Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico have devised a way of capturing CO2 that uses a bubble-like membrane, called a "Memzyne." Current commercial methods of capturing CO2 use expensive amine-based liquids and use about a third of the energy the plant uses. The new CO2 Memzyne could meet the US clean energy goal for a second-generation technology that captures 90% of CO2 emissions at $40 per tonne by 2025. "The idea is to capture carbon dioxide from power plants in an inexpensive way, using existing technology," said lead author Dr. John W. McAlpine, professor of chemical engineering and materials science at NMSU.
Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico have devised a way of capturing CO2 that uses a bubble-like membrane, called a "Memzyne." Current commercial methods of capturing CO2 use expensive amine-based liquids and use about a third of the energy the plant uses. The new CO2 Memzyne could meet the US clean energy goal for a second-generation technology that captures 90% of CO2 emissions at $40 per tonne by 2025. Researchers on the project received a patent for their technology earlier this year.