Capture of atmospheric CO2 by Lackner process

摘要

Recent issues of Chemistry in Australia contain articles on industrial processes using syngas, CO + 2H2. The work of Professor Karl S. Lackner at Columbia University and earlier enables CO2 to be taken from the atmosphere inexpensively. This can then be converted to the required carbon monoxide. Lackner's work began with his daughter Claire winning a school prize for demonstrating that CO2 could be removed from air using sodium hydroxide. He decided it should not be too difficult on a larger scale. First he tried air/liquid using NaOH solution. This was ineffective so he switched to air/solid using an anion exchange resin. This worked. The resin is supplied in chloride form and is treated with sodium hydroxide to convert it to hydroxide form. It then takes up CO2 from air, first to the carbonate and then to the bicarbonate form. At this point, water is added to displace the CO2 and revert it to carbonate form. It then cycles between the carbonate and bicarbonate forms.