UQ researchers investigate new CO₂ conversion concept

16 November 2009

Researchers from The University of Queensland are working with international energy storage company Bicarb Sequestration Pty to study the feasibility of using land-bound salt beds as a medium for isolating carbon dioxide (CO₂) as solid carbonates/bicarbonates underground.

UniQuest, the University’s main commercialisation company, facilitated the contract for the chemical engineering team to spend six months on establishing a principle for using a solution mining-based process to enable CO₂ to be converted into carbonates/bicarbonates (mostly NaH CO₃) and then stored underground.

Should the initial research prove successful, the research will be extended to establish the optimum operating conditions and optimum process equipment to allow a preliminary design for a pilot plant to be created and initial economic analysis conducted.

Bicarb Sequestration Pty is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sirius Exploration Plc (AIM: SXX, OTC: SRUXY), a diversified mining and exploration holding company focused on salt and potash deposits in North America and Australia.

Sirius chairman, Richard Poulden, said the company was confident about the potential outcomes of the contract research project.

“We are naturally optimistic that the approach being proposed by our Bicarb Sequestration division will be able to overcome the issues previously encountered when research teams have looked into the possibilities of converting CO₂ into carbonates in an onshore environment,” Mr Poulden said.

“This program forms part of Sirius’s ongoing research activity to identify second generation commercial applications for our properties that can be deployed after the mining activity has concluded. Indeed, we firmly believe that we have the opportunity to identify new approaches that can complement those that have already been proven for using salt beds and caverns as mediums for serving the green energy agenda.

“We are keen to obtain key intellectual property in these new areas to complement our mining activity and this project forms part of those efforts.”

The CO₂ sequestering project is one of many contracts UniQuest has negotiated to partner with industry on finding solutions to environmental and economic sustainability challenges, said Managing Director, David Henderson.

“Our Consulting and Research Division has opened up new opportunities for companies in Australia and overseas to connect with Australia’s leading researchers working in specialist and multi-disciplinary teams,” Mr Henderson said.

“Companies like Sirius and its subsidiary, Bicarb Sequestration, recognise the value of university-based research and innovation as leverage to boost their market position and contribution to addressing global issues. We are pleased to be able to provide access to the resources they need to help them achieve these objectives.”

UniQuest has facilitated more than 600 consultancy, expert witness and research contracts on behalf of University of Queensland researchers this year.