Danbury-based FuelCell Energy is partnering with Exxon Mobil Corporation on a project to pursue novel technology in power plant carbon dioxide capture.  Using fuel cells to capture carbon dioxide from power plants results in reduced emissions and increased power generation.  Power plant exhaust is directed to the fuel cell, replacing air that is normally used in combination with natural gas during the fuel cell power generation process. 

This technology could substantially reduce costs and lead to a more economical pathway toward large-scale application globally. 

Exxon Mobil officials said they sought industry leaders in this kind of technology to test its application in pilot stages to help confirm what their researchers saw in the lab over the last two years, leading to this agreement with Danbury-based FuelCell Energy.

Vijay Swarup, vice president for research and development at ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company says their scientists saw the potential for this technology for use at natural gas power plants to enhance the viability of carbon capture and sequestration while at the same time generating additional electricity.

Chip Bottone, president and chief executive officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc., said Carbon capture with carbonate fuel cells is a potential game-changer for affordably and efficiently concentrating carbon dioxide for large-scale gas and coal-fired power plants.

The scope of the agreement between ExxonMobil and FuelCell Energy will initially focus for about one to two years on how to further increase efficiency in separating and concentrating carbon dioxide from the exhaust of natural gas-fueled power turbines. Depending on reaching several milestones, the second phase will more comprehensively test the technology for another one to two years in a small-scale pilot project prior to integration at a larger-scale pilot facility.