Description
The project proposes a new solution for post-combustion CO2 capture (PCCC) competitive with existing PCCC technologies. The objective of the project is to develop new solid sorbents applied in a moving bed absorption reactor. The project aims (at 1 bar, 25°C) are: - to achieve a capture capacity of at least 5 mmol CO2/gsorbent, - to achieve at least 50 CO2/N2 selectivity, - to maintain a sorbent deactivation level below 5% after 200 adsorption/desorption cycles. New solid sorbents based on activated carbon, carbon nanotubes and titania, and modified with amines or with inorganic alkali, will be prepared, characterised and tested for selective CO2 adsorption. A new, laboratory prototype moving bed absorption reactor will be developed. An environmental impact assessment of the developed sorbents will be performed. The results of the project will be beneficial for industry emitting CO2 and for general public (a positive effect on climate changes). The bilateral relations will be strengthened through an exchange of knowledge gained in the project. The main achievements will concern sorbents’ production and assessment (environmental and in the moving bed reactor).
Summary of project results
Greenhouse effect and resulting severe climate changes are among the most crucial problems to resolve recently. The greenhouse effect is due to an excessive agglomeration of greenhouse gases (involving CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Then, reduction of CO2 emission is one of the most important challenges nowadays. There are a lot of post-combustion carbon capture (PCCC) technologies based on the absorption in liquids, however they are costly, inefficient and may cause environmental problems. Therefore, an adsorption on solids can be an alternative. The aim of the project was to produce new solid sorbents based on carbon, zeolites and titania materials. The most promising sorbents were identified and tested for carbon dioxide adsorption. The most efficient sorbents were based on zeolites and on carbonaceous materials, they reached a capture capacity above 5 mmol CO2/gsorbent (1 bar, 25°C). Nevertheless, only the selectivity of zeolites was at a satisfactory level, because carbon materials adsorbed to much nitrogen. Deactivation level of produced sorbents was below 5% after 200 adsorption/desorption cycles. A new efficient laboratory prototype moving bed reactor, designed to increase the solid sorbent CO2 absorption capacity, was developed. Using mathematical modeling tools and the adsorption data derived for the most promising sorbents, we have shown that a TSA (temperature switch adsorption) moving bed process with these sorbents will capture more than 85% of the total amount of carbon dioxide and produce a CO2 rich product stream containing > 95 vol% CO2. These values are within the targets for CO2 capture processes. The environmental effect of the produced sorbents was assessed. A ranking system for environmental impact was established on the basis of an aquatic fate and ecotoxicity assessment of selected nanomaterials. The social awareness of PCCC as a technology aiming to reduce global CO2 emission was raised within the project.
Summary of bilateral results
Partner no. 1 The fabrication procedure of titania nanorods was established. The samples were prepared and sent for tests to ZUT. The feedback info was sent to HBV. The achieved results were discussed during the common meetings. The cooperation was very tight. The international symposium was organised together by HBV, SINTEF and ZUT (at EMRS Fall Meeting). Partner no. 2 The contribution of the partner no.2 (SINTEF) involved two research units of SINTEF. The team of dr. Richard Blom, an outstanding scientist in the field of chemical engineering, was responsible for the design, modelling and testing the Moving Bed Reactor. The objective was fully achieved. The samples of sorbent prepared at ZUT were sent to SINTEF for tests. The feedback info was sent to ZUT. The achieved results were discussed during the common meetings. The cooperation was very tight and successful. The role of another unit of SINTEF involved the assessment of the environmental impact of the sorbents produced within the project. The work package leader was dr. Andy Booth, internationally renowned expert in the field of evaluation of nanomaterials on environment. The objective was fully achieved. The samples of sorbent prepared at ZUT were sent to SINTEF for tests. The feedback info was sent to ZUT. The achieved results were discussed during the common meetings. The cooperation was very tight and successful. The international symposium was organised together by HBV, SINTEF and ZUT (at EMRS Fall Meeting)