in excessive emissions which has led to climate change. Such emissions include numerous greenhouse gases (GHG) particularly, carbon dioxide (CO2), along with hydrocarbons, nitrous and nitric oxides, sulfur dioxides and trioxides, and a variety of particulate components of air pollution that are commonly introduced into the atmosphere by various industries. Emission of greenhouse gases results in changing the composition of the atmosphere and are adding to the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface and is crucial to keeping our planet at a suitable temperature for life. Increased greenhouse gas emissions leads to global warming and climate change, as greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, and they trap the sun's heat. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth. Due to these issues many international organizations like COP26, Paris agreement etc., and associated countries agreed to reduce their carbon emission to NETZERO level by certain time, for example, India set a target to reach NETZERO by 2070 to protect the planet.

[0003] Every industry that is emitting GHG is looking for solutions such as carbon capturing, which may not require changes in the industrial processes. Also, the industry is attempting to achieve increase in capturing percentage. Currently companies are using different chemicals to achieve good GHG capturing percentage, including use of amine-based sorbents and once captured, the GHG’s are stored deep underground. However, the problem with such chemicals is that their re-utilization (or sometimes this is termed ‘usage’) percentage is not good and cost is comparatively high.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide a system and method for capturing, in order to reduce the amount of such greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, to help mitigate the current trend toward global warming and the greenhouse effect. Further, there is a need for a system and a method to facilitate capturing that may be cost effective and applicable to both direct air capture and flue1SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)gas capture and overcomes at least one of the above mentioned problems. The present invention meets at least one of the above and other needs.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the object of the invention to provide a system and method for capturing greenhouse gases.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method that may possess high capturing efficiency.

[0007] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system and method that is cost effective.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Various embodiments of the present invention include a system (100) for capturing greenhouse gases from atmosphere comprising: (a) at least one gas inlet (102) for receiving an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128); (b) at least one moisture removal unit (104) connected in sealed fluid communication to said at least one gas inlet (102) and configured to receive said atmospheric mixture, said moisture removal unit (104) configured to remove moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128); (c) at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104) and configured to activate the greenhouse gas; and (d) at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) connected in sealed fluid communication to said ME unit (108) and configured to absorb / adsorb the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in absorption / adsorption mode to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114), and desorb the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said unit for transfer to storage and / or utilization facility.

[0009] In one embodiment, said moisture removal unit (104) yields a dry gas sample stream by means of a drying equipment or drying agents and said moisture removal unit (104) includes an outlet (106) for removing water and an outlet (107) for transferring the dry gas sample stream to the ME unit (108).

[0010] In one other embodiment, said drying equipment is selected from compressor moisture trap, filter, and the like; and said drying agents are selected from the group consisting of derivatives of ethylene glycols, sulphate salts of sodium, magnesium and calcium, calcium chloride and the like.2SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

[0011] In another embodiment, the ME unit (108) is configured to provide an external stimulation to induce activation of the greenhouse gas molecules (i.e., CO2), received from the moisture removal unit (104), to impart enhanced reactivity and the polarized (or, activated) greenhouse gas is transferred to the gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

[0012] In yet another embodiment, external stimulation is provided with a plurality of electrical, magnetic and optical source, to produce an electric stimulation, magnetic stimulation and an optical stimulation, respectively, employed individually or in any combination, wherein the electrical source is a DC and AC electric source or both, the magnetic source is an electromagnetic (EM) field, and the optical source is a broad range infrared light source.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the ME unit (108) may optionally comprise a synergy unit to integrate the electrical, magnetic and optical energy sources to synergistically administer the stimuli on the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128).

[0014] In yet other embodiment, the ME unit (108) includes a moisture sensor (122) to measure the amount of moisture in the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) to ensure absence of moisture before activation.

[0015] In yet other embodiment, the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises an aqueous absorbing liquid or adsorbing solid, to absorb or adsorb the activated greenhouse gas molecules, wherein the absorbing liquid is examined from water or biopolymers dispersed in water, with or without nanoparticles, or a chemical solution made of a base and water, wherein said base is selected from group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like, and wherein the adsorbing solid is selected from silica, clay, zeolite, celite, and the like, that are employed with or without surface modifications.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises a cooling unit to pre-cool the absorbent or adsorbent and / or the incoming gas, in a range consisting of 10 to 30 °C, preferably 15 to 25 °C.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the system comprises at least two sorption / desorption units (110), wherein the atmospheric mixture with activated greenhouse gas enters the first sorption / desorption unit (110) initially working in the absorption / adsorption mode to absorb / adsorb the activated greenhouse gas by the sorbent material resulting in saturation of the sorbent material, on saturation of the first sorption / desorption unit (110) stream of the atmospheric mixture is passed to the second sorption / desorption unit (110) working in the absorption / adsorption mode, and simultaneously the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is operated in the desorption mode, post desorption, the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is again operable in absorption / adsorption mode and simultaneously the second sorption / desorption unit (110) is operable in desorption mode.3SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

[0018] In a further embodiment, the sorption / desorption unit (110) is provided with a greenhouse gas sensor (126) to check saturation of said unit by measuring ppm level of the activated greenhouse gas wherein the greenhouse gas is present in its considerable range.

