SBIR Phase I: An Innovative Carbon-Polymer Matrix Material for Gas Separations

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop an innovative carbon- polymer-matrix material for gas separation applications. Synthesized with a unique method, the material possesses unique chemical-physical properties, such as liquid expelling and catalytic reactivity. These unique properties, plus a suitable chemical modification, will render the material capable of removing sulfur dioxide and mercury vapor simultaneously from coal-fired power plant flue gases. During this Phase I program, the feasibility to synthesize the proposed material and to use the material for SO2/Hg removal will be established. The different synthesis methods will be tested to optimize the material's liquid expelling property; different chemical modification routes will be tried out to optimize the Hg capture capability; and the material's SO2 and Hg removal performance will be evaluated. The research will provide a path-breaking new technology for flue gas pollution abatement, which is simple, low cost, and environment friendly. The technology will greatly benefit coal-fired electrical generation industry, which currently generates more than 50% of the electricity in the United States.