Insights into a membrane contactor based demonstration unit for CO2 capture

摘要

A continuously operated CO2 capture unit, based on absorption in a membrane contactor and low-temperature vacuum desorption, is demonstrated. The major advantage of membrane contactors is their high specific interfacial area per unit volume. The unit is designed to be modular to allow different absorption membrane modules and stripping units to be tested, with the aim of capturing CO2 from simulated flue gases at concentrations down to the ambient concentration. In addition, desorption can be performed under vacuum to improve the desorption efficiency. The experimental unit incorporates comprehensive measurements and a high level of automation, with heat integration and continuous measurement of electricity consumption providing real-time estimates of the energy consumed in the capture process.