Saint Mary’s researcher receives GreenCentre funding to further develop specialized liquids for CO2 removal

Technology shows potential as cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional scrubbers

June 4, 2010

KINGSTON, ON -- A Saint Mary’s University researcher who has developed new compounds for removing carbon dioxide from industrial gas emissions has been awarded $25,000 in Proof of Principle funding from GreenCentre Canada.

The grant will enable Dr. Jason Clyburne of the Department of Chemistry at Saint Mary’s to further develop his “ionic liquids,” which have shown promise for the safe and efficient removal of toxins and environmentally hazardous substances from the gaseous emissions from industrial processes such as burning coal.  These specialized compounds can trap CO₂ from waste streams using much less energy than that used by traditional scrubbing technologies. The CO₂ can then be separated from the ionic liquid and stored, allowing the ionic liquid to be recycled to remove additional CO₂ from the waste stream.  

Dr. Clyburne, who is also a Canada Research Chair in Environmental Studies and Materials, identifies such environment-related problems to be among the key research areas where solutions are based in fundamental chemical research. 

Saint Mary’s University has recently established The Maritimes Centre for Green Chemistry, which aims to incorporate undergraduate research experience in Green discovery science.

With the GreenCentre funding, Dr. Clyburne’s ongoing research includes examining the long-term stability of these compounds, improving gas selectivity, and developing methods to produce these compounds in sufficient quantities to be used in large-scale CO₂ removal processes. 

“With the assistance of our Industry Liaison Office, we have recently been awarded a second Proof of Concept fund via Springboard Atlantic,” says Dr. Clyburne. ”Together these funds will enable us to accelerate research in this area through to the benchmarking phase of development.” 

“These grants help researchers continue basic research and testing of technologies with strong commercial potential – potential that they would not otherwise be able to explore,” says Dr. Rui Resendes, Executive Director of GreenCentre Canada.   

This is the third POP grant awarded recently by GreenCentre Canada to Green Chemistry researchers, part of an ongoing program by the national commercialization centre to support promising early stage discoveries.  The centre expects to award up to 30 such grants each year. 

Current funded projects include the development of organic superconducting polymers, and a green method for removing harmful metals from industrial wastewater. 

Funded by the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation and by the Government of Canada as a national Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, GreenCentre Canada is scheduled to move into its 10,000 square-foot lab and scale-up facility by late June.

Contact:

Mary Anne Beaudette
Director, Communications
GreenCentre Canada
P: 613. 533. 6000 xt 78238
E: Maryanne.beaudette@greencentrecanada.com 

About GreenCentre Canada:

GreenCentre Canada is a national Centre of Excellence for developing, de-risking and commercializing early-stage Green Chemistry discoveries generated by academic researchers and industry.  GreenCentre Canada is dedicated to developing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical and manufacturing practices. It is governed and operated with the assistance of industry members from across the chemical value chain. The centre is located at the Innovation Park at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.  

About Saint Mary’s University:

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world.  Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and an impressive  Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.