Innovative Adsorbents and Membranes Tested for High CO2 Content NG Separation at CO2CRC’s Otway International Test Centre

Abstract

The CO2CRC, in collaboration with The University of Melbourne (UoM) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), tested two novel CO2 capture technologies aimed for both on-shore and off-shore natural gas applications. The tests involved materials testing in a state-of-the-art experimental capture rig at CO2CRC’s Otway International Test Centre followed by simulation and techno-economic activities for scaled up facilities. The goal was to develop robust and compact technology for high pressure natural gas separation over a range of adjusted high CO2 concentrations mimicking various gas field conditions. The tests were conducted for adsorbents and membranes in a high-pressure rig incorporating both pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and membrane technologies. It was found that adsorption, a second-generation technology with a low footprint is very suitable for natural gas separation with higher separation efficiency, contrary to the general perception. The stable separation performance of the thin film composite hollow fibre membranes was particularly encouraging among all membranes tested.

This paper will discuss novel adsorbent and membrane development and their quantitative performance in the test campaigns followed by suggested next steps in the TRL towards commercial application. It is anticipated further research and testing at higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) levels 5/6 would be necessary to make them commercial ready. These technologies, if successful, would facilitate developing new gas fields to recover methane in a cost-effective manner which is currently uneconomical with conventional technologies.

Keywords: CO2 capture, Natural gas separation, Adsorption, PSA, Membrane

JEL Classification: O3