(685d) Lab and Pre-Pilot Evaluation of Sorbents for Post-Combustion CO2 Capture

Solids-based temperature swing systems for post-combustion CO2 capture have the potential to significantly reduce projected CO2 control costs. Many sorbents have low heat capacity and relatively high CO2 working capacity, which could result in a lower regeneration energy compared to leading solvent-based systems. ADA Environmental Solutions, through a DOE Cooperative Agreement and support from EPRI and several power industry partners, is evaluating the viability of solid sorbent processes for post-combustion CO2 removal on coal-fired power plants. Such an evaluation includes not only assessment of the sorbents, but also the related process and equipment. As a first step, fixed bed laboratory-scale screening of over 100 materials has been used to draw general conclusions concerning the state of development of different types of materials. Results were also used to select three promising materials for characterization in a small pilot-scale system. This 1 kW pilot was installed on a slipstream of flue gas extracted from a power plant firing a blend of lignite and Powder River Basin coals. This presentation will include an overview of the characteristics of promising sorbents, a description of a preliminary commercial scale process concept, and results of parametric testing to date. Technical hurdles that must be overcome before this technology can move towards commercialization will also be discussed.