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Flue Gas Carbon Capture Project

Mountaineer Station, WV
Koch Modular was engaged for the design of a modular pilot plant system as part of the first ever operating carbon capture and storage facility.

The system was installed at a pulverized coal-fueled power plant where the captured carbon dioxide (CO2) is injected underground for permanent storage. In addition to resulting in low release of the ammonium carbonate solvent used during the carbon capture process, this system achieves high CO2 removal rates.

Koch Modular was selected as the supplier of this first of its kind pilot plant system due to their successful experience in overcoming core challenges associated with designing modular systems and CO2 removal.

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Flue Gas Carbon Capture
Flue Gas Carbon Capture
Flue Gas Carbon Capture

Challenge

Among the core challenges of this system was designing it such that it accommodates a broad range of operating conditions. Additionally, the tendency of the ammonium carbonate solvent to form solids at low temperatures and in stagnant spots made proper temperature control and piping design essential. The materials of construction also necessitated careful consideration due to certain high temperature areas requiring the use of higher alloys than regular stainless steel.

SOLUTION

Koch Modular provided a multi-module flue gas carbon capture system including solvent regeneration and recovery. The process first absorbs the CO2 using an ammonium carbonate solvent. The CO2 is then stripped out from the solvent in a regenerator, converting the ammonium bicarbonate back into ammonium carbonate. The latter is returned to the CO2 absorber, thus completing the solvent cycle.

RESULTS

The modular design allowed for the client to concentrate, with minimal interruption, on the engineering, infrastructure and on-site construction activities pertaining to this greenfield project. Furthermore, the use of modules substantially reduced the site labor requirement and shortened project schedule.

Despite the complexity of the equipment, the system provided by Koch Modular was the most trouble-free section of the client’s plant due to engineers capturing special design features to ensure smooth operation of the unit.

Ultimately, the pilot unit was run by the client for two years to test their carbon capture and storage concept. Up to 300 tons a day of CO2 was compressed, injected and sequestered between layers of rock deep underground, and the project was deemed a complete success.