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: 7947239
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Patrick Grimes, Samuel C. Krevor, Frank S. Zeman
  • Publication number: 20110108421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recovering a hydroxide based sorbent from carbonate or another salt by electrochemical means involving separation schemes that use bipolar membranes and at least one type of cationic or anionic membrane. The methods can be used in an air contactor that removes carbon dioxide from the air by binding the carbon dioxide into a solvent or sorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20110083554
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110081710
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110079146
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110079149
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110081712
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110079147
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110079144
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110081709
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110079150
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Patent number: 7909911
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide permeable membrane is described. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a body having a first side and an opposite second side; a plurality of first regions formed from a molten carbonate having a temperature of about 400 degrees Celsius to about 1200 degrees Celsius, the plurality of first regions forming a portion of the body and the plurality of first regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; a plurality of second regions formed from an oxygen conductive solid oxide, the plurality of second regions combining with the plurality of first regions to form the body and the plurality of second regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; and the body is configured to allow carbon dioxide to pass from the first side to the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Alan C. West, Jennifer L. Wade
  • Publication number: 20110056382
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for carbon dioxide from air, which comprises exposing solvent covered surfaces to air streams where the airflow is kept laminar, or close to the laminar regime. The invention also provides for an apparatus, which is a laminar scrubber, comprising solvent covered surfaces situated such that they can be exposed to air streams such that the airflow is kept laminar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20110033358
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110033357
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110027142
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110027157
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110027143
    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: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Patent number: 7833328
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for carbon dioxide from air, which comprises exposing solvent covered surfaces to air streams where the airflow is kept laminar, or close to the laminar regime. The invention also provides for an apparatus, which is a laminar scrubber, comprising solvent covered surfaces situated such that they can be exposed to air streams such that the airflow is kept laminar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Kilimanjaro Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Patent number: 7799310
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating sulfuric acid (102) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes combusting a sulfur-containing material (114) with a gas including oxygen (116) to produce a first stream of sulfur dioxide (118), mixing water with the first stream of sulfur dioxide to produce a mixed stream, using an energy, electrolytically converting (108) the mixed stream of sulfur dioxide and water into sulfuric acid (102) and hydrogen (122), generating a source of energy (126) from the hydrogen, and providing the source of energy as at least a portion of the energy for electrolytically converting the first stream of sulfur dioxide and water into sulfuric acid and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the system includes a first chamber for combusting a sulfur-containing material to produce a first stream of sulfur dioxide, an electrolytic cell (108) for converting the first stream into sulfuric acid and hydrogen, and a fuel cell (112) for generating an energy source from the hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Tim A. Rappold