Dec 9 2009
The Clean Air Task Force applauds Energy Secretary Chu for providing grants amounting to nearly $1 billion towards the development of low-carbon projects that are of vital importance all over the world. Each individual project will be involved in capturing and separating at least 90% of carbon dioxide from coal with the usage of varied technologies.
John Thompson, Director of Coal Transition Project for the Clean Air Task Force, remarked that cleaner coal technologies will be improved a lot more by DOE’s $979 million award, which is provided for three major coal plants with high carbon capture features.
Southern Company Services was the first commercial project that used amine technology and captured almost 90% of carbon dioxide. This technology was used to separate carbon dioxide. In this project carbon dioxide is injected and stored in the deeper parts of saline aquifers.
The Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle plant initiated by Summit Texas Clean Energy, LLC captured 90% of carbon dioxide besides using hydrogen-powered turbines and testing gasification of low rank coals. Oil recovery efforts in the oil fields of West Texas will utilize the carbon that is captured.
American Electric Company through its project captured 90% of carbon dioxide with the usage of ammonia technology in the carbon separation process. The captured carbon dioxide will be stored in the saline aquifers, in underground.
Referring to these plants, John Thompson stated that the congress and the President should take up important measures to improve these plants and a lot of money should be brought in by the entire nation to improve the carbon capture and storing process every year. This he says will lead to the establishment of a healthy environment and a new industry.