TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOVING CARBON-DIOXIDE FROM POWER-PLANT FLUE-GAS BY THE PHYSICAL ADSORPTION METHOD

Research into technology for removal of CO2 considered to be the major cause of global warming, was applied to electric power plant flue gas . Our method was to use zeolite as adsorbent for physical adsorption, progressing from the previously used PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) m ethod to the more advanced PTSA (Pressure and Temperature Swing Adsorp tion) method. We have been conducting basic research since the 1980s, and in 1991 built a 1000m(3)N/h scale pilot plant, where we are contin uing research through trial operation. Trial operation of the pilot pl ant has been mainly for acquisition of scale up data, as well as impro vement in the decrease in the power consumption of PTSA units. As a re sult, we have seen a better than 20% improvement in that area. In addi tion, the pilot plant completed 2000 hours of continuous operation wit hout incident between October and December, 1994. The total hours of o peration of the plant have topped 4000 hours, but we have seen no decr ease in the effectiveness of the CO2 adsorbent. The SOx in the flue ga s was trapped in the lower part of desiccant in PSA-H2O before the pro cess. Some of desiccant reacts to that, but we have prevented any ill effects on the process that might be caused by main units. At this poi nt we would like to report on the results of our research, as well as outline our plants for the future.