# US 8,464,545 B2 · Apparatus and method for collecting an atmospheric gas

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

- Number: US 8,464,545 B2
- Document ID: US8464545B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/526,269
- Filed: 2008-01-20
- Published: 2011-01-13
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-09
- Applicants: Dale Robert Lutz
- Inventors: Dale Robert Lutz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464545B2

## CPC

- C10G 2/50: {from carbon dioxide with hydrogen}
- C01B 3/34: by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
- C01B 2203/0233: the reforming step being a steam reforming step
- C01B 2203/0244: the reforming step being an autothermal reforming step, e.g. secondary reforming processes
- C01B 2203/025: containing a partial oxidation step
- C01B 2203/84: Energy production
- H01M 8/0656: by electrochemical means (H01M8/065 takes precedence)
- Y02E 60/36: Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- Y02P 30/00: Technologies relating to oil refining and petrochemical industry
- C10G: CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION (cracking to hydrogen or synthesis gas C01B; cracking or pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases to individual hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof of definite or specified constitution C07C; cracking to cokes C10B); RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A system for extracting a target atmospheric gas from an atmosphere, including a carbon-neutral energy source and a cooling unit connected to a condenser, is disclosed. An optional collection chamber and optional reaction chamber are also disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of providing hydrocarbon feedstocks, a method of removing a gas from an atmosphere, and a method of reducing the concentration of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for extracting a target atmospheric gas from an atmosphere, the system comprising:
a carbon-neutral energy source;
a cooling unit;
a condenser in communication with the cooling unit and in contact with the atmosphere; and
a collection chamber enclosing the condenser, the collection chamber having at least one gas entrance port, the port having a closure means operable between an open position and a closed position,
wherein
the carbon-neutral energy source is adapted to power the cooling unit, and
the cooling unit is capable of cooling the condenser at least to the condensation temperature of the target atmospheric gas.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, wherein the carbon-neutral energy source is selected from the group comprising a solar photovoltaic device, a solar thermal device, a wind turbine, a hydroelectric power plant, a tidal hydroelectric power plant, a nuclear power plant, and a geothermal power plant.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, wherein the target atmospheric gas is carbon dioxide.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, further comprising a precondenser, the precondenser being cooled to a temperature above the condensation temperature of the target atmospheric gas.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, wherein the system is a self-contained unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A system as in claim 1, further comprising an energy storage means.

### Claim 7

A system for extracting a target atmospheric gas from an atmosphere, the system comprising:
a carbon-neutral energy source;
a cooling unit;
a condenser in communication with the cooling unit and in contact with the atmosphere; and
a reaction chamber wherein the collected target atmospheric gas is reacted with at least a second chemical,
and wherein,
the carbon-neutral energy source is adapted to power the cooling unit, and
the cooling unit is capable of cooling the condenser at least to the condensation temperature of the target atmospheric gas.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A system as in claim 7, wherein the second chemical is hydrogen gas.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A system as in claim 8, wherein the hydrogen gas is obtained from electrolysis of water by means of energy from a carbon-neutral energy source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1, 7)

A system as in claim 1 or 7, wherein operation of the system results in a net decrease in the amount of the target gas in the atmosphere.

### Claim 11

A method for collecting atmospheric carbon dioxide gas for providing hydrocarbon feedstocks, comprising the steps of:
providing a carbon-neutral energy source;
providing a cooling unit;
providing a condenser in communication with the cooling unit;
obtaining energy from the environment by means of a carbon-neutral energy source;
using the obtained energy to power the cooling unit such that the cooling unit cools the condenser to a temperature below the condensation temperature of atmospheric carbon dioxide gas;
exposing the condenser to atmospheric air,
allowing a desired quantity of atmospheric carbon dioxide gas to condense on the condenser;
collecting the carbon dioxide from the condenser;
providing a second carbon-neutral energy source;
providing an electrolysis cell;
providing water to supply the electrolysis cell;
using the second carbon-neutral energy source to power the electrolysis cell;
electrolyzing the water in the electrolysis cell to produce hydrogen gas;
collecting the produced hydrogen gas;
providing a reaction chamber;
providing a third carbon-neutral energy source to power the reaction chamber;
introducing the carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas into the reaction chamber; and
using energy from the third carbon-neutral energy source with the reaction chamber to cause a chemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide to produce hydrocarbon feedstocks.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein at least two of the first, second and third carbon-neutral energy sources are the same device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11, 12)

A method of removing carbon dioxide from an atmosphere, comprising the method of claims 11 or 12.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A method of reducing the concentration of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere, comprising the method of claim 13.