Characterization of a novel cross flow multi-pass adsorber for the deep removal of CO2
Characterization of a novel cross flow multi-pass adsorber for the deep removal of CO2
In the post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) processes, conventional amine scrubbing is employed, where the capture rate is around 85 to 90%, which implies that about 5000 to 10000 ppm of CO2 is still uncaptured in the off-gas leaving the scrubber. However, due to growing concerns over increasing CO2 concentrations in atmosphere, the installation of deep removal systems (5000 ppm to 400 ppm) for the CO2 capture are expected to be implemented in immediate future. Amine-impregnated solid sorbents such as Lewatit VP OC 1605 have great potential to be employed for the deep removal of CO2 owing to their attractive characteristics such as faster kinetics, high surface area, meaning a lower adsorber size for the CO2 capture.
In PCC large amounts of exhaust flow is treated. However, a lower pressure drop is desired to limit the operational costs. A cross flow reactor configuration can satisfy this criterion, as the flow is in radial direction over a thin cross-section of the bed, the pressure drop is reduced. However, the gas is able to see the sorbent only for a very short period of time. This might not be sufficient enough reach less than 400 ppm. To overcome the short contact time of the gas, a multi-pass configuration is envisioned. The baffle type arrangement can be used to direct the gases to move towards the bed, such that an overall counter-current contacting is ensured.
A prototype (4 pass configuration) of the same is already constructed and initial tests are being conducted at the HDL. Sooner, the construction of a full scale (stainless steel) setup will begin. The key challenge is to limit the gas bypassing to ensure a desired CO2 capture rate. To test the gas-bypassing, a typical RTD tests might be required. Thus, the objective of this assignment is to do experiments to characterize the performance of the cross-flow adsorber at various operating conditions such as gas flow rate, sorbent flow rate and feed sorbent temperature and to prove that the concept works. The key parameters of interest are pressure drop, number of passes and CO2 capture rate.
Typical activities foreseen:
- Literature study
- Experiments
- Result analysis
- Modelling
- Report making
Contact info:
Daily supervisor:
Jayaram Ganesan - g.ganesan@utwente.nl
Supervisor:
Wim Brilman - d.w.f.brilman@utwente.nl
Literature:
A Radial Flow Contactor for Ambient Air CO2 Capture, Qian Yu and Wim Brilman, MDPI