Energy giant Aramco and CoorsTek Membrane Sciences have announced a collaboration to commercialize innovative metal-ceramic membrane technology designed to simplify carbon capture processes and reduce emissions in energy-intensive industries.
The partnership focuses on developing catalytic membrane reactors that can convert hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). This process enables CO2 capture and storage while producing hydrogen as a decarbonized energy carrier. The technology represents a potentially transformative approach to industrial decarbonization.
According to Aqil Jamal, Carbon Management R&D Chief Technologist at Aramco, the technology's unique advantage lies in its ability to couple membranes with catalysts, which can overcome traditional chemical reaction limitations and significantly reduce energy requirements for CO2 separation.
Per Vestre, Managing Director of CoorsTek Membrane Sciences, highlighted the potential economic impact, stating that their techno-economic models suggest the membrane reactors could lower decarbonization costs for ethylene production by up to 50% compared to existing alternatives like post-combustion carbon capture.
Ali A. Al-Meshari, Senior Vice President at Aramco, emphasized the partnership's potential to accelerate commercialization of metal-ceramic membrane technology and create more cost-effective pathways for carbon capture and hydrogen production.
The collaboration represents a significant step towards addressing global emission reduction targets by offering industries a more efficient and potentially less expensive method of reducing carbon footprints. By streamlining carbon capture processes and enabling more efficient hydrogen production, this technology could play a crucial role in the transition to lower-carbon industrial operations.
