Process Group has played a major role in the development of Australia’s first pre-combustion carbon capture research project now under way in Melbourne.

The CO2CRC/HRL Mulgrave Capture Project aims to develop technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions from the next generation of high efficiency coal gasification power stations.

Process Group has worked closely with CO2CRC to develop and supply three high pressure carbon capture test rigs that will enable CO2CRC to demonstrate the capture of CO₂ from syngas produced in a brown coal gasifier. Advanced gasifier technologies are highly suitable for CO₂ capture prior to storage as they produce a concentrated stream of CO₂.     

 Managing Director Mr Craig Dugan said the test rigs would separate CO₂ from the syngas produced by the HRL Mulgrave gasifier. The rigs are designed to capture 95% of the CO₂ from the syngas stream.

The rigs have been designed to test three carbon capture technologies:

• Carbon capture using solvents
• Carbon capture using high temperature adsorbents
• Carbon capture using membranes.

Mr Dugan said the carbon capture technologies being trialled in this project have the potential to offer a simpler and cheaper method for CO₂ capture compared with current methods. 

“A significant challenge for this project has been to design the rigs to allow testing of new solvents, adsorbents and membranes over a broad range of operating conditions,” he said. 

“As a supporting participant of the CO2CRC we are delighted to have been involved in this project and to have been able to assist with the funding.”   

Process Group is working with CO2CRC on a range of research projects that aim to make deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and storing CO₂ from power stations and other major sources.

 The Process Group manufactured solvent rig being used to evaluate and improve solvent technologies for separating carbon dioxide from syngas during the CO2CRC/HRL Mulgrave Carbon Capture Project.

Photo courtesy CO2CRC