Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > GE Using Nanotechnology to Green the Alberta Oil Sands

With support from Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC), GE is working with the University of Alberta and Alberta Innovates Technology Futures to develop CO2 capture technology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions in the Oil Sands. In the future, this technology could support CO2 capture in power plants (e.g. the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant pictured at right) and also be used in water treatment processes. Pictured left is the natural zeolite materials that GE and its project partners are basing their membrane technology on. (Photo: Business Wire)
With support from Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC), GE is working with the University of Alberta and Alberta Innovates Technology Futures to develop CO2 capture technology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions in the Oil Sands. In the future, this technology could support CO2 capture in power plants (e.g. the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant pictured at right) and also be used in water treatment processes. Pictured left is the natural zeolite materials that GE and its project partners are basing their membrane technology on. (Photo: Business Wire)

Abstract:
New CO2 capture technology under development could reduce CO2 emissions from the production of synthetic crude oil from the Oil Sands by up to 25%

GE Using Nanotechnology to Green the Alberta Oil Sands

Niskayuna, NY | Posted on July 18th, 2010

In the quest to develop more cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels, GE (GE 14.55, -0.70, -4.59%) is partnering with the University of Alberta (UA) and Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) on a $4 million CO2 capture project supported by the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation.

This team is leveraging cutting-edge research in nanotechnology to tackle two of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the Oil Sands -- reduction of CO2 emissions associated with the extraction and upgrading process, and treatment of produced water generated during the oil recovery.

The technology is based on naturally occurring zeolites identified by UA. These materials are rocks with molecularly sized pores, which allow small molecules to enter while excluding larger molecules. Zeolites are widely used in the chemical industry as catalysts, and this project seeks to form these materials into membranes that can be used for high temperature gas separation. The materials also have the potential to be used as filters for contaminated water. The CCEMC is providing $2 million in support of this project, with an equal cost share from GE and its project partners.

Anthony Ku, a chemical engineer and project leader for GE Global Research on the CO2 capture project, said, "This project is a great example of how partnership between academic research organizations and industry can lead to meaningful innovation. We're excited to be working with the CCEMC and some of Alberta's best and brightest research minds to take an interesting material identified in a university lab and figure out how to build a prototype that will be tested in the field."

Ku noted that the successful commercialization and widespread adoption of this technology could reduce CO2 emissions from the production of synthetic crude oil from the Oil Sands by up to 25%.

With fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas projected to be a large portion of our energy mix for decades to come, GE is committed to developing new, cost-effective technologies for the management of greenhouse gas emissions. This technology collaboration is supported in part through GE's ecomagination initiative. Ecomagination represents GE's commitment to deliver new clean products and technologies to market for its customers and society. Recently, the company pledged to double its investment in clean R&D over the next five years from $5 billion to $10 billion.

####

About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.

GE Global Research is the hub of technology development for all of GE's businesses. GE scientists and engineers redefine what's possible, drive growth for their businesses and find answers to some of the world's toughest problems.

Through sites in Niskayuna, New York; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China and Munich, Germany, GE innovates 24 hours a day. Visit GE Global Research on the Web at www.ge.com/research. Connect with GE technologists at edisonsdesk.com and twitter.com/edisonsdesk.

About the CCEMC
The CCEMC is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to establish or participate in funding for initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support adaptation. The CCEMC invests in discovery, development, and operational deployment of clean technologies.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Media Relations
Todd Alhart
518-387-7914

Copyright © GE

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

Beyond wires: Bubble technology powers next-generation electronics:New laser-based bubble printing technique creates ultra-flexible liquid metal circuits November 8th, 2024

Nanoparticle bursts over the Amazon rainforest: Rainfall induces bursts of natural nanoparticles that can form clouds and further precipitation over the Amazon rainforest November 8th, 2024

Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024

Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024

Academic/Education

Rice University launches Rice Synthetic Biology Institute to improve lives January 12th, 2024

Multi-institution, $4.6 million NSF grant to fund nanotechnology training September 9th, 2022

National Space Society Helps Fund Expanding Frontier’s Brownsville Summer Entrepreneur Academy: National Space Society and Club for the Future to Support Youth Development Program in South Texas June 24th, 2022

How a physicist aims to reduce the noise in quantum computing: NAU assistant professor Ryan Behunin received an NSF CAREER grant to study how to reduce the noise produced in the process of quantum computing, which will make it better and more practical April 1st, 2022

Investments/IPO's/Splits

Daikin Industries becomes OCSiAl shareholder July 27th, 2021

180 Degree Capital Corp. Reports +14.2% Growth in Q1 2021, $10.60 Net Asset Value Per Share as of March 31, 2021, and Developments From Q2 2021 May 11th, 2021

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics raises over €14M to develop smart graphene-based neural implants for personalised therapies in brain disorders March 26th, 2021

180 Degree Capital Corp. Issues Second Open Letter to the Board and Shareholders of Enzo Biochem, Inc. March 26th, 2021

Announcements

Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024

Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024

Turning up the signal November 8th, 2024

Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024

Environment

Nanoparticle bursts over the Amazon rainforest: Rainfall induces bursts of natural nanoparticles that can form clouds and further precipitation over the Amazon rainforest November 8th, 2024

New method in the fight against forever chemicals September 13th, 2024

Catalyzing environmental cleanup: A highly active and selective molecular catalyst and electrified membrane: Innovative electrochemical catalyst breaks down trichloroethylene pollutants at unprecedented rate September 13th, 2024

$900,000 awarded to optimize graphene energy harvesting devices: The WoodNext Foundation's commitment to U of A physicist Paul Thibado will be used to develop sensor systems compatible with six different power sources January 12th, 2024

Energy

KAIST researchers introduce new and improved, next-generation perovskite solar cell​ November 8th, 2024

Unveiling the power of hot carriers in plasmonic nanostructures August 16th, 2024

Groundbreaking precision in single-molecule optoelectronics August 16th, 2024

Development of zinc oxide nanopagoda array photoelectrode: photoelectrochemical water-splitting hydrogen production January 12th, 2024

Alliances/Trade associations/Partnerships/Distributorships

Manchester graphene spin-out signs $1billion game-changing deal to help tackle global sustainability challenges: Landmark deal for the commercialisation of graphene April 14th, 2023

Chicago Quantum Exchange welcomes six new partners highlighting quantum technology solutions, from Chicago and beyond September 23rd, 2022

CEA & Partners Present ‘Powerful Step Towards Industrialization’ Of Linear Si Quantum Dot Arrays Using FDSOI Material at VLSI Symposium: Invited paper reports 3-step characterization chain and resulting methodologies and metrics that accelerate learning, provide data on device pe June 17th, 2022

University of Illinois Chicago joins Brookhaven Lab's Quantum Center June 10th, 2022

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project