WO2003008071A1

WO2003008071A1 - Method and device for absorption of co2 in seawater

Info

Publication number: WO2003008071A1
Application number: PCT/NO2001/000308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sigurd Fongen
Original assignee: Sigurd Fongen
Priority date: 2001-07-17
Filing date: 2001-07-17
Publication date: 2003-01-30

Abstract

Method and means for absorption of gases in water and for reaction of the gases with minerals in the water. The gas is transformed into micro bubbles which are added to mineral-containing water which is being moved at high velocities within one or more tubular and pressurised, turbulent systems which can be placed on land or under water. The method and means are especially applicable for absorption of CO2 in sea-water. To the turbulent systems crystallisation nuclei are added for increasing the speed and extent of the reaction.

Description

Patent description.

1. Field of the invention.

This invention concerns method and means for absorption and conversion of CO₂ and other gas molecules into carbonates or other, inorganic compounds by reactions with minerals in water. The inventor has previously the following patents in related, technological fields:

Norwegian Patent no. 172 990 (Fongen): "Fremgangsmate og apparat for produksjon av masse og papir, papp, fiberplater og lignende produkter" , which also was granted as European Patent no. 420 860 (Fongen): "Process and apparatus for the manufacture of pulp, paper, board, fibreboard and similar products" and as US Patent no. 5,277,760 (Fongen) and

Norwegian Patent no. 179 786 (Fongen): "Anordning for vatoksidasjon av COD- (KOF)holdige industrielle og kommunale avløpsvann og for COD-reduksjon med enzymer", which was also granted as European Patent no. 639 163 (Fongen): "Turbo Oxidation System (TOS) for "wet combustion" of COD-containing liquids and for COD- reductions by enzymes" and as US Patent no. 5,876,594 (Fongen).

Both inventions concern reactions between oxidising molecules, preferably pure oxygen,

0₂, and organic matter and compounds in water.

The present invention concerns method and means for reactions between non-oxidising gas molecules, as for example CO₂, and inorganic matter and compounds in water, for example Ca-compounds an sea-water.

2. State of the art.

Absorption of gas in liquids is well known as processes in nature and as applied technique within industry.

In nature, air oxygen is for example being absorbed in water in a waterfall. Likewise, the ocean absorbs large quantities of CO from the atmosphere. Within industry, gas absorption in liquids is being carried out in reaction towers, where the liquid, which shall absorb the gas molecules, is trickling and flowing down over bodies with a large surface, and whereby the liquid on its way downwards in the reaction tower over these bodies meets an upward stream of countercurrent gas, for example CO₂ .

To this end, so-called Raschig rings are frequently used, which have a large surface and which spread out the liquid on its way down through the tower in such a manner that the surface ofthe liquid facing the gas becomes as large as possible.

The drawback of today's known technique is that the area of contact (interface) between the gas and the liquid is often small and insufficient in relation to the gas and liquid quantities to be processed. This causes low accessibility between the gas molecules and the liquid and, consequently, reduced and insufficient reaction possibilities between the components, i.e. gas and liquid, which shall react with each other.

Low accessibility between the reactants gives therefore low reaction speeds with the consequence that the reaction towers frequently become voluminous, space demanding and expensive.

This matter is especially problematic for example in connection with the assimilation of large quantities of CO₂ from boiler houses, power plants etc..

3. Scope of the invention.

The invention relates to method and means for a quick, efficient and relatively inexpensive absorption of CO₂ or other non-oxidising gases in mineral-containing water, which can replace to-day's slow and inefficient processes, as these for example are carried out in voluminous, space demanding and relatively expensive reaction towers. The process is of particular importance for the elimination of CO -emissions to the atmosphere from boiler houses or power plants using fossil fuels as coal, oil or gas. A radical increase of the accessibility between the CO -gas and mineral-containing water, made possible by a strong increase of the interface between the water and the gas, combined with strong water movements, will increase the reaction speeds as well as make the reactions more complete.

