Hybrid Solvent-Membrane CO2 Capture

Hybrid Solvent-Membrane CO2 Capture


Program:
IMPACCT
Award:
$1,516,908
Location:
Lexington, Kentucky
Status:
CANCELLED
Project Term:
07/01/2010 - 04/18/2013

Technology Description:

The University of Kentucky is developing a hybrid approach to capturing CO2 from the exhaust gas of coal-fired power plants. In the first, CO2 is removed as flue gas is passed through an aqueous ammonium-based solvent. In the second, carbon-rich solution from the CO2 absorber is passed through a membrane that is designed to selectively transport the bound carbon, enhancing its concentration on the permeate side. The team's approach would combine the best of both membrane- and solvent-based carbon capture technologies. Under the ARPA-E award, the team is enabling the membrane operation to be a drop-in solution.

Potential Impact:

If successful, the University of Kentucky's hybrid solvent-membrane approach would efficiently collect and remove CO2 while limiting additional costs to generate electricity for coal-fired power plants.

Security:

Enabling continued use of domestic coal for electricity generation will preserve the stability of the electric grid.

Environment:

Carbon capture technology could prevent more than 800 million tons of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere each year.

Economy:

Enabling cost-effective carbon capture systems could accelerate their adoption at existing power plants.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Karma Sawyer
Project Contact:
Prof. Kunlei Liu
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
kunlei.liu@uky.edu

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Release Date:
02/07/2009