CO2 capture processes
CO2 capture is an approach to mitigating global warming by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from large point sources such as power plants and subsequently storing it instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Over the last century, human activity has had a profound impact on our environment. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), combustion of fossil fuels constitute a major man-made contribution to global warming of our planet. With the expected increase in the world power production, the removal of CO2 from power plants based on combustion of fossil fuels will become of great importance on a world basis.
Post-combustion capture is the easiest method to implement on industrial scale because the capture plant can be constructed independently of the power plant and refitted to existing plants. One of the most commonly used post-combustion capture methods is by absorbtion. CO2 reacts with an absorbent and the remaining flue gas is discharged. In a subsequent step, captured CO2 is released from the absorbent and is then collected and transported to a storage site.
SINTEF is conducting significant research within CO2-capture technologies. SINTEF Materials and Chemistry have for many years been active in the development and improvement of absorption processes for CO2 removal and offers world class laboratory facilities as well as state-of-the-art simulation solutions for advanced CO2 separation technologies.
The CO2 capture research team at department of Process Technology focuses on technological innovation within absorbent based technologies with the goal to achieve greater efficiencies and reduce costs. This involves significant experimental efforts as well as computer simulation, from molecular scales to process modelling of state of the art absorption plants.
Contact person: Thor Mejdell