Queen’s team develop process to reduce CO2 in natural gas 

06 August 2015

Researchers in the Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL) Research Centre have developed a cutting-edge method of reducing the carbon dioxide content of natural gas.

The QUILL team developed an innovative technology that uses a mixture of water and ionic liquids (salts which are liquid under ambient conditions) to remove CO2 from raw natural gas extracted from natural reservoirs under the sea. The process is of major economic and environmental importance in the oil and gas industry.

The new technique is aimed at reducing the global environmental and economic costs of purifying natural gas, which is by far the cleanest burning fuel available in large amounts. In comparison to current conventional ‘amine’ purifying systems, which use volatile and corrosive materials, the new ionic liquid system is safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

Dr David Wassell (above left), who led the team from QUILL, said: “Using ionic liquids to remove the carbon dioxide from natural gas could have significant impact on the gas processing industry, particularly with the promise of using the carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery. It could make a significant contribution to reducing the environmental impact caused by this energy source.” 

The procedure offers a range of commercial and industrial opportunities. It is compact enough to be utilised on off-shore platforms or installed on land-based gas-processing plants, and once captured the carbon dioxide may be stored, reprocessed, or used for enhanced oil recovery.

Project coordinator, Dr Natalia Plechkova (pictured right), from QUILL, said: “This joint project, developed with the global energy company PETRONAS, shows the progress which can be made in genuinely collaborative industry-university projects. The key to success was an integrated team approach.”

“This is the latest example of the commitment of researchers and staff at Queen’s to advancing knowledge and achieving excellence for the benefit of society.”

To find out how you can support the work of QUILL visit the University’s green chemistry Campaign web pages.

Media inquiries to Andrew Kennedy, Queen’s Communications Office, on 028 9097 5384.

 

Back to Main News

   

           

Top of Page