Start-up Proposes Ionic Liquid - Amine Systems for Carbon Capture and Natural Gas Processing

20 February 2009

ION Engineering, a start-up founded by scientists at the University of Colorado, is integrating room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) solutions into amine-based carbon capture and emissions control technology. Ionic liquids are molten salts that do not evaporate, and can be used to replace the current aqueous amine technology with proprietary ionic liquid – amine technology.

The non-volatile nature and tunable chemistry of RTILs, when coupled with the high loading capacity of commodity amines, produce a “game-changing” technology for both CO₂ capture at fossil fuel-fired power plants and for natural gas processing, according to the company.

ION claims that its process is the most efficient way to capture carbon from coal-fired plant emissions, and that it also enhances natural gas “sweetening” processes and will vastly increase access to worldwide natural gas reserves. “Sour,” or contaminated natural gas, represents more than half of worldwide reserves.

Ionic liquids feature high acid gas solubility, but reduces acid gas best at high concentrations, at a high solvent cost. Amines are chemically reactive to acid gases, and can reduce acid gs to low levels. Amines, however, are corrosive, and suffer high solvent losses, as well as an energy penalty when used with aqueous solutions.

ION says that its solution features a higher reaction rate; low solvent and operating cost, reduced equipment and capex requirements; reduced corrosion; and reduces acid gas to low levels.

ION Engineering founders Drs. Jason Bara and Dean Camper developed the ionic liquid-based solutions while postdoctoral fellows at CU-Boulder. Dr. Chris Gabriel, currently a scientist at CU-Boulder, will also join ION to provide expertise in ionic liquid synthesis and chemical analysis.

In addition to business advisory and networking support from the CU Technology Transfer Office and the Boulder Innovation Center (BIC), Professors Richard D. Noble and Douglas L. Gin of CU’s Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, and also inventors, serve as advisors. Gin is known for his work in polymers and organic chemistry and Noble has more than 30 years’ experience in gas separation technology.

Resources

• Jason E. Bara, et al. (2009) Guide to CO₂ Separations in Imidazolium-Based Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Article ASAP doi: 10.1021/ie8016237