Reduction of emissions from amine-based CO₂ capture plants

The purpose of the project was to develop and demonstrate a modified washing process in connection with an amine-based CO₂ capture plant. The process was to significantly reduce emissions to air of both amines and ammonia as well as regenerate / collect these substances. Emissions to air from CO₂ capture plants are traditionally limited by the purified flue gas passing through one or more water washing stages.

In the project, a process has been developed where the washing water is pH-modified and where amine and ammonia remain in the washing water, and can possibly be reused later in the process. In 2010, fundamental investigations were carried out on a lab scale, as well as indicative emission measurements carried out at Aker’s mobile test facility. This work formed the basis for the design of the washing process in the absorber and the new washing section was installed and tested at the test facility.

Tests in 2011 have increasingly revealed challenges with fog-related emissions, which are not reduced by. traditional washing or pH modification. These tests have formed the basis for patent application of the ACC’s anti-mist concept, where changes in temperature profiles in the absorber reduce fogging. In the last part of the project, successful tests and demonstrations have been carried out with combined anti-fog and pH modification in the mobile test facility, and the results from this work form the basis for ACC’s emission control system.