[0019] In another embodiment, in the desorption mode, the greenhouse gas is extracted through a vacuum pump and / or compressor unit.

[0020] In another embodiment, the desorption unit is optionally provided with: a heating unit, sonicating unit or combination thereof, for releasing the greenhouse gas attached on the sorbent in the desorption mode, wherein the heating unit heats the sorbent to a temperature in the range of 45 to 100 °C, preferably 50 to 75 °C, and / or a mass flow controller (MFC) to check accurate, stable control of gas flows through the desorption unit.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises a temperature sensor (124) to check the cooling and heating effect in the cooling unit and heater, respectively.

[0022] In another embodiment, the atmospheric mixture rich in greenhouse gas is sourced from emissions or flue gas generated by various industrial or non-industrial activities and the greenhouse rich gas especially CO2 rich gas.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the system optionally comprises: a plurality of booster or suction fans (116) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to rotate at 500 to 1000 rpm to capture the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) for transferring to the gas inlet (102), a plurality of dust removal units (118) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove dust and other particulates from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102), and a plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102), wherein the system comprises any of the plurality of booster or suction fans (116), the plurality of dust removal units (118), and the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120), or any combination thereof.

[0024] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for capturing greenhouse gases from atmosphere comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) by at least one gas inlet (102); (b) removing remove moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) by at least one moisture removal unit (104) connected in sealed fluid communication to said at least one gas inlet (102); (c) activating the greenhouse gas by at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104); (d)4SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)absorbing / adsorbing the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) connected in sealed fluid communication to said molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) in absorption / adsorption mode and to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114); and (e) desorbing the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said sorption / desorption unit (110) for transferring to storage and / or utilization facility.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 shows the system (100) of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 shows the system (100) of the present invention with two moisture removal units (104).

[0027] Figure 3 shows the system (100) of the present invention including booster / suction fans (116), dust removal unit (118), and a SOx and NOx removal unit (120).DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention discloses a system (100) and method for capturing greenhouse gases particularly the CO2. The present invention relates to a system (100) and method that may be used to protect the planet and its environment from deadliest effects of greenhouse gases, by capturing greenhouse gases at the very point of emission or from flue gas, to protect the planet. In an example, the flue gases may include greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) that are hazardous to the environment and the mankind. In one of the exemplary of the present invention embodiments the method and system (100) facilitates capturing of greenhouse gases, utilization and storage of the same. In one of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the a system (100) and method of the present invention for capturing greenhouse gases is applicable for both direct air capture and flue gas capture and is cost-effective.

[0029] In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the a system (100) and method of the present invention works on an effect of “like likes like”, i.e., the reaction between similar nature of reactants is much greater. Ease of chemical reaction between similar nature of reactants results in enhanced reactivity / reaction.

[0030] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide is non-polar in nature, i.e., it has a linear structure. The sorbent comprises water which is polar in nature. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the polarity of the greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide is induced from non-polar to polar. This increases the5SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)reactivity between carbon dioxide and the sorbents (e.g., water). This increased reactivity increases manifold the capturing percentage of carbon dioxide.

[0031] In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, reaction between the activated carbon dioxide and the sorbent molecules may be higher due to the alike polarity which increases the capturing percentage of the greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and thus protecting the environment from the fatal effects of the greenhouse gases. Capturing efficiency or capturing percentage may be a crucial part of said process or industry.

[0032] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, the present invention is not limited by embodiments and examples. In addition, components in the embodiments and the examples include those that may be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or are practically the same.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system (100) to capture greenhouse gasses according to one embodiment of the invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, the system (100) comprises at least one gas inlet (102), at least one moisture removal unit (104), at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) and at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

[0034] The at least one gas inlet (102) of the system (100) receives an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128). The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere of Earth are carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. The atmospheric mixture rich in greenhouse gas is sourced from emissions or flue gas generated by various industrial or nonindustrial activities and the greenhouse rich gas CO2 rich gas.

