Postcombustionfangst

Postcombustionfangst, often abbreviated as PCC, is a process used to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources after they have been produced through combustion. This method typically involves separating CO2 from other flue gases in power plants or industrial facilities that burn fossil fuels or biomass. The captured CO2 is then compressed and transported for storage or utilization.

The most common technology employed in postcombustion capture is chemical absorption, where a solvent is used to selectively absorb CO2 from the flue gas. Amines are a widely used class of solvents for this purpose. After absorbing the CO2, the solvent is heated to release the CO2 in a more concentrated form, and the solvent is then recycled. Other capture technologies, such as adsorption, membranes, and cryogenic separation, are also being developed and implemented for postcombustion applications.

Postcombustion capture is considered a mature technology, with several large-scale demonstration and commercial plants already in operation. Its main advantage is its applicability to existing power plants and industrial facilities without requiring significant modifications to the combustion process itself. However, the energy penalty associated with the capture process and the cost of implementation remain significant challenges. Research and development efforts are focused on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and exploring new solvent materials and capture technologies to make PCC more economically viable and widespread.