A review of practical tools for rapid monitoring of membrane bioreactors
- Scholes, Emily, Verheyen, Vincent, Brook-Carter, Phillip
- Authors: Scholes, Emily , Verheyen, Vincent , Brook-Carter, Phillip
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Water Research Vol. 102, no. (2016), p. 252-262
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The production of high quality effluent from membrane bioreactors (MBRs) arguably requires less supervision than conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes. Nevertheless, the use of membranes brings additional issues of activated sludge filterability, cake layer formation and membrane fouling. From a practical standpoint, process engineers and operators require simple tools which offer timely information about the biological health and filterability of the mixed liquor as well as risks of membrane fouling. To this end, a range of analytical tools and biological assays are critically reviewed from this perspective. This review recommends that Capillary Suction Time (CST) analysis along with Total Suspended and Volatile Solids (TSS/VSS) analysis is used daily. For broad characterisation, total carbon and nitrogen analysis offer significant advantages over the commonly used chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD/BOD) analyses. Of the technologies for determining the vitality of the microbial biomass the most robust and reproducible, are the second generation adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) test kits. Extracellular polymer concentrations are best monitored by measurement of turbidity after centrifugation. Taken collectively these tools can be used routinely to ensure timely intervention and smoother operation of MBR systems. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
- Authors: Scholes, Emily , Verheyen, Vincent , Brook-Carter, Phillip
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Water Research Vol. 102, no. (2016), p. 252-262
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The production of high quality effluent from membrane bioreactors (MBRs) arguably requires less supervision than conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes. Nevertheless, the use of membranes brings additional issues of activated sludge filterability, cake layer formation and membrane fouling. From a practical standpoint, process engineers and operators require simple tools which offer timely information about the biological health and filterability of the mixed liquor as well as risks of membrane fouling. To this end, a range of analytical tools and biological assays are critically reviewed from this perspective. This review recommends that Capillary Suction Time (CST) analysis along with Total Suspended and Volatile Solids (TSS/VSS) analysis is used daily. For broad characterisation, total carbon and nitrogen analysis offer significant advantages over the commonly used chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD/BOD) analyses. Of the technologies for determining the vitality of the microbial biomass the most robust and reproducible, are the second generation adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) test kits. Extracellular polymer concentrations are best monitored by measurement of turbidity after centrifugation. Taken collectively these tools can be used routinely to ensure timely intervention and smoother operation of MBR systems. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
Assessing transformer oil quality using deep convolutional networks
- Alam, Mohammad, Karmakar, Gour, Islam, Syed, Kamruzzaman, Joarder, Chetty, Madhu, Lim, Suryani, Appuhamillage, Gayan, Chattopadhyay, Gopi, Wilcox, Steve, Verheyen, Vincent
- Authors: Alam, Mohammad , Karmakar, Gour , Islam, Syed , Kamruzzaman, Joarder , Chetty, Madhu , Lim, Suryani , Appuhamillage, Gayan , Chattopadhyay, Gopi , Wilcox, Steve , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings , Conference paper
- Relation: 29th Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference, AUPEC 2019
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Electrical power grids comprise a significantly large number of transformers that interconnect power generation, transmission and distribution. These transformers having different MVA ratings are critical assets that require proper maintenance to provide long and uninterrupted electrical service. The mineral oil, an essential component of any transformer, not only provides cooling but also acts as an insulating medium within the transformer. The quality and the key dissolved properties of insulating mineral oil for the transformer are critical with its proper and reliable operation. However, traditional chemical diagnostic methods are expensive and time-consuming. A transformer oil image analysis approach, based on the entropy value of oil, which is inexpensive, effective and quick. However, the inability of entropy to estimate the vital transformer oil properties such as equivalent age, Neutralization Number (NN), dissipation factor (tanδ) and power factor (PF); and many intuitively derived constants usage limit its estimation accuracy. To address this issue, in this paper, we introduce an innovative transformer oil analysis using two deep convolutional learning techniques such as Convolutional Neural Network (ConvNet) and Residual Neural Network (ResNet). These two deep neural networks are chosen for this project as they have superior performance in computer vision. After estimating the equivalent aging year of transformer oil from its image by our proposed method, NN, tanδ and PF are computed using that estimated age. Our deep learning based techniques can accurately predict the transformer oil equivalent age, leading to calculate NN, tanδ and PF more accurately. The root means square error of estimated equivalent age produced by entropy, ConvNet and ResNet based methods are 0.718, 0.122 and 0.065, respectively. ConvNet and ResNet based methods have reduced the error of the oil age estimation by 83% and 91%, respectively compared to that of the entropy method. Our proposed oil image analysis can calculate the equivalent age that is very close to the actual age for all images used in the experiment. © 2019 IEEE.