This invention fulfils this aim and describes a method and means for absorption and conversion of gas molecules into carbonates or other, inorganic compounds in mineral- containing water. The invention also opens for the possibilities of a more comprehensive and economically more inexpensive elimination of CO -emissions to the atmosphere. The method and means of the invention are described in the following for 2 alternatives, carried out on land and carried out under water respectively. Both modes of execution apply however the same, special method which is described below, and which includes a substantial increase of the interface between water and gas, combined with strong water movements, carried out under pressure and with simultaneous addition of crystallisation nuclei for mineral precipitation

4. Description of the invention.

By the invention the gas is transformed into micro bubbles, here defined as gas bubbles with diameters preferably smaller than 50 μm. The size of the micro bubbles is determining for the magnitude of the interface between gas and liquid, as shown in the table below: For 1 litre of gas the following relation between bubble diameter and interface is valid:

The significance of microscopic gas bubbles in regard to absorption of gas in liquids appears from the table. Thus, a reduction of bubble size from 20 mm to 20 μm causes the interface between 1 litre of gas and the surrounding liquid to be increased from 0,3 m to 300 m , or relatively as 1 : 1000. Such a reduction of bubble size increases the efficiency and capability of gas absorption to approximately the same degree.

It is therefore of vital importance that the gas influence takes place with micro bubbles of as small a diameter as possible. According to the invention the micro bubbles are formed by blowing the gas into the liquid through a sintered material, composed of small particles of metal or another suitable material of such minute size that by the sintering they can form pores for gas penetration with diameters down to about 5 μm.

By flowing the liquid over and past the sintered material at great speed, preferably exceeding 10 m/sec, the gas bubbles are torn off from the surface before getting the opportunity to accumulate into larger bubbles. The liquid stream is set into turbulent movement either by circulating the liquid within one or more loops or by conducting the liquid through pipes which at the inside are provided with static mixers of different shapes which cause strong liquid turbulence.

The transformation of CO₂-molecules into carbonates or other, inorganic compounds can be accelerated and made more complete through addition of suitable crystallisation nuclei to the turbulent liquid, for example as powdered limestone in the form of dolomite

(MgCa(CO₃)₂ - or calcite (CaCO₃-fluor).

Fig. 1 shows the formation of micro bubbles. The gas (1) is conducted into a pipe, whose walls consist of a sintered material, (2), below called the sintered pipe, with openings which for example have diameters of about 20 μm and whereby an initial micro gas bubble (3) of the same order of magnitude is formed. Such bubble will, in stagnant, surrounding water (A), stay attached to the outer surface of the pipe due to adhesion forces, and at the same time it will grow increasingly larger because of the gas influx, until the bubbles (4) are so large that they release themselves from the surface due to buoyancy forces.

Therefore, disconnected and enlarged gas bubbles (4) in stagnant water will be less suited for absorption of gas in water than what would be the case if the initial size of the micro bubble (3) could be maintained, as can be seen from the table above.

In order to maintain the initial size ofthe micro bubbles the water around the gas pipe (2) is set into strong movement (B) which causes the bubbles (5) to be torn off from the surface of the gas pipe before they can grow in size, for thereafter to follow the water stream with their approximate, initial size.

Micro gas bubbles show however a tendency to accumulate into larger bubbles when getting into touch with each other, also when being in streaming media.

