Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a novel nanofiltration membrane that could significantly reduce the cost of carbon capture and conversion processes. This innovative technology addresses a longstanding challenge in carbon capture systems: the trade-off between efficient CO2 capture and its subsequent release. Typically, compounds that capture CO2 effectively struggle to release it efficiently, and vice versa. MIT’s approach introduces an intermediate step using nanoscale filtering membranes, which separate the ions responsible for capture and release, allowing both processes to operate more efficiently.
The integration of this nanofiltration membrane has demonstrated a sixfold increase in overall system efficiency and a reduction in costs by at least 20%. This advancement could lower the cost of CO2 removal from over $600 per ton to approximately $450, making carbon capture and storage (CCS) more economically viable across various sectors, including energy, industry, and transportation.
This breakthrough is particularly significant given the global emphasis on scaling up carbon capture technologies to mitigate climate change. By enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CO2 capture and conversion, MIT’s nanofiltration membrane could play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a more sustainable future.
For more detailed information, you can read the full article on MIT News.
Photo credit: MIT News
