Carbon Capture, page-117

Mr Taylor formally launched a $50 million Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) fund, and encouraged firms such as MCi to apply for grants."As a government were focused on technology not taxation when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions," Mr Taylor said."Decarbonisation doesn't need to destroy industry, it can support the creation of productive technologies, and here in the Hunter."

NR today: "Commercialisation grant application submitted for upscaled, pilot plant facility to demonstrate commercial pathway."

Apparently the grant application is asking for $5-10m. That's a fair chunk of the $50m. I guess the govt. could always find more money if it is convinced by Prof. Vinu:

Professor Ajayan Vinu, Director of GICAN commented: Optimisation and establishment of the CO2 pilot plant is underway and this unique facility with the automated CO2 measurement system will be established at the University of Newcastle over the next few months. GICAN team is actively working on increasing the specific surface area of the activated nanocarbon with the aim of reaching the target of 2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of the
adsorbent. In addition to the CO2 adsorption, our team in collaboration with Minotaur, Andromeda and Natural Nanotech, is currently investigating the conversion of the adsorbed CO2 into fine chemicals, which is quite exciting and will make a huge impact in the field of CO2 chemistry."

Vinu worked previously with synthetic zeolites etc. but prefers halloysite nanotubes because it is one tenth the cost and performs better.

Two things need to be completed.

1. "In progressing the ability of halloysite nanomaterials for selective capture of CO2, the GICAN team continue to optimize adsorption potential as a necessary precursor to larger scale pilot plant design. . With this exciting result, the GICAN team is actively seeking to increase this further to reach the adsorbed amount of 2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of the adsorbent

2. whilst also maximising recyclability of materials.

Optimizing the adsorption and recyclability potential are considered critical to commercialisation of this technology.

We're on a long journey but it will be fun!