Amine technology

 In amine technology, CO₂ is captured by an amine solvent, a liquid comprising of water and amines, which is being used to absorb the CO₂ from the flue gas.

Amine technology has been used for decades in other applications and is therefore considered to have a moderate technical risk. However, TCM will evaluate opportunities for improvements in process design, construction methods and operations with the purpose to qualify the technology for use in large scale post-combustion plants. Aker Clean Carbon has included several technology improvements in the plant such as; improved amines, energy saver and emission control. The flexible absorber is about 60 m high and is constructed in concrete with a liner.

How does the technology work?

The Absorber:

Exhaust gas containing the CO₂ is routed into a large absorption tower. The exhaust gas enters the bottom of the absorber flowing upwards where it comes into contact with the liquid amine flowing downwards allowing the CO₂ to be absorbed from the flue gas.

The Water Wash:

After absorbing CO₂, the remaining exhaust gas is treated in a water wash placed in the upper part of the absorber tower to remove amines before the cleaned exhaust gas is released back to the atmosphere.

The CO₂ Desorbers:

The CO₂ rich amine solvent is pumped via heat exchangers to a regenerator where the chemical reaction between the amine and CO₂ is reversed by steam flowing upwards in the regenerator column. The separated CO₂, would then be ready for compression, transport and storage and the CO₂ lean liquid amine can be pumped back into the absorber for reuse and the cycle repeated. The amine plant at TCM will have two dedicated regenerators – one designed for the refinery cracker flue gas, and the second for the combined heat and power flue gas.