[0035] The at least one moisture removal unit (104) of the system (100) may be connected in sealed fluid communication to the at least one gas inlet (102) and may be configured to receive said atmospheric mixture, said moisture removal unit (104) configured to remove moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128). The moisture removal unit (104) yields a dry gas sample stream by means of a drying equipment or drying agents and said moisture removal unit (104) includes an outlet (106) for removing water and the dry gas sample stream. The drying equipment is selected from compressor moisture trap, filter, and the like, and said drying agents are selected from the group consisting of derivatives of ethylene glycols, sulphate salts of sodium, magnesium and calcium, calcium chloride and the like. The dry gas sample stream is transferred to the ME unit (108).

[0036] The at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) of the system (100) is connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104) and configured to activate the greenhouse gas. In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) is connected with the outlet (107) of the at least one moisture removal unit (104). The ME unit (108) is configured to activate the greenhouse gas.6SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)The ME unit (108) is configured to provide an external stimulation to induce activation of the greenhouse gas molecules, received from the moisture removal unit (104), to impart enhanced reactivity and the activated greenhouse gas. The activated gas from the ME unit (108) is transferred to the gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

[0037] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ME unit (108) may employ an external stimulation to induce activatation within the CO2 molecule. The external stimulation is provided with a plurality of electrical, magnetic and optical source, to produce an electric stimulation, magnetic stimulation and an optical stimulation, respectively, employed individually or in any combination. The ME unit (108) further comprises at least one of an electrical source, a magnetic source and an optical source, wherein said source may produce an electric stimulation, magnetic stimulation and an optical stimulation, respectively. The ME unit (108) may employ a plurality of electrical, magnetic and optical sources individually or in any combination but is not limited thereto. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical source is a DC and AC electric source or both, the magnetic source is an electromagnetic (EM) field, and the optical source is a broad range infrared light source.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ME unit (108) may comprise a synergy unit. The synergy unit is integrated with the electrical, magnetic and optical energy sources to synergistically administer the stimuli on the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128). In general, the working together of the electric stimulation, the magnetic stimulation and the optical stimulation to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.

[0039] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ME unit (108) includes a moisture sensor (122) to measure the amount of moisture in the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) to ensure absence of moisture before activation. In an embodiment, the moisture sensor (122) may be stationary or portables such as handheld probes. Stationary moisture sensor (122) are placed at the predetermined locations and depths in the ME unit (108). Portable moisture probes can measure moisture at several locations.

[0040] The moisture sensor (122) being configured to regulate and detect the moisture level in the gas stream. The moisture removal unit (104) transfers the dried GHG rich gas stream over a line or pipe to the ME unit (108) for further realization of the process described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the external stimuli may include a broad range infrared light source, both the DC and AC electric source, and electromagnetic (EM) field synergistically applied to the dry and pure CO2 rich gas to induced it from nonpolar to activated but is not limited thereto and may employ any other electrical, magnetic or7SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)optical source of stimuli suitable for the operation of the process described in the embodiments of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide may be activated via passing through a container containing a static electricity generator. The static electricity generation induces the polarity of the greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide from non-polar to polar and thus, produce the activated carbon dioxide.

[0042] The at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) of the system (100) is connected in sealed fluid communication to said ME unit (108) and configured to absorb / adsorb the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in absorption / adsorption mode to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114), and desorb the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said unit for transfer to storage and / or utilization facility is transferred to the gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

[0043] The sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises an aqueous absorbing liquid or adsorbing solid, to absorb or adsorb the activated greenhouse gas molecules. The absorbing liquid is examined from water or biopolymers dispersed in water, with or without nanoparticles, or a chemical solution made of a base and water. Further, the base is selected from group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like, but are not limited to the same and may use any other material with similar properties.

[0044] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous absorbing liquid is examined from water or biopolymers dispersed in water with and without nanoparticles. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the absorbing liquid may be a chemical solution which may be made of a base and water. The chemical solution in this unit (110) is polar in nature. In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, reaction between the activated carbon dioxide and the polar chemical solution may be higher due to the alike polarity that may increase the capturing percentage of the greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and protect the environment as well as the planet Earth from the fatal effects of the greenhouse gasses.

[0045] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the absorbing solid is selected from silica, clay, zeolite, celite, etc., that are employed with and without their surface modifications but are not limited to the same and may use any other material with similar properties. The surface modification imparts polarity to the adsorbing solid. In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, reaction between the activated carbon dioxide and the polar adsorbing solid is higher due to the alike polarity that increases the capturing percentage of the greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and protect the environment as well as the planet Earth from the fatal effects of the greenhouse gasses. In another exemplary8SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)embodiment of the present invention the activated Carbon dioxide may be adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbing solid.

