Sustainability analysis of phase-change solvents for post-combustion CO2 capture

Journal article, 2019

Phase-change solvents is a solution to the energy penalty problem of post-combustion CO2 capture. While the improved thermodynamic performance of processes using phase-change solvents is previously demonstrated, there is no research done on the environmental and health aspects of such processes. The purpose of this study is to bridge this gap with the help of combined life cycle and safety, health and environment hazard assessment. In terms of life cycle analysis, steam for the reboiler, CO2 compression for transport and electricity consumption by the flue gas blower are the main contributors to the impact, however, in comparison with the conventional solvents, phase-change solvents will require additional electricity and reclaimer steam input due to phase-separation and potential increase of degradation compounds, the overall energy requirement is, however, smaller. The assessment indicated that phase-change solvent systems may experience additional problems of accumulation of harmful solvent degradation products due to the design of the process. The study highlights that in comparison with the conventional systems, phase-change solvent process might require additional safety equipment, but the overall environmental and health impact of the system is expected to be lower.