Dow and Alstom Fight Climate Change by Capturing CO²
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The relationship between people and natural resources can cause unique challenges around the world, and our relationship with coal is no exception.
We need coal to generate energy, but in doing so, we release high amounts of carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
So in an effort to reduce CO² emissions generated from coal-fired power facilities, The Dow Chemical Company, a global gas treating industry leader, and Alstom, a world leader in power generation, are working together to pilot a new, advanced amine CO² capture technology.
“We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking project in CO² capture,” said Janet Giesselman, president and general manager of Dow Oil & Gas. “This technology has immense potential – for the local community, industry, environment and our business. Developing advanced amine technology can provide sustainable energy solutions now and into the future.”
Using the advanced amine technology developed jointly by Dow and Alstom, Alstom will design, construct and operate a pilot plant intended to capture about 1,800 tons per year of CO² from the flue gas of a coal-fired boiler at a facility in South Charleston, W.Va., owned by a Dow subsidiary. Dow will provide the project’s amine technology expertise, chemicals, and utilities.
The pilot plant is expected to be operational by third quarter 2009, and all of the coal used in the pilot will be sourced locally in West Virginia.
“Coal, which represents over two-thirds of the world’s power generation, is and will continue to be an essential part of the world’s energy mix,” said Philippe Joubert, Alstom executive vice president and president of Alstom Power. “But only by reducing its CO² output can coal remain a viable source of power generation.”
By constructing a facility capable of capturing CO², Dow and Alstom help enable coal to remain an important and sustainable part of the United States’ and the world’s energy security.
Sustainable Solutions from Dow
Dow recognizes the importance of providing humanity with a sustainable energy supply while climate change is one of the most urgent environmental issues the world faces.
As part of the Company’s 2015 Sustainability Goals, Dow is working aggressively to develop global solutions – by leveraging its expertise in chemistry and innovation and forming strategic partnerships – to achieve technological breakthroughs that will combat climate change and improve energy security.
“Dow is committed to providing solutions that improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy, improve the environmental performance of our existing energy sources and enable carbon capture and sequestration,” said Neil Hawkins, Dow’s vice president of Sustainability. “Dow is a leader in bringing these solutions forward.”
Coming Soon from Dow and Alstom
This pilot plant is one more step toward a commercial-scale offering of this technology.
“Our cooperation with Dow further demonstrates our leadership and commitment in this field, as well as providing the validation we need to launch our amine-based CO² capture technology on a commercial scale,” said Joubert.
Dow and Alstom first began working together to develop advanced amine technology for CO² capture in 2008 after entering into a Joint Development Agreement.