[0046] Fig. 2 depicts a system (100) comprising two moisture removal units (104) for yielding the dry gas sample stream.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a system (100) to capture greenhouse gasses according to one embodiment of the invention. As depicted in FIG. 3, the system (100) additionally comprises a plurality of booster or suction fans (116) to catch the environmental greenhouse gases, a plurality of dust removal units (118), a plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120), at least one moisture removal unit (104) to remove moisture, molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) for activation of the greenhouse rich gas like CO2, and gas sorption / desorption unit (110) for adsorption or absorption of gases. The remaining features of the system, i.e., gas inlet (102), moisture removal unit (104), molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) and gas sorption / desorption unit (110) have been described in the FIG. 1.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system (100) may include a plurality of booster or suction fans (116) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to rotate at 500 to 1000 rpm to capture the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) for transferring to the gas inlet (102). If the gas does not have sufficient input pressure to get into the system, it is sucked by a booster / suction fan. The booster or suction fans (116) suck in the GHG rich gas from the atmosphere, or from the emissions, or from the flue gas generated by various industrial or non-industrial activities and transfers the GHG rich gas over a line or pipe to the plurality of dust removal units (118). The gas may also be captured from any other source and is not limited by the sources mentioned herein.

[0049] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system (100) may include a plurality of dust removal units (118) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove dust and other particulates from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102).

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the dust removal units (118), may be any traditional dust removing equipment deployed in the industry for the purpose of removing dust so as to reduce the particulates in the GHG rich gas. The plurality of dust removal units (118) receives GHG rich gas from the booster or suction fans (116), removes dust from the GHG rich gas and transfers the gas over a line or a pipe to the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120). Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that the dust removing equipment may be an ESP electrostatic precipitator (wet or dry), also called an electrostatic dust collector, which is a device in applications where a large amount of flue gas needs to be cleaned9SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)up. It uses high-voltage electrostatic fields to charge dust particles either positively or negatively in the flue stream. The charged particles are then attracted to collecting plates (collecting pipes or other forms) carrying the opposite charge to realize dust removal. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the plurality of dust removal units (118) may be a Shaker Dust Collector. Shaker dust collectors are a shake-cleaning baghouse system. The system either cleans off-line when the airflow is temporarily halted or sections the baghouse into compartments. A compartmented design offers continuous cleaning of the unit while allowing for the individual compartments to be taken offline for servicing. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the plurality of dust removal units (118) may be Pulse Jet Dust Collector. This bag cleaning system operates via a rapid, high-pressure air jet cleaning which sends a blast or shock of air through the bag that shatters and discharges the dust cake for disposal. The rapid pulse of air allows for continuous operation with the fan running, and because of it the system is not generally compartmentalized. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the plurality of dust removal units (118) may be a Cyclone dust collector. Cyclone dust collectors are a type of inertial separator that separates dust from a gas stream through centrifugal force. Air is purified by creating a cyclonic action within the cyclone collection chamber. An intense circular airflow resembling a vortex pushes the dust particles against the cyclone’s wall, which slide down to the base of the hopper for collection. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the plurality of dust removal units (118) may employ any other dust removal units (118) traditionally used in the industry and is not limited to the equipment described above.

[0051] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system (100) may include a plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102).

[0052] The SOx and NOx removal units (120), which is capable of utilizing any traditional SOx and NOx removing equipment deployed in the industry for the purpose of removing oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen from the dust free GHG rich gas. The process may include but not limited to water wash, alkali wash, membrane separation, etc. The plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) receives the dust free GHG rich gas from the plurality of dust removal units (118), utilizes any technology suitable for removal of SOx and Nox described in the embodiments of the present invention and conveying over a line or a pipe the purified GHG rich gas to the at least one moisture removal unit (104). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) may employ the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technique wherein, ammonia and air are mixed with NO gas in the presence of a catalyst10SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)(metallic-oxides), and under high temperature (250-600 °C), NO reduced into N2 and water ash. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) may employ the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) technique wherein it is possible to reduce NO by using a reagent, often ammonia or urea, at temperatures between 850 °C and 1175 °C wherein, the reagent, ammonia, combines with hydroxyl radicals (OH) to generate an amidogen radical (-NH2). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) may employ the wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technique. This process utilizes an alkaline-based slurry of lime to scrub gases. A shower of lime slurry is then sprayed into a flue gas scrubber, where the SOx is absorbed into the spray and becomes a wet calcium sulfite. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) may employ a dry sorbent injection (DSI) process, dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process but is not limited to the techniques of SOx / NOx removal described herein and may employ any other process.

