Decarbonisation Technology - November 2021

precisely, as separation is at the core of amine- based carbon sequestration processes, it is crucial to identify the mass transfer components that can reliably deliver optimum processing capacity, recovery rates and energy efficiency. For these activities, columns equipped with structured packing offer the most effective design, as they can maintain a limited equipment footprint, even when high capacity and throughput are required. Furthermore, such a compact solution can still provide the necessary absorption efficiency to remove CO 2 from flue gases. This type of packing minimises pressure drop for a given separation performance. This is of major importance for a system that needs to transport a high-volume flow. A lower pressure drop leads to lower energy consumption in the upstream blower, which finally reduces the Opex and makes the plant less cost intensive. Therefore, businesses can rely on a technology that can maintain low energy consumption and Opex. In addition to this, structured packing features a smaller blower, which helps to reduce Capex. Selecting the right structured packing in CCS/CCUS facilities was shown to save over €225,000 (over $267,000) per year in electricity costs compared to first- or second-generation random packing, providing both environmental and financial benefits. 4 Another positive effect of choosing mass transfer solutions with efficiency and low pressure drop is the smaller size of the absorption unit and thus a reduction in Capex. Ahead of the packing A structured packing solution that offers all these

elements, as it has been specifically developed to address the challenges of carbon sequestration applications, is Sulzer’s MellapakCC. This packing is currently used in several leading CCS/CCUS facilities worldwide, delivering considerable process advantages. The packing height required to deliver at least the same performance of traditional systems can be 20% smaller. In addition, MellapakCC has been proven to increase efficiency by up to 20%, as well as lowering pressure drop by a minimum of 20% and up to 50-60%. When applied in a CCS/CCUS facility within an 800 MW coal-fired power plant inputting 3 million m 3 of flue gases every hour, MellapakCC can save at least €6.75 million (over $8 million) in Opex over the course of its 30-year service life. 3 Beyond separation By partnering with a mass transfer specialist with extensive experience in separation technology for carbon capture applications, such as Sulzer Chemtech, businesses can benefit from strategies that maximise their return on investment (ROI). This enables companies to benefit from highly effective CCS/CCUS facilities, making decarbonisation an undertaking that can enhance both competitiveness and sustainability.

MellapakCC is a trademark of Sulzer Chemtech.

VIEW REFERENCES

Marcel Suhner Marcel.Suhner@sulzer.com