Process for Mitigating Solvent Loss and Degradation During CO2 Capture

Solvent-based technologies play a major role in post-combustion CO2 capture and have been commercialized at sizes relevant to coal-based power plants (Boundary Dam). In a typical solvent-based capture process using amines, the SOX impurities are removed in a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) unit and a direct contact cooler (DCC). The flue gas entering the capture unit still has ppm levels of acids, acid gases and aerosols which lead to solvent loss through formation of heat stable salts and amine aerosol emissions. Cost-effective removal of acids and acid gases to reduce amine losses would significantly improve the economic and environmental performance of solvent-based CO2 capture processes. The overall goal of this program is to demonstrate the feasibility of InnoSepra’s flue gas purification process for nearly complete removal of acids, acid gases and aerosols from flue gas. The process is expected to improve the environmental profile of solvent-based CO2 capture and reduce the CO2 capture cost. Another goal of the program is to develop commercial relationships to enable rapid technology commercialization after the conclusion of Phase I and a potential Phase II project. During the project, InnoSepra will develop and evaluate a number of materials at lab and pilot scale to evaluate their effectiveness in removing various flue gas impurities. Through process simulation and a techno-economic analysis, InnoSepra would also demonstrate that the proposed process can virtually eliminate the amine emissions from solvent-based CO2 capture processes while lowering the CO2 capture cost. If this technology is successful it can have an important impact on the future of coal-based power generation. We can continue to produce electrical power in a cost-effective way using cheap and abundant coal with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and without an adverse effect on America's economic competitiveness. Key Words – Carbon dioxide capture, amine solvents, coal-based power plants, clean energy