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Japan to test making concrete from coal emissions in Cowboy State of Wyoming

Japanese and American researchers have teamed up to find ways of capturing carbon dioxide from coal plant emissions to make materials, including cement for concrete.

The Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA) signed a memorandum of understanding on 15 July with the Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) to bring a new research project to the Wyoming Integrated Test Center (ITC) at Cheyenne.

Also signing the MoU were GreenOre CleanTech, a spin-off from Columbia Engineering, and Columbia University, said WIA. 

The agreement would see Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a JCOAL member, test its solid sorbent capture technology at the ITC from 2021.

According to Nikkei Asian Review, the research looks at taking carbon dioxide captured from coal-burning power plants and mixing it with calcium-containing coal ash and industrial waste to make calcium carbonate for concrete.

The test is to be funded by JCOAL and project partners.

"Global challenges require global solutions," said Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. "Ensuring we advance and perfect technologies that can make our energy resources more efficient, cheaper and cleaner will require bringing together partners from across the country and around the world. I’m pleased Wyoming can continue to collaborate with Japan in bringing another promising testing project to the Cowboy State."

Image: The Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant, central Wyoming (Greg Goebel/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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