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Driving Sustainability: Edwards Vacuum at the Carbon Capture Technology Expo
NORTH AMERICA | 2 August 2024 | 4 min
Recently, our team of vacuum solutions experts attended the Carbon Capture Technology Expo at the NRG Center in Houston, Texas. This two-day exhibition was dedicated to the critical processes in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and focused on the increasing role CCUS will play in transitioning to a net-zero carbon economy. The event brought together leading experts and manufacturers from around the world to discuss the latest advances in carbon capture, storage, and transport technologies, as well as innovative ways of utilizing CO2 to produce net-zero fuels and for other manufacturing processes.
Showcasing Vacuum Solutions for Decarbonization
While at the expo, our team showcased the expansive range of vacuum products and solutions designed to support industrial efforts in decarbonization. Our vacuum solutions are vital for capturing CO2, either directly from the atmosphere or from emissions produced by industrial manufacturing processes such as chemical plants, steel plants, oil and gas refineries, cement plants, and power generation facilities. Various CO2 separation techniques, such as chemical absorption, physical absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, cryogenic separation, and chemical looping, can benefit from our vacuum environment.
How Vacuum Technology Enables Efficient CO2 Separation
Vacuum technology plays a crucial role in CO2 separation through:
- Low-pressure operation for solid sorbent desorption (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption or VPSA)
- Chemical sorbent regeneration with reduced heat requirements
- Gas separation across membranes using pressure differentials as the driving force
Utilization of Captured Carbon
CCUS technologies enable various industries to utilize captured carbon in multiple ways:
- As raw material for chemical manufacturing and building materials
- As fuels for industrial applications
- As fertilizer in agriculture
- As gases for beverages
- In the medical industry
- For gas injection to enhance oil recovery in reservoirs
Excess carbon can also be permanently stored onshore or offshore in depleted pockets, and most of the carbon capture technologies in use today rely on scalable vacuum pump solutions.
Specific Carbon Capture Methods and Edwards Vacuum Pumps
Direct Air Capture (DAC)
Direct Air Capture involves capturing CO2 directly from ambient air. The air is drawn through fans, and CO2 is separated using absorption or adsorption techniques. Edwards' reliable liquid ring vacuum pump technology, such as our LR series, is ideal for DAC processes. These pumps are available in various materials of construction and sizes, offer scalability, and require minimal maintenance, making them perfect for continuous operations.
Pre-Combustion Carbon Capture
Pre-combustion carbon capture involves removing CO2 from a gas mixture before the combustion process. This method is suited for incineration plants with Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC). Edwards' intelligent dry vacuum pumps, such as the GXS dry screw vacuum pumps and EH mechanical boosters, are used to create pressure differences in membrane systems to separate CO2 from H2. These dry pump solutions offer maximum flexibility with advanced control mechanisms and a modular, scalable design.
Post-Combustion Carbon Capture
Post-combustion carbon capture is one of the most established CCUS technologies. CO2 is captured from flue gas after the combustion of fossil fuels. Edwards offers various solutions for Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) and vacuum solutions for retrofit CO2 capture technology. Our EDS chemical dry screw vacuum pumps can handle complex chemical vapors safely and at a low cost of ownership. Custom engineered products like our steam ejector vacuum systems provide improved energy efficiency and the capability to handle high vapor loads without cavitation risks.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture (BECCS)
Bio-Energy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) utilizes biomass to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, which is then burned to harvest energy. Edwards' large capacity LR series and HR series liquid ring vacuum pumps, available in stainless steel construction, are ideal for carbon capture in BECCS processes.
Needless to say, the Carbon Capture Technology Expo was a fantastic opportunity for our experts to showcase how our vacuum technology can empower businesses to achieve their sustainability goals. Our team is committed to supporting industrial decarbonization efforts with advanced, reliable, and scalable vacuum solutions. We look forward to continuing to innovate and contribute to a net-zero carbon future.