To the extent that this happens, the interface to the water will be reduced and whereby consequently the gas absorption in water is being reduced accordingly. The invention makes it therefore also possible in landbased plants to return the larger, accumulated gas bubbles to the beginning of the process where anew they are being transformed into micro gas bubbles. The method and means for this appear from Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Fig. 2 shows an example of method and means for landbased absorption of industrial CO₂-gas in mineral-containing water, here exemplified by sea-water. Sea-water has a salinity of approx. 34,3 0/00, containing several elements, of which the most important are:

Chlorine, CI , about 19,0 g/kg

Sodium, Na, " 10,7 "

Magnesium, Mg, " 1,3 "

Calcium, Ca, " 0,4 "

Potassium, K, " 0,4 " The CO₂-gas (1) which shall be absorbed and bound to inorganic minerals in sea-water is conducted into one or more continuous and pressurised water loops (7). The sea- water is being pumped into the loops by means of a pump (8) which causes the water to flow through the loops (7) and a gas vent (9) before it is being led back into the sea (10) at deep level (11), preferably discharging into a sea current (12) or near sea farming of shellfish, for example mussels (13).

The CO₂-gas (1) is being pressed by a compressor (14) through a gas supply pipe (15) and regulating valves (16) and sintered pipe (2) into the water loops (7) which are kept in strong, circulating movements by pumps (17), situated within and being a part of the loops.

From the central parts of every loop (7) there are return pipes (18) which conduct partial currents of sea-water containing undissolved, larger gas bubbles through regulating valves (19) to a collecting pipe (20) which conducts the water-gas-bubble- mixture back to a gas separator (21).

In the gas separator sea-water and not absorbed gas are being separated by spraying the water through a nozzle (22) against a wall (23) whereby the gas bubbles in the water are being released and the gas is being conducted into a chamber (24), from where through a separate pipe (25) it is conducted back to the suction side ofthe compressor (14). The water (26) from the gas separator is conducted by a pipe (27) back to the suction side ofthe pump (8).

The water is being moved continuously from one loop (7) to the next through a transferring pipe (28) and at the end flows through the gas vent (9), in which the water forms a vortex (29) before it leaves the system through an outlet pipe (30) and a valve (31) which regulates the pressure in and the flow through this landbased gas absorption device, whereupon the water is discharged at deep water level (11) through the outlet opening ofthe pipe (32).

Within the gas vent (9) the bigger gas bubbles (40) are being separated and discharged through a regulation valve (41) and conducted back to the beginning ofthe process.

On the suction side ofthe intake pump (8) for sea- water (10) crystallisation nuclei (42) in form of washed dolomite- or calcite powder can be injected, added through an injection pump (43) from a separate washing plant (44), not shown in the figure.

The means can deviate from the drawing in Fig. 2. Thus, the shape and position of the sintered pipe can be somewhat different from the drawing, and the loops can likewise have different design.

The sintered material is preferably placed in the peripheral part of the loop. The circulation within the loop can be intensified by placing a pump within a branch stream of the peripheral part of the loop. Accumulating gas bubbles can be led out of the central part ofthe loop and be conducted back to the beginning ofthe process.

This landbased means also has equipment for addition of other chemicals or catalysts to the water, not shown on the figure.

The pressure within the pipe system is being regulated by an outlet valve (31) and the other regulating valves for gas addition (16) and for outlet of the gas-water mixture (19)

(41) which are being regulated according to pressure in the system.

Fig. 3 shows more in detail the principle design and mode of operation of the exemplified loops (7).

The water is being pumped preferably tangentially into the loop through an inlet pipe (33) and leaves the loop after several circulations, preferably tangentially through an outlet pipe (28) which at the same time is inlet pipe for the next loop.

The circulation within the loop is maintained by a pump (17) which pumps the water stream (34) around in the loop. The pump has a separate inlet channel (35) and an outlet channel (36), here shown in form of a separating wall (37) which keeps the peripheral part of the liquid stream before and after the pump separated from the other part of the loop's cross section, as shown in the figure. The peripheral water stream (34) is here shown as separated from the main stream in the loop (7) before the inlet of the circulation pump (17) with the separating wall (37) and is being mixed in the pump (17) for thereafter to be rejoined with the main stream.

The mixing and accessibility between gas molecules and water can be further intensified by use of static mixers, placed for example in the inlet channel (35) or outlet channel

(36) of the pump (17) or at other places within the water stream (7), not shown in the figure.