- Description: E1
- Authors: Alam, Mohammad , Karmakar, Gour , Islam, Syed , Kamruzzaman, Joarder , Chetty, Madhu , Lim, Suryani , Appuhamillage, Gayan , Chattopadhyay, Gopi , Wilcox, Steve , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings , Conference paper
- Relation: 29th Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference, AUPEC 2019
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Electrical power grids comprise a significantly large number of transformers that interconnect power generation, transmission and distribution. These transformers having different MVA ratings are critical assets that require proper maintenance to provide long and uninterrupted electrical service. The mineral oil, an essential component of any transformer, not only provides cooling but also acts as an insulating medium within the transformer. The quality and the key dissolved properties of insulating mineral oil for the transformer are critical with its proper and reliable operation. However, traditional chemical diagnostic methods are expensive and time-consuming. A transformer oil image analysis approach, based on the entropy value of oil, which is inexpensive, effective and quick. However, the inability of entropy to estimate the vital transformer oil properties such as equivalent age, Neutralization Number (NN), dissipation factor (tanδ) and power factor (PF); and many intuitively derived constants usage limit its estimation accuracy. To address this issue, in this paper, we introduce an innovative transformer oil analysis using two deep convolutional learning techniques such as Convolutional Neural Network (ConvNet) and Residual Neural Network (ResNet). These two deep neural networks are chosen for this project as they have superior performance in computer vision. After estimating the equivalent aging year of transformer oil from its image by our proposed method, NN, tanδ and PF are computed using that estimated age. Our deep learning based techniques can accurately predict the transformer oil equivalent age, leading to calculate NN, tanδ and PF more accurately. The root means square error of estimated equivalent age produced by entropy, ConvNet and ResNet based methods are 0.718, 0.122 and 0.065, respectively. ConvNet and ResNet based methods have reduced the error of the oil age estimation by 83% and 91%, respectively compared to that of the entropy method. Our proposed oil image analysis can calculate the equivalent age that is very close to the actual age for all images used in the experiment. © 2019 IEEE.
- Description: E1
Brown coal dewatering using poly (Acrylamide-co-potassium acrylic) based super absorbent polymers
- Devasahayam, Sheila, Ameen, Anas, Verheyen, Vincent, Bandyopadhyay, Sri
- Authors: Devasahayam, Sheila , Ameen, Anas , Verheyen, Vincent , Bandyopadhyay, Sri
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Minerals Vol. 5, no. 4 (2015), p. 623-636
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the rising cost of energy and fuel oils, clean coal technologies will continue to play an important role during the transition to a clean energy future. Victorian brown coals have high oxygen and moisture contents and hence low calorific value. This paper presents an alternative non evaporative drying technology for high moisture brown coals based on osmotic dewatering. This involves contacting and mixing brown coal with anionic super absorbent polymers (SAP) which are highly crossed linked synthetic co-polymers based on a cross-linked copolymer of acryl amide and potassium acrylate. The paper focuses on evaluating the water absorption potential of SAP in contact with 61% moisture Loy Yang brown coal, under varying SAP dosages for different contact times and conditions. The amount of water present in Loy Yang coal was reduced by approximately 57% during four hours of SAP contact. The extent of SAP brown coal drying is directly proportional to the SAP/coal weight ratio. It is observed that moisture content of fine brown coal can readily be reduced from about 59% to 38% in four hours at a 20% SAP/coal ratio. © 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Devasahayam, Sheila , Ameen, Anas , Verheyen, Vincent , Bandyopadhyay, Sri
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Minerals Vol. 5, no. 4 (2015), p. 623-636
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the rising cost of energy and fuel oils, clean coal technologies will continue to play an important role during the transition to a clean energy future. Victorian brown coals have high oxygen and moisture contents and hence low calorific value. This paper presents an alternative non evaporative drying technology for high moisture brown coals based on osmotic dewatering. This involves contacting and mixing brown coal with anionic super absorbent polymers (SAP) which are highly crossed linked synthetic co-polymers based on a cross-linked copolymer of acryl amide and potassium acrylate. The paper focuses on evaluating the water absorption potential of SAP in contact with 61% moisture Loy Yang brown coal, under varying SAP dosages for different contact times and conditions. The amount of water present in Loy Yang coal was reduced by approximately 57% during four hours of SAP contact. The extent of SAP brown coal drying is directly proportional to the SAP/coal weight ratio. It is observed that moisture content of fine brown coal can readily be reduced from about 59% to 38% in four hours at a 20% SAP/coal ratio. © 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Carbon negative platform chemicals from waste using enhanced geothermal systems
- Ghayur, Adeel, Verheyen, Vincent
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Relation: 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, GHGT-14; Melbourne, Australian; 21st-26st October 2018 p. 1-4
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia has ample geothermal resource, however, it is of low-grade heat and requires Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Integrating heat recovered via EGS into a lignocellulosic biorefinery opens the avenue for countless opportunities in biomass to products industries. In this study, a biorefinery is modelled that uses heat from a supercritical CO
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Relation: 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, GHGT-14; Melbourne, Australian; 21st-26st October 2018 p. 1-4
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australia has ample geothermal resource, however, it is of low-grade heat and requires Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Integrating heat recovered via EGS into a lignocellulosic biorefinery opens the avenue for countless opportunities in biomass to products industries. In this study, a biorefinery is modelled that uses heat from a supercritical CO
Chemical characterization of MEA degradation in PCC pilot plants operating in Australia
- Cruickshank, Alicia, Verheyen, Vincent, Adeloju, Samuel, Meuleman, Erik, Chaffee, Alan, Cottrell, Aaron, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Cruickshank, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent , Adeloju, Samuel , Meuleman, Erik , Chaffee, Alan , Cottrell, Aaron , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Procedia Vol. 37, no. (2013), p. 877-882
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: An important step towards commercial scale post-combustion CO2 capture from coal-fired power stations is understanding solvent degradation. Laboratory scale trials have identified three main solvent degradation pathways for 30% MEA: oxidative degradation, carbamate polymerization and formation of heat stable salts. This paper probes the semi-volatile organic compounds produced from a single batch of 30% MEA which was used to capture CO2 from a black coal-fired power station (Tarong, Queensland, Australia) for approximately 700 hours, followed by 500 hours at the brown coal-fired power station (Loy Yang, Victoria, Australia). Comparisons are made between the compounds identified in this aged solvent system with MEA degradation reactions described in literature. Most of semi-volatile compounds tentatively identified by GC/MS have previously been reported in laboratory scale degradation trials. Our preliminary results show low levels of degradation products were present in samples after its use in the pilot plant at Tarong (black coal) and consequent 13 months storage, but much higher concentrations were later found in the same solvent during its at use in the pilot plant at Loy Yang Power (brown coal). Further work includes identifying the cause of poor GC/MS repeatability and investigating the relative rates of reactions described in literature. The impact of inorganic anions and dissolved metals on MEA degradation will also be explored.
