Cansolv offers a unique approach to the hurdle of FGD in the form of a regenerable absorption technology that allows the use of high sulfur, low value fuels while still meeting the most stringent of environmental requirements and reducing the challenging legacy obligations. Once removed by Cansolv, the by-product of pure SO2 gas can be converted to a marketable commodity such as sulfuric acid or sulfur.
As the developed and developing countries alike continue to thrive and as global population increases, the power sector is faced with two central yet somewhat contradicting challenges:
- Reducing their harmful emissions
- Adjusting production to the rapidly increasing energy demand
Complicating the paradox, with the dwindling supply of low sulfur content fuel, power generators will soon face the dilemma of switching to a higher sulfur content fuel in order to continue to generate electricity; while still being required to meet their strict environmental SO2 emission restrictions. Historically, non-regenerable alkali scrubbing processes (such as caustic, limestone and lime) have been applied in these flue gas desulfurization (FGD) applications. However, in recent years, this process has subjected utility companies to several growing legacy challenges:
- High reagent and associated transportation costs
- Complications of storage and handling of reagent and waste product (gypsum)
- Constrained liquid effluent regulations
Carbon dioxide capture and storage and GHG abatement
Tackling climate change through mandated greenhouse gas abatement continues to be a topic of focus in looming legislation for electricity generators using fossil fuels. Efficiency improvements to existing plants continue to be the ‘low hanging fruit’ to meet this challenge; however, they can only go so far. Supplemental actions need to be taken if the world wishes to meet aggressive GHG abatement targets. One such option for further CO2 reductions is through the application of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The Cansolv CO2 capture system
Driving from its expertise in regenerable amine technologies, Cansolv has developed an ingenious post-combustion CO2 capture process. The patented Cansolv Absorbent can remove 90% of the CO2 present in the fluegas and deliver it at high purity for downstream compression, transport and storage. Other advantages of the Cansolv CO2 capture system include:
- Lower overall energy consumption
- Low solvent degradation
- Tolerance to SO2 and O2
Furthermore, when the Cansolv CO2 capture system is integrated with Cansolv’s regenerable FGD system, the result is a system that delivers SO2 free emissions with 90% of the CO2 removed, along with two potentially marketable by-products in H2SO4 and CO2 for EOR. Ultimately, patented heat integration means it’s accomplished at a lower overall energy penalty.
Commercial applications for Cansolv scrubbing systems
At this time 13 commercial Cansolv scrubbing systems are in operation and several more are in the detailed engineering or procurement phase. The company continues to leverage its knowledge base to develop new and enhance existing applications for specific pollution abatement based on the Cansolv system platform.
Cansolv regenerable Absorbent
The benefits of the Cansolv Absorbent include:
- The elimination of the high cost of consumable absorbents and associated transportation costs
- No environmental legacy obligations and costs
- Reduced capital costs due to its high capacity and selectivity
- Minimal emission of effluents from the process