The outer, peripheral stream (34) has during the passage through the pump received new kinetic energy which draws the whole water cross section in the loop (7) around in a continuous circulation. The gas is added to the loop through regulating valves (16) and pipes (2) of sintered material which are preferably placed in the peripheral part (34) ofthe loop. The sintered material delivers its micro bubbles to the peripheral part of the loop which is being enriched with micro bubbles anew every time the water is passing the sintered material, at the same time as the circulation pump (17) also causes a strong mixing of the water, containing micro bubbles, by every circulation of the water stream through the pump.

By the accumulation of micro bubbles (see above) into larger bubbles (38), the centrifugal forces within the liquid loop will cause these larger bubbles to be pressed towards the inner and central part (39) of the loop, due to their lower, specific weight in relation to water, as shown in the figure.

These bigger bubbles, which are less applicable for gas absorption and which additionally also collect smaller micro bubbles and thus tend to grow in size, are led continuously out ofthe system through an outlet pipe (18) in form of a water-gas-bubble-mix for thereafter to be conducted through an automatic outlet valve (19) and following collection pipe

(20) to the gas separator (21) and from there back to the start ofthe process.

Fig. 4 shows more in detail how the micro bubbles preferably are in the periphery of the loop after having been injected into the liquid through the sintered pipes, which preferably are placed in the outer, peripheral part of the loop. This peripheral part of the water loop which contains the micro bubbles, is being mixed within the circulation pump

(17) whereby the accessibility of the gas molecules to the reactants in the water is being accordingly increased.

The bigger and less usable gas bubbles (38), which due to the centrifugal forces are accumulated in the inner and central part (39, Fig.3) of the loop, are being continuously removed through the outlet pipe (18) as previously described. Thereby it is also achieved that the big and ineffective bubbles have no opportunity to accumulate into still larger bubbles by consuming microbubbles and thus reduce the gas absoφtion and gas conversion ofthe system further.

From the example in Fig. 2 it can be seen that the sea-water, which is being flown through the system, by the re-entry (32) into the ocean is containing inorganic compounds which can be spread with ocean currents (12). These inorganic compounds can also be nutritious supplement for the growth of shellfish, for example for sea farming of shells and mussels (13).

Fig. 5 shows an example of method and means for the same absoφtion of CO₂-gas in sea-water, carried out by means placed under water.

From a combustion plant (50) the gas (1) is conducted to a compressor (14) from where it is being pressed down through an inlet pipe (15) to the means (52) in which the gas absoφtion is being carried out. The means is placed in deep waters (51), for example at a depth of 200 meters. The compressed gas in the means has thereby a pressure exceeding 20 bars in order to outbalance the water pressure when it flows through the sintered material within the means. Down to the same means (52) large quantities of sea-water from a water intake (53) are at the same time pumped through a pump (8) down through an inlet pipe (54) to the same means. This method with appurtenant means (52) has the following, special advantages:

The compression of the gas to a pressure which exceeds the water pressure around the means causes a corresponding reduction of the original volume of the gas (1) when it leaves the combustion plant (59).

This fact involves that the means (52) can operate with correspondingly reduced gas volumina, which is of advantage because the area and dimensioning of the sintered material can be reduced accordingly. The fact is especially advantageous when large quantities of nitrogen gas accompany the CO -gas from the combustion plant. At the same time, large quantities of water can be pumped trough pump (8) and inlet pipe (54) to the means with a relatively modest consumption of kW by the pump because the water column within the inlet pipe (54) between the water surface (55) and the means (52) in deep water (51) balances the water pressure around the means and whereby the power consumption of the pump mainly is used for lifting the water from the water surface (55) up to the pump, a lifting height which however is approximately balanced by the outgoing liquid column from the pump (8) and down to the water surface (55). The power consumption of the pump is therefore relatively modest because the consumed power is mainly being used for overcoming the flow resistance and flow loss in the inlet pipe (54) and the means itself (52) respectively down in the deep.

