Advanced Membranes for CO2 Capture from Existing Coal-fired Power Plants

Coal is an abundant source of energy in the USA, but is not currently utilized effectively. Recently, the DOE has begun a carbon sequestration program is to develop advanced CO2 capture and compression technology for existing coal-fired plants with increased efficiency with no more than a 35% increase in the cost of electricity. This will require new approaches and technologies to be successful. NexTech proposes to investigate a new membrane for separation of CO2 from coal-fired power plant exhaust gas mixtures. The purpose of this study is to prepare microporous alumina membranes, to demonstrate their special transport properties, and to establish their feasibility for CO2 separation. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The goals of the proposed effort align with those of the DOE EPAC program, particularly to provide an inexpensive, low CO2-pressure differential, separation method for existing power plants. Successful deployment of the technology will ameliorate the pollution effects projected from carbon dioxide while maintaining the low energy prices to which the American economy is accustomed.