Conference Dates

April 10-14, 2016

Abstract

ION Engineering’s advanced solvent is one of the leading second generation solvent systems currently under development for post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. Throughout small scale pilot testing with coal and natural gas fired flue gas, bench scale pilot and laboratory testing, ION’s advanced solvent has consistently demonstrated 30+% reductions in regeneration energy requirements in comparison to traditional aqueous monoethanolamine (Aq-MEA). These results, in addition to CO2 solvent carrying capacities 35% higher than Aq-MEA and significantly less solvent degradation, demonstrate that ION’s CO2 capture technology has the potential to significantly reduce both capital and operating costs.

ION Engineering has recently completed a 0.6 Megawatts electric (MWe) Slipstream Pilot demonstration, at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) located at Southern Company’s Plant Gaston in Wilsonville, Alabama. The NCCC test facility utilizes a flue gas slipstream up to a maximum of 6,000 lb/hr from a commercially dispatched base-loaded 880-MW coal-fired boiler which supplies the NCCC test facilities. On-site work began in April 2015, with testing completed from mid-June to mid-August 2015. The overall objectives of this project are to advance ION’s solvent-based CO2 capture process at the equivalent of approximately 0.6 MWe scale pilot in order to meet the Department of Energy’s (DOE) goal for second generation solvents of ≥ 90% CO2 capture rate with 95% CO2 purity at a cost of < $40/tonne CO2 captured by 2025. Additional objectives included: validation of ION’s solvent specific simulation capabilities, completion of 1,000 hours of continuous testing and an assessment of solvent lifetime.

The NCCC results indicate that ION is making substantial progress towards DOE’s goals for second generation solvents. Total test hours for the program exceeded 1,100 hours. ION has also validated its solvent specific ProTreat® simulation models during parametric and steady state testing and the analyses of solvent samples for solvent lifetime studies are still in progress. Additionally, ION demonstrated that it can successfully operate its advanced solvent in a pilot unit designed for traditional Aq-MEA solvent with minimal pilot modifications. Throughout pilot testing at NCCC, ION confirmed its understanding of process improvements and analytics that will enable successful operation of its advanced solvent at significantly lower L/G circulation rates and regeneration energies.

ION is currently working with national and international partners to further demonstrate its carbon capture technology in real process environments and multiple commercial settings. The data gathered from this test campaign conducted at NCCC continues to strengthen ION’s solvent technology and positive track record in executing off site test campaigns. ION anticipates that the recently completed pilot scale test at NCCC along with future projects will directly impact the state of the art of CO2 solvent technologies and facilitate advancement of CO2 capture towards commercialization and implementation of ION technology.

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