TDA RESEARCH, INC. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: The electricity produced from fossil fuels is essential to the prosperity and security of

Description

The electricity produced from fossil fuels is essential to the prosperity and security of the world. On the other hand, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations caused by the fossil fuel combustion are causing concerns regarding global warming. Although there are several methods for separating CO2 from the flue gases at existing coal-fired power plants, all of them have significant drawbacks, including loss of efficiency and increased capital and operating costs that dramatically increase the cost of electricity. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a low cost, high capacity sorbent to remove CO2 from coal-fired power plant effluents. In Phase I, we will prepare various sorbent formulations and screen them to determine their capacity to absorb CO2 under representative conditions. Based on the performance results, we will carry out a preliminary design of our novel CO2 capture system, estimate its size and cost, and carry out an engineering assessment to compare it to alternative processes.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 the existing coal-fired power plants, and therefore will have a large market when legislation limiting or taxing carbon emissions is put in place.