Carbon dioxide (CO2) is recognized as being the leading contributor to global warming. The combustion of fossil fuels constitutes the majority of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere. To combat this trend, University of Wyoming researchers are developing more efficient and affordable methods for CO2 capture and sequestration. Chemical looping combustion in particular, is a promising approach.
The current invention suggests that with the introduction of one or two proposed rare earth oxides as catalysts, the reaction performance of typical oxygen carriers such as iron oxide or aluminum oxide for methane oxidation and carbon dioxide splitting, is significantly improved. Further, this process utilizes produced carbon dioxide streams for the replenishment of oxygen-depleted oxygen carriers.
This chemical looping combustion method is applicable in the energy industry for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration.
Combats greenhouse gas emissions
Economically sustainable
Re-use of produced CO2
Increased global greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in an escalated demand for CO2 capture and sequestration. Current processes pose several challenges including coking and sintering problems. Long-term effects have also not been thoroughly studied. The proposed technology combats many of the current problems and produces purer CO2 streams to be re-introduced into the chemical reactions.
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