Solid sorbents prepared from amines and porous supports exhibit similar CO₂ sorption characteristics to liquid amine solvents. Additionally, these solid sorbents have the advantage of requiring lower heat input during regeneration processes. For this reason, RITE has developed new solid sorbents using novel amine compounds (Figure 1).
 

During this development work, the relationship between amine structures and their CO₂ desorption performances was established based on computational chemistry. The results led to the fabrication of a new solid sorbent exhibiting greater efficiency in terms of desorption performance and sorption capacity (Figure 2).
 

RITE has also conducted simulation studies to accurately estimate the energy requirements and cost of CO₂ capture from coal-fired power plants (Figure 3), using models based on the application of amine–CO₂ chemical reactions. The energy efficiency of a power plant with a CO₂ capture system was estimated to improve by approximately 2 % when a solid sorbent was used in place of an advanced liquid amine solvent.
 

Currently, we are evaluating the solid sorbent process using a lab-scale adsorption/regeneration test apparatus, and also carrying out simulation studies on the resulting efficiency penalty with regard to power generation. These studies are meant to establish the practical applicability of the RITE-developed solid sorbent.

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