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Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: New Sorbents to Control CO2 and Multi-Contaminant Emissions

EPA Contract Number: EPD11047
Title: New Sorbents to Control CO2 and Multi-Contaminant Emissions
Investigators: Alptekin, Gokhan
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2011 through October 12, 2011
Project Amount: $80,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2011) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Greenhouse Gases

Description:

The oil refining industry is one of the most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. It ranks third with regard to CO2 emissions among the stationary producers after the power and cement industries and it accounts for 4 percent of the global CO2 emissions (nearly 1 billion tons per year). In addition, oil refineries also emit significant amounts of heavy metals (such as mercury and arsenic). Although there are several methods for separating CO2 from the flue gases, all of them have significant drawbacks, including loss of efficiency and increased capital and operating costs that dramatically increase the cost of electricity. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) is developing a low-cost, high-capacity sorbent to remove CO2 and trace metal impurities from refinery flue gases in a single-process step.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

In Phase I, TDA tested different sorbent formulations and screened them to determine their capacity to adsorb CO2 under representative conditions. TDA showed that the sorbent can maintain its capacity through multiple adsorption/regeneration cycles. Based on the performance results, TDA designed the multi-contaminant removal system and showed that it provides significant cost savings in CO2 capture in comparison to conventional amine scrubbing systems. The material also showed good performance in removing mercury (Hg).
 
In Phase II, TDA will continue to improve the sorbent formulations, scale up production capacity and carry out a slipstream demonstration in the field using actual flue gas. Based on the results, TDA will carry out a detailed process design and engineering assessment to fully assess the merits of the new technology.

Supplemental Keywords:

CO2 capture, Petroleum refining, Adsorbents

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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