(535c) CO2 Capture From Flue Gas By PSA Utilizing a Structured Adsorbent

A cost effective pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process is under development for post-combustion CO₂ capture from coal fired power plants. Several research groups from around the world are showing that PSA is still a viable option, as no separation process has emerged as a clear winner for CO₂ capture. PSA is also attractive because it requires only electricity; it does not require any steam from the power plant. This project is being carried out with funding from DOE NETL and four collaborative partners:

The key challenge to the success of this project is two-fold: 1) an attrition resistant and low pressure drop structured adsorbent must be developed based on commercial zeolite that is compatible with the high velocities associated with shorter PSA cycle times, and 2) a PSA cycle configuration must be developed in concert with the structured adsorbent so that the resulting PSA process delivers an exceptional performance at reduced capital and operating costs. Since the rapid PSA concept is conceptually simple but difficult to implement, a select team has been assembled to carry out this ambitious project and demonstrate the feasibility of the PSA concept for CO₂ capture at the bench scale. This team includes researchers from USC, W. R. Grace, Catacel, and Battelle.

To date, a key development includes the development of a low energy, high feed throughput PSA cycle for CO₂ capture via PSA process simulation. This was an incredible achievement when considering that the bulk density was reduced from 710 kg/m³ (typical for a packed bed of zeolite beads) to 400 kg/m³ (entirely possible with a Catacel structured adsorbent core). It boasts around 3,000 L(STP)/hr/kg feed throughput and a separations energy of less than 18 kJ/mol CO₂ captured. This presentation will discuss the latest results obtained from Ritter and his group.