In the spring of 2010, a 30-meter-high indoor CO2 absorber/desorber pilot rig was commissioned at Tiller. The pilot plant consists of a complete absorption and desorption plant with a CO2 capacity of 50 kg CO2/h. It is also fully automated, with long time operational capabilities.
The entire system is controlled by a Siemens PCS7 process control system and the plant can operate 24 hours a day. The plant is constructed for accurate measurements of key process variables including:
- Energy requirements
- CO2 absorption capacity
- Emissions to air
- Degradation of solvents
- Other key process parameters
The results of these measurements combined with analyses of gas and liquid samples are important input parameters to SINTEF's simulation tool CO2SIM. This simulation tool can be used for modelling and optimization of large-scale plants, based on pilot validation.
In 2016, the plant has been equipped with a coal and bio-burner with extra flue gas pre-treatment equipment. By proper understanding of the pre-treatment requirements of the flue gas prior to CO2 removal, one can reduce the costs and prevent the CO2 capture units from being damaged during continuous operation as well as to remove emission to a minimum.
Depending on the type of CO2 capture technology utilized, there will be different pre-treatment requirements. The current pre-treatment system at Tiller CO2Lab comprises of a cooling- and conditioning column, a NOx removal plant and a plant for removal of SO2. In addition, baghouse filters, electrostatic filters and Candle filters will be installed for removal of dust and mist particles. For amine processes, mist must be understood in connection with air emissions.
The TillerCO2Lab includes a membrane pilot plant (pilot scale). In this membrane pilot, various types of polymer-based membrane modules are tested under diverse experimental conditions: flue gas (e.g. 30m3/hr) with different CO2 content and pressures up to eight bar and with permeable pressure below 100 mbar. Contents of SOx and NOx in exhaust gas is a challenge in the work of achieving cost-effective membrane processes. In addition to this standard membrane plant will therefore now also be installed a laboratory scale plant for testing of more realistic smoke gases containing SOx and NOx.
