CO2 Capture from SMR type flue gas using CESAR1 solvent at Technology Centre Mongstad

Abstract

The Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM DA) in Norway has investigated the CO2 capture performance with the non-proprietary CESAR1 solvent for flue gases with CO2 concentration like that of a SMR (steam methane reforming) furnace. The basis for this investigation is Equinor’s SMR unit at Tjeldbergodden methanol plant. Specific reboiler duty (SRD) is reported for 90% CO2
capture from flue gases with 10 and 15 vol% (dry) CO2 content when using 12 and 18 m absorber packing height. Tests at 10 vol% (dry) CO2 content confirmed that SRD levels below 4 GJ/ton CO2 are achievable with only 12 m absorber packing height, but lower SRD values are achieved with 18 m absorber packing height. This illustrates that a more compact absorber will give lower CAPEX at the expense of a higher heat requirement for the CO2 stripper. During the tests, precipitation was observed in the absorber packing despite that the overall absorber condition were unfavorable for this to occur. Also, foaming in stripper was observed and mitigated by the use of anti-foam.

Keywords: CO2 capture, amine, SMR flue gas, operational experience, TCM