Composite Solid Sorbent Solvent Matrix for Capture of CO2 from Mobile Systems

Transportation contributes about 24% of global CO2 emissions. However, popular transportation decarbonization solutions like Battery Electrical Vehicles (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (H2FCVs) have been slow in being adopted because of infrastructure challenges and high cost. Furthermore, existing BEV and H2FCV solutions are currently not viable for heavy duty systems like trucks, or large marine vehicles due to range limitations and infrastructural constraints mostly around fueling and charging. In order to meet transportation decarbonization targets, solutions for decarbonizing heavy-duty systems that enable the capture of CO2 during operation are required. The objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel mobile carbon capture system that integrates solvent and sorbents into a stable solid matrix that offers stable, cost effective, and sustainable sequestration, storage, and transportation of CO2 from mobile heavy duty and long-range marine transportation systems. The proposed process does not require regeneration of the matrix aboard the vehicle, significantly reducing space requirements, minimizing weight and incremental energy demand. In Phase 1, the feasibility of the proposed process will be demonstrated by achieving the following technical objectives 1) Determining suitable sorbents and solvents that can be utilized to make solid composite matrices that effectively sequester CO2 , 2) Quantifying CO2 sequestration potential of the composite matrices, 3) Determining optimal methods of CO2 recovery as well as the recycling and reuse of spent composite matrix materials, 4) Characterizing the effectiveness of a lab scale prototype of the composite solid matrix using live ICE engine systems and 5) Developing detailed technoeconomic analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the method. The successful development of the proposed process will enable a viable pathway for fast tracking the decarbonization of transportation by capturing CO2 from exhaust gases during the operation of fossil fuel powered vehicles, which make up 99% of existing transport systems. It will serve as a practical complement to BEV and H2FCV decarbonization pathways. It could also be used to facilitate decarbonization of small scale industrial systems such as diesel or gas fired industrial generators or boilers producing <10 MW (240 MWh) equivalent of fossil fuels per day. The technology additionally could enable transportation of sequestered CO2 in a solid matrix without the need for pipelines or compression of the gas.