Mitigation of Aerosol Emissions from Solvent-based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Systems

Reactive absorption-based carbon dioxide capture processes using solvents is the preferred technology for large scale capture of carbon dioxide in flue gases from coal-fired power plants. This Small Business Innovation Research project targets the development of mitigation strategies to decrease the quantity of aerosols that are formed from such post-combustion capture systems in the presence of sulfur trioxide and other compounds. The key to our novel approach is to understand the source of these aerosols and to prevent/modify their formation within the existing combustion system. A second complementary approach we use is to remove the aerosols from the gas stream prior to entry into the carbon dioxide scrubber. Our technology platform is critical for the development of solvent-based carbon dioxide capture systems; with it, technology vendors will be able to effectively design and operate the carbon dioxide scrubbers to achieve high capture rates, minimize aerosols and volatile organic and particulate emissions, prevent equipment fouling, limit solvent degradation, and have an overall robust operating system. Commercial Application and Other Benefits The main benefit of the proposed work will be to facilitate the further development of solvent-based carbon dioxide capture technologies. With successful demonstration of the proposed work, emissions and solvent losses will be dramatically reduced, significantly decreasing the cost of capture and environmental concerns. The ultimate goal of the proposed work is to deliver an enabling technology for carbon dioxide capture, which is needed to sustain current fossil-fuel power generation while reaching greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Other potential applications have also been identified, such as in reduction of alkali aerosols that poison nitrogen oxide reduction catalysts, allowing their use in plants where it was not previously possible. Additionally, the reduction of fine particulate and aerosols is expected to reduce boiler fouling and corrosion issues and improve overall plant efficiency. Key Words: carbon dioxide capture, aerosols, alkali aerosols, sulfur trioxide aerosols, solvent-based post combustion carbon dioxide capture