clean COAL

One of America’s oldest, dirtiest, and most plentiful fuels could join the clean energy club if research efforts can provide the needed technology.

“The United States has coal reserves for the next 200 to 300 years, and they’re going to be part of the energy mix,” said Jim Ritter, a Carolina chemical engineering professor. “But to do that without creating more greenhouse gases, we have to develop clean coal technology.”

Carolina is positioned to make clean coal a reality with the establishment of its Center of Excellence in Clean Carbon Research. The center is funded by $5 million from the state of South Carolina and $5 million from Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.

About 500 coal-fired steam turbine plants generate half of
the country’s electricity. But it hasn’t been without consequences: Acid rain and greenhouse gases are two of the byproducts of burning coal.

“CO2 is not a pollutant, but it’s a greenhouse gas that we have to capture,” Ritter said. “We’re looking at pressure swing adsorption models that would capture the CO2 as it’s going up the stack.

“The problem is that it requires very high heat and uses up 30 percent of the plant’s energy output to capture the carbon. Then you have to do something with the CO2 , either compress it or liquefy it or pump it deep in the ocean or underground.”

“Carbon removal technology will be essential as we move forward,” said Lonnie Carter of Santee Cooper. “We are confident that this enterprise will yield significant improvements that will showcase South Carolina as a leader in the critical discussions to come.”

<PREVIOUS PAGE / NEXT PAGE >