Improved reclamation of amines used for CO₂ capture

Ingenium Process Solutions and the Department of Energy Engineering have evaluated the potential for improved energy efficiency and reduced losses from an amine recovery unit by examining:

Degradation mechanisms and conditions
• Patent rights and known technical solutions
• Various changes to the existing process
• Optimizations of the energy efficiency of the process and the degree of degradation at varying pressure conditions
• Treatment of waste
• Proposed test program at Test Center Mongstad

A couple of changes were found to the existing process which could provide improved energy efficiency at the pressure conditions recycling units of this type will have to operate under with improved amines. It is recommended that an extended project be started to develop the new processes in detail. This should be done in collaboration with a major supplier of capture facilities and improved amines. Experiments should be made on a small and large scale at the Department of Energy Technology and at the Technology Centre Mongstad.