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Description
CO2-HyBrid is focusing on the demonstration of next level Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies in major CO2-emitting industries. This will lead to a 20% more efficient CO2 Capture process compared to the state-of-the-art capture technologies. The main objective of CO2-HyBrid is the scale up and demonstration of a hybrid solution based on a membrane pre-concentration step and chemical absorption polishing step. Two membrane types, and two solvents will be used to produce 2 hybrid configurations to be tested in 2 test sites with different industrial gas properties (coal/natural gas fired power plant and Waste2Energy pilot installations). The CO2-HyBrid project aims to bring the membrane technologies and hybrid solution to TRL 6. Through this synergy the benefits of both technologies will be exploited and result in a 15-25 EUR/ton CO2 removal costs in Post-Combustion Carbon Capture process suitable for many industrially processes. The aim is to demonstrate the reliability & flexibility of the solution and achieve CO2 quality suitable for utilisation/storage. Hybrid Simulation tools will be developed and validated to be able to cope with operational changes and to conduct 2 techno-economical evaluations of a full-scale unit in 2 different technologies. Also, these activities are poised to position the hybrid solution alongside other sustainable solutions like solar & wind. The DEMO’s, the consortium, and the dissemination & exploitation activities ensure that project results will be replicated globally.
CO2-HyBrid strongly contributes to the decarbonization of the energy system in a sustainable, resource efficient way, as membranes, in the first stage, have a very low footprint and their operation is sustainable as it has low energy consumption and no impurities in the main stream, in the second stage, chemical absorption process have a higher rate to capture CO2 with a lower thermal energy consumption for chemical solvent regeneration.
Summary of project results
CO2-HyBrid addressed the fight against climate change. The need of the project was obvious in the context of decarbonization of power industry. CO2-Hybrid aimed to develop high-potential, novel and environmentally friendly technologies and processes for CO2 capture and utilization or storage decreasing the footprint, costs, and energy consumption of capture installation. The idea of the project was to develop solutions for CO2 capture and storage that could be integrated into thermal power plants and energy-intensive industrial processes. Thus, the main objective of the project was to develop a technological solution that would simultaneously allow CO2 capture at a cost below 70€/ton and a reduction of the overall efficiency penalty of the thermoelectric power plant compared to existing capture solutions. The key objective of CO2-HyBrid was to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of a hybrid solution based on membrane technology (first stage) and chemical absorption process (second stage) for capturing CO2 emissions.
The most significant achievements of the project were: - The preparation and characterization of high-performance materials films for CO2 separation membranes. - Static durability study of the membrane: construction of pilot for durability membrane testing in real conditions (flue gas from coal combustion). - A multi-criteria analysis was applied to select the optimal chemical solvent: the 11 selected solvents were analysed to determine their performance from a technical, economic and energy perspective. - Modelling and techno economic assessment of membrane and amine processes and their integration in different energy and industrial processes. - Membrane module production, performance testing and validation: membranes were optimised and upscaled from 20 cm2 (lab scale) towards 500 cm2 (small pilot scale) both as flat sheet and hollow fibre modules. - A comprehensive mathematical model was developed in order to evaluate the CO2 capture process in a microporous polypropylene hollow-fiber membrane countercurrent contactor, using monoethanolamine (MEA) as the chemical solvent. - Design, realization, testing and optimization of a laboratory scale technology for CO2 methanation. - Catalysts testing in CO2 methanation. The catalysts were tested in a tubular catalytic reactor, under plug-flow conditions.
The main advantages of the hybrid solution developed in the project are: - Flexibility: different and wide range of flue gas streams that can be treated; - Smaller footprint (surface size), smaller scrubber tower; - Modularity: can be made modular like similar membrane technologies; - Production adjustment: adjust purity and CO2 recovery by bypassing solvent or changing membrane operation (or membrane replacement). Thus, the bargaining power of end users increases when they have more flexibility in CO2 recovery and purity for use in methanation or storage. - The hybrid solution also offers opportunities for new membrane and solvent suppliers. Any improvement in any of these technologies is beneficial for the hybrid solution and therefore also for the adoption of new materials.
Summary of bilateral results
Through this project, bilateral relations between Romania and Norway were strengthened. The No grants have added value through the collaboration of Romanian universities and research institutions with SINTEF Material and Chemistry, Dep. of Polymer Particles and Surface Chemistry (SINTEF) which have high expertise and the group has wide experience on new polymers, material modification for membrane preparation, competence on spinning of porous hollow fibers, testing and process development and up-scaling from lab size to pilot scale, process simulations.