NETL-Developed Carbon Capture Technology Awarded
The State Journal
23 June 2012
A novel carbon capture technology developed at the Department of
Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory has been recognized
by R&D Magazine as among the 100 most technologically
significant products introduced into commercial marketplace within
the past year.
This year's award recognizes NETL's Basic Immobilized Amine
Sorbent, or BIAS, process, encompassing a portfolio of patented
and patent-pending technologies for the capture of carbon dioxide
from power plant flue gas streams.
Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is one of the major greenhouse gases and
nearly one-third of man-made CO2 emissions result from the
combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation.
NETL, the Office of Fossil Energy's research laboratory, is
investigating carbon capture, utilization and storage
technologies, including BIAS, as a means for helping control CO2
emissions from power plants.
The BIAS process encompasses a portfolio of techniques for the
production of regenerable immobilized amine-based sorbents.
Low-cost, regenerable amine-based sorbents offer advantages over
existing technologies, including increased CO2 capture capacity,
reduced corrosion, lower energy requirements and costs, and
minimized water usage. Additionally, amine-based sorbents are
scalable for use in industrial applications, including coal
combustion and gasification–based power generating systems.
The process also provides a methodology for the capture of CO2
from flue gas streams.
Application of this technology is expected to reduce cost and
energy use associated with more conventional scrubbing processes.
The process can be used as a retrofit to older power plants that
currently burn coal or applied to new, more efficient pulverized
coal–fired power plants.
Additionally, the BIAS process can capture CO2 from utilities that
combust oil or natural gas, and is being considered for other
applications such as natural gas clean-up, life support systems in
confined spaces, and air capture systems.
R&D 100 Awards identify state-of-the art technologies and help
to move innovative science into the public marketplace. The annual
awards, known as the "Oscars of Invention," are selected by an
independent panel of judges and the editors of R&D Magazine.
"Congratulations to this year's R&D 100 award winners," said
Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "The research and development at the
Department of Energy's laboratories continues to help the nation
meet our energy challenges, strengthen our national security and
improve our economic competitiveness."
Since introduction in 1963, the R&D 100 Awards have identified
game-changing technologies across a diverse range of scientific
disciplines including telecommunications, biotechnology, software,
high-energy physics, diagnostics, and manufacturing. Winning
technologies that have moved into the public sector included the
digital wristwatch, antilock brakes, the automated teller machine,
the halogen lamp, the fax machine, the NicoDerm anti-smoking
patch, and HDTV.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of R&D Magazine's R&D
100 Awards. Winners will be recognized at the R&D 100 Awards
Banquet on Nov. 1, 2012, at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World.