[0053] The system (100) may comprises any of the plurality of booster or suction fans (116), the plurality of dust removal units (118), and the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120), or any combination thereof.

[0054] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the pure GHG gas may be transferred via a line or pipe to any storage device or equipment and may or may be utilized for any suitable purpose and the CO2 free gas may be released into the atmosphere.

[0055] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the greenhouse gas separated and extracted from the gas desorption unit may be stored deep underground and cleaner air is then emitted out, helping to tackle the major problem of global warming and may be utilised in many purposes namely but not limited to Enhanced oil recovery, sequestration, or industrial usage, etc.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of booster or suction fans (116) (with a maximum rpm of 500 to 1000 rpm capture the CO2 rich gas, the gas is then passed through multiple stages, i.e., dust and SOx / NOx removal (following the established protocols), multiple moisture removal unit (104)s (following the best industrial practice). The dried CO2 rich gas is then passed to ME unit (108) to induce the CO2 from nonpolar to activated. During this stage, the different external stimuli as discussed herein above induce activation within the nonpolar CO2, resulting in more reactivity of CO2 with the respective absorbents or adsorbents. CO2 being linear molecule although having two different atoms (carbon “C” being electropositive and oxygen “O” being electronegative) is susceptible to be nonlinear, thus, to be polar as seen its absorption peak in the FTIR spectrum. The activated gas is then passed to the precooled (~15 °C) absorption / adsorption unit where the activated CO2 electrostatically11SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)interacted with the molecules of absorbents and adsorbents in order to absorb / adsorb the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in absorption / adsorption mode to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114), and desorb the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said unit for transfer to storage and / or utilization facility.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system (100) comprises of at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) for absorbing or adsorbing the activated CO2. The at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) utilizes a method described in an embodiment of the present invention to capture greenhouse gas like CO2. The at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises an aqueous absorbing liquid or absorbing solid.

[0058] The sorption / desorption unit (110) may further comprises a cooling unit to pre-cool the absorbent or adsorbent and / or the incoming gas, in a range consisting of 10 to 30 °C, preferably 15 to 25 °C. In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the system (100) may further includes at least two sorption / desorption units (110). In an embodiment of the present invention, the atmospheric mixture with activated greenhouse gas enters the first sorption / desorption unit (110) initially working in the absorption / adsorption mode to absorb / adsorb the activated greenhouse gas by the sorbent material resulting in saturation of the sorbent material. Subsequently, on saturation of the first sorption / desorption unit (110) stream of the atmospheric mixture is passed to the second sorption / desorption unit (110) working in the absorption / adsorption mode, and simultaneously the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is operated in the desorption mode, and post desorption, the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is again operable in absorption / adsorption mode and simultaneously the second sorption / desorption unit (110) is operable in desorption mode. In an embodiment of the present invention, in the desorption mode, the greenhouse gas is extracted through a vacuum pump.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention considering favourable low temperature absorptivity or absorptivity of CO2, the sorption / desorption unit (110) filled with either absorbing liquid or adsorbing solid or any combination thereof, may be equipped with a cooling unit that may cool the absorbent or adsorbent and / or the incoming gas. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sorption / desorption unit (110) may be a precooled (~15 °C) sorption / desorption unit (110) where the activated CO2 electrostatically interacts with the molecules of absorbents and adsorbents.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system (100) comprises of a sorption / desorption unit (110) for removing the activated CO2 attached on the sorbent. In another12SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the absorbed or adsorbed CO2 is subjected to the sorption / desorption unit (110) to release a stream of pure CO2 gas.

[0061] In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sorption / desorption unit (110) is provided with a greenhouse gas sensor (128) to check saturation of said unit by measuring ppm level of the activated greenhouse gas wherein the greenhouse gas is present in range of 500 to 1000 ppm.

