Jump directly to: Top of text , Main navigation , sub navigation , meta navigation
In Postcombustion capture CO2 is captured from the flue gases by using a chemical solvent that reacts with CO2 . The cleaned flue gas is released into the atmosphere, while the captured CO2 is transported to a storage site.
Postcombustion capture can be added to almost any power plant. In the same manner as in conventional power plants, flue gases are cleaned off nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), particles and other substances.
In Postcombustion capture, CO2 is captured from the flue gases in a "scrubber" using an absorption process based on chemical solvents, like amines. The gases pass through the absorption column where the solvent reacts with the CO2, chemically binding it and removing it from the gas stream. After absorption, the cleaned flue gases primarily contain water vapour and climatic inactive nitrogen.
On leaving the "scrubber" the solvent is heated to release the nearly pure CO2 and the solvent can then be reused. Heat from the power plant's steam turbines is used to raise the temperature to the desired level. The captured CO2 can be transported to a storage site.
In principle, Postcombustion capture systems can be used for flue gases from the combustion of any type of fuel. In practice, impurities in the fuel play an important role in the design and total cost of the plant. The greatest challenge, however, is meeting the energy requirements needed to release the carbon dioxide from the solvent; this reduces overall power plant efficiency. On the other hand, the technology enables retrofitting of existing plants.
Jump directly to: Top of text , Search , Main navigation , sub navigation , meta navigation , Top of page
