Validation, Operation and Smart Full-scale Design of an Efficient Reclaiming System for Carbon Capture Solvents Based on Amino Acid Salt

This paper describes the development of an efficient reclaiming system for post combustion carbon capture technology. Impurities are emerging from the combustion of common fossil fuels (oil, coal or natural gas) such as SOx and NOx. They react with the CO2 capture solvent by forming complexes, which will accumulate in the aqueous solvent solution and reduce its performance. Consequently they must be removed through a reclaiming system. In contrast to conventional thermal based reclaiming systems the reclaiming system described in this paper features a selective process based on crystallization to maximize solvent recycling and minimize residue disposal, hence minimizing operating costs. On the one hand it converts part of the component formed by SOx-absorption into a commercially reusable product (whilst simultaneously unblocking and recovering the solvent) and on the other hand it removes the formed heat stable salts and other impurities from the liquid solvent with a high efficiency. Experience has been gathered from pilot operation and the process has been validated and optimized. With this, a continuous full-scale design has been developed.