Global Warming: Separation of CO2

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main Body
Absorption
Mono-ethanolamine (MEA) Process
Advantages and disadvantages to absorption
Fuel gas desulfurization
Alternative solutions
Solid Sorbents
Conclusion

Introduction

The increase of CO₂ in the atmosphere poses a significant challenge in global heating. The reduction of the gas is hence an essential area of research. Separating and sequestrating CO₂are among the near-term methods for reducing emissions. This essay explores the absorption of CO₂ using diverse methods.

Main Body

Separating and sequestrating CO₂can be conducted using various methods such as absorption through solvents or solid sorbents, pressure-swing, and temperature-swing. A variety of solid sorbents, cryogenic decontamination, films, and new and emerging technologies are employed alongside the methods. The largest obstacle in separating CO₂is the cost incurred. Some techniques afford highly clean jets of CO_2. However, they undergo substantial degradation and damage caused by other elements in the outlet gas. Other methods afford long-term solutions but take a long to attain a satisfactory selectivity when separating CO2 while others demand equipment and separation conditions that are too costly.

Absorption

The method of absorbing CO₂through a liquid solvent or solid matrix is contemporarily underway. The solvent used in the process only dissolves CO₂. The CO₂containing solution is pumped through the regeneration column where the CO₂is stripped off. Optimal conditions for CO₂absorption are high pressure and low temperature that is typically between the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) step and the stack. The absorption follows after the electrostatic precipitation and the FGD stages. The resultant flue gas (low in CO₂) is released to the atmosphere or harnessed for other purposes such as chemical production.

Mono-ethanolamine (MEA) Process

Monoethanolamine (MEA) is a valuable and cost-effective solvent. Once pumped through a column containing MEA, the flue gas is selectively rid of the CO₂. Between 70 and 80 percent of operating costs arise from temperature manipulation. Finding a novel solvent or fine-tuning the current techniques is an area that requires much improvement.

Advantages and disadvantages to absorption

The process of CO2 absorption has diverse advantages and disadvantages. Many of the disadvantages arising from the fact that there are many design issues to conquer. Re-generability of the solvent is among the issues that arise. In addition, the amount of oxygen in the flue gas raises concerns as high concentrations lead to corrosion of carbon steel absorption apparatus.

The outstanding advantage of the process is the existence of easily re-generatable solvents. The absorbing solution once placed in the regenerator can be re-used to perform the procedures with similar results as new solvents.

Fuel gas desulfurization

SO_x compounds are used in forming CO₂-absorbing solvents. Compounds formed from limestone are used to separate SO_xfrom flue gas before absorption. Consequently, they are run together to form the solvent for absorption. Using cost-effective transportation to the absorber reduces the capital cost of retrofitting an operational facility.

Alternative solutions

Guaranteeing utmost interaction between the solvent and the flue gases through better techniques is a possible solution to improving absorption. The packing of the absorbing material increases the surface area of the solvent while reducing the residence time. Alternative improvement is the dilution of MEA solution with organic solvents. They have lower heat capacities hence reducing the energy demand for regeneration.

Solid Sorbents

These include calcium and lithium hydroxides. They are associated with higher temperatures but higher absorption rates. They induce cleaning costs due to the formation of CaCO₃ on the surfaces. However, they possess similar advantages and disadvantages as wet solvents.

Conclusion

The conditions inherent in the shaft gas stream determine the most appropriate methods for utilization in separating CO_2. They affect the absorption rate and regeneration energy. The proper combination of solvent, packing, and conditions will reduce the costs of absorption of CO_2.

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