Post-Combustion CO2 Capture: A Comparison Between Commercially Ready Technologies

Abstract

Retro-fitting of post-combustion CO2 capture units to coal fired power plants is key to the transition to a net-zero CO2 emission reality. Different separation technologies have been found suitable for CO2 capture, but a more comprehensive approach is required to identify the most viable option among those commercially available. In this study we analyze the three most established technologies, namely absorption, adsorption and membrane separation, comparing both their exergetic efficiency and their total cost. This assessment provides an overview of the technical differences among the three capture routes and a realistic estimate of the expenditures associated with post-combustion CO2 capture, as of today.