New Formulated Solvents and Processes for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Separation

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SUMMARYThe capture and separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a research area of increasing importance for two major reasons. First, carbon capture is an important processing step for natural gas processing plants, petroleum refineries, and chemical and energy production facilities such as hydrogen production plants, synthesis gas plants, coal-gasification units, and oil-sand operations. For these industries, the capture of CO2 from flue gases has become an important environmental concern due to the occurrence of extreme weather conditions widely attributed to global warming. It has been reported by National Geographic [28], that the level of CO2 (the major greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere has exceeded 400ppm in 2013, the highest since three million years ago. At the same time, effects of global climate change such as rising mean temperatures and severe storms have been reported world-wide. Secondly, this research area is important because the captured carbon dioxide can be used directly in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques for helping to sustain the current production of crude oil, which is a major energy source for many parts of the world, including Canada. The large amount of carbon dioxide being produced by coal-fired power plants must be captured and used as a flooding agent for EOR processes as well as a chemical feedstock for producing commodity chemicals such as urea fertilizer. This use can provide two benefits. Not only does the commodity chemical of the captured CO2 generate revenue, using the captured CO2 in EOR processes also reduces the net CO2 released to the atmosphere thereby helping to alleviate the environmental problems of GHG emissions at a minimum cost. Therefore, the need for research and development of cost-effective CO2 capture technologies is urgent. CO2 separation using reactive solvents is currently considered one of the most promising technologies for CO2 recovery due to its reliability, and capability for handling large volumes of gas. The key operating parameters for this technology include: (i) an effective, high absorption capacity solvent; (ii) high performance mass transfer columns; (iii) effective process integrations and special process configurations. The ultimate goal of the proposed research is to develop more effective CO2 capture process technology for industrial gas streams, with the lowest possible capital and operating costs and minimal operating challenges. The long-term objective is to investigate different methods for reducing the cost of CO2 separation by developing promising and novel formulated solvents for CO2 recovery using new and recently patented, long-chain amines. Initially, we will focus on new formulated mixtures of the two key components of 4-(ethyl-methyl-amino)-2-butanol (EMAB) and 4-Diethylamino-2-butanol (DEAB) with other amines. Another long-term objective is to develop and maintain a strong HQP group at the University of Regina which focuses on the area of CO2 capture and separation research. This group of highly trained researchers will help Canadian industries address the climate change problem and issues related to CO2 production for enhanced oil recovery applications and greenhouse gas control technologies. Upon completion, the research results generated by the proposed work will shed light on the use of high efficiency formulated mixed solvents as well as new high efficiency packing materials. The knowledge obtained will contribute to our current understanding and form the basis for future generations of CO2 capture technologies. This will help industry to achieve significant savings in both capital and operating costs of CO2 capture and separation processes.