(712d) Optimal Analysis of Solvent and Membrane Based PCC for Power Plants

Post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) from flue gas using solvent extraction technology is well understood and is currently used in different industrial applications. However, this technology has the serious drawback in the form of an energy penalty introduced, which can be in the range of 10-40% of total electricity produced. Other PCC technologies are emerging as competitors to solvent-based systems. An example of these emerging technologies is membrane-based PCC processes. However these have been challenged both by high capex and opex. Our recent modeling studies on these two technologies show that one of the important cost-reduction parameters in PCC process is the optimal design and integration of the entire process. Such a whole systems approach is currently lacking, at least in the literature body. As an example, our energy network optimization studies show a theoretical reduction of the energy penalty by about 18%, this being a notable improvement. We have also proposed a systematic approach for design of membrane systems for PCC. This paper will present our comparative analyses on solvent-based and membrane-based PCC systems and highlights the pros and cons of each system from the modeling and computational point of views. We also discuss how hybrid solvent/membrane PCC technologies could provide rewards.