The water (55), which comes out of the means, and which has absorbed the gas (1) is being mixed with the water in large ocean currents (56) which spread the water from the means over vast ocean areas and great depths.

Also for the method and means under water, crystallisation nuclei (42) is being injected in the form of dolomite or calcite powder, added from a separate washing plant (44), not specified in the figure.

Likewise, the means has equipment for addition of other chemicals or catalysts to the water, not shown in the figure.

Fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5 show thus examples of alternative modes of execution of the means placed on land, and which are especially suited for treatment of pure CO -gas which is not mixed with nitrogen or other gases, possibly with an extra addition of crystallisation nuclei, as described above.

Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show examples of alternative modes of execution ofthe means (52) placed under water, especially suited for treatment of CO₂-gas mixed with nitrogen or other gases.

Common to these alternatives is the fact that they apply the same principles for method and means which are described for land-based plants in Fig. 2 above, taking into account that they all are based on the production of gas in the form of micro bubbles, further described under Fig. 1 above, which with large interface facilitate a great adsoφtion of gas in turbulent water.

Also for the method and means under water described above, the addition of dolomite or calcite powder will increase the reaction speed and extent, and the means has also equipment for addition of other chemicals or catalysts, not shown in the drawing.

Fig. 6 shows the gas absoφtion within a closed container (60) placed under water and which is equipped with an inner, pipe-formed core (61) where the water (62) whirls several times around the core on its way from the inlet (63) to the outlet (64) and which thereby is conducted into rotating loops, approximately like the loops which are described above for landbased plants under Fig. 2 above.

On its way through these whirling loops, compressed CO₂-gas (65) is being added to the water (62) from the supply pipe (15) through the sintered material (2) which is placed within the water stream, either as a perforated, sintered pipe placed within the water stream or as a sintered plate fitted into the wall of the container (60) and whereby the plate is becoming a part of same, as exemplified in Fig. 11 below.

On Fig. 6 is sketch-wise indicated how the water (62) is carrying out repeated circulations in a corkscrew-formed movement around the inner core (61) within the container. Likewise is indicated that the sintered material can be placed in different positions in relation to this loop, of which only one alternative position is indicated in the figure. In order to increase the water pressure within the container (60) still further, the outlet pipe (64) can be throttled by a suitable regulation valve, not shown in the figure.

Fig. 7 shows another form of execution applying the same principle in regard to method and means.

Here, the container (60) is without core, and the water (62) is being pumped axially into the container where separating walls (66) cover parts of the inner cross section of the container, preferably placed radially and inclined. The separating walls are here current conductors which are placed in such a manner that the water (62) is being conducted in ever changing directions within the container and whereby a strong, inner turbulence in the water is developed.

The sintered material (2), which also here can have several embodiments as described under Fig. 6 above, is being overflushed by the turbulent water which at high velocity exercises the same effect as described in Fig. 1 above.

Fig. 8 shows the sintered material (2) formed as several pipes placed cross-wise and preferably radially within a container (60) without core, and through which the gas (65) is being added to the water (62) as described for Fig. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment where the water (62) is being pumped into a spirally formed pipe (68) whereby the water is set into a corkscrew-formed circulation movement, similar to the water movement described in Fig. 6, and with approximately the same effect.

The gas (65) is being added to the water (62) through the sintered material (2) as described in Fig. 6. In order to increase the water turbulence still further, static mixers, not shown in the figure, can also be placed within the pipe (68).

Fig. 10 shows another, alternative embodiment where the water (65) is being pumped through the container (60) and over the sintered material (2) which is placed within the container, by a pump (69) which works under water and which is connected to the container (60) in a suitable form, as indicated principally on the figure, and which causes a similar flushing of sea-water over the sintered material (2) within the container with approximately the same effect as described above for Fig. 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

While Fig 2 above shows example of method and means for carrying out gas absoφtion on land. Fig. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the same method and means carried out under water, which also can be executed at deep water, with the advantages described above.