[0062] In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the desorption unit is optionally provided with a heating unit, sonicating unit or combination thereof, for releasing the greenhouse gas attached on the sorbent in the desorption mode, wherein the heating unit heats the sorbent to a temperature in the range of 45 to 100 °C, preferably 50 to 75 °C, and / or a mass flow controller (MFC) to check accurate, stable control of gas flows through the desorption unit. In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorbed or adsorbed CO2 gas which may be subjected to the gas sorption / desorption unit (110) for removing the activated CO2 attached on the sorbent and to release a stream of pure CO2 gas. The sorption / desorption, is equipped with at least any one of heater, sonicator, mass flow controller (MFC) and vacuum pump. Considering favourable high temperature desorption of CO2, the heating unit and / or sonicator may heat the absorbed or adsorbed CO2 gas to accelerate the release of pure CO2 gas 199 absorbed or adsorbed from the gas sorbent. The released CO2 is extracted out of sorption / desorption unit (110) through a vacuum pump. In one of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) is provided with a MFC that checks accurate, stable control of gas flows through the at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

[0063] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sorption / desorption unit (110) may further includes a temperature sensor (124) that checks the cooling and heating effect in the cooling unit and heater, respectively.

[0064] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for capturing greenhouse gases, wherein the greenhouse gas may be carbon dioxide, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) by at least one gas inlet (102); (b) removing remove moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) by at least one moisture removal unit (104) connected in sealed fluid communication to said at least one gas inlet (102); (c) activating the greenhouse gas by at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108)connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104); (d) absorbing / adsorbing the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) connected in sealed fluid communication to said molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) in absorption / adsorption mode and to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (112); and (e) desorbing the greenhouse13SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said sorption / desorption unit (110) for transferring to storage and / or utilization facility.

[0065] Experiments were performed to ascertain the capturing capacity of the system (100) of the present invention and also to investigate the role of activation as it relates to enhancing overall efficiency of the system (100). In said experiments amount of CO2 were measured. Capturing CO2 with and without its activation via passing the gas stream thorough the molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) using adsorption (on the solid surface) / absorption (in the aqueous solution or dispersion of the absorbents) and subsequent desorption was examined. The results are tabulated herein below:Table 1: Laboratory experimental results14SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

[0066] CO2capturing was profound for the bases NaOH, KOH, NH4OH, etc. in their saturated aqueous solution / dispersion, however the desorption of CO2 and subsequent recovery of the capturing reagent is tedious, highly energy and time intensive, and difficult to execute. In contrast, the solid adsorbents namely silica, zeolite, sand, clay, etc. are considerably better in terms of operating temperature (i.e., 15-35 °C), comparatively enhanced adsorption, easy desorption (via suction and / or low temperature heat treatment). In this case desorption via heat treatment is found to be time intensive if the adsorbents are to be used for simultaneous repurposing, and the suction (applied temperature 25- 35 °C) is preferred for ease in isolating the captured pure CO2, and repurposing the solids in a very short period of time (e.g., desorption time is 5 min for silica, 10-15 min for zeolite).

[0067] The comparative CO2 capturing efficiency based on the results in Table is as follows:

[0068] Capturing efficiency of adsorbents (i.e., silica) was found to be ~ 80 - 120 mole of CO2 per kg. of adsorbents per day. In one of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, 1 mole CO2 = 44 gm, 1 kg of silica captures 15-22 gm of CO2 in 5 min i.e., 180-264 gm per hr.

[0069] An exemplary advantage of the system (100) and method described herein is that it enables enhanced removal of greenhouse gases like CO2 from industrial emissions resulting in a purified gas, which can be emitted into the atmosphere.15SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

[0070] An important advantage of the present invention is that the embodiments described herein provide a solution to the global problem of capturing greenhouse gasses by a method and a system (100) that may be cost effective and budget friendly, that possess a high capturing efficiency.

[0071] Another important advantage of the present invention is that the kinetics of the present process is more favourable when compared to processes using traditional amine-based sorbents, as the process described herein possess high utilization percentage and the amine-based sorbents are expensive.

[0072] Another important advantage of the present invention is that the sorbent(s) employed for the purpose of absorption or adsorption may be reused for the purpose of capturing greenhouse gases in the present system (100) and method, after desorption and / or cooling. This results in the present system (100) and method being even more cost effective and budget friendly and reduces wastage of sorbent(s).

[0073] It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.REFERENCE NUMERALS16SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMSWe Claim:

1. A system for capturing greenhouse gases from atmosphere comprising: a) at least one gas inlet (102) for receiving an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128); b) at least one moisture removal unit (104) connected in sealed fluid communication to said at least one gas inlet (102) and configured to receive said atmospheric mixture, said moisture removal unit (104) configured to remove moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128); c) at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104) and configured to activate the greenhouse gas; and d) at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) connected in sealed fluid communication to said ME unit (108) and configured to: absorb / adsorb the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in absorption / adsorption mode to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114), and desorb the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said unit for transfer to storage and / or utilization facility.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said moisture removal unit (104) yields a dry gas sample stream by means of a drying equipment or drying agents and said moisture removal unit (104) includes an outlet (106) for removing water and an outlet (107) for transferring the dry gas sample stream to the ME unit (108).

