CA2664596A1 - A method and an arrangement for making methanol - Google Patents

A method and an arrangement for making methanol Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2664596A1
CA2664596A1 CA002664596A CA2664596A CA2664596A1 CA 2664596 A1 CA2664596 A1 CA 2664596A1 CA 002664596 A CA002664596 A CA 002664596A CA 2664596 A CA2664596 A CA 2664596A CA 2664596 A1 CA2664596 A1 CA 2664596A1
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Canada
Prior art keywords
carbon dioxide
methanol
wall
rotor blade
carbonic anhydrase
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002664596A
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French (fr)
Inventor
Dan Borgstroem
Alf Larsson
Olof Dahlberg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Morphic Technologies AB
Original Assignee
Morphic Technologies Aktiebolag (Publ.)
Dan Borgstroem
Alf Larsson
Olof Dahlberg
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Publication date
Application filed by Morphic Technologies Aktiebolag (Publ.), Dan Borgstroem, Alf Larsson, Olof Dahlberg filed Critical Morphic Technologies Aktiebolag (Publ.)
Publication of CA2664596A1 publication Critical patent/CA2664596A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07CACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07C29/00Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring
    • C07C29/15Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively
    • C07C29/151Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
    • C07C29/1516Multisteps
    • C07C29/1518Multisteps one step being the formation of initial mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen for synthesis
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03DWIND MOTORS
    • F03D9/00Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/20Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus
    • F03D9/25Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07CACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07C31/00Saturated compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
    • C07C31/02Monohydroxylic acyclic alcohols
    • C07C31/04Methanol
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D53/00Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/46Removing components of defined structure
    • B01D53/62Carbon oxides
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D53/00Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/73After-treatment of removed components
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D53/00Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/74General processes for purification of waste gases; Apparatus or devices specially adapted therefor
    • B01D53/84Biological processes
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03DWIND MOTORS
    • F03D1/00Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D1/06Rotors
    • F03D1/065Rotors characterised by their construction elements
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03DWIND MOTORS
    • F03D9/00Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/10Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy
    • F03D9/19Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy storing chemical energy, e.g. using electrolysis
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/50Carbon oxides
    • B01D2257/504Carbon dioxide
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A50/00TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
    • Y02A50/20Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02CCAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]
    • Y02C20/00Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases
    • Y02C20/40Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases of CO2
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E70/00Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
    • Y02E70/30Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/151Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/50Improvements relating to the production of bulk chemicals
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of making methanol. The method comprises the steps of providing a wall (1) formed by a rotor blade (5) of a wind power plant (6), the wall (1) having a surface (2) on which a carbonic anhydrase (3) is immobilized, exposing the surface (29) of the wall (1) to a stream of gas and using the carbonic anhydrase (3) to remove carbon dioxide from the stream of gas. The carbon dioxide so obtained is then used to produce methanol in a fuel cell, in a chemical reaction where electrical energy is used to transform water and carbon dioxide to methanol. The invention also relates to an arrangement for making methanol.

Description

A METHOD AND AN ARRANGEMENT FOR MAKING METHANOL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for making methanol.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that methanol can be used as a source of energy. For example, methanol can be used in a fuel cell in a process where electricity is generated. Methanol can also be used to produce energy by combustion. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a suitable arrangement for producing methanol. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for storing energy at such times when energy is easily available or the need for energy is small such that the stored energy may be used when energy is scarce or large amounts of energy are needed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of making methanol. The inventive method comprises the steps of providing a wall having a surface on which a carbonic anhydrase is placed, e.g. immobilized, exposing the wall to a stream of gas, in particular air, and using the carbonic anhydrase to remove carbon dioxide from the stream of gas. The carbon dioxide so obtained may then be used to subsequently produce methanol.

Preferably, the carbon dioxide is used to produce methanol in a chemical reaction where electrical energy is used to transform water and carbon dioxide to methanol.

The wall may be formed by, for example, a rotor blade of a wind power plant.
Electrical energy from the wind power plant may then be used to transform water and carbon dioxide into methanol. Of course, even if the wall is formed by a rotor blade of a wind power plant, electrical energy used for the production of methanol may come from another source than the wind power plant.

The rotor blade may be divided into a plurality of cells separated from each other in the radial direction of the rotor blade. Each cell may then have a wall on which carbonic anhydrase is arranged, e.g. immobilized, such that each cell can extract carbon dioxide.

The methanol obtained may be subsequently used to produce electrical energy in for example a fuel cell.

The invention also relates to an arrangement for making methanol. The arrangement comprises a wall having a surface upon which carbonic anhydrase is arranged (e.g.
immobilized) such that carbon dioxide can be extracted from a gas, in particular air. The arrangement further comprises a fuel cell connected to the wall and a source of electrical energy connected to the fuel cell.

