Twence reuse of CO2 in sodium bicarbonate production
03 September 2018
Twence B.V.
Description
In this project Twence is demonstrating an innovative technology for re-using carbon dioxide (CO2) by capturing the CO2 from the flue gases of the waste to energy (WTE) plant and using it for the production of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as a result of the alkaline reaction with soda (Na2CO3). The produced sodium bicarbonate will be used at the waste to energy plant for flue gas cleaning purposes (removal of acid components).
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a major cause of global warming, which has drastic effects on our living environment. It is important to find ways of capturing the CO2 and find good utilisation for it.
Twence uses sodiumbicarbonate (NaHCO3) in its WTE-plant for flue gas cleaning purposes (removal of acid components). In collaboration with other parties, Twence developed an innovative system for capturing CO2 from the fluegasses of one of the incineration lines, to use it as raw material for the productionof NaHCO3. It is a small cycle of significant environmental importance.
The system is fully integrated in the plant and produces approximately 8,000 tonnes of sodium bicarbonate annually. This amounts to a reduction of CO2 emissions up to 3,000 tonnes per year.
The project is supported by the Provincince of Overijsssel and the Dutch government as well as the European Union.
Added value
The overall objective of the project is an unique on-site carbon dioxide capture unit as well as a downstream sodium bicarbonate reactor geared to the consumption of this flue gasses cleaning product by Twence. The production capacity of the demo plant is 8,000 tons of sodium bicarbonate on an annual basis. As a result the project has major environmental benefits. For example, the reduction of carbon dioxide consumption as a result of the innovative technology is calculated on more than 3,000 tons on an annual basis.
The main objectives of the project are:
- Demonstration of an unique carbon dioxide capture technology leading to lower investment costs, lower consumption of absorption liquids as well as lower operational costs;
- Demonstration of the re-use of the captured carbon dioxide for the on-site production of sodium bicarbonate to be used in the flue gasses cleaning system of the WTE plant.
The knowledge we gained by developing this system is highly valuable for ourselves and for others, as we distribute it through a.o conferences and publications. Thus, this pilot plant is a major contribution to the development of successful CO2-capture (and reuse) systems and helps enabling Twence and others to make the next step.
Challenges
Know-how:
- Validation of the chemical, thermodynamic and physical properties of the system;
- Validation of the process models, model calculations and simulations;
- Validation of the effects of the process conditions on the product properties.
Technical:
- Detailed design of both the carbon capture plant as well as the sodium bicarbonate reactor;
- Construction of a demo plant with a capacity of 8,000 tons of sodium bicarbonate on an annual basis;
- Technical evaluation of both the carbon capture process as well as the re-use process;
- Integration of the demo plan with the regular WTE-plant (specifically with the flue gasses cleaning system).
Economic:
- Availability, volumes and prices on the raw materials;
- Evaluation of the storage, transport and recycling of raw materials and finished product;
- Business process evaluation (operational costs, level of investment and return-on-investment);
- Calculation of the market volume of the demonstrated technology.
For future development
Transfer the knowledge gained by developing, building and operating this facility to other parties and projects, to enable industry in Europe (and worldwide) to make the next step (developing, building and successful operating of large scale CO2 Capture & Usage plants).