Solvent Technology Development in the EU Project HiPerCap: From Molecular Simulation to Technological Roadmap for Large Scale Demonstration

The widest possible range of post-combustion capture technologies, based on solid sorbents, membranes and a wide variety of solvent-based systems, was examined in the EU project HiPerCap (GA No. 608555, 2014-217). The two breakthrough technologies were selected through the rigorous screening process conducted in the project, which were, coincidentally, reasonably similar, and conceptually close to the most mature and widely understood post-combustion capture technique currently available, i.e. absorption-based capture technology. The two selected technologies can be characterized as "Strong bicarbonate forming solvent" (Technology 1) and "Precipitating solvent" (Technology 2). Both technologies, selected for further study in the project, gave better performance with respect to energy consumptions and environmental impact than the benchmarks (30 wt% MEA and CESAR1). This paper gives an overview over development of the Technology 1 (strong bicarbonate forming solvent) in the project: from solvent selection to technological roadmap for large scale demonstration.