The wall may be formed by, for example, a rotor blade of a wind power plant.

In some embodiments, the rotor blade can be divided into a plurality of cells separated from each other in the radial direction of the rotor blade. At least some of the cells and possibly each cell has a wall on which carbonic anhydrase is arranged/immobilized such that some cells (or each cell) can extract carbon dioxide.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the invention.
Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention where the invention is applied to a rotor blade.
Figure 3 shows schematically how the invention may be applied to a wind power plant.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic representation similar to Fig. 1 but showing more clearly the path of evacuation of carbon dioxide.
Figure 5 is a side view of the cell shown in Fig. 4.
Figure 6 shows schematically a process in a fuel cell.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a process run in reverse in relation to the process of Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Fig. 1, the inventive method for making methanol comprises providing a wall 1 having a surface 2 on which a carbonic anhydrase 3 is arranged (e.g.
immobilized). Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that has the capacity to remove carbon dioxide from a stream of gas (for example a stream of air). A process where carbon dioxide is removed from air is disclosed in, for example, US patent No.
6143556 and reference is made to that document for further detail about carbonic anhydrase and the process by which carbonic anhydrase removes carbon dioxide from air. In the method according to the present invention, the surface 2 of the wall 1 is exposed to a stream of gas such as air. The carbonic anhydrase 3 is thereby put to use to remove carbon dioxide from the stream of gas. The carbon dioxide so obtained is then used to produce methanol.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the wall 1 on the surface of which the carbonic anhydrase 3 is placed constitutes an outer surface of a ce118 having an extraction chamber 19 for extraction of carbon dioxide. The chamber 19 may be divided into a front compartment 20 and a rear compartment 21 and where the front compartment 20 serves as an extraction compartment. The chamber 19 is filled with liquid. The liquid in the chamber 19 can be pumped around by a pump 22 that keeps the liquid circulating between the front compartment 20 and the rear compartment 21. The liquid pressure in the rear compartment should preferably be higher than the pressure in the front compartment 20.
For this purpose, a flow restriction 23 may be formed between the rear and front compartment 20, 21. To enter the front compartment, the liquid must pass the flow restriction 23. The liquid in the chamber 19 is an aqueous phosphate buffer system, i.e.
it is based on water. The liquid may contain an anti-freezing agent. A rear wa114 of the ce118 is in contact with a primary evacuation conduit 24.

Extraction of carbon dioxide functions as follows. A gas such as air passes over the surface of the wall 1. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by the carbonic anhydrase and passes through the wall 1 into the liquid in the front compartment 20 of the ce118.
The part of the wall 1 where the carbonic anhydrase 3 is placed is formed by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, for example a semipermeable plastic membrane or a lipid membrane. The membrane may be doped with ionophores to provide ion conducting channels. The liquid is circulated by pump 22 into the rear compartment 21.
From the rear compartment 21, carbon dioxide passes through the rear wa114 into the primary evacuation conduit 24. The rear wa114 is also formed by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, for example a lipid membrane. During this process, the atmospheric pressure Pi is larger than the pressure P2 in the front compartment 20, i.e.
Pi > P2. The pressure P3 in the rear compartment 21 is also higher than the pressure P2 in the front compartment 20, i.e. P3 > P2. The pressure P3 in the rear compartment 21 is also higher than the pressure P4 in the primary evacuation conduit 24.

Per second, 1 gram carbonic anhydrase can process 10 moles of carbon dioxide which equals 440 grams of carbon dioxide. In normal air, there is about 340 ml carbon dioxide per m3 which equals 0.61 grams of carbon dioxide per m3. Consequently, 1 gram of carbonic anhydrase can process the carbon dioxide in 70 m3 air per second.

The pH in the front compartment 20 should preferably exceed 7Ø A suitable pH
level for the front compartment 20 may be, for example, 7.4. When pH is above 7, the carbon dioxide is more easily solved in the water phase in the front compartment 20 (the extraction compartment). The carbonic anhydrase here works to transform the carbon dioxide into hydrocarbonate that is immediately solved in the liquid.

With reference to Fig. 2, the wall 1 may be formed by a rotor blade 5 and be a part of the rotor blade 5. As indicated schematically in Fig. 3, the rotor blade 5 may be the rotor blade 5 of as wind power plant 6. It should be understood that the wall 1 could be formed by something else than a rotor blade 5. It could be part of a stationary structure that is not moved by the wind. For example, it could be formed by a discharge chimney or by any object that can be exposed to a stream of gas such as air.

As seen in Fig. 3, the rotor blade 5 may be the rotor blade 5 of a wind power mi116. In Fig, 3, the rotor blade is shown as mounted on a hub 27. The hub is rotatably journalled in a housing 30 that is supported by a pillar 29.