- Authors: Cruickshank, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent , Adeloju, Samuel , Meuleman, Erik , Chaffee, Alan , Cottrell, Aaron , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Procedia Vol. 37, no. (2013), p. 877-882
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: An important step towards commercial scale post-combustion CO2 capture from coal-fired power stations is understanding solvent degradation. Laboratory scale trials have identified three main solvent degradation pathways for 30% MEA: oxidative degradation, carbamate polymerization and formation of heat stable salts. This paper probes the semi-volatile organic compounds produced from a single batch of 30% MEA which was used to capture CO2 from a black coal-fired power station (Tarong, Queensland, Australia) for approximately 700 hours, followed by 500 hours at the brown coal-fired power station (Loy Yang, Victoria, Australia). Comparisons are made between the compounds identified in this aged solvent system with MEA degradation reactions described in literature. Most of semi-volatile compounds tentatively identified by GC/MS have previously been reported in laboratory scale degradation trials. Our preliminary results show low levels of degradation products were present in samples after its use in the pilot plant at Tarong (black coal) and consequent 13 months storage, but much higher concentrations were later found in the same solvent during its at use in the pilot plant at Loy Yang Power (brown coal). Further work includes identifying the cause of poor GC/MS repeatability and investigating the relative rates of reactions described in literature. The impact of inorganic anions and dissolved metals on MEA degradation will also be explored.
Colloidal carbon interference in the treatability of pulp and paper wastewater by MBR
- Scholes, Emily, Brook-Carter, Phillip, Verheyen, Vincent
- Authors: Scholes, Emily , Brook-Carter, Phillip , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering Vol. 7, no. 5 (2019), p. 1-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pulp and paper wastewaters are challenging to treat due to their variability, complexity and toxicity. Membrane Bioreactor’s (MBR’s) provide high-quality filtrates but are subject to periods of low filterability / high capillary suction time (CST) which potentially limit their use in this application. There is a paucity of published literature concerning long-term operational issues in full-scale, industrial MBR’s. We hypothesised that either changes of bacterial population, alteration/reduction of bacterial metabolism or bacterial production of extra-cellular polymers (ESPs) increased CST and reduced filterability. This study, conducted over two years at the 16.4MLD Gippsland Water Factory, was structured to inform this bacterial centric hypothesis. However, no shifts in bacterial population were seen as causative of high CST and microbial stress levels and biological activity were observed to be low during high CST and no sign of toxicity was found. The strongest correlator with CST was the concentration of colloidal Total Organic Carbon of the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) supernatant (following centrifugation). The carbonaceous colloids accumulated in the supernatant were named ‘Non-Centrifugable Total Organic Carbon’ (NCTOC). Their accumulation in the MLSS was found be due to their biologically refractory nature and their retention by the MBR membrane. The accumulation of NCTOC typically followed a period where the influent had a high colour and a high sodium to calcium ratio, which is consistent with a pulping by-product called ‘Black Liquor’. Additional experiments with Black Liquor allowed us to conclude that high CST can be produced by addition of Black Liquor.
- Authors: Scholes, Emily , Brook-Carter, Phillip , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering Vol. 7, no. 5 (2019), p. 1-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pulp and paper wastewaters are challenging to treat due to their variability, complexity and toxicity. Membrane Bioreactor’s (MBR’s) provide high-quality filtrates but are subject to periods of low filterability / high capillary suction time (CST) which potentially limit their use in this application. There is a paucity of published literature concerning long-term operational issues in full-scale, industrial MBR’s. We hypothesised that either changes of bacterial population, alteration/reduction of bacterial metabolism or bacterial production of extra-cellular polymers (ESPs) increased CST and reduced filterability. This study, conducted over two years at the 16.4MLD Gippsland Water Factory, was structured to inform this bacterial centric hypothesis. However, no shifts in bacterial population were seen as causative of high CST and microbial stress levels and biological activity were observed to be low during high CST and no sign of toxicity was found. The strongest correlator with CST was the concentration of colloidal Total Organic Carbon of the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) supernatant (following centrifugation). The carbonaceous colloids accumulated in the supernatant were named ‘Non-Centrifugable Total Organic Carbon’ (NCTOC). Their accumulation in the MLSS was found be due to their biologically refractory nature and their retention by the MBR membrane. The accumulation of NCTOC typically followed a period where the influent had a high colour and a high sodium to calcium ratio, which is consistent with a pulping by-product called ‘Black Liquor’. Additional experiments with Black Liquor allowed us to conclude that high CST can be produced by addition of Black Liquor.
