Update on Mixed-Salt Technology Development for CO2 Capture from Post-Combustion Power Stations

SRI Authors: Indira Jayaweera

Abstract

The new mixed-salt technology combines the well-known ammonia and potassium carbonate technologies with improved reaction kinetics and reduced emissions. This technology is capable of capturing CO2 at high cyclic loadings compared to amine-based processes. In addition, mixed-salt technology can strip CO2at high pressure, reducing the CO2 compression costs, requires no solvent chilling as in aqueous ammonia based processes, and has a low reboiler duty for regeneration (< 1000 Btu/lb.). Mixed-salt technology provides unique opportunities for better energy management to reduce the burden on the power plant steam cycle and is suitable for capturing CO2 from post-combustion, pre-combustion and other industrial gas streams. The mixed-salt technology has already been tested successfully in two small bench-level systems and is currently being tested at a large bench-scale pilot level with the funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The technology can easily be scaled up with use of conventional process equipment and can be demonstrated in full scale sooner than second-generation technologies that are currently in development.