Improving the Regeneration of CO₂-Binding Organic Liquids with a Polarity Change
This paper describes an unusual solvent regeneration method unique to CO₂BOLs and other switchable ionic liquids; utilizing changes in polarity to shift the free energy of the system. The degree of CO₂ loading in CO₂BOLs is known to control the polarity of the solvent; conversely, polarity could be exploited as a means to control CO₂ loading. In this process, a chemically inert non-polar “antisolvent” is added to aid in de-complexing CO₂ from a CO₂-rich CO₂BOL. The addition of this polarity assist reduces temperatures required for regeneration of CO₂BOLs by as much as 76 °C. The lower regeneration temperatures realized with this polarity change allow for reduced solvent attrition and thermal degradation. Furthermore, the polarity assist shows considerable promise for reducing regeneration energy of CO₂BOL solvents, and separation of the CO₂BOL from the antisolvent is as simple as cooling the mixture below the upper critical solution temperature. Vapour-liquid equilibrium and liquid-liquid equilibrium measurements of a candidate CO₂BOL with CO₂ with and without an antisolvent were completed. From this data, we present the evidence and impacts of a polarity change on a CO₂BOL. Thermodynamic models and analysis of the system were constructed using ASPEN Plus, and forecasts preliminary process configurations and feasibility are also presented. Lastly, projections of solvent performance for removing CO₂ from a sub-critical coal fired power plant (total net power and parasitic load) are presented with and without this polarity assist and compared to DOE’s Case 10 MEA baseline.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1177342
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-94359
- Journal Information:
- Energy and Environmental Science, 6(7):2233-2242, Journal Name: Energy and Environmental Science, 6(7):2233-2242
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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