# US 12,179,141 B1 · Method for processing a salt solution together with carbon dioxide

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,179,141 B1
- Document ID: US12179141B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 18/587,107
- Filed: 2024-02-26
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2024-02-26
- Assignees: United Arab Emirates University
- Applicants: United Arab Emirates University
- Inventors: Jawad Mustafa; Ameera Mohammad; Mohsin Raza; Ali Hassan Al-Marzouqi; Basim Abu-Jdayil
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179141B1

## CPC

- B01D 53/0423: {Beds in columns}
- B01D 53/14: by absorption
- C01B 32/50: Carbon dioxide
- C08B 37/0003: {General processes for their isolation or fractionation, e.g. purification or extraction from biomass}
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}
- C08B: POLYSACCHARIDES; DERIVATIVES THEREOF (polysaccharides containing less than six saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic linkages C07H; fermentation or enzyme-using processes C12P19/00; sugar industry C13; production of cellulose D21)

## Abstract

A method for processing a salt solution together with carbon dioxide is disclosed. The method comprises: extracting lignin from biomass; and treating the salt solution with the lignin residue and the carbon dioxide.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for processing a salt solution together with carbon dioxide, the method comprising:
extracting lignin from biomass, wherein extracting the lignin comprises:
deriving, by immersing the biomass in a basic solution of at least sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a lignin-containing solution from the biomass; and
separating out a lignin residue from the lignin-containing solution; and
treating the salt solution with the lignin residue and the carbon dioxide, wherein treating the salt solution comprises:
combining the lignin residue with the salt solution to form a basic suspension having at least the lignin and the salt solution as constituents;
passing carbon dioxide through the basic suspension so that at least a portion of the carbon dioxide reacts with the constituents to form bicarbonate ions (HCO3−) in the basic suspension and thereby cause ions to be adsorbed on the surface of the lignin present in the basic suspension to form precipitated salts; and
separating the lignin and precipitated salts out from the treated basic suspension to produce a treated salt solution.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass comprises plant-based waste, and wherein the plant-based waste is crushed, ground, or chopped into particles prior to immersion in the basic solution.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the particles are approximately 120 μm in size.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass comprises date palm waste.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass is dried prior to immersion in the basic solution.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium hydroxide is present in the basic solution at approximately 1 wt. % to approximately 2 wt. %.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the basic solution further comprises sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the sodium hypochlorite is present in the basic solution at approximately 1 wt. %.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of weight of biomass to volume of basic solution is 1:10.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein separating out the lignin residue from the lignin-containing solution comprises vacuum filtering the lignin-containing solution.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the separated lignin residue is freeze dried.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the salt solution comprises brine.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the lignin residue is combined with the salt solution to form the basic suspension with 2.5 wt. % lignin content.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide is passed through the basic suspension by bubbling a carbon dioxide containing feed gas through the basic suspension.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the carbon dioxide is reacted with the constituents in an inert particle spouted bed reactor (IPSBR).

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein inert mixing particles are located inside the reactor, and wherein the inert mixing particles comprise polymethyl methacrylate.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the IPSBR comprises a water jacket, and wherein the water jacket is maintained at a temperature suitable for cooling the IPSBR.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein separating lignin components from the treated suspension comprises one or more of: filtration, sedimentation, chemical recovery, or freeze drying.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the treated salt solution is used in oil recovery by a water flooding process.