As indicated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the primary evacuation conduit 24 leads to a main evacuation conduit 25 that may be common to several cells 8 for extraction of carbon dioxide. With reference once again to Fig. 2, the main evacuation conduit 25 extends along the rotor blade 5 from an outer part of the blade 5 and up through the hub 27 of the rotor blade 5. The main evacuation conduit 25 can be connected to a source 26 of underpressure/vacuum that can be located inside the structure of the wind power plant 6.
The source 26 of underpressure may be, for example, a pump or a fan. From the source 26 of underpressure, the carbon dioxide may optionally be sent through a further conduit 28 as schematically indicated in Fig. 3 and finally arrive in a fuel ce119 where carbon dioxide is used in a process to manufacture methanol. The fuel ce119 is thus connected to the wall 1 in such a way that carbon dioxide extracted from the air through the wall 1 can be transported from the wall 1 to the fuel ce119. In the above disclosed embodiment, the wall 1 is connected to the fuel ce119 through the conduits 24, 25 and 28 and the source of underpressure 26. However, it should be understood that the connection or communication line from the wall 1 to the fuel ce119 could be designed in other ways that what has been disclosed above. For example, if a source of underpressure 26 is used, the source of underpressure 26 does not necessarily have to be located inside the structure of the wind power plant 6.

The carbon dioxide extracted from air can be used to produce methanol in a chemical reaction where electrical energy is used to transform water and carbon dioxide to methanol, i.e. electrical current + COz+HzO --*CH3OH (the process is here indicated in a simplified form, in practice the process may include the formation of intermediate compounds such as Oz). When the wall 1 is formed by a rotor blade 5 of a wind power plant 6, electrical energy obtained from the wind power plant 6 can be used in a process where water and carbon dioxide is transformed into methanol. Alternatively, the electrical energy may come from another source than the wind power plant 6.
For example, it could come from the power-mains.
In order to produce methanol, a fuel ce119 may be used. In the process to produce methanol, the fuel ce119 will be run in reverse compared to its normal mode of operation.

A process for producing methanol will now be explained with reference to Fig.
6. In Fig. 6 it can be seen that the fuel ce119 is shown as has an anode 15 and a cathode 16.
The anode 15 and the cathode 16 are separated by a membrane 17. An electric circuit is indicated by the numeral 18. To produce methanol, carbon dioxide and water are fed into a fuel ce119 through the opening 11 in the fuel cell 9. An electric current is added at the electric circuit 18. On the cathode side, water is added through opening 13 while Oz exits through opening 14 (it should be understood that Fig. 6 is a schematic representation). In Fig. 6 methanol (CH3OH) leaves the fuel cell through opening 12.

It should be understood that the process can also be run in the opposite direction as indicated in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7 it is indicated how methanol is supplied to the fuel ce119 through opening 12. In the resulting reaction, an electrical current is generated in the circuit 18.

The rotor blade 5 is divided into a plurality of cells 8 separated from each other in the radial direction of the rotor blade 5, each ce118 has a wall 1 on which carbonic anhydrase is arranged/immobilized such that each ce118 can extract carbon dioxide. If necessary, steps may be taken to reduce pressure in the cells.

It should be understood that the invention can also be described in terms of an arrangement for making methanol which comprises a wall 1 having a surface 2 upon which carbonic anhydrase 3 is immobilized such that carbon dioxide can be extracted from for example air (but possibly also from other gases or from air mixed with other gases). This arrangement comprised a fuel ce119 connected to the wall 1 and a source of electrical energy connected to the fuel ce119. The source of electric energy may be, for example, a wind power plant 6 but other sources of electrical energy are also possible.

One aspect of the invention shall now be explained with reference to Fig. 4.
In Fig. 4, the circulation of the liquid in chamber 19 is indicated as going in an anti-clockwise direction. In the front chamber adjacent the atmosphere, the liquid will then move in the direction of arrow C. The rotor blade 5 is preferably arranged such that, as the rotor blade 5 moves through the air, the air moves relative to the rotor blade in the direction of arrow A such that the wind assists in pressing the fluid in chamber 19 in the correct direction. In, for example, a wind power plant, the relative direction of movement of the wind in relation to the rotor blade can be determined in advance and the cells 8 oriented such that the wind will assist in the circulation of liquid inside each ce118.

With reference to Fig. 3, the arrangement according to the invention may include a fuel ce119 and a tank 10 may be connected to the fuel ce119 such that methanol produced in the fuel ce119 can be subsequently stored in the storage tank 10.

