BASF takes part in EU-sponsored research project to reduce carbon dioxide emissions

18-Nov-2004

BASF has been involved in a European Union (EU)-sponsored research project set up to systematically investigate ways of removing and sequestering (storing) carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas. Other contributors to the project include prestigious European universities, research institutes, official organizations and representatives of industry. Leading power plant operators, oil and gas companies, and plant manufacturers are also involved. Within BASF, the chemicals Research and Technology unit and the intermediates operating division are cooperating to accelerate progress on the project.

The research project was set up in response to the Kyoto Protocol whose objective is the long-term reduction of climate-killing greenhouse gases. "Power plants generate approximately 40 percent of the CO2 emissions of OECD countries", remarked Dr. Norbert Asprion, a staff member of the Amines Marketing unit in the Operating Division Intermediates of the BASF Group. Power plant operators are therefore striving to increase their energy efficiency in order to avoid energy losses and hence reduce CO2 outputs. Asprion: "Though much can be improved in this area, there's still going to be substantial CO2 emission. CO2 removal and storage would significantly reduce these emissions, but the process itself would involve additional resources, thereby consuming energy and generating emissions in its own right. Therefore, it's important to maximize the efficiency of this process. And that's what the current global research activities into CO2 capture and sequestration are all about".

BASF has extensive experience in removing CO2 from waste gases. The company markets an amine scrubbing technology under the brand name aMDEA® for the removal of acid gases such as CO2 . This process, known as amine scrubbing, is long established and used all over the world in more than 200 synthesis gas plants (ammonia and oxosynthesis gas) and for purification of natural gases. However, waste gases from combustion are produced at much lower pressures than natural gases and synthesis gases. Alternatives to aMDEA therefore need to be found.

"It's still a great opportunity for us. One of the aims of the project is to find new amine-based high-efficiency gas scrubbers. It's an excellent chance for BASF to penetrate a promising new market", said Dr. Iven Clausen, a gas scrubbing expert from the BASF Chemicals Research and Technology unit. From the project launch date until today, the project team has been busy screening the entire spectrum of eligible agents for the best products. Tests are currently under way to identify the candidates with the best profile for implementation in practice.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/40890/basf-takes-part-in-eu-sponsored-research-project-to-reduce-carbon-dioxide-emissions.html