Sbir phase II: system for high efficiency continuous single-step carbon capture and mineralization

The National Science Foundation awarded Rushnu Inc. a $1.25 million cooperative agreement on August 1, 2026, under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to develop and deploy industrial-scale solvent-based gas absorption technology for carbon capture and mineralization.

The technology converts carbon dioxide in industrial gas waste streams and chlorinated salts into essential chemical feedstocks including chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hypochlorite, as well as minerals such as calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate. The system achieves CO₂ absorption and mineralization using 70 percent less energy than conventional methods and reduces operating costs by 50 percent, enabling on-site production of critical chemicals at over 50 percent lower cost than centralized manufacturing while generating revenue from byproducts. The award builds on a small-scale pilot demonstration at a wastewater treatment facility and supports industrial-scale development and deployment.

Performance is located in Pleasanton, California. The period of performance runs through July 31, 2028.

Abstract

The broader/commercial impact of this sbir phase II project is the ability for key industries to produce essential chemical feedstocks on-site using gas waste streams and low-cost, widely available salts. In contrast to feedstocks produced via centralized manufacturing, the on-site production offered by the proposed technology creates a cost-effective supply chain for critical chemicals at over 50% lower cost while generating revenue from byproducts. Host sites also gain a more reliable and safer feedstock supply compared to conventional centralized production and long-haul transport. Together, the proposed technology will help drive new economic activity in the U.S. By offering industrial operators a CO? Absorption and mineralization solution that uses 70% less energy and reduces operating costs by 50%, enabling both cost savings and new revenue opportunities. IT will also promote supply chain resilience?for operators and the U.S. Generally?with on-site chemical production using industrial waste streams. This decreased reliance on centralized production and distribution will help buffer a range of industries that depend on chlor-alkali products against supply chain disruptions, driven by decreases in production, insufficient supplies of precursor materials, sudden changes in demand, and inadequate logistics. This small business innovation research (sbir) phase II project focuses on the industrial-scale development and deployment of a solvent-based gas absorption technology that converts CO? In industrial gas waste streams and other low-cost, widely available inputs (i.e. a chlorinated salt) into essential chemical feedstocks, such as chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hypochlorite, and minerals including calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate. The technology has already been demonstrated in a small-scale pilot at a wastewater treatment facility, where IT produced sodium hypochlorite and calcium carbonate from on-site biogas while maintaining low energy and cost inputs and achieving high rates of CO? Absorption and mineralization. The proposed phase II work will scale and optimize this technology for industrial-scale production. If successful, this project will address major energetic limitations in both existing CO? Absorption technology and chlor-alkali systems to enable the on-site production of key chemical feedstocks. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.