Enabling a Solid State Carbon Dioxide Distribution Network

Efforts like the Carbon Storage Program implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are focused on developing technologies to capture, separate, and store CO2 so that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced without adversely decreasing the U.S. energy supply, which would hinder economic growth. The goal of this Phase I work is to propose and demonstrate the feasibility of a solid state CO2 capture and distribution paradigm that can help towards meeting DOE goals for reducing CO2 capture, storage, and transportation costs. This application will be enabled by two process technologies. The first technology is known as low-temperature solidification, which can be used to capture CO2 gas to form solid carbonates in an energy- efficient manner without the need for high temperature equipment. The second novel technology that is key to the proposed paradigm is known as hydrothermal vapor synthesis, which is used to synthesize submicron multicomponent oxide powders but can also be used as a low-energy route for separating CO2 from solid carbonates in a controlled manner. Together, the two technologies potentially provide cyclability for capture and release of CO2, allowing the transport of CO2 in solid form. Management of CO2 in this manner is potentially less costly and allows much more throughput than traditional storage forms like dry ice and liquid CO2; no refrigeration, tanks, or pressurization pumps are needed. In Phase I, monolithic material forms that can be easily transported and that can capture CO2 directly from exemplar dilute effluent gas streams will be investigated. The ability for these monoliths to release CO2 and be re-carbonated would demonstrate cyclability. Phase II will focus on designing pilot scale processes that are useable for industrial partners interested in CO2 management. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: A potential impact of this technology’s successful commercialization would be more widespread use of CO2 in consumer products spanning different industries, including those that are not currently known to harness CO2, including building and infrastructure, biomaterials, advanced composite materials, and pharmaceuticals, which could also subsequently lead to the creation of more jobs.