It is clear that rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere are a serious concern and international effort is being directed at solving this problem - steps must be taken to stabilize and, in the longer term, decrease CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.  The Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) is developing technologies and systems to capture CO2 from a range of emissions and store that CO2 in a secure geological or mineral environment for many years.

The CO2CRC Research programs are broadly in the areas of geological storage technologies and CO2 capture technologies.  Within the CO2 capture technologies program, a variety of methods are being investigated including enhanced solvent based systems, innovative membrane systems, and innovative pressure swing adsorption systems.  For more information on the CO2CRC, go to www.co2crc.com.au.

The capture of CO2 using pressure swing adsorption is especially challenging given the low pressure and concentration of the feed gas for most flue gas streams.  Novel adsorbents and cycles must be devised to develop optimum processes for effective CO2 capture.  In our laboratory, we are currently constructing a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption system to study the capture of CO2 from dilute streams.  Our focus will be on cycle and process development and selection of appropriate adsorbents.  For more information, contact Paul Webley, Penny Xiao, or Tony Zhang.

 

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