In addition to its annual lectures, ChBE hosts a weekly seminar throughout the year with invited lecturers who are prominent in their fields. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars are held on Wednesdays in the Molecular Science and Engineering Building ("M" Building) in G011 (Cherry Logan Emerson Lecture Theater) at 4:00 p.m. Refreshments are served at 3:30 p.m. in the Emerson-Lewis Reception Salon.

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Inorganic Membranes for Clean Energy Applications

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the world and is likely to outlast gas and oil for centuries. However, with global issues like climate change and the various strategies adopted by nations in addressing it, like the introduction of a carbon ‘tax’ in Australia as part of the Clean Energy Futures package, at the forefront of public attention there is a trend towards the development of a carbon constrained economy. As a result, research has intensified in the last decade on modes of operating coal fired power plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS). In particular, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and oxy-fuel combustion processes are attracting the attention of as an alternative to conventional power generation. It is possible to build an IGCC or oxy-fuel plant with CCS with conventional technologies however; these processes are energy intensive and will reduce power plant efficiencies. Novel ceramic membrane technologies, in particular molecular sieving silica (MSS) and pervoskite membranes, offer the opportunity to reduce efficiency losses by separating gases at high temperatures and pressures.

Dr. Smart will present work conducted in the Films and Inorganic Membrane Laboratory (FIMLab) at The University of Queensland in Australia in improving the performance and commercial applicability of modified silica membranes for H2 production and CO2 capture, perovskite membranes for O2 production and outline our new research project into developing guidelines and standards for scoping and cost estimation of early mover integrated CCS projects.