Aqueous Nanobubble Dispersion for Geologic Carbon Sequestration and Enhanced Oil Recovery
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Noon Central
CSEE Webinar
Abstract
CO2 capture and conversion into chemicals is considered a practical approach to stabilizing atmospheric CO2 levels, transforming carbon into valuable and functional forms. In the liquid-phase carbon capture approach, the amine-based CO2 capture technology is used for capturing CO2 from point sources. A single or a blend of aqueous amine solvents chemically react with CO2 in an acid-base reaction. When the reaction is complete, CO2 is stripped for further utilization, and the amine solvent is regenerated through thermal treatment. Despite its commercial deployment, this process remains highly energy-intensive, presenting both economic and environmental challenges.
Our research approach focuses on capturing CO2 in the form of bicarbonate as an efficient and low-energy strategy for carbon management. Overall, this bicarbonate pathway includes (1) the development of functionalized amine solutions to generate bicarbonate from CO2 capture, (2) the efficient bicarbonate separation and amine regeneration, and (3) the conversion of bicarbonate into value-added chemicals. This presentation provides an overview of the most recent advances in the development of the bicarbonate pathway, with emphasis on the electrochemical membrane-based system that separates the produced bicarbonate and regenerates the functionalized amine solution under ambient temperature and pressure conditions.
Bio
Omar Ali Carrasco Jaim became a Postdoctoral Researcher at The University of Texas at Austin in November 2020 and has been working with Professor Ryosuke Okuno since 2021.
His research focuses on developing active materials for energy conversion through photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. His research experience involves the structural and electronic modifications to enhance hydrogen production from water splitting and the conversion of carbon dioxide into chemicals and fuels. Additionally, he is developing alternative carbon capture technologies that can be integrated with electrochemical processes.
In January 2020, he received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Omar was awarded the 2020 ConTex Postdoctoral Fellowship, a joint initiative of The University of Texas System and Mexico's CONACYT (National Council for Science and Technology), which supports academic and research collaborations between Texas and Mexico.
