Material improves efficiency of carbon capture
27 Feb 2013
Korean researchers have developed a material that could help cut carbon capture costs
The scientists from the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) claim the new substance is the world’s most efficient at capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a mixture of gases.
They believe the material, known as Azo-COP, is much more stable in the extremely hot and humid conditions in which the carbon capture process takes place and so maintains its capture efficiency.
“When Azo-COP is used for separation of CO2 and N2 [nitrogen], the capturing efficiency has increased by hundred times,” according to a statement from professors Ali Coskun and Yousung Jung, who developed the material.
“This substance does not need any catalysts and has great chemical characteristics like water stability and structure stability so is expected to be used in various fields including carbon dioxide capturing,”
The most common substances used for carbon capture are liquid solvents such as amines, but researchers are also exploring the use of solid absorbents such as metal-organic frameworks (MOF) or zeolite.
The scientists said the cost of removing the CO2 from the material was lower because the Azo-COP holds onto the gas using weak attraction force rather than chemical attraction.
Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/energy-and-environment/news/new-material-makes-carbon-dioxide-capture-more-efficient/1015631.article#ixzz2M5i9yCzY
