Investigators

L. Baxter, Professor, Chemical Engineering, D. Tree, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University

Objective

This activity is conducted in parallel with Stanford’s collaborative research project for coal energy conversion. This activity investigates the feasibility of supercritical water coal oxidation and saline aquifer injection of effluents as a means of decreasing global warming impacts from coal-based power generation. A preliminary life cycle analysis will determine system and performance over a range of parameters such as fuel time, operation regime, and injection conditions. Initial thermodynamic models will be developed to predict gas (mainly CO₂) solubilities in saline water as a function of temperature and pressure. Additionally computational fluid dynamic models will be developed for preliminary reactor design and facilities specifications.