Novel Dual Functional Membrane for Controlling Carbon
Dioxide Emissions From Fossil Fueled Power Plants
Project # 42120

Primary Performing Organization:
University of New Mexico

	Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the sol-gel dip-coating process for depositing a microporous aminosilicate membrane on a porous tubular ceramic support.

The contribution of this project to improving carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture technology is to develop a dual-function amine modified membrane capable of economically and efficiently removing CO₂ emissions from the flue gas of coal-fired power plants.   The use of such an amine-modified membrane, with high CO₂ permeance and selectively, holds promise for reducing costs by avoiding the expensive absorber/stripper system required with existing amine-based technology.

This dual-function membrane is prepared by a unique sol-gel dip-coating process for depositing a micro-porous amino-silicate membrane on a porous tubular ceramic support.  See Fig 1. It consists of a micro-porous inorganic siliceous matrix, with amine functional groups physically immobilized or covalently bonded on the membrane pore walls.  Strong interactions between the permeating CO₂ molecules and the amine functional membrane pores will enhance surface diffusion of CO₂ on the pore wall of the membrane, subsequently blocking other gases.  The new membrane is expected to exhibit higher CO₂ selectivity compared to prior membranes that separate gases based on differences in molecular size only.

The analytical objectives of this project include:

• The conduct of small-scale parametric testing to determine optimum performance conditions. 
• Perform a preliminary systems analysis for integration of a membrane system into a 500-MW power plant.
• Perform a long-term test to estimate membrane life.
• Conduct a pilot-scale test.

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

Related Papers and Publications:

• Membranes for Controlling CO₂ Fact Sheet [PDF]