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).
-
Patent number: 12263461Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: AIRCELA INC.Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
-
Publication number: 20240123422Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
-
Patent number: 11850566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: AIRCELA INC.Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
-
Publication number: 20220237472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Christoph Johannes MEINRENKEN, Klaus S. LACKNER, David Joseph WALKER, Robert Christian KUILE
-
Publication number: 20220161222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Eric Dahlgren, Klaus S. Lackner
-
Publication number: 20210232935Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Christoph Johannes MEINRENKEN, Klaus S. LACKNER, David Joseph WALKER, Robert Christian KUILE
-
Patent number: 10010829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Burton Wright, Matt Wallen, Ursula Ginster, Eddy J. Peters
-
Patent number: 9861933Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: CARBON SINK, INC.Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
-
Publication number: 20170103325Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Christoph Johannes Meinrenken, Klaus S. Lackner, David Joseph Walker, Robert Christian Kuile
-
Patent number: 9616375Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: 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: 20170028347Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
-
Publication number: 20170007957Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Burton Wright, Matt Wallen, Ursula Ginster, Eddy J. Peters
-
Patent number: 9527747Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner
-
Patent number: 9524463Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Christoph Johannes Meinrenken, Klaus S. Lackner, David Joseph Walker, Robert Christian ter Kuile
-
Publication number: 20160207037Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventor: Klaus S. LACKNER
-
Patent number: 9283510Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventor: Klaus S. Lackner
-
Patent number: 9266052Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
-
Patent number: 9266051Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Carbon Sink, Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Burton Wright, Matt Wallen, Ursula Ginster, Eddy J. Peters
-
Publication number: 20150274536Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner
-
Publication number: 20150167432Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Juerg M. Matter, Ah-Hyung Alissa Park