The figures show alternative examples of different, practical embodiments of the means.

The same, principal method can however also be applied for other, similar embodiments ofthe means, not included in the examples above.

All figures in this patent description make evident the principles and details of methods and means, but the details have not been drawn in the correct scale in relation to each other.

In addition to what can be seen from the drawings, static mixers can also be applied for further intensification of the inner water turbulence of the means, not shown in the figures.

Fig. 11 shows an example of the sintered material (2) affixed as a part of the wall in the container (60) described in Fig. 6, 7 and 10 or the pipe (68) described in Fig. 9 above.

The sintered material is here formed according to the shapes of the container (60) or pipe (68), and is affixed to the container or the pipe by a flange or other fastening devise

(70) which also shape-wise is being adjusted to the supply pipe (15) of the gas (65), as exemplified in the cross section drawing in the figure.

Claims

5. Patent claims.

L

Method for absoφtion and conversion of CO₂ and other gases into carbonates or other, inorganic compounds in water by absorbing the gases and binding them to inorganic minerals or ingredients in the water, carried out in means, placed on land, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the gas is being transformed into microbubbles, preferably of the order of 5 - 50 μm after passing through a sintered material with openings of the same order of magnitude, and whereupon the micro bubbles are being torn off from the surface of sintered material before the bubbles get an opportunity to grow into larger bubbles, by having water flushed over the sintered material at high speed, carried out in one or more water loops with current speed preferably exceeding 10 m/sec, and whereupon the mixture of micro bubbles and water is being exposed to strong, turbulent forces within the loops, whereby the accessibility of the gas molecules to the inorganic components in the water is being increased accordingly, and whereby the water circulation within the loops is being maintained by pumps, placed within a branch stream of preferably the peripheral part of the loops, possibly in combination with static mixers, and whereby the liquid with the micro bubbles is being repeatedly flushed over the sintered material and thereby every time being enriched with new micro bubbles , and whereby the accumulated, larger gas bubbles, which are formed within the loops, are continuously discharged from the loops for thereafter to be returned to the loops following a new passage through the sintered material, which transform the gas into new microbubbles, and whereby the turbulent water loops work continuously through continuous addition of gas and water to the loop at the same time as the water, after having absorbed the gas molecules and whereby bonds are formed between the gas and the inorganic compounds in the water, is being conducted out of the system, preferably at deep water level and into ocean currents, containing the new, inorganic compounds developed during the process, and whereby absoφtion and transformation of CO₂ is being further intensified by addition of crystallisation nuclei to the water, for example in form of slurried dolomite or calcite powder.

2.

Method for absoφtion and conversion of CO₂ and other gases into carbonates or other, inorganic compounds in water by absorbing the gases and binding them to inorganic minerals or ingredients in the water, carried out in means, placed under water c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the gas is being transformed into micro bubbles, preferably of the order of 5 - 50 μm after passing through a sintered material with openings of the same order of magnitude, and whereupon the micro bubbles are being torn off from the surface of sintered material before the bubbles get an opportunity to grow into larger bubbles, by having bypassing water flushed over the sintered material at high speed, carried out in one or more water loops with current speed, preferably exceeding 10 m/sec. within tubular and pressurised reaction containers, and whereupon the mixture of micro bubbles and water is being exposed to strong, turbulent forces within the tube-formed reaction chambers, whereby the accessibility of the gas molecules to the inorganic components in the water is being increased accordingly, and whereby the execution is carried out with a pressure in the gas which exceeds the water pressure at the depth where the means is situated, and whereby the original volume of the CO₂-gas by atmospheric pressure is reduced accordingly, and whereby large quantities of sea-water are being flushed over the sintered material within the absoφtion means under water, which is formed as a tube-like reaction chamber, possibly containing also static mixers, and whereby the CO₂-gas is being absorbed by the water and form bonds to inorganic minerals or components in the water, and whereupon the water is being conducted into ocean currents which spread the water with its new, inorganic compounds over vast oceans areas and great depths, and whereby the absoφtion and conversion of CO is being further intensified by addition of crystallisation nuclei to the water, for example in form of watered dolomite- or calcite powder.

