NAPERVILLE, Ill., Oct. 26, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A project that uses an
electrochemical process to capture a key greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2),
from coal-fired power plants is among 37 "transformational" projects to be
funded by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The funding is among the
first awarded through the DOE's new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy
(ARPA-E). Nalco (NYSE:NLC), providing essential expertise for water, energy and
air, is a partner in the project with Argonne National Laboratory.
The objective of this carbon capture program is to meet DOE goals of removing as
much as 90% of the CO2 from a power plant's flue gas while using less energy and
at a lower cost than current technology. The carbon captured could then be used
for a variety of potential uses including algae growth for enhanced biofuels
production or for enhanced oil and natural gas recovery. It will build on an
existing research partnership between Nalco and Argonne to develop advanced
technologies to reduce, reuse and recover power plant cooling water.
"Finding ways to use coal more efficiently while also reducing greenhouse gas
emissions will allow the United States to better use one of its key domestic
energy sources," said Dr. Manian Ramesh, Nalco's Chief Technology Officer. "This
is an outstanding opportunity to expand our existing partnership with Argonne to
develop this exciting new technology for providing cleaner energy."
"Electricity from coal is still a major part of America's energy landscape,"
said Seth Snyder, who leads process technology research at Argonne. "So it is
pivotal that technologies be invented to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired
power plants. I am highly optimistic that Nalco and Argonne will be successful
in demonstrating our carbon capture process that will mimic how living cells
manage CO2."
In announcing the ARPA-E grants, the DOE said the program "seeks to bring
together America's brightest energy innovators to pioneer a low cost, secure,
and low carbon energy future for the nation."
About Nalco
Nalco is the world's leading water treatment and process improvement company,
delivering significant environmental, social and economic performance benefits
to our customers. We help our customers reduce energy, water and other natural
resource consumption, enhance air quality, minimize environmental releases and
improve productivity and end products while boosting the bottom line. Together
our comprehensive solutions contribute to the sustainable development of
customer operations. Nalco is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World
Index. More than 11,500 Nalco employees operate in 130 countries supported by a
comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and research
centers to serve a broad range of end markets. In 2008, Nalco achieved sales of
more than $4.2 billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.
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This news release includes forward-looking statements, reflecting current
analysis and expectations, based on what are believed to be reasonable
assumptions. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results to differ
materially from those projected, stated or implied, depending on many factors,
including, without limitation: ability to generate cash, ability to raise
capital, ability to refinance, the result of the pursuit of strategic
alternatives, ability to execute work process redesign and reduce costs, ability
to execute price increases, business climate, business performance, economic and
competitive uncertainties, higher manufacturing costs, reduced level of customer
orders, changes in strategies, risks in developing new products and
technologies, environmental and safety regulations and clean-up costs, foreign
exchange rates, the impact of changes in the regulation or value of pension fund
assets and liabilities, changes in generally accepted accounting principles,
adverse legal and regulatory developments, including increases in the number or
financial exposures of claims, lawsuits, settlements or judgments, or the
inability to eliminate or reduce such financial exposures by collecting
indemnity payments from insurers, the impact of increased accruals and reserves
for such exposures, weather-related factors, and adverse changes in economic and
political climates around the world, including terrorism and international
hostilities, and other risk factors identified by the Company. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance that the Company will meet future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This
paragraph is included to provide safe harbor for forward-looking statements,
which are not generally required to be publicly revised as circumstances change,
and which the Company does not intend to update.
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CONTACT: Nalco Company
Media Contact:
Charlie Pajor
630 305 1556
cpajor@nalco.com
Investor Contact:
Mike Bushman
630 305 1025
mbushman@nalco.com
