HELIOS-NRG LLC — Department of Energy STTR Phase I: 20a

Description

As fossil fuels continue to serve as a major energy source, CO2 capture for utilization or sequestration is the only option to mitigate the CO2 emissions to the environment. However, the separation of CO2 from flue gas is an extremely costly proposition with existing technologies. Advanced membrane technology may address this challenge if new membranes with CO2 permeance of 4,500 GPU and CO2/N2 selectivity of 40 can be developed. We propose to develop scalable membranes based on microphase-separated block copolymers (BCPIMs) comprising polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) to achieve superior CO2/N2 separation properties. The continuous phase is based on state-of-the-art amorphous polyether, and the discontinuous phase of PIMs has high free volume and extremely high gas permeability. If successfully developed, these game-changing membranes would outperform currently leading membranes by 100% - 300% in CO2 permeance, which will enable the membrane processes to meet the 2035 DOE target of <$30/ton CO2 captured with a CO2 purity of 95%.. The proposed Phase 1 project will demonstrate the technical feasibility of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes, based on BCPIMs, forCO2capture from flue gas. The BCPIMs will be designed, synthesized, and demonstrated with CO2 permeability of 2,000 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 40 or greater. TFC membranes will be demonstrated with the potential to achieve CO2 permeance of >4500 GPU and CO2/N2selectivity >40. Models and process cycles suitable for these membranes will be developed and preliminary economics projected. Commercial applications of the new technology include CO2 capture from coal/natural gas-fired power plants and from other fossil- fueled industries including ammonia, hydrogen and cement. By greatly reducing the cost of CO2 capture, the proposed technology will enable substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. By enabling these large new applications, it can create new industries and domestic jobs.