IONIC EXCHANGE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE - CO2 Converter

Greenhouse Gas Converter - Reducing CO2 emissions 

A recent technological innovation, which has met the requirements of patentability, consists of a CO2 Converter; this device automotive applies to vehicles those using gasoline and also those using alternative fuels.

While the European Union implements mechanisms to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars, nothing is done with the current vehicle fleet, whose emissions exceed those industries.
Bioethanol is a Trojan horse for humanity and hydrogen technology is very far from being a reality, when climate change seems irreversible.
This project involves the installation of a CO2 converter, both used and new vehicles, ensuring a reduction in emissions of 50% or more per unit, surpassing the 20% proposed by the European Union by 2020. This implies the capture of billions of tons of CO2.
In addition to the rights, carbon credits that are obtained can be marketed in the markets for emissions. (Certified Emission Reductions - CERs).

CO2 CONVERTER:
The CO2 converter is the last link in the vehicle exhaust system composition. The device is a complement this system.
Report request PCT/IB2007/004080

PRINCIPLES:
Although carbon dioxide is slightly soluble in water, the quantity of gas dissolved in a given volume of water increases when the partial pressure of the gas increases.
A percentage of the dissolved gas reacts with water and forms weak carbonic acid H2CO3 (water carbonatization). If the hydrogen atoms of the carbonic acid are replaced by metal atoms, an inorganic carbonate is formed, e.g., sodium carbonate Na2CO3. Substitution of only one of the hidrogens of carbonic acid produces hidrogencarbonate or bicarbonates, containing bicarbonate anion HCO3-. Only alkali metal bicarbonates are sufficiently stable to be isolated.
Therefore, if the aqueous-based solvent contained in the device is compounded by dissolution of sodium chloride ClNa in water, contact with carbonic anhydride or carbon dioxide (CO2) will lead to producing sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3, carbonated water CO3H, and ClNa (as a residue and alkaline stock). The weak carbonic acid (CO3H2) formed is unstable and cannot be isolated.

IONIC EXCHANGE:
The resulting carbonates can be removed using electrodeionization (EDI) or other similar ionic exchange systems. The liquid produced from these processes is released from the vehicle without entering the atmosphere.
The filtrate (resulting liquid) and sodium released by regeneration of resins return to the device to be reused.
EDI is a process which combines semi-impermeable membrane technology with ion-exchange media to provide a high efficiency demineralization process. Electro dialysis employ electrical current and specially-prepared membranes which are semi permeable to ions based on their charge, electrical current, and ability to reduce the ions based to their charge. Through electro dialysis an electrical potential transports and segregates charged aqueous species. The electrical current is used to continuously regenerate the resin, eliminating the need for periodical regeneration.

EDI - Advantages
Some of the advantages of the EDI as opposed to the conventional systems of ionic interchange are:
- Simple and continuous operation
- Chemicals for regeneration completely eliminated
- Cost effective operation and maintenance
- Low power consumption
- Non pollution, safety and reliablility
- It requires very few automatic valves or complex control sequences that need supervision by an operator
- It requires little space

The CO2 Converter combines elements of latest generation technology such as:
- Hydrophobic membranes and container-separator gridiron system (polytetrafluoorethylene PTFE)
- Lip (or umbrella) retention valves (Duckbill Check Valves)
- Exhaust Gas Heat Exchangers.
- Heat sinks.
- ECC hybrid turbine (electric-gas turbine hybrid) controlled by E.C.U. (electronic control unit)
- Pressure and temperature sensors of the exhaust gas.
- Electrodeionization (EDI).

Characteristic of the CO2 Converter:
- High capacity of reduction of CO2, soot and ashes.
- Applicable to internal combustion engines, mainly those using gasoline and alternative fuels, such as those derived ethanol.
- It is a complement of the exhaust system.
- It works altogether with the catalyst (it does not supply it).
- It does not generate new elements polluting.
- It does not affect the performance of the vehicle.
- Applicable to automotive new and used.
- Low cost of maintenance and level of intervention.


LINKS OF INTEREST:
Carbon Mitigation by Biofuels or by Saving and Restoring Forests?
[LINK]

Biofuel boom threatens food supplies: Nestle
[LINK]

WORLD BANK LEAK
Biofuels May Be Even Worse than First Thought
[LINK]

UC Berkeley geoengineering professor Tad W. Patzek:
"In terms of renewable fuels, ethanol is the worst solution,"
[LINK]

Disadvantages Of Hydrogen Fuel Cells:
[LINK]

Whatever happened to the hydrogen economy?: New Scientist
[LINK]

If you would like to be a part of this new technology or have questions, do let us know: barrioparquelacascada@yahoo.com.ar Tel. +54-2944-525307. Los Quetros 550, km 6 (8401) San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina. Contact: Ricardo Lichowski