NETL Researchers Develop Procedures to Obtain Core Samples from Friable Coal

	Once core samples are obtained using procedures NETL has developed, the geomechanical properties of the samples are determined. Here, Robert McLendon adjusts the CT scanner he uses to measure properties of the cores.

NETL has developed a successful approach to obtaining useable core samples from potential carbon dioxide storage sites when the minerals are extremely friable (easily crumbled or pulverized).

At many sites, the nature of core samples, such as samples from the Consol sequestration project in Marshall County, WV, has made it virtually impossible to conduct necessary geomechanical measurements.  The geomechanical properties of potential carbon dioxide storage sites must be determined before sequestration can be implemented. 

Traditional coring procedures had failed at the Consol site. NETL personnel worked with a commercial water jet cutting company to adjust procedures to achieve successful coring of the larger samples.

Several coal seam (Upper Freeport) and cap rock shale cores were successfully prepared.  NETL is now in the process of installing its own water jet cutter.

NETL Developing Membranes to Separate Hydrogen from Gasifier Effluent Streams

	Research chemist Bret Howard analyzes metal alloys used in hydrogen membrane research with the X-ray diffractometer in ORD’s Chemistry and Surface Science Division.

NETL researchers are looking at ways to remove various components from the effluent streams of gasification systems.

One of the goals is to develop membranes capable of high hydrogen flux with improved chemical and mechanical durability.

Researcher Bret Howard recently presented a talk on NETL’s studies of hydrogen sulfide interactions with palladium alloy membrane surfaces at the 2008 National Hydrogen Association Conference held in Sacramento, California.

Dense metal membranes based on palladium alloys or utilizing a palladium alloy component such as a surface coating remain a promising technology for the separation and purification of hydrogen and the concentration of carbon dioxide from the gasifier effluent stream. 

An important facet of this work is understanding the impact of sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, a common impurity in fossil fuel-derived gasifier streams, on the performance of metallic hydrogen separation membranes.

Unique Test Facility Enables Measurement of Oxy-Fuel Flames

	NETL researchers Joe Yip, seated, and Kent Casleton prepare an experiment in NETL’s unique test facility that enables measurement of oxy-fuel flames.

NETL is developing a unique test facility that will enable measurement of combustion characteristics of oxy-fuel flames with high levels of steam or carbon dioxide dilution. 

These unusual combustion conditions are proposed for several designs of advanced power plants designed for sequestration.  The oxy-fuel combustion schemes are being considered in these system designs to more efficiently reach the goal of zero carbon dioxide emissions from combustion of fossil fuels. 

The major products of oxy-fuel combustion are carbon dioxide and water.  Carbon dioxide can be separated simply by cooling the combustion products to condense out the water, yielding a concentrated carbon dioxide stream for subsequent sequestration.

The NETL oxy-fuel-steam apparatus has been designed to perform combustion experiments using flames with high steam dilution levels representative of some advanced oxy-fuel systems designed specifically for carbon capture and sequestration. 

The apparatus will be used for measurements of flame speeds and radiative properties of these flames, quantities which are needed to accurately simulate and design advanced power systems.  Safety permitting has been completed for NETL’s test facility; shakedown operations are commencing.