Dynamic modeling and validation of post-combustion CO2 capture plants in Australian coal-fired power stations
- Bui, Mai, Gunawan, Indra, Verheyen, Vincent, Artanto, Yuli, Meuleman, Erik, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Artanto, Yuli , Meuleman, Erik , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Procedia Vol. 37, no. (2013), p. 2694-2702
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC) plants can improve efficiency through coordinating the balance between consumer demands for electricity and CO2 emission reductions. This strategy however, will impose process disturbances while the PCC plant is ramped up, ramped down or turned off. This paper presents the preliminary development of a dynamic model for PCC in a brown coal-fired power plant using the process simulation software Aspen Plus Dynamics. Validation of the dynamic model will be against both steady state and dynamic data from the pilot plant. By gaining this understanding of the dynamic behavior, the technical and financial performance of PCC can be optimised.
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Artanto, Yuli , Meuleman, Erik , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energy Procedia Vol. 37, no. (2013), p. 2694-2702
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC) plants can improve efficiency through coordinating the balance between consumer demands for electricity and CO2 emission reductions. This strategy however, will impose process disturbances while the PCC plant is ramped up, ramped down or turned off. This paper presents the preliminary development of a dynamic model for PCC in a brown coal-fired power plant using the process simulation software Aspen Plus Dynamics. Validation of the dynamic model will be against both steady state and dynamic data from the pilot plant. By gaining this understanding of the dynamic behavior, the technical and financial performance of PCC can be optimised.
Dynamic operation of post-combustion CO2 capture in Australian coal-fired power plants
- Bui, Mai, Gunawan, Indra, Verheyen, Vincent, Meuleman, Erik, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Meuleman, Erik , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 12th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT 2014 p. 1368-1375
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC) plants can improve efficiency through coordinating the balance between consumer demands for electricity and CO2 emission reductions. This strategy however, will impose process disturbances and the immediate and long term impact is unclear. There is a justified need for the development of accurate dynamic PCC models, as well as practical experience in dynamic operation of PCC pilot plants. This paper presents CSIRO PCC pilot plant data from the 2012 and 2013 dynamic campaigns using MEA solvent. The step-change approach to dynamic plant operation was implemented and the use of density meters to instantaneously measure CO2 loading instantaneously was investigated.
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Meuleman, Erik , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 12th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT 2014 p. 1368-1375
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC) plants can improve efficiency through coordinating the balance between consumer demands for electricity and CO2 emission reductions. This strategy however, will impose process disturbances and the immediate and long term impact is unclear. There is a justified need for the development of accurate dynamic PCC models, as well as practical experience in dynamic operation of PCC pilot plants. This paper presents CSIRO PCC pilot plant data from the 2012 and 2013 dynamic campaigns using MEA solvent. The step-change approach to dynamic plant operation was implemented and the use of density meters to instantaneously measure CO2 loading instantaneously was investigated.
Experimental evaluation of methods for reclaiming sulfur loaded amine absorbents
- Garg, Bharti, Pearson, Pauline, Cousins, Ashleigh, Verheyen, Vincent, Puxty, Graeme, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Garg, Bharti , Pearson, Pauline , Cousins, Ashleigh , Verheyen, Vincent , Puxty, Graeme , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings , Conference paper
- Relation: 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-14); Melbourne, Australia; 21st-26th October 2018 p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major flue gas contaminant that has a direct effect on the performance of amine-based carbon dioxide capture units operating on power plant flue gases. In many countries, flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) is an essential upstream requirement to CO2 capture systems, thereby increasing the overall operational and capital cost of the capture system. In Australia, the efficacy of CO2 capture may be compromised by the accumulation of SO2 in the absorption solvent. CSIRO’s CS-Cap process is designed to capture of both these acidic gases in one absorption column, thereby eliminating the need for a separate FGD unit which could potentially save millions of dollars. Previous research at CSIRO’s post-combustion capture pilot plant at Loy Yang power station has shown that mono-ethanolamine (MEA) solvent absorbs both CO2 and SO2, resulting in a spent amine absorbent rich in sulfates. Further development of the CS-Cap concept requires a deeper understanding of the properties of the sulfate-rich absorbent and the conditions under which it can be effectively regenerated. In the present study, thermal reclamation and reactive crystallisation processes were investigated, allowing the parameters affecting the regeneration of sulfate-loaded amine to be identified. It was found that amine losses were considerably higher in thermal reclamation than in reactive precipitation. During thermal reclamation, vacuum conditions were more effective than atmospheric, and pH of the initial solution played a significant role in recovery of MEA from the sulfate-rich absorbent. Reactive crystallisation could be effectively accomplished with the addition of KOH. An advantage of this process was that high purity K2SO4 crystals (~99%) were formed, despite the presence of degradation products in the solvent.
