Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.’s RSAT™ Process and Field Demonstration of the OptiCap™ Advanced Solvent at the US-DOE's National Carbon Capture Center

Abstract

Southern Company manages and operates the U.S. Department of Energy's National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), a focal point of national efforts to develop advanced technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-based power generation. The center, located in Alabama, works with scientists and technology developers from government, industry and universities who are creating the next generation of carbon capture technologies.In the fall of 2011, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W PGG) conducted a three-month test campaign at the NCCC to develop further commercially viable methods of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants. The company tested its regenerable solvent absorption technology (RSAT™) process using its OptiCap™ advanced solvent.This paper will provide general descriptions of results in the areas of regeneration energy, solvent degradation and corrosion, as well as non-quantitative results such as lessons learned and operating experience for a post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) pilot plant in a coal-fired utility power plant.