News

2009 news releases

OAQDA Approves $1.12 Million for University-based Clean-Coal Research Projects

Seven two-year grants to be spread among three Ohio universities

(Columbus) Clean coal research projects at three Ohio universities got a financial boost earlier this week through funding from the Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO) of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA).

OAQDA, at its July meeting, authorized $1,120,000 in OCDO funding for seven clean-coal research projects at three Ohio universities. Each two-year grant was funded for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 academic years. With an additional $366,694 in co-funding by the participating universities, the total funded amount for the seven projects is $1,486,962.

Two of the approved grants are contingent upon the researchers fulfilling additional requirements suggested during the review process. All seven projects were reviewed and recommended for funding by the Ohio Coal Research Consortium review team and by OCDO’s director, staff and Technical Advisory Committee. As in the past, Ohio University will administer the coal program over the next two years.

“These projects demonstrate once again that Ohio’s universities are national leaders in developing new technologies that will help ensure the continued use of Ohio coal in the most environmentally friendly manner possible. The projects also underscore the critical role that coal continues to play in Ohio’s energy industry,” said Mark R. Shanahan, OAQDA Executive Director and the Governor’s Energy Advisor.

The seven OCDO grants are listed below by category according to the objectives of the OCDO Strategic Plan, which can be found at http://www.ohioairquality.org/ocdo/pdf/StrategicPlan-FINAL_2.pdf.

Strategic Objective #1 – Maximize the use of coal, including expanding the use of coal beyond electricity generation, to supply Ohio’s energy needs.

Mercury Capture

• $160,000 for a University of Cincinnati project that addresses the capture of oxidized and elemental mercury from the flue gases at coal-based power plants. The objective is to capture mercury in a form that can be maintained in an isolated waste stream that can be treated for long term economic and environmentally safe disposal. Despite its support for this project, the Consortium review team decided to hold its funding contingent on the results of a similar project now being undertaken at the university and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pilot plant at the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. It is hoped that the project now under Way will shed light on the commercial viability of the chemical process being tested. University share: $44,071

Strategic Objective #2 – Reduce the environmental impact of continued, as well as additional, coal usage.

Geologic Sequestration

• $160,000 to fund a project at Ohio University aimed at studying corrosion rates in pipelines transporting carbon dioxide (CO2). The project will target corrosion caused by possible impurities in the CO2 including oxygen, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide. While the Consortium review team was quite interested in this project, it felt that the project’s statement of work needed to be more focused. A deadline of September 1, 2009 was established for submission of a new statement. University share: $41,592.

Strategic Objective #3 – Support university research through the Ohio Coal Research Consortium.

Conversion of Coal to Power or Chemicals – CO2 – Ready for Sequestration

• $160,000 for a project at The Ohio State University that will use calcium in a “chemical looping” process that enables the conversion of coal syngas to hydrogen. (Syngas is a mixture that contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.) The project is similar to a second project at the university that uses iron rather than calcium. Both processes are deemed by reviewers to have a high potential for commercial success. University share: $53,994.
• $160,000 to fund a project at The Ohio State University that will address separation of carbon dioxide from flue gas using ceramic membranes supported on organic polymers. The project combines the proven separation capacity of ceramic membranes with the polymer’s properties that allow formation of the membrane in the shapes best suited for commercial applications. This project has the potential to help reduce the costs involved in membrane fabrication and in commercial operation. University share: $40,008.

Catalysts and Membrane Systems for Water Gas Shift of Syngas to Hydrogen

• $160,000 to fund a project at the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University to evaluate the use of catalytic membrane reactors for the production of hydrogen in coal gasification systems. A goal of the project is to increase the possible temperature for complete water-gas shift reactions. (Water-gas shift is the chemical reaction between water and carbon monoxide that results in the formation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.) This would allow the reaction to proceed faster and reduce the size requirements of the reactor. A second project goal is to reduce the amount of water needed in water-gas shift reaction, which could further reduce costs. University share: $51,495.
• $160,000 for a University of Cincinnati project that targets an improved method for separating hydrogen gas from carbon dioxide during coal combustion. University researchers will prepare ceramic membranes for use in small pipes that will be tested by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). In addition, two industrial partners – Pall Corp and Air Products – will provide an estimated $110,000 in support of the project. University share: $51,495.

Membranes for Separation of Oxygen from Air

• $160,000 for another University of Cincinnati project to address the now-cost-prohibitive challenge of separating oxygen from air. The project has the potential to allow oxygen, instead of air, to be used as a combustion gas in boilers retrofitted to improve the capture of carbon dioxide during combustion. It will evaluate metal-organic membranes for potential use in oxygen-air separation. University share: $84,307.

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The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) is a non-regulatory government agency created to help Ohio businesses comply with clean air regulations. Through its Ohio Coal Development Office, OAQDA also oversees the State of Ohio’s coal research, development and technology deployment efforts. Since its creation in 1970, the Authority has provided technical and financial help to hundreds of large and small Ohio businesses, awarding more than $7 billion to finance air quality projects. In addition, the OAQDA Executive Director was appointed the Governor’s Energy Advisor in January 2007. In 2008, OAQDA was named as administering authority for Ohio’s $150 million Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program. For more information about OAQDA and its services, please visit its web site, at: www.ohioairquality.org.