The function of the arrangement can be as follows. When air passes over the wall 1, carbon dioxide is absorbed and used to manufacture methanol. A specific example shall now be explained with reference to an embodiment where the carbonic anhydrase 3 is placed on the rotor blade 5 of a wind power plant 6. When the wind is blowing, the rotor 5 of a wind power plant 6 is exposed to a stream of air. Electrical energy is generated by the wind power plant and carbon dioxide is simultaneously extracted along the rotor blade 5. From the rotor blade 5, one or several conduits 24, 25, 28 may lead to a fuel ce119 where the carbon dioxide can be transformed into methanol. A part of the electricity generated by the wind power plant 6 is used for a reaction where the extracted carbon dioxide is used to produce methanol which can then be stored.

In some embodiments of the invention, the need for electrical energy may be monitored.
For example, one or several indicators may be monitored in order to determine whether electrical energy is needed somewhere else. One such indicator may be, for example, the price of electricity. An increase in the price of electricity may indicate that the need for electricity has increased. At times when a high need for electricity is indicated, stored methanol may be used to produce electricity such that electricity can be produced when the need for electricity is large.

With reference to Fig. 2, an embodiment is indicated where the rotor blade 5 is divided into a plurality of cells 8 that are separated from each other in the radial direction of the rotor blade 5. Each ce118 has a wall 1 on which carbonic anhydrase 3 is arranged/immobilized such that each ce118 can extract carbon dioxide. Since the cells 8 contain liquid, the liquid pressure could become undesirably high if one single cell extended along the entire rotor blade - the column of liquid would be high and the centrifugal forces would make the problem even more serious. If a plurality of cells 8 is used, the liquid in each cell can be separated from the liquid in the other cells. In this way, liquid pressure can be kept lower.
Possibly, the invention could be applied on a stationary surface in an environment where the content of carbon dioxide is very high, for example in an exhaust conduit in an industry. Of course, a rotor blade placed in such an environment could also be considered.
By the use of carbonic anhydrase to extract carbon dioxide from the air, a source of carbon dioxide for the production of methanol is provided that is practically inexhaustible since the total amount of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere is very large. If the principle of using carbonic anhydrase is combined with a wind power plant, this means that electric energy generated by the wind power plant can be used in the process where carbon dioxide is transformed into methanol. This means that methanol can be produced at a very low cost. The methanol manufactured in such a process can later be used to produce electrical energy at such times when the wind is not blowing.
This results in a more reliable supply of electrical energy since the energy obtained from the wind power plant can be more evenly distributed over time.

Claims (8)

1. A method of making methanol comprising the steps of providing a wall (1) formed by a rotor blade (5) of a wind power plant (6), the wall (1) having a surface (2) on which a carbonic anhydrase (3) is arranged, exposing the surface (2) of the wall (1) to a stream of gas and using the carbonic anhydrase (3) to remove carbon dioxide from the stream of gas; and using the carbon dioxide so obtained to produce methanol in a chemical reaction where electrical energy is used to transform water and carbon dioxide to methanol.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein electrical energy from the wind power plant (6) is used to transform water and carbon dioxide into methanol.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the gas is air.
4. A method according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein electrical energy from a wind power plant is used to transform water and carbon dioxide into methanol.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the rotor blade (5) is divided into a plurality of cells (8) separated from each other in the radial direction of the rotor blade (5), each cell (8) has a wall (1) on which carbonic anhydrase is arranged such that each cell (8) can extract carbon dioxide.
6. A method according to any of claims 1 - 5, wherein the methanol obtained is subsequently used to produce electrical energy in a fuel cell.
7. An arrangement for making methanol which comprises a wall (1) that is formed by a rotor blade (5) of a wind power plant (6), the wall (1) having a surface (2) upon which carbonic anhydrase (3) is arranged such that carbon dioxide can be extracted from for example air, a fuel cell (9) in which carbon dioxide can be transformed into methanol, the fuel cell being connected to the wall (1) such that extracted carbon dioxide can be transported to the fuel cell (9); and a source of electrical energy connected to the fuel cell (9).
8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the rotor blade (5) is divided into a plurality of cells (8) separated from each other in the radial direction of the rotor blade (5), each cell (8) has a wall (1) on which carbonic anhydrase (3) is arranged such that each cell (8) can extract carbon dioxide.
CA002664596A 2006-10-06 2007-09-11 A method and an arrangement for making methanol Abandoned CA2664596A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0602125A SE531159C2 (en) 2006-10-06 2006-10-06 Method and arrangement for producing methanol
SE0602125-7 2006-10-06
PCT/SE2007/050637 WO2008041921A1 (en) 2006-10-06 2007-09-11 A method and an arrangement for making methanol

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CA2664596A1 true CA2664596A1 (en) 2008-04-10

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CA002664596A Abandoned CA2664596A1 (en) 2006-10-06 2007-09-11 A method and an arrangement for making methanol

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EP (1) EP2069275A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2010506043A (en)
AU (1) AU2007302853A1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0718035A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2664596A1 (en)
MX (1) MX2009003519A (en)
RU (1) RU2009111106A (en)
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