- Authors: Garg, Bharti , Pearson, Pauline , Cousins, Ashleigh , Verheyen, Vincent , Puxty, Graeme , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings , Conference paper
- Relation: 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-14); Melbourne, Australia; 21st-26th October 2018 p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major flue gas contaminant that has a direct effect on the performance of amine-based carbon dioxide capture units operating on power plant flue gases. In many countries, flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) is an essential upstream requirement to CO2 capture systems, thereby increasing the overall operational and capital cost of the capture system. In Australia, the efficacy of CO2 capture may be compromised by the accumulation of SO2 in the absorption solvent. CSIRO’s CS-Cap process is designed to capture of both these acidic gases in one absorption column, thereby eliminating the need for a separate FGD unit which could potentially save millions of dollars. Previous research at CSIRO’s post-combustion capture pilot plant at Loy Yang power station has shown that mono-ethanolamine (MEA) solvent absorbs both CO2 and SO2, resulting in a spent amine absorbent rich in sulfates. Further development of the CS-Cap concept requires a deeper understanding of the properties of the sulfate-rich absorbent and the conditions under which it can be effectively regenerated. In the present study, thermal reclamation and reactive crystallisation processes were investigated, allowing the parameters affecting the regeneration of sulfate-loaded amine to be identified. It was found that amine losses were considerably higher in thermal reclamation than in reactive precipitation. During thermal reclamation, vacuum conditions were more effective than atmospheric, and pH of the initial solution played a significant role in recovery of MEA from the sulfate-rich absorbent. Reactive crystallisation could be effectively accomplished with the addition of KOH. An advantage of this process was that high purity K2SO4 crystals (~99%) were formed, despite the presence of degradation products in the solvent.
Flexible operation of CSIRO's post-combustion CO2 capture pilot plant at the AGL Loy Yang power station
- Bui, Mai, Gunawan, Indra, Verheyen, Vincent, Feron, Paul, Meuleman, Erik
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 48, no. (May 2016), p. 188-203
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation has the potehtial to significantly improve the economic viability of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC). However, the impact of disturbances from flexible operation of the PCC process is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexible operation in a PCC pilot plant by implementing step-changes for improved dynamic data reliability. The flexible operation campaign was conducted at the CSIRO PCC pilot plant at AGL Loy Yang using monoethanolamine (MEA) absorbent. The pilot plant was operated under a broad range of transient conditions (changing flue gas flow, liquid absorbent flow and steam pressure) to capture the dynamics of a PCC process during flexible operation. The study demonstrated that the dynamics of flue gas flow rate was faster than absorbent flow rate. The greatest CO2 removal% was achieved at the lowest flue gas flow rate or at the highest absorbent flow rate; however, the latter provided improved energy efficiency. The steam pressure parameter could adjust the temperature of all columns simultaneously which can be used to compensate for effects from ambient conditions or heat losses. These results verify the technical feasibility of flexible PCC operation and provide a suitable dataset for dynamic model validation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 48, no. (May 2016), p. 188-203
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation has the potehtial to significantly improve the economic viability of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC). However, the impact of disturbances from flexible operation of the PCC process is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexible operation in a PCC pilot plant by implementing step-changes for improved dynamic data reliability. The flexible operation campaign was conducted at the CSIRO PCC pilot plant at AGL Loy Yang using monoethanolamine (MEA) absorbent. The pilot plant was operated under a broad range of transient conditions (changing flue gas flow, liquid absorbent flow and steam pressure) to capture the dynamics of a PCC process during flexible operation. The study demonstrated that the dynamics of flue gas flow rate was faster than absorbent flow rate. The greatest CO2 removal% was achieved at the lowest flue gas flow rate or at the highest absorbent flow rate; however, the latter provided improved energy efficiency. The steam pressure parameter could adjust the temperature of all columns simultaneously which can be used to compensate for effects from ambient conditions or heat losses. These results verify the technical feasibility of flexible PCC operation and provide a suitable dataset for dynamic model validation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Modelling a biorefinery concept producing carbon fibre-polybutylene succinate composite foam
- Ghayur, Adeel, Verheyen, Vincent
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Chemical Engineering Science Vol. 209, no. (2019), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In this study, a novel biorefinery concept producing carbon fibre-poly(butylene succinate) composite foam (CPC foam) from lignocellulose and CO 2 is modelled. The biodegradable nature of poly(butylene succinate) would allow for easy carbon fibre recovery from the CPC foam for reuse at the end of product lifecycle, thus allowing for a circular materials flow. Technical simulation results show the biorefinery consumes 417 kg of biomass, 33 kg of CO 2 , 86 kg of methanol, 23 kg of acetic anhydride, 130 kWh of electricity and 1166 kW of heat per hour. The facility generates 72 kg of CPC foam, 82 kg of carbon fibre, 24 kg of tetrahydrofuran and 50 kg of dimethyl ether (DME). DME is used to fulfil parasitic electricity requirement. These results demonstrate the technical viability of this biorefinery although, research is needed to reduce parasitic energy demand. This carbon negative biorefinery avoids carcinogens and halogens for polymeric materials synthesis by utilising green chemistry principles and lignocellulose feedstock.
