New Report Release: Dynamics of Emission Mitigation Tools
Our latest report, Dynamics of Emission Mitigation Tools, presents critical findings from a comprehensive three-week dynamic testing campaign at the RWE Innovation Centre in Niederaussem, Germany. This study sheds light on the operational flexibility and CO₂ capture efficiency of advanced emission mitigation technologies under real-world conditions.
Summary
Pilot testing under dynamic operating conditions provides essential insights into how plants respond to fluctuations in power generation, such as load following, start-up, and shutdown scenarios. This research helps identify key variables impacting plant performance, such as solvent behavior, energy use, and emissions under changing conditions, with implications for improving energy efficiency, reducing costs, and optimizing process control strategies.
During this campaign, which used CESAR1 solvent (a blend of AMP and piperazine), 27 tests were conducted across various “load following” and “shutdown/warm start-up” scenarios to closely simulate real-world operations. The results demonstrated the pilot plant's rapid and reliable response to changes in critical stream flows, effectively replicating the flexible operations needed for carbon capture.
Key findings include:
Mitigation of Emissions: Technologies tested significantly reduced volatile and aerosol-based emissions of key solvents, with notable reductions in degradation products like ammonia and acetaldehyde when using acid wash systems.
Enhanced Forecasting: Data gathered enabled the refinement of machine learning models, including the Chronos model, enhancing short- and long-term emissions forecasting.
This report underscores the value of pilot testing under dynamic conditions to validate scale-up models, optimise control strategies, and support the transition to low-carbon energy solutions.