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said drying equipment is selected from compressor moisture trap, filter, and the like; and said drying agents are selected from the group consisting of derivatives of ethylene glycols, sulphate salts of sodium, magnesium and calcium, calcium chloride and the like.SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)4. The system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the ME unit (108) is configured to provide an external stimulation to induce activation of the greenhouse gas molecules (i.e., CO2), received from the moisture removal unit (104), to impart enhanced reactivity and the activated greenhouse gas is transferred to the gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein external stimulation is provided with a plurality of electrical, magnetic and optical source, to produce an electric stimulation, magnetic stimulation and an optical stimulation, respectively, employed individually or in any combination, wherein the electrical source is a DC and AC electric source or both, the magnetic source is an electro-magnetic (EM) field, and the optical source is a broad range infrared light source.

6. The system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the ME unit (108) may optionally comprise a synergy unit to integrate the electrical, magnetic and optical energy sources to synergistically administer the stimuli on the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128).

7. The system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the ME unit (108) includes a moisture sensor (122) to measure the amount of moisture in the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) to ensure absence of moisture before activation.

8. The system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises an aqueous absorbing liquid or adsorbing solid, to absorb or adsorb the activated greenhouse gas molecules, wherein the absorbing liquid is examined from water or biopolymers dispersed in water, with or without nanoparticles, or a chemical solution made of a base and water, wherein said base is selected from group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like, and wherein the adsorbing solid is selected from silica, clay, zeolite, celite, and the like, that are employed with or without surface modifications.SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)9. The system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises a cooling unit to pre-cool the absorbent or adsorbent and / or the incoming gas, in a range consisting of 10 to 30 °C, preferably 15 to 25 °C.

10. The system as claimed in any preceding claims comprising at least two sorption / desorption units (110), wherein the atmospheric mixture with activated greenhouse gas enters the first sorption / desorption unit (110) initially working in the absorption / adsorption mode to absorb / adsorb the activated greenhouse gas by the sorbent material resulting in saturation of the sorbent material, on saturation of the first sorption / desorption unit (110) stream of the atmospheric mixture is passed to the second sorption / desorption unit (110) working in the absorption / adsorption mode, and simultaneously the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is operated in the desorption mode, post desorption, the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is again operable in absorption / adsorption mode and simultaneously the second sorption / desorption unit (110) is operable in desorption mode.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) is provided with a greenhouse gas sensor (126) to check saturation of said unit by measuring ppm level of the activated greenhouse gas wherein the greenhouse gas is present in considerable range.

12. The system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein in the desorption mode, the greenhouse gas is extracted through a vacuum pump.

13. The system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the desorption unit is optionally provided with: a heating unit, sonicating unit or combination thereof, for releasing the greenhouse gas attached on the sorbent in the desorption mode, wherein the heating unit heats the sorbent to a temperature in the range of 45 to 100 °C, preferably 50 to 75 °C, and / or a mass flow controller (MFC) to check accurate, stable control of gas flows through the desorption unit.19SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)14. The system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises a temperature sensor (124) to check the cooling and heating effect in the cooling unit and heater, respectively.

15. The system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the atmospheric mixture rich in greenhouse gas is sourced from emissions or flue gas generated by various industrial or non-industrial activities and the greenhouse rich gas CO2 rich gas.

16. The system as claimed in any preceding claims, optionally comprising: a plurality of booster or suction fans (116) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to rotate at 500 to 1000 rpm to capture the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) for transferring to the gas inlet (102), a plurality of dust removal units (118) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove dust and other particulates from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102), and a plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102), wherein the system comprises any of the plurality of booster or suction fans (116), the plurality of dust removal units (118), and the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120), or any combination thereof.

17. A method for capturing greenhouse gases from atmosphere comprising the steps of: a) receiving an atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) by at least one gas inlet (102); b) removing moisture content from said atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) by at least one moisture removal unit (104) connected in sealed fluid communication to said at least one gas inlet (102); c) activating the greenhouse gas by at least one molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) connected in sealed fluid communication to said moisture removal unit (104);20SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)d) absorbing / adsorbing the greenhouse gas by a sorbent material in at least one gas sorption / desorption unit (110) connected in sealed fluid communication to said molecular engineering (ME) unit (108) in absorption / adsorption mode and to release any unabsorbed / unadsorbed mixture by means of a gas outlet (114); and e) desorbing the greenhouse gas from the sorbent material in desorption mode, wherein the desorbed greenhouse gas is removed from said sorption / desorption unit (110) by means of another gas outlet (112) connected in said sorption / desorption unit (110) for transferring to storage and / or utilization facility.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said moisture removal unit (104) yields a dry gas sample stream by means of a drying equipment or drying agents and said moisture removal unit (104) includes an outlet (106) for removing water and an outlet (107) for transferring the dry gas sample stream to the ME unit (108).

