Many of the proposed methods for storing carbon dioxide (CO₂), such as subsurface geologic storage, require a concentrated stream of CO₂. Since fossil fuels are ordinarily combusted with air, efficient, low-cost technologies will be required to separate CO₂ from other gases if fossil fuels are to be part of a low greenhouse gas emissions energy system.

Methods now used to separate CO₂ from other gases include solvent techniques and membrane separations. All current methods require a significant energy input, and therefore cost, to regenerate the solvent or otherwise drive the separation. Advances in materials engineering, chemistry, and other areas could dramatically improve these techniques or enable new approaches.

• Development of Innovative Gas Separation Membranes
• Advanced Membrane Reactors for Carbon-Free Fossil Fuel Conversion
• Results and Publications