Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

A negative CO2 emissions technology project (awarded 10/6/2021) addresses technical challenges from low CO2 (~4 vol%) and high O2 (~12 vol%) concentrations in NGCC flue gas along with 99.9+% CO2 capture efficiency and 20% cost reduction from US Department of Energy (USDOE) Baseline Case B31B (2019). Two CO2 capture loops are applied. In the first loop, a traditional configuration captures 85-90% of the CO2 using the UKCAER proprietary solvent. In the second, polishing loop KOH is applied to capture the remaining 10-15% of the CO2. Capital and operating costs are kept low by application of a fog and tray absorber configuration and electrochemical solvent regeneration that also produces H2, which is a salable product. 
This currently funded project provides a platform for the work proposed for this prize, which is to determine the maximum CO2 capture efficiency achievable with the application of a leaner carbon-loaded UKCAER solvent to the polishing loop, and a single solvent regeneration system with two lean solvent withdrawal ports. This simpler process will further reduce capital costs. 
Since the 1990s, the US carbon-based fuel mix has changed from primarily coal to natural gas electricity generation. From 1990 to 2019, use of coal declined from 52% to 23%, while use of natural gas increased from 17% to 38%. This trend is expected to continue, along with more challenging CO2 management targets. To meet is need, CO2 capture technologies producing carbon-negative electricity need to be applied to and demonstrated with natural gas flue gas.

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Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

On the currently funded negative CO2 emissions technology project, one principal investigator is female and the other is an Asian American. The Power Generation Research Group at UKCAER is a diverse group with >30 full time researchers, 20% being women and 52% being people of color, with education and experience in chemistry, physics, chemical-, materials-, electrical- and mechanical- engineering, and business management. Public success of this diverse group, enhanced with the award of prizes such as the Keeling Curve Price, leads to continued empowerment of women and people of color in the areas of science, engineering and climate change. Recognition of the technical achievement of the project principal investigators encourages other women and people of color to study and choose careers in science and engineering.

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