A method for quantifying the amount of ammonium bicarbonate in a solid sample of ammonium carbamate is provided. The method includes measuring the FT-IR spectrum of the sample, calculating the IR band maximum for a first band that is common to ammonium carbamate and ammonium bicarbonate and for a second band that is unique to ammonium carbamate, calculating a ratio of the maximum of the second band to the maximum of the first band, and calculating the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate in the sample from a calibration curve.

A method for quantifying the amount of ammonium bicarbonate in a solid sample of ammonium carbamate is provided. The method includes measuring the FT-IR spectrum of the sample, calculating the IR band maximum for a first band that is common to ammonium carbamate and ammonium bicarbonate and for a second band that is unique to ammonium carbamate, calculating a ratio of the maximum of the second band to the maximum of the first band, and calculating the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate in the sample from a calibration curve.

The present invention pertains to new methods for generating energy and useful nitrogen compounds from captured carbon dioxide. It involves employing an osmotic engine, draw solution, and feed solution. An osmotic gradient between the solutions assists in generating energy and a solution of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate or mixture thereof. This solution may be decomposed to form ammonia, carbon dioxide, a precipitate, or a mixture thereof.