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Chemical Engineering Science Vol. 209, no. (2019), p. 1-7
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In this study, a novel biorefinery concept producing carbon fibre-poly(butylene succinate) composite foam (CPC foam) from lignocellulose and CO 2 is modelled. The biodegradable nature of poly(butylene succinate) would allow for easy carbon fibre recovery from the CPC foam for reuse at the end of product lifecycle, thus allowing for a circular materials flow. Technical simulation results show the biorefinery consumes 417 kg of biomass, 33 kg of CO 2 , 86 kg of methanol, 23 kg of acetic anhydride, 130 kWh of electricity and 1166 kW of heat per hour. The facility generates 72 kg of CPC foam, 82 kg of carbon fibre, 24 kg of tetrahydrofuran and 50 kg of dimethyl ether (DME). DME is used to fulfil parasitic electricity requirement. These results demonstrate the technical viability of this biorefinery although, research is needed to reduce parasitic energy demand. This carbon negative biorefinery avoids carcinogens and halogens for polymeric materials synthesis by utilising green chemistry principles and lignocellulose feedstock.
Simulating combined SO2 and CO2 capture from combustion flue gas
- Verheyen, Vincent, Cousins, Ashleigh, Pearson, Pauline, Puxty, Graeme, Jiang, Kaiqi, Garg, Bharti, Zhai, Rongrong, Ott, Petro, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Verheyen, Vincent , Cousins, Ashleigh , Pearson, Pauline , Puxty, Graeme , Jiang, Kaiqi , Garg, Bharti , Zhai, Rongrong , Ott, Petro , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Greenhouse Gases : Science and Technology Vol. 9, no. 6 (2019), p. 1087-1095
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The requirement to pre‐treat flue gas prior to the CO2 capture step is an economic challenge when using aqueous amine absorbents for capturing CO2 from coal‐fired power station flue gases. A potentially lower cost alternative is to combine the capture of both CO2 and SO2 from the flue gas into a single process, removing the requirement for the desulfurization pre‐treatment step. The CSIRO's CS‐Cap process uses a single aqueous amine absorbent to capture both of these acid gases from flue gas streams. This paper covers the initial simulation of this process applied to both brown and black coal flue gases. Removal of absorbed SO2 is achieved via reactive crystallization. This is simulated here using a ‘black box’ process, resulting in a K2SO4 product. Different operating conditions have been evaluated that increase the sulfate concentration of the absorbent in the SO2 capture section of the process, which is expected to increase the efficiency of the reactive crystallization step. This paper provides information on the absorption of SO2 into the amine solution, and heat and mass balances for the wider process. This information will be required for further detailed simulation of the reactive crystallization step, and economic evaluation of the CS‐Cap process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Authors: Verheyen, Vincent , Cousins, Ashleigh , Pearson, Pauline , Puxty, Graeme , Jiang, Kaiqi , Garg, Bharti , Zhai, Rongrong , Ott, Petro , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Greenhouse Gases : Science and Technology Vol. 9, no. 6 (2019), p. 1087-1095
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The requirement to pre‐treat flue gas prior to the CO2 capture step is an economic challenge when using aqueous amine absorbents for capturing CO2 from coal‐fired power station flue gases. A potentially lower cost alternative is to combine the capture of both CO2 and SO2 from the flue gas into a single process, removing the requirement for the desulfurization pre‐treatment step. The CSIRO's CS‐Cap process uses a single aqueous amine absorbent to capture both of these acid gases from flue gas streams. This paper covers the initial simulation of this process applied to both brown and black coal flue gases. Removal of absorbed SO2 is achieved via reactive crystallization. This is simulated here using a ‘black box’ process, resulting in a K2SO4 product. Different operating conditions have been evaluated that increase the sulfate concentration of the absorbent in the SO2 capture section of the process, which is expected to increase the efficiency of the reactive crystallization step. This paper provides information on the absorption of SO2 into the amine solution, and heat and mass balances for the wider process. This information will be required for further detailed simulation of the reactive crystallization step, and economic evaluation of the CS‐Cap process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of an SO2 tolerant amine based post-combustion CO2 capture process
- Cousins, Ashleigh, Puxty, Graeme, Pearson, Pauline, Weiland, Ralph, Garg, Bharti, Li, Kangkang, Verheyen, Vincent, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Cousins, Ashleigh , Puxty, Graeme , Pearson, Pauline , Weiland, Ralph , Garg, Bharti , Li, Kangkang , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Chemical Engineering Transactions Vol. 69, no. (2018), p. 817-822
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Removal of multiple contaminants from flue gas streams in a single process step offers the potential to lower the cost of emissions reduction technologies. An example is the CS-Cap process, developed by CSIRO, which removes both the SO2 and CO2 from combustion flue gases. In order to further develop this process, a rate based simulation is required of not only the CO2 capture section, but also the absorption of SO2 into aqueous amine absorbents. ProTreat® simulation software was used to simulate CSIRO's Loy Yang CO2 capture pilot plant. This pilot plant has previously been used for proof-of-concept operation of the CS-Cap process. The model simulates various scenarios and flue gas conditions to determine the effect on the operating requirements of the SO2 capture stage. It reveals that the recirculating absorbent flow rates required in the SO2 capture loop are of similar magnitude to those required in the CO2 capture stage. Manipulating the operating parameters of the SO2 capture section will affect the properties, particularly sulfate concentration, of the slip stream sent for disposal/treatment. This could potentially allow the properties of the waste stream to be tailored for the particular downstream treatment used. In addition, condensation of water from the inlet flue gas stream is identified as an issue requiring further investigation. © Copyright 2018, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.
