12-02-2013

Retrofit suitability of competing CO2 capture technologies

Among the numerous challenges facing humanity in the coming decades will be delivering more transport and mobility to an exponentially-growing population in an environmentally benign and ecologically sustainable way. This paradox suggests meeting an increased energy demand while simultaneously reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with its production.
 
In the comprehensive techno-economic report, “Retrofit Suitability of Competing CO2 Capture Technologies,” members of The Catalyst Group Resources’ (TCGR’s) Carbon Dioxide Capture & Conversion (CO2CC) Program have exclusive access to detailed information addressing selected post-combustion, oxy-combustion and “other” capture technologies (e.g., Ca looping) with regard to their suitability for retrofit, primarily to refinery exhaust gas sources of CO2, and the technical and economic challenges to meaningful commercial implementation. Assessment parameters include technical, operating and economic criteria.
 
The report examines several technologies which represent either current state-of-the-art processes for CO2 capture or promising technologies under development. Specifically, it considers three (3) of the most advanced technology options deemed appropriate for large scale deployment in refinery applications over the near-to-medium term. These include:
 
· Chemisorption scrubbing of the exhaust gas, aka “amine scrubbing” or post-combustion CO2 capture
· Combustion in a high oxygen environment, aka “oxyfuel combustion”
· An “other” approach: High temperature solid looping, i.e., Calcium (Ca)-looping

From a technical perspective, mitigating the CO2 emissions associated with existing and future oil refineries is a feasible, if costly prospect. There will be some important technical challenges associated with integrating the CO2 transport infrastructure carrying the CO2 from oil refineries with that associated with the CO2 arising from other industry sectors in addition to the power generation sector. This report argues that despite the challenges, the potential for retrofit is substantial and realistic over the next 10-30 years.