ARRA: A Solvent/Membrane Hybrid Post-combustion CO2 Capture Process for Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants

This novel technology describes an absorption solvent/catalytic membrane hybrid post-combustion CO2 capture process for existing coal-fired power plants. The membrane is working as a catalytic separator, coupling intimately NF separation and catalysis functions. The absorption solvent of interest includes aqueous ammonium and some typical alkyl amines (e.g., MEA solution). Implementation of the catalytic membrane reactor, the energy penalty for CO2 capture is reduced greatly. The membrane unit can be conveniently integrated into the aqueous ammonium- or amine-based scrubbing system as a cross-over heat exchanger and installed between a scrubber and a stripper in the typical carbon capture process for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The technology developed in this project if successful could potentially ensure the realization of the DOE’s target of less than 35% increase in the cost of energy service, while capturing at least 90% of the CO2. The proposed project will create several scientific and technical jobs in the field of energy research in the early research stage, and is anticipated to create numerous jobs after commericalization. Importantly, these jobs will provide training and development of these employees in the field of carbon capture from utility power plant. The proposed budget allocates a full-time scientist and a post-doctoral researcher to be hired for the 3-year duration of the project. Furthermore, the project will employ one engineer for 2 years of the project. Finally, 2 full-time undergraduate student positions will be created for co-op students for the duration of the project. These students will learn valuable skills in fields important for the energy or chemical fields. Specifically, they will gain skills in membrane and support syntheses, fabrication and testing. Students will also have the opportunity to learn process control at the pilot scale level with the demonstration of the technology at the TRL-7.