Performance and cost predictions of 2-EEMPA, and future opportunities for water-lean post-combustion capture solvents

Abstract

PNNL’s most recent single-component diamine CO2BOL derivative, 2-EEMPA, is an attractive post- combustion carbon capture solvent. This solvent can be configured to achieve regeneration energies as low as 2.0 GJ/tonne CO2 when configured with advanced heat integration, and total capture costs as low as $47.1/tonne CO2 when using a two-stage flash configuration. 2-EEMPA has been shown to be chemically durable, exhibits little foaming, and maintains a steady-state water loading of 1.6 wt%, as demonstrated on continuous flow testing with simulated flue gas. 2-EEMPA is potentially capable of thermally cracking heat-stable salts from NOx and SOx using PNNL’s polarity-swing assisted regeneration process. Building off of the promising behaviour of 2-EEMPA we conclude that by focusing future research areas on remaining cost-of-capture drivers, further improvements to water- lean formulations could be possible.