The US Steel Corporation and the DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) are testing an advanced membrane technology to capture CO2 emissions generated by steelmaking operations at the US Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant, located in Braddock, Pennsylvania.

The project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy/NETL Point Source Carbon Capture Program.

Compared to other separation technologies, such as solvents and sorbents, polymer membranes offer a comparatively simple CO2 separation process. Membranes require few moving parts and no CO2 regeneration step, resulting in potential cost savings. Additionally, the simplicity of membrane-based processes offers the advantage of reduced capital and maintenance costs.

Membrane-based carbon capture uses permeable materials that allow for the selective separation of CO2 from flue gas.

The unit is scheduled to be installed at the Edgar Thomson Plant, part of the U. S. Steel Mon Valley Works, in early 2025.

The field test will run for approximately six months.