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Process enhancement in aqueous ammonia PCC using a direct contact condenser
Author(s) -
Milani Dia,
Yu Hai,
Cottrell Aaron,
Yang ChienYing,
Maher Dan,
Green Phil,
Wardhaugh Leigh
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
greenhouse gases: science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.45
H-Index - 32
ISSN - 2152-3878
DOI - 10.1002/ghg.1842
Subject(s) - condenser (optics) , process engineering , slipping , coal , overhead (engineering) , divestment , heat exchanger , environmental science , waste management , engineering , electrical engineering , business , mechanical engineering , light source , physics , optics , finance
Aqueous ammonia‐based post‐combustion carbon capture (PCC) is a well recognized and leading technology for the reduction of CO 2 emissions from coal‐fired power stations. Despite its many techno‐economic advantages over its counterparts, there are still a few major challenges that could prevent its large‐scale adoption. This model‐based study addresses the most common problems of solid precipitation at the stripper overhead and ammonia slipping with the product CO 2 . We propose using a direct contact condenser (DCC) to replace the conventional gas / liquid heat exchanger (HX) at the stripper overhead. Three scenarios were proposed and assessed for DCC configuration: open, closed, and combined DCC circuits. It was found that combined‐circuit DCC could better enhance the CO 2 product's purity, bringing its temperature to the nominal target, and producing less condensate, which is diluted and easier for downstream integration. Most important, this configuration can effectively eliminate ammonia slipping in the product line and solid precipitation at the stripper overhead. Validating these improvements at our current pilot plant would bring tremendous benefits for the commercialization of this technology. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.