Enabling net zero emissions targets through post combustion capture (PCC) of CO2 using amine-based emerging technology
Supervisors: Dr Abby Samson and Professor Derek Ingham.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of the key activities that will allow anthropogenic carbon emissions to reach net zero and net negative in time to avoid dangerous climate change. Most large-scale CCS operations rely on amine solvents for post-combustion CO2 capture, but these amines degrade over time and are also damaged by impurities in the gases being processed.
This is especially the case for applications such as capture from waste combustion (a key application because it also generates negative emissions from capturing the CO2 from the biomass in the waste) where high levels of NOx, SOx and ash can cause a reduction in the carbon absorption capacity of the amines. Maintaining amine solvent quality by reclaiming the 'good' solvent for re-use and rejecting the impurities for disposal or alternative uses is critical in the success of a capture plant.
This project will study the effect of solvent degradation, arising from different process conditions and types of flue gas impurities, on the thermal reclaiming of monoethanolamine (MEA) and other solvents.
For further information contact Dr Abby Samson (a.samson@sheffield.ac.uk) or Professor Derek B Ingham (d.ingham@sheffield.ac.uk).