Invention Background

From 1999 to 2003, Professor Robert Amin conducted the laboratory tests for the CryoCell® CO2 capture technology.

Following successful laboratory tests this work was placed on a commercialisation path by Curtin University of Technology and the Woodside Hydrocarbon Research Facility (WHRF).

The Woodside Hydrocarbon Research Facility (WHRF) is a joint initiative between Curtin University and Woodside Energy Limited. Robert holds the inaugural Chair of the WHRF and a continuous Chair in Petroleum Engineering at Curtin in recognition of his contribution to the University.

Professor Robert Amin's research first came to the attention of Woodside Petroleum when he devised a method of using gas hydrate as a transport medium. Following the commissioning of the innovative dehydration technology, a small anomaly was created which conceived a concept in gas processing now known as the 'CryoCell®' (previously called the Micro-Cell). The unique element of this process is its ability to remove gas contaminants, such as CO2, as an integral part of the process. This enabled the technology to be developed as a competitive gas 'sweetening' process and attract significant world-wide interest from gas producers, process engineers and fabricators of plant equipment.

The CryoCell® initially faced numerous challenges, both technical and financial, however these were overcome and Cool Energy received support from Woodside and Shell, and now from private investors as well as the Australian Government.

Shell has secured the use of the original patent rights from Cool Energy with the intention of large scale plant development. Cool Energy has secured additional patent rights from Shell with the intention of small and medium scale plant development. Cool Energy and Shell signed an agreement in early June 2005 covering the following:

  • Royalty-free access to each others' patents
  • The sharing of technical developments
  • The establishment of areas of business

The initial launch of the CryoCell® attracted significant attention from all quarters of the globe and included all the primary oil and gas producers.

A 2MMscfd (million standard cubic feet per day) demonstration plant is in operation at ARC Energy's Xyris site in the Perth Basin to demonstrate Cool Energy's CO2 capture technology.

In the three years since Cool Energy's conception, it has moved from a 'concept' based company to a position of readiness for commercial application of its revolutionary new CO2 capture technology.