Comparison of CO2 Separation Efficiency from Flue Gases Based on Commonly Used Methods and Materials

The comparison study of CO2 removal efficiency from flue gases at low pressures and temperatures is presented, based on commonly used methods and materials. Our own experimental results were compared and analyzed for different methods of CO2 removal from flue gases: absorption in a packed column, adsorption in a packed column and membrane separation on polymeric and ceramic membranes, as well as on the developed supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs). The efficiency and competitiveness comparison of the investigated methods showed that SILMs obtained by coating of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][Ac]) exhibit a high ideal CO2/N2 selectivity of 152, permeability of 2400 barrer and long term stability. Inexpensive and selective SILMs were prepared applying commercial membranes. Under similar experimental conditions, the absorption in aqueous Monoethanolamine (MEA) solutions is much faster than in ionic liquids (ILs), but gas and liquid flow rates in packed column sprayed with IL are limited due to the much higher viscosity and lower diffusion coefficient of IL. For CO2 adsorption on activated carbons impregnated with amine or IL, only a small improvement in the adsorption properties was achieved. The experimental research was compared with the literature data to find a feasible solution based on commercially available methods and materials.

Selection of the Design of a Contact Condenser of a Gas-Steam Plant with Steam Injection into the Combustion Chamber

Due to the importance of the problems of implementing energy-saving technologies in modern conditions, one of the promising areas is the use of gas turbines for combined heat and power generation. One of the areas of effective development and technical re-equipment is the widespread use of highly economical combined steam and gas plants and gas turbines. The operation of the gas turbine unit “Aquarius” SE NPCG “Zorya-Mashproekt” with the injection of steam into the combustion chamber, which operates on the advanced cycle A-STIG and has in its circuit equipment for water regeneration, condensed from a vapor-gas mixture is considered. For condensation of steam from the vapor-gas mixture, a contact condenser-gas cooler is used, which is a mixing heat exchanger of complex design. The efficiency of heat transfer is determined by the design of the nozzle, namely, the developed heat transfer surface, small hydraulic supports, high heat transfer coefficients. An important aspect is the overall dimensions, which must be within certain limits. In the work it is offered to execute a design of the condenser in the form of a packed column. Different types of nozzles are considered to choose the best option. As a result of thermal design calculation of the contact capacitor, it is proposed to use Rashiga rings (15152) as a nozzle, which provide the lowest height of the nozzle at the required diameter of the device.

Online Cleaning of Carbonate Deposits. The Potential and Limitations of a Novel Cleaning Method

The formation of calcium carbonate scale within produced brine as it passes through topside heaters is a very common flow assurance challenge. Normally this scale risk is predicted and chemically controlled via scale inhibitors deployed upstream of the point of brine supersaturation. In some operations chemical application is not fully effective due to under treating of the chemical or carbonate from the reservoir (fines) builds up within the heaters. In cases of reduced fluid throughput cleaning of the inorganic scale is required. The most common method of cleaning is to take the heater offline and batch clean with acids (mineral or organic) to remove the deposits. This paper outlines an investigation into the performance of conventional batch cleaning vs a more novel application method of online cleaning the heater while operating with application of organic acid into the produced fluid upstream of the heaters. The online cleaning process was evaluated via laboratory tests where packed column of field scale were flushed with organic acid within the produced water, and for comparison mineral acid, to understand the potential for online cleaning vs batch cleaning and what factors influenced the effectiveness of these application methods. Factors evaluated included flow rate/contact time, acid strength and acid type. During these online cleaning tests, the effluent of each column was evaluated for pH and finally weight loss at the end of the tests. The online cleaning results were compared to conventional batch cleaning assessment of the same scale samples via static bottle tests The observations from the tests show that online cleaning using both organic and mineral acids result in the development of preferential flow paths within the scale packed columns that reduces the effectiveness of the cleaning chemicals. Improvements to the cleaning program were investigated such as the scale thickness when cleaning is first started to improve cleaning performance and fluid flow rate, increased acid concentration and liquid to solid ratio changes. Field application data from the initial cleaning programs and improvements to the cleaning programs will be shared as part of this publication The factors that need to be assessed to determine if this method is suitable for a specific process system and likelihood of effective scale removal are presented. This method does present the possibility for some production systems that cleaning of carbonate scale can be carried out without the need to take the heater offline for chemical batch or mechanical cleaning.

GC investigation of post-irradiation oxidation phenomena on polypropylene

The paper summarizes the results of research on gas products of polypropylene (PP) radiolysis. Particular attention was paid to the phenomena of post-radiation degradation of PP. The protective effect of selected aromatic compounds was investigated. The research was carried out both from the point of view of obtaining radiation-resistant PP varieties and the possibility of accelerating biodegradation phenomena, e.g., PP/cellulose composition. The phenomena of post-radiation chain oxidation of PP were investigated by gas chromatography (GC). The GC in the system used (packed column, thermal conductivity detector, argon – carrier gas) enables the determination of H2, O2, CO, and CH4 in one measurement. The samples were irradiated with electron beams (EBs) accelerated in accelerators: Elektronika 10/10 with a power of 10 kW and energy of 10 MeV and LAE 13/9 with a power of 9 kW and energy up to 13 MeV. In the tests, PP without stabilizing additives (obtained directly from the production line) and non-stabilized styrene were used. Radiolytic efficiency of hydrogen evolution allowed us to estimate the number of originally formed free radicals. The maintenance of the secondary oxidation processes was the loss of oxygen and the formation of oxidation products (CO, CH4). Attention is paid to the protective effect of aromatic compounds (polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), anthracene, fluoranthene, acenaphthene, pyrene, naphthalene) both at the stage of hydrogen atom separation and the secondary oxidation process. The examples of post-radiation oxidation of PP irradiated in cryogenic conditions (–196°C) are presented. All used aromatic compounds showed a protective effect in PP radiolysis. We suppose that this phenomenon is responsible for the charge transfer along the polymer chain from the ionization spurs to the aromatic compound. The protective ranges of PS in PP radiolysis were estimated for the variously prepared PP/PS type compositions from 6 mers to 28 mers.