- Authors: Cousins, Ashleigh , Puxty, Graeme , Pearson, Pauline , Weiland, Ralph , Garg, Bharti , Li, Kangkang , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Chemical Engineering Transactions Vol. 69, no. (2018), p. 817-822
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Removal of multiple contaminants from flue gas streams in a single process step offers the potential to lower the cost of emissions reduction technologies. An example is the CS-Cap process, developed by CSIRO, which removes both the SO2 and CO2 from combustion flue gases. In order to further develop this process, a rate based simulation is required of not only the CO2 capture section, but also the absorption of SO2 into aqueous amine absorbents. ProTreat® simulation software was used to simulate CSIRO's Loy Yang CO2 capture pilot plant. This pilot plant has previously been used for proof-of-concept operation of the CS-Cap process. The model simulates various scenarios and flue gas conditions to determine the effect on the operating requirements of the SO2 capture stage. It reveals that the recirculating absorbent flow rates required in the SO2 capture loop are of similar magnitude to those required in the CO2 capture stage. Manipulating the operating parameters of the SO2 capture section will affect the properties, particularly sulfate concentration, of the slip stream sent for disposal/treatment. This could potentially allow the properties of the waste stream to be tailored for the particular downstream treatment used. In addition, condensation of water from the inlet flue gas stream is identified as an issue requiring further investigation. © Copyright 2018, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.
Technical evaluation of post-combustion CO2 capture and hydrogen production industrial symbiosis
- Ghayur, Adeel, Verheyen, Vincent
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Vol. 43, no. 30 (2018), p. 13852-13859
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aim of this study is to develop an industrial ecosystem whereby wastes/products from a Post-combustion CO2 Capture (PCC) plant are utilised in a hydrogen biorefinery. Subsequently, five hydrogen biorefinery models are developed that use PCC's model amine i.e. monoethanolamine (MEA) as a nitrogen source during microbial hydrogen production and CO2 as a process chemical. Technical evaluations of the five case models are carried out to identify the ones that maximise value by multiproduct generation from biomass and fulfil total/partial parasitic energy demand. The case meeting these criteria, produces 3.1t of succinylated lignin adhesive, 4.9t of dry compost and 2744 kWh of electricity from 10t (dry) of sawdust feedstock, daily. Its daily power and heat duties stand at 3906 kWh and 52.1 GJ respectively. Simulations also demonstrate biohydrogen's potential as an energy storage vector for peak/backup power with an annual 1001.4 MWh of power storage capacity from 10t/d feedstock. © 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Vol. 43, no. 30 (2018), p. 13852-13859
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aim of this study is to develop an industrial ecosystem whereby wastes/products from a Post-combustion CO2 Capture (PCC) plant are utilised in a hydrogen biorefinery. Subsequently, five hydrogen biorefinery models are developed that use PCC's model amine i.e. monoethanolamine (MEA) as a nitrogen source during microbial hydrogen production and CO2 as a process chemical. Technical evaluations of the five case models are carried out to identify the ones that maximise value by multiproduct generation from biomass and fulfil total/partial parasitic energy demand. The case meeting these criteria, produces 3.1t of succinylated lignin adhesive, 4.9t of dry compost and 2744 kWh of electricity from 10t (dry) of sawdust feedstock, daily. Its daily power and heat duties stand at 3906 kWh and 52.1 GJ respectively. Simulations also demonstrate biohydrogen's potential as an energy storage vector for peak/backup power with an annual 1001.4 MWh of power storage capacity from 10t/d feedstock. © 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC
Techno-economic analysis of a succinic acid biorefinery coproducing acetic acid and dimethyl ether
- Ghayur, Adeel, Verheyen, Vincent, Meuleman, Erik
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Cleaner Production Vol. 230, no. (2019), p. 1165-1175
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The production of platform chemicals via carbon negative technologies will play an important role in global efforts to mitigate climate change. Succinic acid biorefineries are commercially mature carbon negative technologies that are plagued with large waste streams in the form of hemicellulose and gypsum. Here, a techno-economic analysis assesses the viability of a succinic acid biorefinery wherein hemicellulose is converted to acetic acid and dimethyl ether, and gypsum generation is avoided. Succinic acid is a feedstock for biodegradable plastics, acetic acid replaces petroleum-derived sources, and dimethyl ether is ideally suited as an energy storage vector. Our novel biorefinery concept presents an innovative integration of commercial technologies including water-splitting bipolar membrane electrodialysis for acid purification. The modelled multiproduct biorefinery (Multi Case)annually consumes 650,000 metric tonnes (t)of pulp logs, 135,000t of methanol, 1,700,000t of water, 42,000t of CO2 and 89 MW of electricity to produce 220,000t of succinic acid, 115,000t of acetic acid and 900t of dimethyl ether. All the parasitic electricity and heat duties are fulfilled within the biorefinery. Results show a CAPEX of AUD $635,000,000, OPEX of $180,000,000 and a succinic acid Minimum Selling Price of $990/t. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses of the Multi Case biorefinery model show it is also resilient to price fluctuations.
