New technology for post-combustion abatement of carbon dioxide via an in situ generated superoxide anion-radical

A novel chemistry for the efficient sequestration of carbon dioxide via swift nucleophilic attack by superoxide anions is disclosed. A relatively stable aqueous solution of the latter is generated in situ by contacting alkali hydroxide solution with hydrogen peroxide at pH 11. Using a simple gas liquid scrubber containing the above blend, carbon dioxide is quantitatively absorbed from a gas stream under ambient conditions and is totally converted to aqueous carbonate. The aqueous solution containing the in situ generated superoxide species was found to be far more effective for absorbing CO₂ than the standard ethanolamine or soda caustic solutions.