Ga Tech Researchers Look to Steam to Stem Carbon Dioxide Emissions

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Coal-fired power plants generate a lot of ozone-depleting carbon dioxide. Scientists have long looked for ways to capture that CO-2 before it enters the atmosphere.

Now, researchers at Georgia Tech believe one answer could lie in steam.

WABE's Jim Burress explains.

Current technology can separate out carbon dioxide by passing it through certain chemicals, forcing the carbon dioxide to bond to the liquid. But the next step, re-separating the two, is an expensive, energy-intense process.

Georgia Tech professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering Chris Jones says solids, instead of liquids, could prove more efficient. He says the process involves first passing carbon dioxide through a special, solid substance. Then, simply apply steam to ferret out the trapped carbon dioxide.

"And in doing so, what you get is you get a stream that comes off of the solid that is effectively only CO2 and water," said Jones.

The water is no threat to the environment, and the captured CO2 is easily disposed of.

Still, Jones says at this point the process is too expensive. He says science needs to make the technology cheaper before it comes to a power plant near you.

Jim Burress, WABE News.