Capture of CO2 from Steam Reformer Flue Gases Using Monoethanolamine: Pilot Plant Validation and Process Design for Partial Capture

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture from a slipstream of steam reformer flue gas (18–20 vol %wet CO2) using 30 wt % aqueous monoethanolamine was performed for ∼500 h in a mobile test unit (∼120 kg CO2/h). Specific reboiler duties (SRDs) of 3.6–3.8 MJ/kg CO2 were achieved at 90% capture. The pilot data validate the modeling of off-design partial capture, that is, operation at lower CO2 capture rates (at constant gas flow) than the absorption column was designed to achieve. This paper demonstrates that off-design partial capture enables significant energy savings (SRD, cooling) relative to on-design capture. The accrued savings depend on the column design (packing height, flooding approach) and the feed CO2 concentration. Finally, a concept for stepwise deployment of carbon capture and storage in industries with high-CO2 concentration sources (e.g., steel and cement manufacturing and refining) is introduced. Thanks to its inherent full-capture-ready design, the initial energy-efficient, off-design partial capture operation can be extended to full capture over time.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Annan teknik -- Livsmedelsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Other Engineering and Technologies -- Food Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Materialkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Materials Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

steam methane reformer

pilot-scale

amine absorption

CCS

partial capture

process industry

MEA

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)