Testing of Ammonia Based CO2 Capture with Multi- Pollutant Control Technology

Abstract Powerspan has been developing a CO 2 capture process, called ECO 2 ® , since 2004 in conjunction with the U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under a cooperative research and development agreement. In December 2007 Powerspan announced it exclusively licensed a patent for the process from NETL. The ECO 2 process is a post-combustion, regenerative process, which uses an ammonia-based solution to capture CO 2 from the flue gas of a power plant and release it in a form that is ready for further compression, safe transportation, and geological storage. The technology is suitable for retrofit to the existing coal-based, electric generating fleet as well as for new coal-based plants. The CO 2 capture takes place after the sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter are captured. Once the CO 2 is captured, the ammonia-based solution is regenerated to release CO 2 and ammonia. The ammonia is recovered and sent back to the scrubbing process, and the CO 2 is in a form that is ready for geological storage. Ammonia is not consumed in the scrubbing process, and no separate by-product is created. Powerspan has conducted extensive laboratory testing to establish the effectiveness of the process for CO 2 capture and has initiated a pilot test program with FirstEnergy at the R.E. Burger Plant. A 1-MW pilot demonstration is scheduled to begin in 2008, which will produce approximately 20 tons of sequestration ready CO 2 per day. The pilot will demonstrate CO 2 capture through integration with the ECO ®  multi-pollutant control process. The pilot program will also prepare the technology for commercial scale (120-MW) CCS demonstration projects planned with NRG Energy for the WA Parish plant and with Basin Electric Power Cooperative for the Antelope Valley Station.