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said drying equipment is selected from compressor moisture trap, filter, and the like; and said drying agents are selected from the group consisting of derivatives of ethylene glycols, sulphate salts of sodium, magnesium and calcium, calcium chloride and the like.

20. The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the ME unit (108) is configured to provide an external stimulation to induce activation of the greenhouse gas molecules, received from the moisture removal unit (104), to impart enhanced reactivity and the activated greenhouse gas is transferred to the gas sorption / desorption unit (110).

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein external stimulation is provided with a plurality of electrical, magnetic and optical source, to produce an electric stimulation, magnetic stimulation and an optical stimulation, respectively, employed individually or in any combination, wherein the electrical source is a DC and AC electric source or both, the magnetic source is an electro-magnetic (EM) field, and the optical source is a broad range infrared light source.

22. The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the ME unit (108) may optionally comprise a synergy unit to integrate the electrical, magnetic and optical21SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)energy sources to synergistically administer the stimuli on the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128).

23. The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the ME unit (108) includes a moisture sensor (122) to measure the amount of moisture in the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) to ensure absence of moisture before activation.

24. The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises an aqueous absorbing liquid or adsorbing solid, to absorb or adsorb the activated greenhouse gas molecules, wherein the absorbing liquid is examined from water or biopolymers dispersed in water, with or without nanoparticles, or a chemical solution made of a base and water, wherein said base is selected from group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like, and wherein the adsorbing solid is selected from silica, clay, zeolite, celite, and the like, that are employed with or without surface modifications.

25. The method as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises a cooling unit to pre-cool the absorbent or adsorbent and / or the incoming gas, in a range consisting of 10 to 30 °C, preferably 15 to 25 °C.

26. The method as claimed in any preceding claims comprising at least two sorption / desorption units (110), wherein the atmospheric mixture with activated greenhouse gas enters the first sorption / desorption unit (110) initially working in the absorption / adsorption mode to absorb / adsorb the activated greenhouse gas by the sorbent material resulting in saturation of the sorbent material, on saturation of the first sorption / desorption unit (110) stream of the atmospheric mixture is passed to the second sorption / desorption unit (110) working in the absorption / adsorption mode, and simultaneously the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is operated in the desorption mode, post desorption, the first sorption / desorption unit (110) is again operable in absorption / adsorption mode and simultaneously the second sorption / desorption unit (110) is operable in desorption mode.22SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) is provided with a greenhouse gas sensor (126) to check saturation of said unit by measuring ppm level of the activated greenhouse gas wherein the greenhouse gas is present in considerable range.

28. The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein in the desorption mode, the greenhouse gas is extracted through a vacuum pump.

29. The method as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the desorption unit is optionally provided with: a heating unit, sonicating unit or combination thereof, for releasing the greenhouse gas attached on the sorbent in the desorption mode, wherein the heating unit heats the sorbent to a temperature in the range of 45 to 100 °C, preferably 50 to 75 °C, and / or a mass flow controller (MFC) to check accurate, stable control of gas flows through the desorption unit.

30. The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein the sorption / desorption unit (110) comprises a temperature sensor (124) to check the cooling and heating effect in the cooling unit and heater, respectively.

31. The method as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the atmospheric mixture rich in greenhouse gas is sourced from emissions or flue gas generated by various industrial or non-industrial activities and the greenhouse rich gas is CO2 rich gas.

32. The method as claimed in any preceding claims, optionally comprising: a plurality of booster or suction fans (116) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to rotate at 500 to 1000 rpm to capture the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) for transferring to the gas inlet (102), a plurality of dust removal units (118) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove dust and other particulates from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102), and a plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120) connected in sealed fluid communication with the at least one gas inlet (102), configured to remove oxides of23SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)Sulphur and Nitrogen from the atmospheric mixture rich in the greenhouse gases (128) before entering the gas inlet (102), wherein the system comprises any of the plurality of booster or suction fans (116), the plurality of dust removal units (118), and the plurality of SOx and NOx removal units (120), or any combination thereof.24SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

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