TNO has selected three solvent management strategies for investigation to be tested in combination with the HS-3 solvent demonstration campaign within WP2 at Irving Refinery in Ireland. These are adsorption of impurities with activated carbon, dissolved oxygen removal using membranes and thermal reclaiming. The first two will be integrated in the mobile CO2 capture plant used in the campaign, while the last one will be tested in the laboratories at TNO.
Results
Reports
D2.2. Tiller plant modification and validation of CCLU
This report includes the design and description of the bench- scale (10-15 kg/hr) CO2 compression and liquefaction unit (CCLU) at the SINTEF's Tiller pilot plant.

D2.3 HS-3 campaign at the Irving Oil Whitegate refinery
CO2 capture using HS-3 solvent (aqueous mixture of 40wt% of 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, 1-(2HE)PRLD and 15wt% of 3-amino-1-propanol, 3A1P) has been successfully demonstrated at Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery in Ireland with real flue gas, reaching TRL 6. TNO’s miniplant, an ATEX-compliant small-scale pilot plant, has been employed to capture CO2 from flue gases of four different sources of the Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery. The flue gases have varying content of CO2, O2 and other impurities in order to degrade and stress-test as much as possible the stability of the solvent. In order to study the multi-absorber concept for capturing CO2 from different stacks proposed in REALISE, the same solvent was used during all the demonstration campaigns.

D3.5 Assessment of injection profile and infrastructure requirements to control & monitor of transportation pipelines and intermediate storage vessels
This study develops on a previous confidential report that presents an outline of the systems required to transport and store the captured CO2, either to indigenous storage – the depleted Kinsale Head gas field – or by ship transport to the Northern Lights storage system in Norway. Systems are designed to meet the captured rates mentioned above. In particular this report includes an assessment of injection profile and infrastructure requirements to control & monitor transportation pipelines and intermediate storage vessels.

D3.6 Assessment of options to provide flexibility in the design and operation of the transport and storage network
This report presents an assessment of the flexibility of the systems in accommodating variations in CO2 supply, or in growth of the captured volumes to be stored.

D3.7 High-level schematics (process flow diagrams) from Emitter to Storage
The estimated volume of CO2 that could be captured from the cluster of three emitters in the case study ranges from 1.61 million tonnes to 2.77 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) under the low and high scenario respectively. The base case anticipates 2.23 Mtpa of CO2 can be captured annually over a period of 25 years. The base case assumes the two power plants are operated at 55% load factor while Irving Oil Whitegate refinery is operated at 96% load factor and all plant are fitted with post combustion carbon capture rate of 90%. Further studies by REALISE are examining higher capture rate, possibly up to 99%. This report presents high-level schematics from emitter to storage.

D4.1 Critical review of EPE initiatives
This deliverable comprises a critical review of selected Education and Public Engagement (EPE) programmes from around the world. Information on selected case studies was gathered through a literature view combined with interviews of key informants. The methods used for EPE in each of the cases was identified, key challenges faced by such programmes identified, and best practices documented.

D4.3 Analysis of socio-political considerations of CCS
As part of the REALISE project, this report reviews: • the management of socio-political risks in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects • policy and regulatory frameworks that enable or incentivise investment in CCS • financing options for CCS projects • CO2 capture technologies specifically relevant to refineries • barriers and policy considerations relevant to the transport and storage of CO2. The report also develops an indicator of the readiness of refineries for the application of CCS and applies it across European refineries.

