Membrane-assisted Dissolved Oxygen Removal from Amine solution for CO2 capture

Absorption-based post combustion carbon capture (PCCC) is currently the only technology operational at full-industrial scale, but reduction in OPEX and increased operational stability are required to accelerate its deployment. Oxidative degradation is responsible for about 70% of total amine losses, decreasing solvent lifetime while generating harmful by-products, corrosion and volatile emissions. The development of cost-effective solvent management strategies is therefore crucial to accelerate large scale implementation of CCS. The Dissolved Oxygen Removal Apparatus (DORA) is a membrane-based technology capable of removing dissolved O2 from the amine-based solvent before the regeneration stage, limiting degradation and prolonging solvent lifetime. MeDORA aims at demonstrating stable long-term operations at HVC (flue gas from WtE plant using MDEA/PZ as solvent for up to 2 years) and RWE (flue gas from Niederaussem power plant, using CESAR1 as solvent for 1.5 year). In addition, the effect of O2 content in the flue gas on DORA's operations will be tested at SINTEF (CO2 Laboratory, Tiller). With several solvents, 3 industrial flue gas sources, and more than 20,000 hours of operation, the project will bring DORA to TRL8. The final goal is to prove 90% oxygen removal, resulting in 70% OPEX (operating cost) reduction and reduced environmental impact of the capture plant (less waste generation, reduced emissions). As a side effect, MeDORA is also expected to achieve better quality of the CO2 product, lowering the post-treatment costs for compliance with CO2 transport specifications. Currently, the testing sites are being prepared to host the MeDORA campaigns. Despite some delays, the pilot campaigns at HVC and RWE are expected to be operational by the end of 2024. Initial results are expected to be available at the beginning of 2025. MeDORA is executed by a strong industry-based consortium covering the entire value chain. End-users RWE (DE) and HVC (NL) have a strong commitment towards CCUS. SLB Capturi (formerly Aker Carbon Capture, NO) is one of the main amine-based CO2 capture technology providers, also offering CO2 capture as a service. The research partners SINTEF (coordinator, NO), TNO (inventor of DORA, NL) and NTNU (research infrastructure, NO) have a long tradition in developing CCUS technologies. The ambition of the MeDORA consortium is to prepare the technology for commercialization in 2026. More information can be found in the project website: https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/2023/medora-membrane-assisted-dissolved-oxygen-removal-from-amine-solution-for-co2-capture/

Post combustion CO2 capture (PCCC) is currently the only technology operational at full-industrial scale, but costs reduction is required to accelerate its deployment. Solvent make-up and waste disposal represent a major contribution to the OPEX of PCCC plants: Boundary Dam reported $27 million for solvent management costs in 2018 (without reclaimer). Oxidative degradation, responsible for ca. 70% of amine losses, leads to decreased solvent lifetime, generating harmful by-products, corrosion and emissions. DORA is a promising solvent management strategy developed by TNO, which employs a membrane contactor to remove dissolved O2 from the amine solvent, limiting degradation and prolonging solvent lifetime. DORA is designed to be solvent independent and is currently tested at TRL7. MeDORA will advance the technology to TRL8, demonstrating long-term operations in 2 power plants (in Germany and the Netherlands). Aiming at 90% oxygen removal, major benefits in terms of solvent management OPEX (up to 70% reduction) and environmental impact of the plant (reduced waste and emissions) are expected. As added value, the O2 removal will also lead to higher purity of the CO2 product. This will be tested at varied O2 content in the flue gas by SINTEF, aiming at less than 10ppmvO2 in the CO2. This would meet the stringent CO2 transport specs (e.g., Northern Lights) without further refinement. MeDORA is executed by a strong industry-based consortium. End-users RWE (DE, lignite-fired power generation, sewage-sludge-to-energy plants) and HVC (NL, WtE plant) have a strong commitment towards CCUS. ACC (NO) is one of the main CO2 capture technology providers worldwide, currently building 2 PCCC plants (WtE in NL and cement in NO) and offering PCCC as a service. SINTEF, TNO and NTNU are the research partners, all with strong background on CCUS technologies. The MeDORA consortium has the ambition to prepare the technology for commercialization in 2026.