Systematic review on sono-assisted CO2 stripping, solvent recovery and energy demand aspects in solvent-based post-combustion carbon dioxide capture process

Abstract

Post-combustion carbon dioxide capture (PCCC) based on chemical absorption is a mature technology, commercially feasible, easily installed and retrofitted to existing industrial plants. The limitations at stripper conditions are solvent regeneration energy, solvent loss, degradation, and solvent make-up cost. Research efforts have been conducted to improve solvent's absorption capacity, reduce pressure, reduce undesired product/contaminants formation with an optimal design process to operate at maximum efficiency. Nevertheless, energy loss during solvent regeneration remains a persistent problem. This systematic review focuses on the application of low and high-frequency ultrasonics for carbon-rich solvent regeneration in PCCC to address the issues associated with energy demand, CO2 stripping, solvent recovery. The study shows the potential for reducing carbon capture energy demand and improved operating conditions. In terms of mass transfer enhancement, size, cost, compact design, solvent degradation, low/high viscosity operation which has an advantage over conventional solvent regeneration techniques and is a potential alternative. Bath-type sonication provides uniform distribution of sonication effect over large volume has the scaling-up potential to bench, pilot and industrial-scale. Furthermore, a process flow diagram of CCS with integration of sono-assisted carbon-rich solvent regeneration in place of conventional solvent regeneration is discussed.