Conferences / Journal Publications
Densities, Viscosities of Pure 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl) Pyrrolidine, 3-Amino-1-Propanol, Water, and Their Mixtures at 293.15 to 363.15 K and Atmospheric Pressure
Densities and viscosities of pure 1-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine, 3-amino-1-propanol, water, and their blends’ data are reported from 293.15 to 363.15 K and at ambient pressure. Densities of pure water show higher values than that of 3-amino-1-propanol and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine, whereas pure 3A1P is more viscous than 1-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine and water. The excess molar volumes and viscosity deviations from the data are correlated to the Redlich–Kister equation. The shape and value for the excess molar volumes and viscosity deviations could explain the intermolecular interaction between the molecules.
PCCC-6 Assessment of CO2 capture from multiple point source with a single regeneration column for efficient operation in refineries
Presentation by Andressa Nakao, Juliana Monteiro, Jasper Ros and Hanna Knuutila //
Click here to view the recording of the presentation //
Click here to access the PCCC-6 summary //
Click below to download the abstract
GHGT-16 Carbon Capture Demonstration at Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery
In this work, TNO’s miniplant, an ATEX-compliant small-scale pilot plant, has been employed to capture CO2 using the novel HS-3 (aqueous mixture of 40wt% of 1-(2- Hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, 1-(2HE)PRLD, and 15wt% of 3-amino-1-propanol, 3A1P) solvent from both synthetic and real flue gas from Irving Oil Whitegate refinery. Results regarding the overall performance of HS-3 solvent, including ease-of-operation, capture capacity, degradation and emissions are presented, indicating that the solvent is easy to use and operate with, without precipitation issues. However, it seems to have slow mass transfer, and high volatile emissions due to one of its containing amines. // Click to access in SSRN //
GHGT-16 Compression and liquefaction unit for measuring impurities in the CO₂
A new CO2 Compression and Liquefaction Unit (CCLU) for measuring impurities in the CO2 product has been built, commissioned, and connected to the CO2 capture pilot plant at SINTEF. The unit will be used to measure impurities in the CO2 after compression and drying at conditions relevant to CO2 shipping or transport. The CCLU has been designed with components like an industrial-sized unit, with three compressor stages including cooling and condensate knock-out drums. After being compressed to 35 - 40 bar, the CO2 gas is dried and then cooled down and liquefied at -5 to -10 °C by an external cooler. The liquefied CO2 is then expanded to 16 bars through an expansion valve and stored at -24.4 °C in a storage tank.
Liquid samples are taken from the knock-out drums whilst gas samples are extracted upstream of the external cooler. It is also possible to take a sample of the gas out of the storage tank. In a short test campaign with 30 wt% MEA, the CCLU has shown to operate well and have a fast response to steady-state conditions. // Click to access in SSRN //
GHGT-16 Engaging effectively with public(s) in the realization of CCS projects
This paper examines what constitutes effective means of engaging with the public on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Marine Renewable Energy (MRE). It draws from critical reviews of education and public engagement (EPE) programs undertaken in the context of two research projects one focused on CCS and the second concerned with MRE. // Click to acces in SSRN //
GHGT-16 Identification of degradation compounds in a blend of 1-(2- hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine and 3- amino-1-propanol
Aqueous amine solvents used for chemical absorption of CO2 will form unwanted compounds, often called degradation compounds, in the capture plant. The degradation compounds have different functional groups and there are few general methods for analyzing these components, meaning that new analytical methods need to be developed for each system. In this work, identification of degradation compounds in a blend of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine (1-(2HE)PRLD and 3-amino-1-propanol (3A1P) has been done. This include both general and solvent specific degradation compounds, where the limitation for the solvent specific degradation compounds often are if these compounds are commercially available. The solvent specific degradation compounds were predicted by adapting the knowledge regarding other amine system such as monoethanolamide (MEA) to the molecular structure of e.g. 3A1P. This gave a comprehensive analytical program which included 42 compounds, both general and solvent specific degradation compounds. The pathways for several of the solvent specific degradation compounds (HPF, OZN, AP-urea, APAP, tHHPP, methyl-AP, HPAla, HPGly, HPAla & pyrrolidine) were also suggested. The degradation compounds contribute to closing the nitrogen balance over the solvent samples when the analytical uncertainties are taken into account, this indicate that still unknown compounds could be present in small amounts. // Click to access in SSRN //
GHGT-16 Optimum solvent concentration to lower energy demands for CO2 capture in refinery cases
An open-access novel low-energy solvent HS-3 has been proposed and verified in the lab scale for post-combustion CO2 capture. The HS-3 solvent consists of a tertiary amine with a strong bicarbonate former and a primary amine with high reactivity. Blends of these two solvents have been reported to be promising solvent candidate. In this work empirical density, viscosity, and thermal properties correlations together with the rigorous thermodynamic model were used to evaluate the energetic performance of individual solvent components and their blends. A simplified method mimicking the absorber and stripper conditions was used to evaluate performance of the solvents. Blends of these two amines at five different ratios were evaluated and the results show better energy performance than MEA 30 mass%. Based on the evaluation done, the blend of 40 mass% of Amine 1 and 15 mass% Amine gives the lowest energy requirement (2.5 MJ/kg CO2). In addition, the viscosity increases with solvent concentration but the changes were considered not to be so significant. // Click to access in SSRN //
GHGT-16 Process design for the treatment of the Irving Oil refinery flue gas: heat recovery, energy analysis and CO2 capture
The present study deals with the design of a dedicated CO2 plant to capture 90% of the CO2 present in Irving Oil refinery flue gas. Special focus is put on design and optimization of a heat recovery exchangers network, with the aim of minimizing the steam consumption. Results point out that the thermal duty of the plant can be reduced by over 90% by means of thermal coupling between refinery stacks and the utility for CO2 capture solvent regeneration. Two different heat recovery schemes are proposed and compared through a preliminary cost estimate. Results show that the configuration maximizing the amount of heat recovered from hot refinery flue gas stacks is associated with lower total costs considering a payback period of ten years for the recovery of the initial investment. // Click to access in SSRN //
GHGT-16 The CO2 Capture tool for refineries: a new approach to analyze CO2 capture in a multiple stack cluster
TNO and NTNU are developing a CO2 capture tool for refineries. Based on input parameters of a different stacks (e.g. flue gas flow rate, CO2 concentration, temperature), the model can calculate the most effective CO2 capture solution for the whole cluster based on constraints and requirements of the site.
An advantage of the tool is that it is a fast-running model, meaning that no process simulations are done in the tool itself. To achieve this, a database was built that contains a large number of simulation results from a standard CO2 capture plant modelled in CO2SIM software.
In the present work, the developed tool is used to evaluate cases containing up to five CO2 point sources with different CO2 contents (3 – 20% vol wet basis) and gas flow rates (varying from 50000 m3/h to 500000 m3/h). The CO2 capture costs, the costs connected to the operation and size of the units will be presented. Based on the obtained results, recommendations will be given for each case studied, and the feasibility discussed, also considering the ease of the operation and the required area. // Click to access in SSRN //
GHGT-15 Demonstrating a Refinery-Adapted Cluster-Integrated Strategy to Enable Full-Chain CCUS Implementation – REALISE
The new H2020 project REALISE, started in May 2020, would demonstrate at pilot scale a CO2 capture technology based on an advanced low-energy solvent, quantify emissions, solvent degradation, and quality of the liquified CO2 when impurities from flue gases from an operating refinery are introduced to the pilot. Several innovative concepts will be demonstrated in the project (some directly at Irving Oil refinery in Cork, Ireland) allowing realization of the target objectives set in the project resulting in at least 30% reduction in the cost of CO2 capture compared to the reference case based on 30% monoethanolamine (MEA).
Techno-economic analysis will be done for integration of a multi-absorber concept for at least 3 refineries. The results will be implemented in an open-access simulation tool to evaluate the cost of CO2 capture and to decide carbon capture strategy at other refineries.
Assessment of transport, utilization and storage options will be performed for the studied cases and societal impact and CCS readiness index estimated for cases in Europe, China and S. Korea. // Click to access in SSRN //
Other
Webinar 1: REALISE: Enabling full-chain CCUS for refineries through clusters-based strategies
This webinar introduced the REALISE CCUS project, an international partnership of industry and scientists working to support the delivery of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology for the refinery sector.

