Currently carbon capture is done largely by chemical absorption by amines or organic solvents. These solvents capture the CO2 from the gas and are then regenerated by the use of thermal energy, which is an energy intensive process. Furthermore, the process is limited due to the challenges linked to operational costs, retrofitting, as well as solvent degradation.
In the ASGREEN project a new carbon capture technology is being developed. This new process uses electricity rather than thermal energy. The process functions as a pH swing where a high pH solvent is used to capture CO2. The pH of the solvent is then lowered in an electrochemical cell which releases CO2 as a pure gas that can be utilized for chemical production or alternatively stored underground. Finally, the solvent pH is raised by an electrochemical reaction. The solvent can then be reused.
Besides lower energy consumption, the main advantages of the technology are the ease of operation and installation, as well as the minimal amount of retrofitting needed to install the process at existing plants.
Main supervisor:
Philip Loldrup Fosbøl
Co- supervisor:
Sebastian Nis Bay Villadsen