Functionalized Imidazoles for Enhanced Solvent-Based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture

In order to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants and mitigate their impact on global climate change, DOE has called for technologies that can capture at least 90% of CO2 emissions from an existing coal-fired power plant with & lt; 35% increase in the cost of electricity (COE). One approach with the potential to achieve these goals is the use of advanced solvents to separate CO2 from the other flue gas components. While some progress is being made towards this goal, significant additional R & amp;D in solvent physical and chemical properties is still needed to reduce costs and meet DOE goals. This project will develop novel organic solvents that contain an amine plus an imidazole, a class of low- volatility organic molecules with tunable properties. This approach enables multiple chemical pathways to proceed in the solvent that serve to maximize capacity for CO2 and minimize regeneration energy. This increased efficiency can provide the performance needed to meet or exceed DOE goals for post- combustion CO2 capture. These advanced solvents will be tested in the laboratory during Phase I with testing on actual flue during Phase II. The intended commercial application of this solvent technology is post-combustion CO2 capture from existing coal-fired power plants. Additional applications include post-combustion natural gas-fired power generation as well as other coal and natural gas-fired flue gas from industrial processes. The ultimate goal of this program is to provide an economically viable solution to the removal of the major component of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion emissions.