Using Enzymes to Capture CO2 in Smokestacks
Technology Description:
Nalco is developing a process to capture carbon in the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants. Conventional CO2 capture methods require the use of a vacuum or heat, which are energy-intensive and expensive processes. Nalco’s approach to carbon capture involves controlling the acidity of the capture mixture and using an enzyme to speed up the rate of carbon capture from the exhaust gas. Changing the acidity drives the removal of CO2 from the gas without changing temperature or pressure, and the enzyme speeds up the capture rate of CO2. In addition, Nalco’s technology would be simpler to retrofit to existing coal-fired plants than current technologies, so it could be more easily deployed.
Potential Impact:
If successful, this technology would reduce incremental carbon capture costs by up to 50 percent and make it more affordable for coal -fired power plants to clean their smokestack emissions.
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:
Improving the cost-effectiveness of carbon capture methods will minimize added costs to homeowners and businesses using electricity generated by coal-fired power plants for the foreseeable future.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Mark Johnson
Project Contact:
Wayne Carlson
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
wcarlson@nalco.com
Partners
Argonne National Laboratory
Related Projects
Release Date:
10/26/2009