Patents by Inventor Klaus S. Lackner

Klaus S. Lackner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240123422
    Abstract: A synthetic fuel production system and related techniques are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed system may be configured to produce a liquid fuel using carbon dioxide extracted from the air and hydrogen generated from aqueous solutions by electrochemical means (e.g., water electrolysis). In production of the fuel, the disclosed system may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to react the carbon dioxide and hydrogen, for example, to form methanol. The disclosed system also may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to utilize one or more subsequent reaction steps to produce a given targeted set of hydrocarbons and partially oxidized hydrocarbons. For example, the disclosed system may be used to produce any one (or combination) of: ethanol; dimethyl ether; formic acid; formaldehyde; alkanes of various chain length; olefines; aliphatic and aromatic carbon compounds; and mixtures thereof, such as gasoline fuels, diesel fuels, and jet fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
  • Patent number: 11850566
    Abstract: A synthetic fuel production system and related techniques are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed system may be configured to produce a liquid fuel using carbon dioxide extracted from the air and hydrogen generated from aqueous solutions by electrochemical means (e.g., water electrolysis). In production of the fuel, the disclosed system may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to react the carbon dioxide and hydrogen, for example, to form methanol. The disclosed system also may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to utilize one or more subsequent reaction steps to produce a given targeted set of hydrocarbons and partially oxidized hydrocarbons. For example, the disclosed system may be used to produce any one (or combination) of: ethanol; dimethyl ether; formic acid; formaldehyde; alkanes of various chain length; olefines; aliphatic and aromatic carbon compounds; and mixtures thereof, such as gasoline fuels, diesel fuels, and jet fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: AIRCELA INC.
    Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
  • Publication number: 20220237472
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automating carbon footprinting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include a plurality of steps. In some embodiments, related to predetermined resources associated with an item from predetermined data sources is obtained. Then, estimated emission factors are calculated for each of the resources. Next, a contributory uncertainty of the data and of the emission factors is determined. Then, a user is guided based on a comparison of the respective contributory uncertainty of data related to the resources or emission factors. Next, both data related to the resources and the estimated emission factors of the resources are utilized to determine a carbon footprint of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Christoph Johannes MEINRENKEN, Klaus S. LACKNER, David Joseph WALKER, Robert Christian KUILE
  • Publication number: 20220161222
    Abstract: A synthetic fuel production system and related techniques are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed system may be configured to produce a liquid fuel using carbon dioxide extracted from the air and hydrogen generated from aqueous solutions by electrochemical means (e.g., water electrolysis). In production of the fuel, the disclosed system may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to react the carbon dioxide and hydrogen, for example, to form methanol. The disclosed system also may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to utilize one or more subsequent reaction steps to produce a given targeted set of hydrocarbons and partially oxidized hydrocarbons. For example, the disclosed system may be used to produce any one (or combination) of: ethanol; dimethyl ether; formic acid; formaldehyde; alkanes of various chain length; olefines; aliphatic and aromatic carbon compounds; and mixtures thereof, such as gasoline fuels, diesel fuels, and jet fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
  • Publication number: 20210232935
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automating carbon footprinting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include a plurality of steps. In some embodiments, related to predetermined resources associated with an item from predetermined data sources is obtained. Then, estimated emission factors are calculated for each of the resources. Next, a contributory uncertainty of the data and of the emission factors is determined. Then, a user is guided based on a comparison of the respective contributory uncertainty of data related to the resources or emission factors. Next, both data related to the resources and the estimated emission factors of the resources are utilized to determine a carbon footprint of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Christoph Johannes MEINRENKEN, Klaus S. LACKNER, David Joseph WALKER, Robert Christian KUILE
  • Patent number: 10010829
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) bound in a sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Burton Wright, Matt Wallen, Ursula Ginster, Eddy J. Peters
  • Patent number: 9861933
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CARBON SINK, INC.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20170103325
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automating carbon footprinting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include a plurality of steps. In some embodiments, related to predetermined resources associated with an item from predetermined data sources is obtained. Then, estimated emission factors are calculated for each of the resources. Next, a contributory uncertainty of the data and of the emission factors is determined. Then, a user is guided based on a comparison of the respective contributory uncertainty of data related to the resources or emission factors. Next, both data related to the resources and the estimated emission factors of the resources are utilized to determine a carbon footprint of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Christoph Johannes Meinrenken, Klaus S. Lackner, David Joseph Walker, Robert Christian Kuile
