Making carbon capture a reality through proprietary separation technology

With a dedicated carbon capture solution portfolio, Sulzer addresses the specific requirements of various solvent-based technologies at scale, Dr Rafic Traboulssi, Strategic Business Development, tells OGN

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As countries strive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a key pillar is the defossilisation and decarbonisation of energy systems and chemical production pathways.

There is broad consensus that carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is an essential part of a diversified solution portfolio required to achieve net-zero.

By 2050, it is estimated that between 4.21 and 7.62 gigatons of CO2 will need to be captured annually.

Companies worldwide are, therefore, increasingly integrating carbon capture into their corporate strategies.

Sulzer's innovations in the field of carbon capture, such as MellapakCC™, AYPlus™ DC, and MellaTech™, are designed to optimise total cost of ownership (TCO) and enhance process reliability, key enablers for the cost-efficient, large-scale deployment of carbon capture.

POST-COMBUSTION CARBON CAPTURE PLANT

A carbon capture plant consists of three main columns: the direct contact cooler (DCC), the CO2 absorber, and the CO2 stripper (Figure 1); and Sulzer offers unique solutions for all three sections of the process.

• Direct Contact Cooler (DCC): The preconditioned flue gas enters the DCC (also called Quencher) at an elevated temperature. There, it is cooled slightly above the cooling water temperature. A pump-around system ensures optimal liquid loading for efficient heat and mass transfer.

Sulzer offers compact, cost-effective DCC designs with full process guarantees for performance, operability, and reliability.

The flue gas blower (booster fan) located immediately downstream is a long-lead, high-impact item affecting both capex and opex.