A single-component water-lean post-combustion CO2 capture solvent with exceptionally low operational heat and total costs of capture – comprehensive experimental and theoretical evaluation

Abstract

A comprehensive evaluation of a recently developed water-lean amine-based solvent, namely N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-morpholinopropan-1-amine (2-EEMPA), has been performed to analyze its post-combustion CO₂ capture performance. This evaluation comprises (1) fundamental characterization of the solvent–CO₂ interaction using vapor–liquid equilibria, kinetics and viscosity measurements; (2) process characterization of the CO₂ capture performance as measured in a laboratory scale continuous flow system and via Aspen Plus® simulation using a flue gas simulant; as well as (3) a full techno economic analysis of the capture process at industrial scale with corresponding projections of critical metrics. This paper summarizes the many parts of this comprehensive evaluation and shows how the various parts come together to empower validated conclusions about its process performance. Notably, it is projected that this solvent can operate at a regeneration heat rate of 2.0 GJ per tonne CO₂ for post-combustion capture, and at a total cost of capture of $50.6/tonne CO₂. With further process optimization significant reductions in the capture cost are predicted.