Method as in claims 1 and 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t that the water, which absorbs the gas, is water which contains inorganic minerals and ingredients, for example sea water, into which the gas molecules are being absorbed and react with the minerals or components in the water, whereby new, inorganic compounds are formed.

4.

Method as in claim 1 , characterized in that the water and the gas are being treated in more steps, whereby every step constitutes a loop as described in claim 1, and whereby the gas in every step is being repeatedly added to the water in the form of new micro bubbles, at the same time as larger, accumulated gas bubbles are being continuously conducted out of every turbulent loop, and are being conducted back to the beginning of the process through a joint return pipe, for thereafter to be added anew to the loops in the form of new micro bubbles.

5_

Method as in claim 2, characterized in that the water and the gas in the means under water are submitted to the same, turbulent movements as described for the landbased means in claim 4 whereby the same type of liquid movements over the sintered material as described in claim 2 is being provided by pump forces within tube-formed reaction chambers.

6.

Method as in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that extra chemicals or catalysts are being added to the loops or to the reaction chambers in order to increase the absoφtion of gas molecules in the water and also increase the reaction of the gas molecules with the inorganic minerals or components in the water.

7.

Means for the execution ofthe method on land as described in the claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the gas (1), which shall be absorbed and bound to the inorganic minerals or components in the water, is being conducted into one or more circulating and pressurised loops (7) ofthe water through a pipe-formed, sintered material (2) which is composed of small particles of metal or another suitable material which are of such minor magnitude that by sintering they can form pores for gas passage with diameters down to approx. 5 μm, placed preferably in the periphery of the water loop, and which, with its holes with diameters preferably in the region of 5 - 50 μm, is letting the gas into the loop in form of micro bubbles (5) of the same order of magnitude, and whereby the circulation is taking place within pipe-formed, pressurised loops, and whereby the water circulation in the loops is being maintained by pumps (17) which are preferably placed within the loop's peripheral part (34) and whereby this peripheral part of the loops are branch streams of the loops (7) and limited against these by a separating wall (37), and where in the inlet channels (35) or outlet channels (36) of the pumps (17) static mixers can be placed, and whereby the water's inlet to and outlet from the loops are preferably carried out tangentially to the loops (7) through inlet pipes (33) and outlet pipes (28), and whereby accumulated, larger gas bubbles (38), which due to the centrifugal forces are collected in the central part (39) of the loops, are continuously leaving the loops as a water-bubble-mix through a separate outlet pipe (18) from the central parts of the loops and the gas-bubble-mix is being conducted through regulating valves (19) to a collecting pipe (20) leading to a closed gas separator (21), and whereby the water after the passage through the loops is being conducted through a closed, cylinder- or cone-shaped gas vent (9) and an outlet pipe (30), into which is mounted an outlet valve (31) which regulates the water throughflow and the water pressure, and whereby the means is equipped with a dosage device for addition of chemicals, and whereby crystallisation nuclei (42) can be added to the water by a separate dosage pump (43), for example in the form of slurried calcite.

8.

