Thermally Optimized Membranes for Separation and Capture of CO₂
Project # 04FE13-AC03

Primary Performing Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory

This project is developing polymeric composite membranes used to separate and capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) — with the goal of operating under a broad range of high pressure and temperature conditions occurring in the electric power industry.  Such membranes are viewed as key to advancing CO₂ capture technology.

Although polymer-based membranes have been used in a number of industrial applications, their successful use in synthesis gas separation requires a membrane that is thermally, chemically, and mechanically stable in high temperatures and under high pressure.  Consequently, this project is devoted to formulating membranes that are polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based, but able to overcome limitations in the existing state-of-the-art materials, and meet the thermal and chemical CO₂ separation needs of the utility sector.

The success of the project, combined with anticipated technology improvements in integrated plant design, will result in new technology that can meet the goals set by the Carbon Sequestration Program of 90% CO₂ capture at less than a 10% increase in the cost of energy services.

Contact:
Project Manager:  Jose Figueroa, jose.figueroa@netl.doe.gov

Related Papers and Publications:

• Thermally Optimized Membranes Fact Sheet [PDF]