Ionic liquids for CO2 capture
In this project, the possibility of using Ionic Liquids (ILs) for CO2 capture was examined. IL’s can be designed to have particular properties. In this project, we attempted to design IL’s with a high capacity for CO2 capture.
CO2 capture is expected to become an important part of the future power production. Current technology for CO2 capture is very energy demanding. In order to make this process feasible and sustainable new technology must be developed. This project will explore an advanced technology with this potential. One or more new solvents will be identified for post combustion carbon dioxide capture. The new solvents will reduce the energy requirement of the capture process significantly, compared to current methods. The solvents suggested for CO2 capture in this project belong to a group of compounds called ionic liquids. Ionic liquids are molten salts consisting of anions and cations. Unlike common salts, ionic liquids are liquid even at temperatures below 100 degrades C. Ionic liquids can be designed to have specific properties, such as hydrophobicity and the ability to dissolve gases, e.g. CO2. Ionic liquids with these properties can be potential solvents for CO2. When CO2 is absorbed in common ionic liquids, CO2 molecules are stored in the cavities between the ions. No chemical process is taking place during the absorption and the amounts of energy exchanged during the absorption and the desorption processes are small compared to the present technology.
In this project, the possibility of using Ionic Liquids (ILs) for CO2 capture was examined. ILs consist of ions, like salts do. As opposed to salts, ILs are often liquid at room temperature.
IL’s can be designed to have particular properties. In this project, we attempted to design IL’s with a high capacity for CO2 capture.
IL’s were synthesized at DTU Chemistry and their ability to absorb CO2 was analyzed at DTU Chemical Engineering. IL’s containing amino acid groups were found to have a good capacity for CO2 absorption. While the capacity is larger than for other IL’s reported in the literature, it might still not be sufficient to compete with traditional solvents.
The discovery of this group of ILs confirmed that IL’s can become the key to low energy CO2 capture processes. The results of this project might get significant impact on society, as it possibly can result in low energy, low cost CO2 removal.
Key figures
Category
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 2,04 mio. DKK | 0,52 mio. DKK |
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 1,17 mio. DKK | 0,30 mio. DKK |
| Ørsted A/S | ||
| VATTENFALL A/S |
Contact
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