CO2 capture process integration (Task 6)

Task 6 investigates how to best integrate the capture process in the CCS value chain. A generic methodology for post-combustion CO2 capture in waste to energy plants will be developed. The methodology will be used to redesign plants so they can support flexibility between heat (steam) and electricity output. The task will also develop a systematic approach to link solvent properties and cost reduction in end-of-pipe CO2 capture.

The first stage of the CCS value chain is to capture the CO2. In this Task we will investigate how to best integrate the capture process in the value chain.

We will be developing a generic methodology for waste to energy (WtE) plants with post-combustion CO2 capture. (This links the Task to Deployment Case 1). The methodology will be used to redesign plants so they can support flexibility between heat (steam) and electricity output.

The Task will develop a systematic approach to link solvent properties (read more about its relevance to CCS in Task 2) and cost reduction in end-of-pipe CO2 capture.

At least three reference cases for CO2 emission sources will be established in cooperation with industry partners. We will also establish contact with NETL  and DOE  to conduct joint research on methodologies for identifying breakthrough CO2 capture technologies.

Results 2017

Three main activities have been undertaken. One of these was to develop reference cases that would provide a benchmark to identify the potential of technologies developed during the course of NCCS.

Two reference CCS chains were selected and defined in discussions with partners, assessed and evaluated in collaboration with Task 1:

  • CCS from a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant
  • CCS from a hydrogen production plant

For the NGCC reference plant, the widely used European Benchmarking Task Force (EBTF) reference case was updated with an H class gas turbine. The overall NGCC plant efficiency with CO2 capture was 54.5% compared to 49.5% in the EBTF reference case, and the efficiency penalty for CO2 capture was 7.5 %-points compared to 8.6 %-points in the EBTF case.

Another activity was to develop an energy integration model to provide insight on how to integrate CO2 capture to a waste-to-energy plant. The Klemetsrud plant will be used as a case study. A framework for energy optimization of the plant with CO2 capture was established.

Task leader

Results 2018

Main Results

  • Initiated development of a methodology for identifying the potential for cost reduction in end-of-pipe capture using solvents. An absorber model was developed as part of this work in 2018.
  • Preliminary work on identifying the potential of different capture process routes – membranes, PSA, absorption and CO2 liquefaction. Identified that for pressure-based separation processes (membranes and PSA) using a hybrid membrane-liquefaction or hybrid PSA-liquefaction process should always be better than a 2-stage process.

Impact and innovations

  • The methodology for cost reduction is in its initial phase of development. When completed it is expected to provide directions for potential cost reduction when using solvents for post-combustion CO2 capture.
  • The basis for a subsequent thermodynamic evaluation of capture processes has been established. In subsequent years, with development of this methodology, it is expected to identify novel processes, configurations and identify improvements in standard capture processes through thermodynamic insights.