Ionic liquids could hold key to carbon capture

Scientists presenting at the American Chemical Society have announced a potential new technology, based on 80 year old principles, which could revolutionise the carbon capture industry.

James H. Davis Jnr., Ph.D, who headed the research says, "With little fanfare or publicity and a decade of hard work, we have made many improvements in this important new technology for carbon capture. In 2002, we became the first research group to disclose discovery of the technology, and we have now positioned it as a viable means for carbon dioxide capture. Our research indicates that its capacity for carbon dioxide capture is greater than current technology, and the process is shaping up to be both more affordable and durable as well."

The idea is based around the method used to extract carbon dioxide from natural gas, which is a common process required when the raw natural gas is extracted from the ground. The liquid used in this extraction process is called monoethanolamine (MNA); unfortunately the quantity of MNA required to remove carbon dioxide from the vast fossil fuel industry would be costly and prohibitive, but the team behind the research says that they have found an alternative liquid.

Ionic liquids are substances with a deficiency of electrons, which makes them particularly effective carbon capture systems. They have been considered for use in carbon capture before, but they are usually hampered by their uptake of water over carbon dioxide. The team now believes they have found a nitrogen based, safe, ionic liquid which can be reused in the sequestration process.

The properties of the liquid mean that smaller quantities would be needed, and the carbon can be easily removed after the extraction process. They believe the carbon dioxide extracted could then be used in the production of plastics and other petroleum based products.

Davis hopes that the technology could one day be used on personal vehicles and in homes, however he points out that this would be a long way off. The key advantage of this ionic liquid based method is the cost; it could potentially make carbon capture much more financially viable.