An Update on the Development of the CSIRO's CS-Cap Combined CO2 and SO2 Capture Process

Abstract

The successful implementation of the leading technology for post combustion capture (PCC) of carbon dioxide (CO2), i.e. absorption/desorption using alkanolamines, still faces several challenges. For countries like Australia, that do not have flue gas desulfurization (FGD) installed at coal-fired power stations, removal of acid gases stronger than CO2 (e.g. SOx) prior to PCC becomes a costly affair, particularly when emissions of these gases can be as high as 500-600ppm from brown coal power stations, compared to the desired limit of < 10ppm. To avoid the requirement of separate FGD units, the CSIRO has developed a combined capture process, called CS-Cap, which uses a single absorbing liquid to simultaneously capture SO2 and CO2 from coal-fired power station flue gas.Proof of concept has been completed at the CSIRO Loy Yang CO2 capture pilot plant in Victoria, Australia, where a CO2 loaded amine absorbent was used to remove SO2 from a slip stream of the power station flue gas. This resulted in the generation of a SO2 loaded amine absorbent which has since been used in subsequent evaluation of potential absorbent regeneration methods.