- Authors: Ghayur, Adeel , Verheyen, Vincent , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Cleaner Production Vol. 230, no. (2019), p. 1165-1175
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The production of platform chemicals via carbon negative technologies will play an important role in global efforts to mitigate climate change. Succinic acid biorefineries are commercially mature carbon negative technologies that are plagued with large waste streams in the form of hemicellulose and gypsum. Here, a techno-economic analysis assesses the viability of a succinic acid biorefinery wherein hemicellulose is converted to acetic acid and dimethyl ether, and gypsum generation is avoided. Succinic acid is a feedstock for biodegradable plastics, acetic acid replaces petroleum-derived sources, and dimethyl ether is ideally suited as an energy storage vector. Our novel biorefinery concept presents an innovative integration of commercial technologies including water-splitting bipolar membrane electrodialysis for acid purification. The modelled multiproduct biorefinery (Multi Case)annually consumes 650,000 metric tonnes (t)of pulp logs, 135,000t of methanol, 1,700,000t of water, 42,000t of CO2 and 89 MW of electricity to produce 220,000t of succinic acid, 115,000t of acetic acid and 900t of dimethyl ether. All the parasitic electricity and heat duties are fulfilled within the biorefinery. Results show a CAPEX of AUD $635,000,000, OPEX of $180,000,000 and a succinic acid Minimum Selling Price of $990/t. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses of the Multi Case biorefinery model show it is also resilient to price fluctuations.
Techno-economic evaluation of amine-reclamation technologies and combined CO2/SO2 capture for Australian coal-fired plants
- Garg, Bharti, Haque, Nawshad, Cousins, Ashleigh, Pearson, Pauline, Verheyen, Vincent, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Garg, Bharti , Haque, Nawshad , Cousins, Ashleigh , Pearson, Pauline , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 98, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: CSIRO's patented CS-Cap process aims at reducing the costs of amine-based post-combustion capture by combining SO2 and CO2 capture using one absorbent in a single absorber column. By avoiding the need for a separate flue gas desulfurization unit, the process offers potential savings for power plants requiring CO2 capture. High-level cost estimates based on lab and pilot data are presented for two amine reclamation techniques i.e. thermal reclamation and reactive crystallisation. Only regeneration via reactive crystallisation reduces CS-Cap costs below base case FGD/SCR-PCC. Cost estimations suggest a potential reduction of 38–44% in the total plant cost when using the CS-Cap process compared to base case. However, the amine reclaimer operating cost governs the overall cost of the CS-Cap process and is highly sensitive to sulfur content. A 50% reduction is observed when SO2 levels reduce from 700 to 200 ppm. Comparing levelised cost of electricity and CO2 avoided costs for CS-Cap against our base case, low sulfur brown coal has a slight (5–7%) cost advantage; however, confirmation requires pilot data on amine recovery. © 2020
- Authors: Garg, Bharti , Haque, Nawshad , Cousins, Ashleigh , Pearson, Pauline , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 98, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: CSIRO's patented CS-Cap process aims at reducing the costs of amine-based post-combustion capture by combining SO2 and CO2 capture using one absorbent in a single absorber column. By avoiding the need for a separate flue gas desulfurization unit, the process offers potential savings for power plants requiring CO2 capture. High-level cost estimates based on lab and pilot data are presented for two amine reclamation techniques i.e. thermal reclamation and reactive crystallisation. Only regeneration via reactive crystallisation reduces CS-Cap costs below base case FGD/SCR-PCC. Cost estimations suggest a potential reduction of 38–44% in the total plant cost when using the CS-Cap process compared to base case. However, the amine reclaimer operating cost governs the overall cost of the CS-Cap process and is highly sensitive to sulfur content. A 50% reduction is observed when SO2 levels reduce from 700 to 200 ppm. Comparing levelised cost of electricity and CO2 avoided costs for CS-Cap against our base case, low sulfur brown coal has a slight (5–7%) cost advantage; however, confirmation requires pilot data on amine recovery. © 2020
Use of MEA oxidation intermediates to monitor oxidation conditions during post-combustion capture of CO2
- Reynolds, Alicia, Verheyen, Vincent
- Authors: Reynolds, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-14); Melbourne 21-26 ; October 2018 p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Amine oxidation is a serious concern for post-combustion capture (PCC) of CO2 from fossil-fuel fired power stations. Organic acids are important oxidation products and have been measured in different ratios at different pilot plants. The concentrations of acetate, formate, glycolate and oxalate were measured in samples of degraded monoethanolamine from a variety of PCC pilot plants as well as laboratory-scale degradation experiments. The results suggest that the ratios of monoethanolamine oxidation intermediates (particularly glycolate and oxalate) have potential as process monitoring tools. Ultimately, ratios of these oxidation intermediates could be used to proactively manage and minimise oxidation of amine-based PCC absorbents by indicating the need for oxygen-scavenger addition or alerting operators to imminent increases in oxidative degradation rates.
- Authors: Reynolds, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-14); Melbourne 21-26 ; October 2018 p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Amine oxidation is a serious concern for post-combustion capture (PCC) of CO2 from fossil-fuel fired power stations. Organic acids are important oxidation products and have been measured in different ratios at different pilot plants. The concentrations of acetate, formate, glycolate and oxalate were measured in samples of degraded monoethanolamine from a variety of PCC pilot plants as well as laboratory-scale degradation experiments. The results suggest that the ratios of monoethanolamine oxidation intermediates (particularly glycolate and oxalate) have potential as process monitoring tools. Ultimately, ratios of these oxidation intermediates could be used to proactively manage and minimise oxidation of amine-based PCC absorbents by indicating the need for oxygen-scavenger addition or alerting operators to imminent increases in oxidative degradation rates.
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »