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July 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine Creating cleaner powerLab researchers reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The molecular structure illustrates the SIMTECHE CO2 Capture Process, which results in an ice-like compound, a crystalline solid called CO2 hydrate. Image by Lenny Martinez Fossil fuels likely will supply much of the world’s energy needs for decades to come, though the associated carbon dioxide produced continues to pollute our air and cause climate-change concerns. Laboratory researchers have developed a low-temperature way of controlling greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that traps 65 to 90 percent of the CO2 in tiny molecular cages made of water. Called the SIMTECHE CO2 Capture Process, the method pulls CO2 out of a flowing mixture of gases and captures it in an ice-like compound called CO2 hydrate. Once separated from the gas stream, the CO2 hydrate can be decomposed to regenerate CO2 gas at elevated pressures for sequestration or sale on the emerging CO2 market. “In addition, the 3 to 5 percent of hydrogen sulfide typical in shifted synthesis gas can be separated simultaneously with the CO2,” explained Robert Currier of Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (C-PCS). The innovative work is a collaborative effort with industrial partners SIMTECHE, Bechtel National, and Nexant Inc., a Bechtel spinoff company. Currier, the Laboratory principal investigator, was initially approached by SIMTECHE to develop and test the concept. “As the project focus shifted from basic thermodynamics and kinetics associated with proof-of-concept to engineering-scale demonstration of an integrated process, the Lab team evolved,” Currier said. The team includes Currier, Dali Yang of Polymers and Coatings (MST-7), Ron Martinez and Loan Le of C-PCS, and Steve Obrey of Inorganic Isotope and Actinide Chemistry, with contributions from Graydon Anderson and Gary Baca of C-PCS, Jennifer Young of Navy II, Bob Barbero of Actinide Process Chemistry, David Devlin of MST-7, and former employee Michael Sedillo. Now proven, the SIMTECHE CO2 Capture Process is poised to reduce CO2 emissions at industrial scales. To date, 13 patents on the process have been granted and another is pending, and the technology was recently submitted for an R&D 100 award. “The SIMTECHE CO2 Capture Process is an example of essential technology to address greenhouse gases and represents the role of LANL’s basic science effectively teaming with industry to deliver solutions to the nation’s challenges,” said Terry Wallace, principal associate director for Science, Technology, and Engineering. --Mig Owens Other Headlines
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