Webinar 2: Deep decarbonisation for refineries starts in Ireland: introducing the REALISE pilot campaigns
This webinar shared the cutting-edge research on CO2 capture solvent stability and solvent management being carried out in a real-life refinery setting in order to support industry’s decarbonisation ambitions. The event introduced the scientists engaged in solvent testing campaigns at Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery in Ireland and SINTEF’s CO2 laboratories at Tiller in Norway. It included a short film and a panel Q&A.
Click here to find out more, watch the video and view the recording

Webinar 3: The Cork Cluster study
This webinar provided an overview of findings from a study of the Cork industrial cluster in Ireland. Participants heard details of the industries involved: ESB Aghada and BGE Whitegate generation stations and Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery. The presenatations included details of the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and how this might be configured, from the point of CO2 capture to transport and long-term geological storage. Cost-benefit analysis was also considered and there was a discussion of different approaches to public engagement and best practices that influence the social acceptability of CCS projects.

Horizon Results Booster programme, promoting research from the REALISE CCUS, C4U and CLEANKER projects.
Click here to view the short video produced with support from the Horizon Results Booster //
Click here to view the webinar "Reducing Industrial Carbon Emissions" //
Click below to download the briefing that was developed by the CLEANKER, C4U and REALISE CCUS projects, all of which are funded under the European Union’s flagship Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
