Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR) and The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) will construct and evaluate a hybrid membrane-absorption process system for capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from coal-fired power plants. The system will combine Polaris™ membranes (high-permeance, low pressure-drop, plate-and-frame modules) developed by MTR, and an improved amine solvent-based capture system developed by UT-Austin that uses a piperazine solvent and advanced high-temperature and high-pressure regeneration (high thermal stability, rapid CO₂ absorption rate, and low oxidative degradation). In this project, a process simulation model will be developed for the hybrid process and both series and parallel configurations of the hybrid process will be evaluated. Large-area, plate-and-frame membrane modules will be fabricated and tested to analyze pressure drop performance and permeance. Parametric tests will be performed separately on MTR’s membrane test unit and on UT-Austin’s absorption/stripper system under a full range of operating conditions for both series and parallel designs. These test results will be incorporated into the hybrid process model to determine the optimal mode of operation of an integrated membrane-absorption system. Integrated testing with MTR’s membrane test skid will performed on the hybrid capture system at UT-Austin’s Separations Research Program (SRP) 0.1 MWe pilot plant. Process models will be updated based on the pilot test results and a scaled-up model as well as a final techno-economic analysis for a full-size power plant will be developed.

Predecessor Project: DE-FE0005795