Life Cycle Analysis of Natural Gas Electricity Generation Systems
All energy technologies emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate
change. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of all the energy technologies is
necessary to evaluate and identify the most environmental-friendly energy technology
that emits minimum GHGs. The Center for Energy and Environmental Sustainability
(CEES) at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) evaluated the life cycle GHG
emissions from biomass, solar, hydro, wind, nuclear, and geothermal electricity
generation systems to date. As part of the continuing research program of CEES at
PVAMU, there are opportunities for undergraduate students to gain significant research
experience by working on the LCA of natural gas energy technology.
To accomplish this goal, the undergraduate students are expected to
successfully complete all of the following tasks:
a) Collect all publications relevant to the life cycle GHG emissions from natural gas
operated electricity generation systems by performing a comprehensive literature
review.
b) Document the GHG emissions and the site characteristics for all the reviewed
natural gas LCA studies in the form of a Table.
c) Identify the different LCA stages that significantly contribute to GHG emissions.
d) Statistically evaluate the life cycle GHG emissions from natural gas operated
electricity generation systems.
e) Provide a comprehensive report that includes all the details associated with the
above mentioned steps.
f) Additionally, the undergraduate students are expected to provide bi-weekly
research updates to the Energy & Environment group of CEES at PVAMU.
Summary of the DOE project
Title: POST COMBUSTION CARBON CAPTURE USING
POLYETHYLENIMINE (PEI) FUNCTIONALIZED TITANATE NANOTUBES
The ongoing research aims at developing a novel nanomaterial to efficiently capture CO2
from the flue gas in fossil energy power generation. This novel nanomaterial will have
the advantages of the unique porous properties of Titanate (TiO2-derived) nanotubes and
the adsorption features of impregnated polyethylenimine (PEI). The major objectives of
the proposed research are to (i) develop a protocol to synthesize and characterize PEI
impregnated TiO2 nanotubes, and (ii) Utilizing CFD model simulations (which are
validated using experimental data) to design and optimize carbon capture reactor and the
operating parameters. The current research status is that TiO2 nanotubes are being
fabricated using hydrothermal method with some appropriate optimizations and PEI
functionalization is being conducted using impregnation method, which is commonly
used for amine functionalization. Several reaction conditions such as temperature,
concentration and other parameters are going to be tested for optimization this synthesis
procedure. The CO2 absorption capacity of the adsorbent is going to be tested at lab level
with our experimental set up. The PEI impregnated TiO2 nanotubes will also be studied
using CFD simulations as well as extensive experimental testing to validate and develop
an optimized standard operating procedure for carbon capture.
Expectations for the undergraduate research:
(1) Literature search for CO2 capture with polyamines
(2) Understand the mechanism of titanate nanotube fabrication with hydrothermal
treatment
(3) Do experiments of some nanomaterial characterizations with us
(4) Conduct the lab-level experiments of CO2 absorption independently
(5) Finish some technical reports about the research project