Water-lean solvents could capture carbon with half the energy
A new paper in the American Chemical Society journal Chemical Reviews found that new water-lean solvents could help capture carbon while using half the energy and make the process cost-effective.
The paper, led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) chemist David Heldebrant, reviewed existing literature on water-lean solvents for carbon capture.
These next-generation solvents contain a small amount of water and some organic molecules. Today’s carbon capture processes utilize water-based solvents that contain nitrogen-rich compounds called amines. This process requires a high amount of heat to separate the solvent from the carbon, which makes it less efficient and more expensive.
The new water-lean solvents can undo the bonds at a lower temperature, meaning carbon capture facilities can use colder water instead of the steam they typically use to generate electricity.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Early Career Research Program supported the paper.
