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Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have drastically increased the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas levels (GHG) in the atmosphere. The consequences of these emissions are catastrophic. Climate change is a reality that devastatingly impacts
human and non-human species. Inaction is predicted to worsen the situation where the global temperatures rise by 3.5 oC by the end of the century. Therefore, urgent measures in all aspects of human living are crucial to reduce GHG
levels. Technologies such as CO2 capture are critical in reducing emissions.
Chemical absorption-desorption by amines such as Monoethanolamine (MEA) is commonly used for post-combustion CO2 capture. However, the high solvent regeneration energy requirement is a significant drawback. This thesis aims to
reduce the energy consumption of MEA by testing advanced process configurations and contributing to new solvent formulations. Pilot scale tests were conducted at Amager Bakke, a Waste-to-Energy facility in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The pilot scale tests demonstrated process configuration, which reduced the energy consumption for 30 wt% MEA. Furthermore, heat of absorption measurements were conducted for new solvent formulations, which could reduce energy
consumption. The work conducted in this thesis at the time of submission resulted in three published articles, one article under review and another in preparation. The thesis is presented in nine chapters.
Chapter 1 discusses the rising CO2 and other GHG emission levels in the atmosphere and the need to reduce them. In this context, the use of municipal waste for energy production is discussed as a promising waste management technique
and one of the potential alternatives to fossil fuels. The potential of integrating Waste-to-Energy with CO2 capture in reducing methane emissions and achiev ing net-zero CO2 emissions is discussed. Furthermore, the conventionally used
chemical absorption technology for CO2 capture, along with its drawbacks and challenges, is presented.
Chapter 2 gives a preview of the thesis. The articles in the thesis are summarised, and the major findings are briefly discussed.
Chapter 3 is the article on the base case configuration experiments conducted at Amager Bakke. The pilot plant equipment, control, and operation are discussed in detail. The results from the parametric analysis are presented and compared
to the literature, thus establishing a reference for comparison against advanced configurations. The experimental data and calibration methods are presented.
Chapter 4 is the article on split flow configuration tests conducted with the pilot plant. The results obtained by implementing a split flow of 22% are analysed. The influence of split flow configuration on the specific reboiler duty (SRD), stripper temperature profile, condenser duty, capture efficiency and lean cooler duty is presented. The results obtained are compared to previous literature.
Chapter 5 presents the article on the pilot scale stripper interheating configuration experiments. The test results are analysed by considering different scenarios of heat integration within the capture plant and with the power plant. The results are discussed in terms of SRD, capture efficiency, condenser duty, and other parameters. Further optimisation possibilities are also discussed.
Chapter 6 reviews the challenges of conducting pilot tests in an industrial facility. Internal and external factors which resulted in operational difficulties are presented. Identification methods, mitigation procedures, and prevention
strategies employed in the pilot work are discussed in detail. Several other aspects of pilot work are also briefly presented.
Chapter 7 discusses the heat of absorption measurements conducted for new solvent formulations. Thermodynamic determination of heat of absorption is discussed, along with the distinction between integral and differential values.
Validation of the methodology is shown by comparing the results for 30 wt% MEA with literature. The results for the new solvent formulations are discussed.
Chapter 8 introduces the Extended UNIQUAC model. The basic equations involved in the model are presented, and the new fitted parameters for the MEAH2O– CO2 system are depicted. A comparison of the model with literature data on heat of absorption is shown. Finally, the application of the model in analysing the pilot scale experiments is discussed.
Chapter 9 concludes the thesis work and presents possibilities for future work.
human and non-human species. Inaction is predicted to worsen the situation where the global temperatures rise by 3.5 oC by the end of the century. Therefore, urgent measures in all aspects of human living are crucial to reduce GHG
levels. Technologies such as CO2 capture are critical in reducing emissions.
Chemical absorption-desorption by amines such as Monoethanolamine (MEA) is commonly used for post-combustion CO2 capture. However, the high solvent regeneration energy requirement is a significant drawback. This thesis aims to
reduce the energy consumption of MEA by testing advanced process configurations and contributing to new solvent formulations. Pilot scale tests were conducted at Amager Bakke, a Waste-to-Energy facility in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The pilot scale tests demonstrated process configuration, which reduced the energy consumption for 30 wt% MEA. Furthermore, heat of absorption measurements were conducted for new solvent formulations, which could reduce energy
consumption. The work conducted in this thesis at the time of submission resulted in three published articles, one article under review and another in preparation. The thesis is presented in nine chapters.
Chapter 1 discusses the rising CO2 and other GHG emission levels in the atmosphere and the need to reduce them. In this context, the use of municipal waste for energy production is discussed as a promising waste management technique
and one of the potential alternatives to fossil fuels. The potential of integrating Waste-to-Energy with CO2 capture in reducing methane emissions and achiev ing net-zero CO2 emissions is discussed. Furthermore, the conventionally used
chemical absorption technology for CO2 capture, along with its drawbacks and challenges, is presented.
Chapter 2 gives a preview of the thesis. The articles in the thesis are summarised, and the major findings are briefly discussed.
Chapter 3 is the article on the base case configuration experiments conducted at Amager Bakke. The pilot plant equipment, control, and operation are discussed in detail. The results from the parametric analysis are presented and compared
to the literature, thus establishing a reference for comparison against advanced configurations. The experimental data and calibration methods are presented.
Chapter 4 is the article on split flow configuration tests conducted with the pilot plant. The results obtained by implementing a split flow of 22% are analysed. The influence of split flow configuration on the specific reboiler duty (SRD), stripper temperature profile, condenser duty, capture efficiency and lean cooler duty is presented. The results obtained are compared to previous literature.
Chapter 5 presents the article on the pilot scale stripper interheating configuration experiments. The test results are analysed by considering different scenarios of heat integration within the capture plant and with the power plant. The results are discussed in terms of SRD, capture efficiency, condenser duty, and other parameters. Further optimisation possibilities are also discussed.
Chapter 6 reviews the challenges of conducting pilot tests in an industrial facility. Internal and external factors which resulted in operational difficulties are presented. Identification methods, mitigation procedures, and prevention
strategies employed in the pilot work are discussed in detail. Several other aspects of pilot work are also briefly presented.
Chapter 7 discusses the heat of absorption measurements conducted for new solvent formulations. Thermodynamic determination of heat of absorption is discussed, along with the distinction between integral and differential values.
Validation of the methodology is shown by comparing the results for 30 wt% MEA with literature. The results for the new solvent formulations are discussed.
Chapter 8 introduces the Extended UNIQUAC model. The basic equations involved in the model are presented, and the new fitted parameters for the MEAH2O– CO2 system are depicted. A comparison of the model with literature data on heat of absorption is shown. Finally, the application of the model in analysing the pilot scale experiments is discussed.
Chapter 9 concludes the thesis work and presents possibilities for future work.
| Original language | English |
|---|
| Place of Publication | Kgs. Lyngby |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Technical University of Denmark |
| Number of pages | 414 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'CO2 capture for Waste-to-Energy: Pilot scale demonstration and investigation of thermodynamicproperties for new solvents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Biogas upgrading (CO2 capture) simulation through experimental work and thermodynamic modelling
Vinjarapu, S. H. B. (PhD Student), Fosbøl, P. L. (Main Supervisor), Gavala, H. N. (Supervisor), Solms, N. V. (Supervisor), Gibbins, J. (Examiner) & Mølgaard, S. (Examiner)
01/12/2019 → 15/07/2024
Project: PhD