Membrane gas-solvent contactor process for efficient carbon capture from multiple emission sources within an industrial complex

Abstract

Carbon dioxide capture from large industrial complexes that have multiple emission sources is a challenge. Membrane gas-solvent contactors are an efficient and compact technology for carbon capture. Here, a membrane contactor process that undertook dispersed carbon capture from multiple emission sources within an iron and steel mill and a petrochemical refinery were simulated. CO2 absorption occurred at each emission location, with the rich solvent regenerated and CO2 product generated at a separate location. The membrane contactor process had an energy duty of 2.9 MJ/kg of CO2 capture for both industrial scenarios, based on 30 wt% monoethanolamine. The cost of capture was US$ 55 per tonne of CO2 avoided for the iron and steel mill, and US$ 59 per tonne of CO2 avoided for the petrochemical refinery. The energy duty and costs of capture are highly competitive against other technologies simulate for dispersed capture sites within one industrial complex.