The non-proprietary CESAR1 amine blend has been widely studied for use as a solvent for post-combustion CO2 capture. 1–5 Despite of its relative popularity in the solvent market, there are still many knowledge gaps connected to the stability of CESAR1. The mixture of 2-amino-2-methyl propanol (AMP, CAS 124-68-5) and piperazine (PZ, CAS 110-85-0) is known to be much more stable than ethanolamine (MEA, CAS 141-43-5), both under oxidising conditions, thermal stress, and at the cyclic conditions in the CO2 capture plant. Despite of solvent degradation being low compared to other solvents, degradation phenomena need to be fully understood before a solvent can be safely implemented for large or full-scale CO2 capture from industrial sources, to fully comprehend potential environmental and operational impacts, and ensure safety for operators and neighbours.
In this work, we aim to fully elucidate the degradation patterns of CESAR1 at industry relevant conditions. Oxidative and thermal degradation experiments with AMP, PZ, and CESAR1 will be performed, and their degradation patterns and chemistry will be compared to solvent samples from industrial operations. In the Norwegian CCS research centre (NCCS) and the HEU project AURORA, new CESAR1 degradation compounds have been identified and quantified. Currently, LC-MSMS methods for the quantification of more than 30 CESAR1 specific degradation compounds are available at SINTEF, in addition to generic amine degradation compounds such as carboxylates, aldehydes, and alkylamines. A total nitrogen (TN) analysis was also performed to assess whether all nitrogen containing degradation compounds have been identified in the used solvent.
A CESAR1 solvent sample from a pilot scale operation at the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) is currently partly characterised. Figure 1 shows the concentrations of 29 of the components present in the used solvent. In addition to these, acetone (148 mg/L), formaldehyde (89 mg/L), and acetaldehyde (4 mg/L), as well as the solvent amines AMP (264 g/kg) and PZ (94 g/kg) were also quantified. Furthermore, 20 other compounds were also included in the analysis of the sample, but none of them were found above their respective limits of quantification (0.1-1 mg/kg, depending on compound).
Conference publication – Optimal Control of Industrial Solvent-Based CO2 Capture PlantsConference publication
This publication, prepared by our project partners Cybernetica and SINTEF Industry, is a proceeding from the 34th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering and the 15th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering (ESCAPE34/PSE24), held in Florence, Italy, from June 2-6, 2024. Solutions for advanced control of CO2 capture processes…
Conference abstract – GHGT-17: «Storage potential evaluation of eastern Mediterranean area as final step of the full chainassessment»
The last step of the CCUS full chain is represented by geological storage, when the CO2 is injected, via injection wells, into the deep sub-surface at a carefully selected site (such as a saline aquifer or a depleted oil/gas field). This work describes the methodology and the results adopted by…
Conference presentation – CO₂GeoNet Open Forum: «Exploring CCUS chains in Belgium and Greece based on open-access CESAR1 solvent capture technology»
Read our project partner's presentation on "Exploring CCUS chains in Belgium and Greece based on open-access CESAR1 solvent capture technology", by Anette Mathisen – (SINTEF), Hanne Kvamsdal (SINTEF), Stephane Jouenne (Totale Energies), Sabina Bigi (Sapienza University of Rome). See presentation
Abstract – PCCC-7: «The impact of solvent degradation products on operation and environment»
Abstract Solvent degradation during the CO2 capture process is known to reduce capture capacity, increase corrosivity, emissions and solvent toxicity, and complicate operation of the plant. The wide variety in degradation compounds include charged species, typically referred to as heat stable salt (HSS), amides, acids, nitrosamines, small volatile organic compounds,…
Abstract – TCCS-12: Kinetics of the Absorption of CO2 into aqueous loaded solutions of AMP and AMP/PZ
Abstract Amine-based absorption is currently the most advanced and cost-effective means of postcombustion CO2 capture among the different technologies that can be used (Dutcher et al., 2015). Much work has been done to reduce energy consumption, which constitutes one of the major penalties to the absorption process. Therefore, when it…
Abstract – PCCC7: Development needs and knowledge gaps of CESAR1 solvent
Abstract The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is a major global challenge in the fight against climate change. Among the various technologies available for post-combustion CO2 capture, amine-based absorption is currently considered the most advanced and cost-effective[1]. However, the absorption process incurs a significant energy penalty, prompting research efforts…
Abstract – TCCS-12: Towards understanding CESAR1 degradation
A reason why aqueous ethanolamine (MEA) is still considered a benchmark solvent for CO2 capture by some, despite of its relatively high energy consumption and relative instability compared to other solvents, is the abundance of knowledge and public data on MEA performance and chemistry. With more than 50 identified degradation…
Abstract – TCCS-12: «AURORA – ACCELERATED DEPLOYMENT OF INTEGRATED CCUS CHAINS BASED ON SOLVENT CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY»
ABSTRACT AURORA is a three and a half year HORIZON Europe project funded by EU and kicked off in January 2023. The participants of AURORA represent the following six European countries: Norway (5 partners), United Kingdom (1 partner), Belgium (1 partner), France (2 partners), Italy (1 partner), and Greece (2…