TDA RESEARCH, INC. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 14c

Description

The electricity produced from fossil fuels is essential to the world’s prosperity and security, but the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations caused by the fossil fuel combustion are implicated in global warming. Although there are several methods for separating CO2 from the flue gases, all of them have significant drawbacks, including loss of efficiency and increased capital and operating costs that dramatically increase the cost of electricity. The cost of removing CO2 is particularly high for sources that emit CO2 at low concentrations. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a nano-engineered sorbent to remove CO2 selectively with high capacity from low concentration CO2 emission sources. The new adsorbent will remove CO2 effectively even when it is present in very low concentrations. In Phase I we will prepare various sorbent formulations and screen them to determine their capacity to adsorb CO2 under representative conditions. Based on the performance results, we will carry out a preliminary design of our CO2 capture system, estimate its size and cost, and carry out an engineering assessment to compare it to alternative processes. TDA proposes to develop a new material to effectively remove CO2 from the effluents of combustion sources and power generators. This process will provide a highly efficient and environmentally responsible way to generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases and to overcome the economic and environmental problems that limit the full utilization of coal and other fossil fuels. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: CO2 is a major greenhouse gas and the major source for the anthropogenic CO2 emissions. It is the result of the combustion of fossil fuels, in particular the burning coal to generate electricity. The proposed technology will provide a cost effective way to control CO2 emissions from low concentration CO2 emitters, including applications which requires CO2 polishing from bulk removal systems (such as the post-combustion carbon capture systems designed for power plants).