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.