S. Korean scientists, U.S. firm cooperate on CO2 recapture technology

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, July 30 (Yonhap) -- A team of South Korean researchers have secured a deal
with a U.S. firm to commercialize their carbon dioxide (CO2) recapture
technology, government officials said Thursday.

Led by Lee Young-moo, a chemical engineering professor at Hanyang University, the
team will cooperate with U.S.-based Air Products and Chemicals Inc., according to
South Korea's science ministry.
The technology uses a polymer membrane and is able to separate gases 500 times
more effectively than existing systems, the ministry said.
If fully developed, the system can be utilized to cut greenhouse gas emitted by
fossil-fuel burning power stations and petrochemical plants, which are
responsible for the bulk of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
The results of the team's 1.6 billion won (US$1.3 million) research project were
published in the latest issue of the journal Science. They began their study in
2002.
The potential for CO2 recapture technologies is growing as countries around the
world take steps to cut back on greenhouse gases cited for causing climate
change. Industry sources said the global market for technologies to control
greenhouse gas emissions stands at US$50 billion annually.
The ministry said Hanyang University will receive 30 billion won in technology
fees from the U.S. company and work together to secure international patents and
conduct follow-up research.
The university, which has its main campus in Seoul, said it also created HYU
Holdings in 2008 to work with local companies wanting to use the technology in
South Korea.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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