- Wyoming coal projects at Dry Fork Station receive federal funding for CO2 capture and storage research
- Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s 405 MW coal-fired Dry Fork plant hosts the Wyoming Integrated Test Center for CCS testing
- Membrane Technology and Research (MTR) Carbon Capture receives $4.6 million for a Front-End Engineering Design study at Dry Fork
- TDA Research Inc. is selected for a large-scale pilot project at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center to test a sorbent-based CO2 capture system
- University of Wyoming, Colorado State University, and Living Ink Technologies collaborate on a $2.5 million project to convert industrial CO2 into high-value materials using algae-based carbon transfer process
Exploring CO2 Capture Projects at Wyoming Coal Plants
Wyoming coal projects have been making headlines with the recent funding received by Basin Electric Power Cooperative for carbon capture and storage (CCS) research projects at the Dry Fork Station near Gillette. This development marks a significant step forward in advancing carbon management technologies in the energy sector.
Carbon Capture Innovations at Dry Fork Station
The Dry Fork Station, a 405 MW coal-fired power plant, is home to the Wyoming Integrated Test Center, which serves as a testing ground for CCS technology companies. Membrane Technology and Research (MTR) Carbon Capture recently secured $4.6 million to conduct a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study for an integrated CCS project at Dry Fork. This initiative aims to capture, compress, and store 3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, with a target carbon capture rate of at least 90%.
Wyoming CarbonSAFE, in collaboration with the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, is playing a crucial role in sequestering the captured CO2. The use of MTR Carbon Capture’s proprietary Polaris polymeric membrane is set to revolutionize the carbon capture process, making it more efficient and sustainable.
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DOE’s Support for Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects
The funding for these projects is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program. This program is designed to accelerate the demonstration and deployment of integrated carbon capture, transport, and storage technologies. The ultimate goal is to drive innovation and sustainability in the energy industry.
MTR Carbon Capture’s success at Dry Fork Station is not a standalone achievement. In fact, it marks the second DOE award for the company at this location. Their ongoing efforts to construct a large-scale pilot plant for membrane-based carbon capture technology are setting new benchmarks in the industry. Once operational, this pilot plant is poised to become the world’s largest of its kind, showcasing the potential for scalable and effective carbon capture solutions.
Pioneering Carbon Capture Technologies at Wyoming Integrated Test Center
Another noteworthy project at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center involves TDA Research Inc. (TDA) and its collaboration with SLB to test a sorbent-based post-combustion CO2 capture system. This pilot project, with a capacity to capture 158,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, aims to demonstrate the viability and efficiency of novel sorbents and sorbent/membrane hybrids in capturing CO2 from flue gas emissions.
The successful completion of testing in Fall 2023, supported by DOE funding, underscores the progress being made in developing cutting-edge carbon capture technologies. TDA’s innovative approach to carbon capture represents a significant advancement in mitigating the environmental impact of coal-fired power plants.
Transforming Carbon Dioxide into High-Value Materials
Beyond carbon capture, research efforts at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center extend to converting industrial sources of carbon dioxide into high-value materials. A collaborative project involving Colorado State University, the University of Wyoming, and Living Ink Technologies aims to utilize an algae-based carbon transfer process for this purpose.
The initiative, supported by a $2.5 million funding, underscores the multifaceted approach being taken to address carbon emissions. By converting carbon dioxide into materials such as carbon nanofiber supercapacitor electrodes, researchers are paving the way for sustainable and innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
The progress in CO2 capture projects at Wyoming coal plants signifies a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy practices. With ongoing support from federal initiatives and collaboration between industry stakeholders and research institutions, Wyoming is poised to lead the way in developing carbon management technologies that will shape the future of energy production.
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