CO2 recovery systems

Emissions-weighted Carbon Price
Figure 1

Recovery as a minimal emission solution

High pressure extraction plants, which use supercritical CO2 as solvent, can be revamped to reduce emissions. There are several process steps, where CO2 losses may occur. The most obvious of these process steps is during depressurization of the extraction vessels of the plant. A recovery system can be a solution to collect the CO2 during depressurization in a storage vessel. Thereby the potential of the recovery system depends on its operating pressure (Figure 2). On the other hand, a decrease in recovery pressures causes an increase in the effort and complexity of the design of the recovery system.

Finding a well-balanced compromise between the presented aspects is a task that requires a great expertise in this matter. Uhde High Pressure Technologies (Uhde HPT) provides a longtime experience in the design of tailor-made recovery solutions and assists its clients in finding the optimal solution for their application.

A variety of technical options, know-how from numerous projects

There are several different concepts available for designing a CO2 recovery system, leading from direct extraction of CO2 to more sophisticated solutions, each with its individual advantages and challenges. Depending on the required/optimal pressure of the recovery system different vessel-types, pressurized or not, can be considered. For certain recovery pressures a combination of concepts may be the most efficient way to maximize the recovery performance.

Uhde HPT is able to assist and guide clients on their way to find and implement a suitable solution for their individual requirements.

Figure 2

Long term expertise in recovery systems

Uhde High Pressure Technologies can look back on decades of experiences in high pressure CO2 processes. Since CO2 is a popular solvent in supercritical fluid processes, a solvent recovery should always be considered. Uhde HPT implemented a large variety of highly sophisticated CO2-recovery systems in the past and can support customers with a tailorized solution for their specific requirements. Especially customers who think of retrofitting their plants in order to respond to new regulations or climate goals can count on a tailor-made recovery solution for their individual process.

Uhde HPT picks up customers where they are and understands, as the case may be, the process they already have. A service team specialized in high pressure solutions is responsible for any kind of spare parts and service needed after the system has been installed.