CO2 Capture and Regeneration at Low Temperatures

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Program:
IMPACCT
Award:
$2,475,501
Location:
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
07/01/2010 - 09/30/2013

Technology Description:

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is developing a solvent and process that could significantly reduce the temperature associated with regenerating solvent and CO2 captured from the exhaust gas of coal-fired power plants. Traditional CO2 removal processes using water-based solvents require significant amount of steam from power plants in order to regenerate the solvent so it can be reused after each reaction. RTI's solvents can be better at absorbing CO2 than many water-based solvents, and are regenerated at lower temperatures using less steam. Thus, industrial heat that is normally too cool to re-use can be deployed for regeneration, rather than using high-value steam. This saves the power plant money, which results in increased cost savings for consumers.

Potential Impact:

If successful, RTI's non-water-based CO2 solvents would substantially reduce the cost of carbon capture to coal-fired power plants. This will limit the costs that are passed onto consumers and limit the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

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. Ping Liu
Project Contact:
Dr. Luke Coleman
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
lcoleman@rti.org

Partners

BASF

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Release Date:
02/07/2009