Development of novel absorbents for CO2 capture from blast furnace gas

In order to establish energy-saving technology for CO2 capture from blast furnace gas, novel absorbents were developed in the laboratory and evaluated at a 1 tCO2/d test plant. At first, CO2 absorption and desorption behaviors of single-component amine solvents for simulated blast furnace gas (CO2/N2 = 20%/80%) were investigated through a screening test using a small scrubbing bottle. These amine solvents were additionally analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopy and reaction calorimetry. The results of the laboratory experiments showed that there was a trade-off between absorption rate and enthalpy of absorption but some absorbents had unique features. For example, 2-isopropylaminoethanol (IPAE) had high absorption rate and small enthalpy of absorption. Then, new IPAE-based amine solvents (RITE solvents: RITE-A and RITE-B) were formulated and evaluated at the 1 tCO2/d test plant. CO2 regeneration energies of the RITE solvents were 3.3 and 3.1 GJ/tCO2, respectively. With certain process conditions and plant specifications optimized, RITE-B was estimated to have the potential to achieve 2.5 GJ/tCO2.

► Novel amine solvents are developed for CO2 capture from blast furnace gas.
► Laboratory experiments show excellent results for 2-isopropylaminoethnol (IPAE).
► 1 tCO2/d plant test is also carried out to evaluate solvents.
► New IPAE-based solvents have a high potential to reduce regeneration energy.