TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Stable Aminopolymer-based Carbon Capture Sorbents for Mitigating Flue Gas Emissions

Opportunity : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its Stable Aminopolymer-based Carbon Capture Sorbents for Mitigating Flue Gas Emissions. Background : Solid-supported amine-dense polymer (aminopolymer) sorbents are one of the most promising classes of technology for CO2 capture. While this technology has continued to receive increased attention for implementation at the industrial scale, a key remaining challenge is improving the working lifetime of the sorbents. More specifically, the aminopolymers that are responsible for the CO2 capture mechanism undergo degradation upon exposure to atmosphere (particularly oxygen), which can be accelerated by the elevated temperatures typically required for sorbent regeneration (i.e. desorption of captured CO2). Increasing the stability of these sorbents is therefore critical towards improving the economic viability of the technology. Description : This invention solves a limitation in the current practice of adding hydroxyl functional groups to the aminopolymer through the use of an alternative synthetic approach. The novelty of our approach is to produce new structurally modified relatives of common aminopolymers (PEI and PPI) as well as new functionalized materials in which the hydroxyl groups are tethered to a carbon in the backbone of the polymer structural repeat unit rather than the amine. In doing so, materials containing up to a one-to-one ratio of hydroxyls to amines can be synthesized while retaining the same distribution of amine functionalities (primary, secondary, and tertiary amines) as the unmodified polymeric structure. Advantages/Benefits : Improves aminopolymer carbon sorbent stability against oxidation degradation. Maximizes the protective effect of hydroxyl groups without sacrificing CO2 uptake capacity. Achieves high hydroxyl to amine ratios without eliminating CO2 uptake capacity. Applicable to Polyethylenimine (PEI) and Polypropylenimine (PPI) derivatives. Allows for more efficient CO2 desorption / material regeneration at lower temperatures and energy requirements. Potential Applications : Direct Air Carbon Capture, especially from coal or natural gas burning power plant operations Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 3 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT . Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Stable Aminopolymer-based Carbon Capture Sorbents for Mitigating Flue Gas Emissions should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Stable Aminopolymer-based Carbon Capture Sorbents for Mitigating Flue Gas Emissions Technology.. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O. Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: IL-13842 and IL-13843