As NETL prepares for its inaugural Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, and Oil and Gas Technologies Integrated Project Review Meeting, “Addressing the Nation’s Energy Needs Through Technology Innovation,” the Lab is releasing three additional infographics to highlight the success of NETL-managed carbon capture research and development (R&D) projects that are reducing costs to ensure the availability of clean, reliable and affordable energy from America’s abundant domestic resources.

In 2007, the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that current and projected atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations. Carbon capture technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from fossil energy-fueled power plants; however, existing technologies add significant up-front costs for industry and consumers. NETL is leveraging cutting-edge research facilities, world-class technical expertise and strategic collaborations to develop efficient and economical solutions that make carbon capture technology viable for decades to come.

The latest infographics are part of an ongoing series that explains the structure of the Carbon Capture Program, illustrates its impact and highlights the achievements of notable projects. A total of eight infographics will ultimately be released. Click here to learn more about the first three infographics in the series.

Carbon capture strategies rely on four key technologies — solvents, sorbents, membranes or novel concepts. Solvent-based carbon capture involves chemical or physical absorption of CO₂ from flue gas into a liquid carrier. The fourth infographic in NETL’s series highlights a collaboration by Linde/BASF to develop an advanced solvent process that focuses on process intensification using BASF’s novel amine-based solvent. Amines are nitrogen-rich compounds derived from ammonia that are highly effective at capturing carbon; however, they require a considerable amount of energy for regeneration. The novel OASE® blue solvent significantly reduces regeneration steam consumption, electrical power and cooling water, thereby effectively reducing the amount of energy required for regeneration. Plans are underway for large pilot-scale testing of the technology, which offers a reduction in capital and operating costs.

The fifth infographic in the series highlights Fluor/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s water-lean solvent process, which reduces water content for the CO₂ capture process from 60-65% to 40-50%. Techno-economic analysis indicates that the enhanced solvent performance results in a smaller footprint, allowing for reduced capital costs and reduced operating costs due to lower energy requirements.

Membrane-based carbon capture technologies offer an effective means of separating CO₂ from other constituents in post-combustion flue gas. The sixth infographic in NETL’s series highlights Membrane Technology and Research’s advanced membrane process. Combined with process innovations, the Polaris™ membrane overcomes the limitations of other membrane technologies via increased permeance and maintained selectivity. This advanced membrane process is modular, low cost and allows for high-volume manufacturing, simplifying scale-up for CO₂ capture.

Click here to access all NETL carbon capture infographics released to date.

These projects and many more will be reviewed at NETL’s 2019 Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, and Oil and Gas Technologies Integrated Project Review Meeting, “Addressing the Nation’s Energy Needs Through Technology Innovation,” slated for Aug. 26-30 at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The meeting offers attendees a valuable opportunity to share in the knowledge and insights gained from more than 200 research projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, and Oil and Natural Gas programs.