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NanoGLOWA is an EU funded research project with the aim of developing optimal nanostructured gas separation membranes and installations for CO2 pre- and post-combustion capture from coal and gas fired power plants. The emission of CO2 is a present threat for the global climate. Storage of the greenhouse gas in empty gas fields and aquifers could be a solution. To store CO2 underground it should be captured first. Nanostructured membranes have the potential of doing that. The NANOGLOWA project wants to turn this potential into reality. About one third of the European CO2 emissions is coming from fossil fired power plants. Every year Europe blows more then 1 gigaton CO2 into the atmosphere. It is possible to store the CO2 underground.

Feasibility studies and demonstration projects on distinctive continents are currently being carried out to prove the viability of CO2 storage in empty gas fields and aquifers amongst others. Storage of CO2 coming from power plants requires capture and separation as predessesing process. The flue gasses of fossil fired power plants mainly consist of nitrogen, water and dust particles after all, next to the CO2. The currently most used technology for CO2 capture is via absorption. The flue gasses flow through several baths in which the CO2 is bound with amines. This ‘scrubbing’ technology consumes a lot of energy and is therefore not very cost effective. Furhter, huge installations are needed. The application of nanostructured membranes for CO2 capture and separation brings down the energy penalty and installation demands substantially. NANOGLOWA brings together universities, power plant operators, industry and SMEs. 26 organisations from 14 countries throughout Europe join the NANOGLOWA-consortium in order to develop optimal nanostructured membranes and installations for CO2 capture from powerplants. NANOGLOWA is an Integrated Project of the NMP priority funded by the European Commission (EC) under the 6th Framework Programm