Solid formation in ammonia-based processes for CO2 capture-Turning a challenge into an opportunity

Abstract

This article gives an overview of our holistic approach for the optimization of the Chilled Ammonia Process by (i) understanding the thermodynamics and kinetics of solid formation in the CO2-NH3-H2O system and finding criticalities with respect to solid formation in the process, and by (ii) exploiting solid formation to reduce the energy penalty of CO2 capture by developing a new process, the Controlled Solid Formation-Chilled Ammonia Process. Recent advances in the construction of phase diagrams as well as in the optimization of the new process are highlighted.