OPPORTUNITY

Global CO2 emissions from energy-related industries are expected to rise from 27 gigatons in 2005 to 42 gigatons in 2030. There is hence a clear need for efficient and cost effective CO2 scrubbing systems and an indication that demand for such systems will increase over the coming decades. Carbon capture and sequestration is seen as critical to limiting atmospheric emissions of CO2, principally from greenhouse gas. At present, carbon capture and sequestration has not yet been commercially proven in the primary, large-scale application of electric power plants fueled by coal or natural gas. However, carbon capture and sequestration provides the most direct means of reducing emissions without having to invest heavily in alternative energy or technologies. We recycle aluminum, glass, paper and plastics, so why not carbon?

BREAKTHROUGH IN CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE

Researchers at the University of South Alabama have generated novel ionic liquids as a means to capture CO2. Broadly, the ionic liquids comprise salts that have an affinity for CO2. Importantly, their inherent reaction specifically to CO2 enables them to reversibly and selectively capture this gas, and their use in the formulation gives rise to task-specific ionic liquids. Uniquely, there are formulations of the described ionic liquids that are plastic or resinous in nature, as opposed to purely ionic liquids. This discovery represents a technology the efficiently and economically recycles CO2 emissions from point sources such as power plants and industrial plants into beneficial products. This must be accomplished while maintaining the ability of energy producers to provide reliable, inexpensive base load power to their customers without negatively affecting the environment. This is a radical new technology that makes the reversible capturing of CO2 a potential source of profit rather than a liability.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

•  Reversible capture of CO2

•  Formulations of ionic liquids that are plastic or resinous in nature

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STATUS

Patent issued

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