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Researchers at Ohio State University (OSU) have teamed with TriSep Corporation, Gradient Technology (GT), and American Electric Power to develop a cost-effective design and manufacturing process for new membranes and membrane modules that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from less than one percent CO2concentration sources. Based on prior work, novel CO2-selective membranes will be synthesized using a cost-effective nanoporous polymer support and a top layer coating of thin, highly-selective, permeable, amine-containing polymer membrane. Membrane performance targets of about 1,800 GPU for CO2permeance and greater than 140 for CO2/N2 selectivity will be achieved using a simulated feed gas mixture containing less than one percent CO2, a scaled up prototype membrane (14 inches in width) and three fabricated prototype membrane modules. The CO2-selective membrane modules will be implemented using a two-stage membrane process. The membrane uses a facilitated transport mechanism where CO2permeance is increased as CO2 concentration is reduced. The OSU team will conduct membrane synthesis, module fabrication, and membrane module testing. A techno-economic and system analysis of the viability of the advanced membrane process will be conducted by GT. TriSep Corporation will advise the team regarding pilot- and large-scale continuous membrane fabrication and commercialization.
The membrane technology has potential for low capital and low operating costs upon a large-scale implementation, due to the membrane’s modular design. Preliminary cost calculations have indicated a capture cost of about $200/tonne CO2 captured and a cost of electricity increase of about 23% for capturing the less than one percent CO2 treated flue gas after >90% CO2 capture from the flue gas containing typically 14% CO2 in coal-fired power plants. The cost is anticipated to be further reduced through membrane improvement and process optimization during this project.