Post combustion capture (PCC) is a good way for customers to capture CO2 from flue gas streams and ensure compliance with increasingly strict emissions thresholds. With this technology, CO2 is separated from the flue gas by scrubbing with a chemical solvent such as amine. We have long-standing experience in the design and construction of chemical wash processes, providing the necessary amine-based solvent systems and the CO2 compression, drying and purification system. In addition, we team up with strategic partners such as BASF to provide one-stop, end-to-end solutions.
Highlights of our PCC offering:
There are several steps involved in post-combustion capture. These are outlined in the following. We have the expertise to fine-tune and customize each of these steps to optimize overall system performance - maximizing the capture rate and energy efficiency of the process flow.
Hot flue gas is fed to the PCC plant, where it first enters the pH-controlled Direct Contact Cooler (DCC). In addition to cooling the flue gas, the DCC also removes sulfur dioxide to prevent the downstream amine loop from forming particulates. If necessary, an additional module for removing fine particles/aerosols can be included in the DCC to mitigate amine losses at the top of the absorber column.
After the DCC, the flue gas flow is pressurized by the flue gas blower to overcome the pressure drop of the entire absorber column.
After leaving the blower, the flue gas is fed to the bottom of the absorber column where CO2 is removed by a liquid aqueous amine in a counter-current flow. High-performance packing is installed in order to ensure efficient mass transfer and to minimize the column diameter and pressure drop. Due to the absorption enthalpy, the temperature in this section increases and this has the effect of lowering the process efficiency overall. A gravity-driven interstage cooler is installed between the absorption beds in order to increase the general performance of the plant. The upper section of the absorber column features the advanced emission control system.
The hot, rich solution enters the upper section of the desorber column and flows downward counter-current to the vapor, which is generated in the reboiler. CO2 is stripped off the amine solution at this stage. After leaving the desorber column, the CO2 stream saturated with water is cooled in the overhead condenser. Condensate and CO2-rich gas are separated in the reflux drum and the condensate is fed back to the desorber column. Steam is used to provide the regeneration heat in the reboiler. The hot steam condensate is sent back to battery limit.
To meet the growing need for carbon capture, RWE Power, BASF and Linde partnered and joined forces to develop and advance PCC technologies. This alliance bundles our strengths and proven track record in the design and delivery of turnkey industrial plants with BASF’s leading role in high-performance gas treatment technologies for carbon capture. Under its OASE brand*, BASF developed a range of high-performance gas treatment technologies. The BASF OASE® process is used successfully in more than 400 plants worldwide to scrub natural, synthesis and other industrial gases. With OASE blue, BASF developed a technical solution specifically for PCC. The OASE blue package includes an aqueous amine-based solvent which is highly stable.
BASF and Linde decided to demonstrate this technology at two pilot plants based at RWE Power, Niederaussem (Germany) and NCCC, Wilsonville/AL (USA). The operational experiences gained at these pilot plants has confirmed the technical readiness of this technology for industrial scale. It is ideally suited to a range of industries including coal-fired power plants, gas turbine applications and waste incineration.
For more technical details about our PCC pilot plant at Niederaussem, see our PCC presentation.
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* OASE is a registered trademark of BASF in several countries.
| Customer: | Linde Gas |
| Capacity: | 9,100 Nm3/h flue gas 42 t/d CO2 |
| Purity: | >99% CO2 |
| Scope of work: | Turnkey plant |
| Start-up: | 2015 |
| Customer: | RWE Power AG |
| Capacity: | 1,552 Nm3/h flue gas, 7.2 t/d CO2 (pilot plant) |
| Purity: | >99% CO2 |
| Scope of work: | Project management, basic engineering, detail engineering, equipment supply, erection, start-up, test run |
| Start-up: | 2009 |
Our broad CO2 plant portfolio is geared towards ensuring the perfect fit for individual application requirements.
Flexible solutions to improve your carbon footprint.
Leveraging the benefits of standardization and modularization reduce costs and risk while at the same time accelerating deployment.
Meeting individual capacity, purity and flexibility needs through cost-effective, customized designs.
Improving the carbon footprint of fossil power stations and the chemical industry through carbon capture and storage technologies.
Helping customers meet their carbon abatement targets through innovative CO2 scrubbing technologies.
Comprehensive technology portfolio and strategic partnerships advancing oxyfuel combustion to industrial-scale maturity.