CANSOLV TECHNOLOGIES INC.

CO2 CAPTURE SYSTEM

A leading post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO2) removal technology
Shell Global Solutions

exist, one of the most interesting applications is to use it to

create a miscible flood within an ageing or partially depleted
oilfield to increase the oil extraction through enhanced oil
recovery (EOR). The added value is that the CO2 remains
permanently stored underground, thus aiding the achievement
of greenhouse gas abatement targets and enabling access to
carbon credits while delivering increased oil production.
In post-combustion CO2 capture, the CO2 is chemically
removed from the flue gas after the combustion of the fossil
fuel, so the emission control system is segregated from the
production facility, unlike some alternative CO2 capture
technologies. The system is essentially standalone and,
therefore, ideal for retrofit scenarios.

AT A GLANCE
Customer driver: Legislative constraints (permits, licence
to operate); carbon-footprint-limited specifications (restricted
market access); corporate sustainability drivers

Cansolv has developed a process for post-combustion capture,

which it is pioneering on a significant commercial scale.

Solution: Post-combustion CO2 capture, via retrofit to

extend life or as a greenfield solution, from exhaust gases
using the CANSOLV CO2 Capture System

About the technology

The CANSOLV CO2 Capture System employs a regenerable
solvent. A proprietary amine technology captures the CO2
from the flue gas and releases it as a pure stream, which is
delivered to the client for sale into the EOR and commodity
markets or for eventual sequestration.

Value delivered: Reduction in carbon intensity (CO2

emissions); added coincidental benefits such as significant
reductions in sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) emissions

Cansolv has used its experience to develop a patented CO2

capture technology that offers cutting-edge performance,
including low parasitic energy consumption, fast kinetics and
extremely low volatility.

Proof point: Three Cansolv licensed plants are in the

start-up or construction phases, including the worlds
largest post-combustion commercial project

Current and anticipated legislation throughout most of the

developed world suggests that a reduction in the amount of CO2
that industry will be allowed to emit in the future is inevitable.
Meanwhile, the worlds energy demand is expected to increase
by nearly 50% by 2030, and fossil fuels are likely to be a
significant portion of the worlds energy mix for many years to
come.
Over 90% of the CO2 in exhaust gases can be effectively and
economically removed through the implementation of Cansolvs
carbon capture technology. Although several markets for this CO2

BUSINESS VALUE
The technology can help refiners, utilities and other industries
to lower their carbon intensity and meet stringent greenhouse
gas abatement regulations by removing CO2 from their
exhaust streams, with the added benefit of simultaneously
lowering SO2 and NO2 emissions.
It can also help to enhance margins. For instance, in an
application of the integrated CANSOLV SO2/CO2 system,
bulk removal of CO2 will be achieved using Cansolv
technology, along with nearly complete removal of the SO2
and significant NO2 removal. This will enable the client to
reduce its CO2 emissions and sell the removed CO2 to oil
producers for their EOR requirements.

Proof point
A chemical plant facility requiring CO2 as a
feedstock in its integrated process is faced with a
shutdown scenario outside its control owing to the
CO2 suppliers projected shutdown coupled with
insufficient sources of CO2 in the area.
Moreover, the facility depends on an industrial
neighbour for steam supply and is hence prone to
intermittent shutdowns that are beyond its control.

PROCESS DESCRIPTION
As shown in Figure 1, the key process steps are:

In order to become self-sufficient in both areas, the

client installed a facility to burn locally available
natural gas in once-through boilers to generate
steam. About 90% of the CO2 from the flue gas will
then be captured using Cansolv technology for use
downstream in the clients process.

1. Feed gas is quenched and saturated in a circulated water

pre-scrubber.
2. Gas contacts the lean amine solution in a countercurrent
mass-transfer packed absorption column.
3. CO2 is absorbed and the treated gas exits to atmosphere.
4. Midway through the column, partially loaded amine is
removed from the tower, cooled and reintroduced over a layer
of mass transfer packing.
5. CO2-rich amine from the absorption column is pumped
through a leanrich amine heat exchanger and then on to the
regeneration column.
6. Rising, low-pressure saturated steam in the column regenerates
the lean amine solution. CO2 is recovered as a pure, watersaturated product.
7. Lean amine is pumped from the stripper reboiler to the
absorption column for reuse in capturing CO2.
8. The CO2 is directed to by-product management systems.

PERFORMANCE DATA
The technology is highly adaptable to a wide variety of
industrial applications and gas flow rates, and CO2
concentrations from 3.5 to 25%. Licensed units treating
gas flow rates from 11,000 to 685,000Nm3/h and CO2
concentrations from 9 to 12.5% are under construction.
Systems can be guaranteed for bulk CO2 removal up to
90%. Moreover, the technology has been designed for
reliability through its highly flexible turn-up and turndown
capacity.

Treated flue gas

Condenser

CO2 to
compression

Amine
purification unit
Wash water
cooler

Wash water
pumps

Water wash
section

Filter

Reflux pumps

Main absorption
section

Lean
amine
tank

Intercooler

CO2 stripper

Lean amine
feed pumps

Intercooled
section
Flue gas from
preconditioning

Reflux accumulator

Lean amine
cooler

Reboilers

CO2 absorber

Rich amine pumps

Lean amine
feed pumps

Energy
recovery

Lean amine pumps

Figure 1: The CANSOLV CO2 Capture System.

CANSOLV is a trademark of Cansolv Technologies Inc.

Gas emissions treating specialist Cansolv Technologies Inc. is wholly owned by Shell Global Solutions International BV.

For more information, please visit the websites at www.shell.com/gasprocessing and www.cansolv.com, or email us at gasprocessing@shell.com.
Shell Global Solutions is a network of independent technology companies in the Shell Group. In this brochure, the expression Shell Global Solutions is sometimes used for convenience where reference is made to these companies
in general, or where no useful purpose is served by identifying a particular company.
The information contained in this material is intended to be general in nature and must not be relied on as specific advice in connection with any decisions you may make. Shell Global Solutions is not liable for any action you may
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Copyright 2012 Shell Global Solutions International BV. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including by photocopy,
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