  • Patent number: 9616375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream, comprising placing the gas stream in contact with a resin, wetting the resin with water, collecting water vapor and carbon dioxide from the resin, and separating the carbon dioxide from the water vapor. The resin may be placed in a chamber or a plurality of chambers connected in series wherein the first chamber contains resin that was first contacted by the gas, and each successive chamber contains resin which has been wetted and carbon dioxide collected from for a greater period of time than the previous chamber, and so on, until the last chamber. Secondary sorbents may be employed to further separate the carbon dioxide from the water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ed Leon-Guerrero, Ursula Ginster, Tymothy Catterson, Karl Madison, Ryuhei Ishikawa, George W. Grimm, Mark Malcomson, Ping Liu
  • Publication number: 20170028347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20170007957
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) hound in a sorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Burton Wright, Matt Wallen, Ursula Ginster, Eddy J. Peters
  • Patent number: 9527747
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide (CO2) from a fluid stream and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments for utilization by a secondary process. Various extraction and delivery methods are disclosed specific to certain secondary uses, included the attraction of CO2 sensitive insects, the ripening and preservation of produce, and the neutralization of brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner
  • Patent number: 9524463
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automating carbon footprinting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include a plurality of steps. In some embodiments, related to predetermined resources associated with an item from predetermined data sources is obtained. Then, estimated emission factors are calculated for each of the resourced. Next, a contributory uncertainty of the data and of the emission factors is determined. Then, a user is guided based on a comparison of the respective contributory uncertainty of data related to the resources or emission factors Next, both data related to the resources and the estimated emission factors of the resources are utilized to determine a carbon footprint of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Christoph Johannes Meinrenken, Klaus S. Lackner, David Joseph Walker, Robert Christian ter Kuile
  • Publication number: 20160207037
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a moisture swing sorbent for carbon dioxide capture from air are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: providing a heterogeneous ion-exchange material; soaking the material in deionized water; washing the material in hydroxide or carbonate solutions; rinsing the material in deionized water; collecting and titrating residuals of the soaking and the washing steps into a residual solution; measuring an amount of chloride in the residual solution; repeating all of the steps if the amount of chloride measured in the residual solution is greater than zero; and drying the material with either dry nitrogen gas or air free of carbon dioxide and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventor: Klaus S. LACKNER
  • Patent number: 9283510
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a moisture swing sorbent for carbon dioxide capture from air are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: providing a heterogeneous ion-exchange material; soaking the material in deionized water; washing the material in hydroxide or carbonate solutions; rinsing the material in deionized water; collecting and titrating residuals of the soaking and the washing steps into a residual solution; measuring an amount of chloride in the residual solution; repeating all of the steps if the amount of chloride measured in the residual solution is greater than zero; and drying the material with either dry nitrogen gas or air free of carbon dioxide and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Klaus S. Lackner
  • Patent number: 9266052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Patent number: 9266051
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) bound in a sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Burton Wright, Matt Wallen, Ursula Ginster, Eddy J. Peters
  • Publication number: 20150274536
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide (CO2) from a fluid stream and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments for utilization by a secondary process. Various extraction and delivery methods are disclosed specific to certain secondary uses, included the attraction of CO2 sensitive insects, the ripening and preservation of produce, and the neutralization of brine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner
  • Publication number: 20150165373
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses and compositions for extracting selected gases from a gas stream are provided. In some embodiments the invention involve a process of bringing a gas stream in contact with a primary sorbent, releasing a selected gas from the primary sorbent to create a selected gas-enriched gas mixture, and bringing the selected gas-enriched gas mixture in contact with an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution absorbs the selected gas from the selected gas-enriched gas mixture. In some embodiments, the selected gas is carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: Klaus S. Lackner
  • Publication number: 20150167432
    Abstract: Methods and systems for tagging carbon dioxide to be stored in a geologic formation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes: providing a carbon dioxide tracer that is quantifiable and distinguishable versus non-anthropogenic produced carbon dioxide; providing carbon dioxide to be stored in the geologic formation; determining what portion of the carbon dioxide is anthropogenic produced carbon dioxide; and mixing a predetermined quantity of the carbon dioxide tracer with the carbon dioxide stored to develop a tagged quantity of carbon dioxide for storage in the geologic formation. In some embodiments, a system for tagging a stream of carbon dioxide includes a tagging module and a mixing module. Tagging module includes a carbon dioxide tracer that is quantifiable and distinguishable versus non-anthropogenic produced carbon dioxide. Mixing module includes mechanisms for containing and injecting the carbon dioxide tracer into a stream of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Juerg M. Matter, Ah-Hyung Alissa Park