Explorative analysis of advanced solvent processes for energy efficient carbon dioxide capture by gas–liquid absorption. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Budzianowski, W.M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of greenhouse gas control. Volume 49(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Absorption -- Advanced solvent -- Energy efficiency -- Technological barrier -- Pre-evaluation of emerging technology; Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Air -- Purification -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Gaz à effet de serre -- Périodiques; Gaz à effet de serre -- Réduction -- Périodiques; Air -- Purification -- Technological innovations; Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; 363.73874605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2016.02.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-5836

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Advanced solvent processes (ASPs) are reviewed and analysed. Technological barriers limiting wide-scale adoption of CO2 capture are characterised. Outcomes of recent research projects in the field of ASPs are critically evaluated. Energy efficient CO2 capture by applying ASPs is discussed. The need for pre-evaluation of emerging technological concepts is emphasised. Abstract: CO2 capture by gas–liquid absorption needs solvents able to overcome existing barriers for wide-scale adoption including high energy requirement, slow reaction rate, insufficient CO2 loading capacity, solvent degradation and corrosiveness, poor selectivity or limited operating window. It is challenging if not impossible for single or blended solvents to satisfy all these requirements and reach technology readiness level sufficient for economically viable deployment in large-scale CO2 capture systems, especially in the energy sector. Therefore, innovative advanced solvent processes (ASPs) attract attention as a new technology that may overcome existing barriers in CO2 capture by gas–liquid absorption. Due to significant research funding in the area of advanced solvent processes over a few recent years many new ASPs have been developed. Thus this study delivers an explorative analysis of ASPs suitable for energy efficient CO2 capture by gas–liquid absorption. The emphasis is put on ASPs such as two immiscible liquid phases, precipitating solvents, catalysed solvents, microencapsulated solvents, liquid membrane solvents, ionic liquids, and polarity-swing-assisted solvents. The analysis shows that some of recently developed ASPs made huge progress in terms of reduced energy requirement for capturing CO2 . However, most advanced solvent processes have insufficient technology readiness level and, in addition, there is still place for further energy efficiency improvement. Therefore, research efforts capable of bringing ASPs to commercialisation and wide-scale adoption in real large-scale CO2 capture applications are required in next few years.