Means for execution ofthe method under water as in claims 2 , 3 and 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t tube-formed and pressurised reaction container (52), placed under water (51), is being supplied with large quantities of sea water from a pump (8) based on land, which flushes the sea-water over a sintered material within the means, and whereby this material is composed of small particles of metal or another, suitable material of such minor magnitude that by sintering together they can form pores for gas throughflow with opening diameters down to approx. 5 μm, and to which the CO - gas is being conducted in pipes (54) from a land-based compressor (14) down to the sintered material (2) which is mounted within the reaction container (52), and whereby the means is formed as a closed reaction chamber (60) with an inlet (63) and an outlet (64), where sea water (62) is being brought into a rotating, corkscrew-formed movement around an inner core (61), and whereby the sintered material (2) and thereby the gas supply is placed within the water stream as a perforated pipe or is being mounted as a perforated plate in the wall of the container, or whereby the reaction container (52) is built as a cylinder or container (60) without core

(61), with an inlet and an outlet, and where within the container stream conductors (66) are placed which conduct the water stream in alternating directions and thereby create inner turbulence in the water, into which is placed the sintered material as described above, or whereby the means is a container also without stream conductors where the water turbulence is being provided by implanted, sintered pipes placed crosswise in the container's interior, or whereby the sea water is being conducted through spirally formed pipe slings (68) into ft) which the gas-conducting, sintered material is placed. and whereby crystallisation nuclei (42) are added to the water through a separate, dosage pump (43), as for example watered dolomite or calcide powder.

9.

Means as in claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the means on land is equipped with a closed gas separator (21) which with nozzles (22) spray the liquid-bubble-mix against a wall (23) within the gas separator and whereby the bubbles burst and the gas is being released from the liquid thereafter to be conducted by a separate pipe (25) back to the gas compressor (14) and thereafter to be conducted anew through the sintered material (2) into the loop in the form of new micro bubbles.

10.

Means as in claims 7 and 9, characterized in that in the means on land the separated water (26) in the gas separator (21) is being conducted back to the loop through a separate inlet pipe (27) to the suction side ofthe water pump (8).

I

Means as in claims 7, 9 and 10, characterized in that the means on land is equipped with a cylinder- or cone-formed gas vent (9) in which the water is being set into rotating movement before it reaches the outlet pipe (30), and whereby a vortex (29) is formed in whose centre remaining and suφlus, bigger bubbles (40) are gathering, and from where there is continuously let out a certain quantity of water, containing possibly gas bubbles, which is conducted through a regulating valve (41) to a collecting pipe (20) and further to a gas separator (21), at the same time as de-gased and ready treated water is leaving the gas vent (9) through an outlet pipe (30), into which is mounted a regulating valve (31) which controls the throughflow of water and the pressure in the means.

11.

Means as in claim 8, characterized in that the means under water is being supplied with gas and water from a compressor (14) and a pump (8) placed on land, whereby the water is put into a spirally formed loop within a cylinder-formed reaction chamber (60) placed in deep water and which is equipped with a pipe-formed inlet (63) and a corresponding outlet (64), carried out and positioned so that the water is conducted into a loop around an inner, pipe-formed core (61), and where the gas (65) is being added to the water (62) through a perforated material (2), either in the form of a perforated pipe placed within the loop or through a plate which constitutes a part ofthe wall ofthe container.

13.

Means as in claims 8 and 12, characterized in that the means under water has cylinder-formed reaction chambers (60) which are without core but equipped with separating walls (66) which cover parts of the inner cross section of the reaction chamber, and which preferably are radially placed and inclined in such a manner that the water (62) is being conducted in constantly changing directions within the reaction chamber.

Means as in claims 8, 12 and 13, characterized in that the means under water has reaction chambers (60) without cores and separating walls and where the gas supply is carried out through the sintered material (2), formed as pipes, placed cross-wise and preferably radially within the reaction chamber (60).

15.

Means as in claims 8 and 12, characterized in that that for the means under water the water (62) is being pumped into a spirally formed pipe (68) which conducts the water in a corkscrew- formed movement, and where the gas is being added through a sintered material (2) placed as pipes or plates in connection with the water stream.

16.

Means as in claims 8, 12, 1314 and 15, characterized in that to the means under water a pump (69), submerged into the water, can be connected to different forms of means design and thus promote a strong throughflow of water (62) through the reaction chamber (60).