Carbon capture: amine & VSA
Amine or VSA
In addition to amine-based carbon capture technology, Bright also offers VSA technology. Amine-based technology separates the carbon dioxide from the flue gas with amine absorption. VSA, Vacuum Swing Adsorption, technology utilizes the selective binding properties of adsorbents to separate CO2 from flue gas. Both technologies are applicable for the addition of CO2 liquefaction technology and both technologies have a high yield of gaseous CO2.
Features
- Amine-based or VSA technology
- High guarantee of own bio-CO2 supply
- Incorporated heat recovery
- Carbon-neutral or carbon-negative operations
- Low-grade heat requirements (95 °C)
- Food-grade quality CO2
- Gaseous and liquid end-product possible
Amine-based technology
The carbon capture process with amine-based technology starts with directing CO2-rich flue gas through an absorber column where it interacts with an amine-based liquid absorbent. This amine-based absorption ensures that other flue gas components pass through unaffected. To counteract the degradation of the amine absorbents a carefully formulated mixture of absorbents and additives is used to maintain high stability and reliability. A multi-stage water washer installed post-absorption effectively minimizes ammonia emissions or similar compounds that might be present in the flue gas due to absorbent degradation.
Amine process
Post absorption, the now CO2-rich absorbent is heated in a desorber column to release purified CO2 – while allowing the lean absorbent’s recycling for a new capture cycle. This system utilizes advanced heat integration to maximize heat recovery for absorbent regeneration, complemented by an amine cooler heat exchanger for additional cooling. Thereafter, the bioCO2 is cooled and moisture reduced, ready for use in its gaseous form.
VSA technology
In the carbon capture process with Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA) technology, flue gas is introduced to an adsorbent bed designed to bind CO2 over N2 and O2. Once the bed is saturated with CO2, the gas supply shifts to a second bed. Simultaneously a vacuum applied to the first bed releases CO2 and N2, enriching the CO2 concentration. The enriched CO2 gas is further processed in a second VSA pair for > 95% concentration. The offgas is recycled to recover residual CO2, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste.
Post VSA process
The purified bio-CO2 leaves the VSA at a slightly increased temperature and high moisture content. As a first step to bring both the temperature and the moisture content down, the CO2 is cooled in a heat exchanger. The cooling of the CO2 provides a low-temperature heat output, in certain cases, there could be an opportunity to valorize this heat. After the CO2 cooler, the purified bioCO2 is ready to use in gaseous form.
