Chemically Accelerated Carbon Mineralization

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Program:
IMPACCT
Award:
$1,254,752
Location:
New York, New York
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
07/16/2010 - 01/15/2014

Technology Description:

Columbia University is developing a process to pull CO2 out of the exhaust gas of coal-fired power plants and turn it into a solid that can be easily and safely transported, stored above ground, or integrated into value-added products (e.g. paper filler, plastic filler, construction materials, etc.). In nature, the reaction of CO2 with various minerals over long periods of time will yield a solid carbonate—this process is known as carbon mineralization. The use of carbon mineralization as a CO2 capture and storage method is limited by the speeds at which these minerals can be dissolved and CO2 can be hydrated. To facilitate this, Columbia University is using a unique process and a combination of chemical catalysts which increase the mineral dissolution rate, and the enzymatic catalyst carbonic anhydrase which speeds up the hydration of CO2.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Columbia University's accelerated carbon mineralization process would offer a simple way for coal plants to limit their CO2 emissions. The easily visible evidence of stored carbon eliminates the need for long-term monitoring of stored CO2.

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. Ramon Gonzalez
Project Contact:
Prof. Ah-Hyung Park
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
ap2622@columbia.edu

Partners

Reaction Engineering International
Sandia National Laboratory

Related Projects


Release Date:
02/07/2009