07-11-2012

Fundamental limitations on CO2 capture processes

Barriers to commercialization in the energy industry are numerous and substantial. Changes in these capital intensive industries happen by evolution, not revolution. Commercialization of a new technology, from project inception to start-up, normally takes at least ten years and in many cases can exceed twenty. Within these well-established constraints, it is a challenge to envision rapid deployment of CO2 capture projects. The energy industry by nature is conservative. There are exceptions, or technology would not advance, but there is a lot of inertia working against implementing new ideas, which is magnified when the ideas are unproven at scale. Then there are logistics, availability of resources, financial considerations and a regulatory environment which is muddled at best.
 
In a detailed and comprehensive report entitled "Fundamental Limitations on CO2 Capture Processes,” members of The Catalyst Group Resources’ (TCGR’s) Carbon Dioxide Capture & Conversion (CO2CC) Program have exclusive access to a state-of-the-art information which addresses the nature and size of the technological, economic and external factors which are limiting CO2 capture.  In broad terms, the report addresses the areas of: (1) General Limitations on CO2 Capture in Commercially Available Processes; and (2) Specific Limitations on CO2 Capture, by Process.  More specifically, the report focuses on commercial processes adaptable for capture of CO2 from flue gases as well as other commercially proven technologies that potentially could be used, including solvent-based adsorption, permeable membranes, and cryogenic distillation. Also investigated are several emerging technologies that could compete with existing processes based on scientific advancements and improved economics. These include chilled ammonia, dry solid carbonates, micro-porous metal organic framework (MOF) adsorbents, facilitated transport membranes, controlled freeze zone (CFZ) and chemical looping combustion (CLC). The concept of carbon neutrality for biomass utilization is also addressed.
 
The review is directed towards large stationary point sources of CO2, including power generation, generation of heat and power for petroleum refineries, petrochemicals and other large industrial plants. Four general strategies have been advanced for CO2 capture from stationary point sources:
 
· Post-combustion capture (adaptation of conventional acid gas removal processes)
· Pre-combustion (gasification producing hydrogen for fuel)
· Oxy-fuel combustion (replacing air with pure O2 eliminating N2 from flue gas)
· Byproduct CO2 capture from existing industrial processes
 
Each is covered in detail with the “fundamental limitations” assessed alongside the specific CO2 capture technologies appropriate for each approach. Also analyzed are related processes including CO2 compression, dehydration and transport. The intent of focusing on process limitations is designed to assist in charting a prudent course for selecting the most appropriate CO2 capture process and guiding further R&D in improving new emerging technologies. The assessments are based on both technical analyses and process economics. The report is authored by leading industrial and academic experts and is peer reviewed.
 
To view the report’s complete Table of Contents, List of Figures and List of Tables, please visit: http://www.catalystgrp.com/php/tcgr_co2cc.php. For further information on this report and the membership-driven Carbon Dioxide Capture & Conversion (CO2CC) Program, please contact Mr. John J. Murphy (John.J.Murphy@catalystgrp.com) or call +1.215.628.4447.
 
Additional techno-economic reports to be issued on a members-only basis in 2012 include: ”Analysis of Demand for Captured CO2 and Products from CO2 Conversion” and ”Retrofit Suitability of Competing CO2 Capture Technologies.”  A complete listing of reports delivered exclusively to CO2CC Program members since 2010 is available upon request.