Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a reusable organic liquid that can pull harmful gases such as carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide out of industrial processes, natural gas streams, and emissions from power plants. The process could directly replace current methods and capture double the amount of harmful gases in a way that uses no water, less energy, and saves money.

Harmful gases such as carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide are called "acid gases." The new scrubbing process uses acid gas-binding organic liquids that contain no water and can hold up to three times more harmful gases by weight than the current leading liquid solvents. The net result is a significantly lower regeneration energy requirement. 

Binding organic liquids are comprised of a combination of an alcohol and strong organic base that grabs the carbon dioxide. The system has been dubbed by PNNL researchers as the "Swiss Army Knife" of chemical solvents because of the ability to tailor the specific chemistry to the specific gas separation application. The Laboratory's previous work with the binding organic liquids focused on pulling only carbon dioxide out of emissions from power plants. However, the tool may be used in a number of industrial process applications and for removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas production streams. The researchers have also developed systems that bind sulfur dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide.