Fundamental Aspects of Solvent Based CO2 Capture

This project is in collaboration with C-Capture Ltd., which has developed a new class of chemical solvent which reacts to capture CO2 at room temperature, but then releases it on heating, such that the capture solvent can then be reused over many cycles. This is currently being scaled up, and would typically be deployed on a large scale point source emitter of CO2, like a power station or an industrial manufacturing plant, where CO2 emissions can be captured and then stored in deep geological features, preventing release into the atmosphere. This is a process referred to as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and is now recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UK Climate Change Commission, as a key technology in combatting climate change, and enabling net-zero CO2 emissions. The project is designed to provide insight into aspects of the C-Capture chemistry from a fundamental perspective, and will involve an industrial placement at the Leeds facility and regular engagement with company scientists. This project represents an opportunity to contribute to an area of technology which has the potential to make a real impact in the fight against climate change.