Supersonic Technology for CO2 Capture
Technology Description:
Researchers at Alliant Techsystems (ATK) and ACENT Laboratories are developing a device that relies on aerospace wind-tunnel technologies to turn CO2 into a condensed solid for collection and capture. ATK's design incorporates a special nozzle that converges and diverges to expand flue gas, thereby cooling it off and turning the CO2 into solid particles which are removed from the system by a cyclonic separator. This technology is mechanically simple, contains no moving parts and generates no chemical waste, making it inexpensive to construct and operate, readily scalable, and easily integrated into existing facilities. The increase in the cost to coal-fired power plants associated with introduction of this system would be 50% less than current technologies.
Potential Impact:
If successful, ATK's technology would collect and remove CO2 at half the cost to coal-fired power plants of current-generation carbon capture and storage technologies.
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:
Dr. Vladimir Balepin
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
vladimir.balepin@atk.com
Partners
ACENT Labs
Related Projects
Release Date:
02/07/2009