Research, Development and DesignCHEMICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

“Carbon Capture & Utilisation – The DGC Reactor”

Prof. J. M. Winterbottom

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Content

Who we are

What we do

The Technology

Applications

Projects Undertaken

Contact Details

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Background Established in 2002

Independent Chemical Engineering Consultancy

Customised Contract Research and Technology TransferConceptual Process Design and Scale-upDetailed Engineering and supply of key-equipment,

from Laboratory scale to Commercial PlantProvision of commercially oriented Cost effective

solutions for Chemical and Process Engineering problems

New Process Development and Feasibility studies Laboratory and Pilot plant studies with bench top

chemistry and analysisDeveloped proprietary technology – the DGC

(Downflow Gas Contactor) Reactor3

Proprietary Technology The DGC (Downflow Gas Contactor)

Reactor Highly Efficient Mass Transfer

Single stage system

Contacting of liquid continuum with dispersed gas or liquid

Low energy usage

Applicable to a wide range of industrial processes

See video : VIDEO- DGC-CC-EXP

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The DGC (Downflow Gas Contactor) Reactor

DGC is a downflow co-current device consisting of a cylindrical upper section and inverted conical lower section (if required when using pure gases)

Specially designed entry section (SDI)

High velocity liquid input through the entry section generates intense shear and energy and produces a highly agitated gas-liquid dispersion with increased interfacial area and improved mass transfer.

Suitable control system includeheating, cooling, dispersion level, pressure, flow rates etc.

Liquid and Dissolved Gas out

} Less Turbulent Dispersion

} Bubble Disengagement

} Bubble Free Zone

High velocity Liquid Jet

Gas or Liquid In Liquid In

Less Turbulent Dispersion

Cylindrical Section

Inverted Conical Section

(if required)

} Highly Agitated Dispersion

SDI

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The DGC (Downflow Gas Contactor) Reactor

PICTURES of GAS LIQUID DISPERSION in a DGC REACTOR

BUBBLE DISPERSION in TAP WATER BUBBLE DISPERSION in SIMULATED SEA WATER 6

Advantages Lower power consumption Smaller operating volume -

Smaller footprint

No foaming possible

100% Gas utilisation and >95% approach to equilibrium in short contact times

High and accurate control of interfacial areas (1000 M2/M3 to 6000 M2/M3 depending on bubble size)

Higher gas hold ups (40–50%)

Tolerance to particulates

No internal moving parts

Can be operated at any pressure

Low CAPEX & OPEX costs Simple, compact and

flexibility of design Easy Scale-up without loss of

efficiency Ease of Automation & Control Easily retrofitted and

integrated into existing processes or Stand-alone as required

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Industrial Applications The main areas of application of the DGC reactor are: GAS ABSORPTION: Oxygen in water, Carbon dioxide in

water/seawater or Carbonation, Ammonia CARBON CAPTURE: Selective capture of Carbon dioxide from Air

or Mixed Gases BIOGAS UPGRADING: Upgrading of Biogas by removal of

CO2 and H2S for CHP engines, SNG or CNG EFFLUENT TREATMENT: Reduction of COD/BOD levels (Air,

Oxygen or Ozone, UV) degradation of pollutant or treating 'difficult' liquid wastes

CHEMICAL REACTIONS: Gas/Liquid/Solid reactions - like Hydrogenation (of vegetable oils or fine chemical production) and also Oxidation processes; Slurry, Packed Bed or Monolith catalysis; Biodiesel production

STRIPPING: Ammonia from farm waste effluent AIR FLOTATION: Separation of Solids by micro bubble generation

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Outlet gas concentration in relation to pressure showing the close approach to equlibrium

of the DGC and a Venturi contacting device

Operating Pressure

Gas

Diss

olve

d in

Out

let S

trea

m (p

pm)

Venturi

DGCEquilibrium Value

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Gas Absorption

Gas Absorption Gas Absorption as a Function of Pressure

for a variety of contacting devices

Operating Pressure

Gas A

bsor

bed (

%)DGC

Stirred Tank Absorbers

Venturi

100

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Carbon Capture The DGC reactor has been successfully used for selective

Entrapment of Carbon dioxide from Air Up to 100% of the Carbon dioxide content in Air easily absorbed Carbon dioxide levels reduced from an average of 380 ppm to

between 10-20 ppm – and even 0 ppm in some cases Different absorbent solutions (Sea-salts, Sodium carbonate,

Sodium hydroxide, Monoethanolamine (MEA), Magnesium hydroxide) used.

Specially formulated Absorbent solution – ABSOLV - was also used Lower absorbent concentrations required than current alternative

systems due to increased gas-liquid mass transfer Smaller DGC units required compared with existing systems. Higher mass of Carbon dioxide capture achieved per unit power

requirement Recovery of the absorbed Carbon dioxide from the absorbent

solution, undertaken with increase in temperature.11

Carbon Capture Rig

GAS & LIQUID FLOWMETERS

DGC REACTOR

CO2-LIQUID PROBEPOWER CONTROL BOX

DATA LOGGER

AIR COMPRESSOR

GLASS RECEIVER-ATMOSPHERIC

CO2 ABSORPTION DGC REACTOR UNIT

PC

PUMPCO2 – GAS DATA LOGGERS

CO2-GAS PROBE

CO2-LIQ MONITOR

SS RECEIVER-PRESSURE

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Carbon Capture

CO2 recovery

Selective Carbon dioxide absorption from Air (ABSOLV A)

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Carbon CaptureSelective Carbon dioxide absorption from Air (ABSOLV B)

Shut down

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Biogas Upgrading DGC used for Biogas Upgrading by removal of Carbon

dioxide & Hydrogen sulphide content : Complete absorption of the Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen

sulphide content in simulated Biogas Methane concentrations in the gas outlet attained was > 99% Absorbent solution used – ABSOLV- of higher pH Higher inlet velocity allows increased gas-liquid mass transfer

and increased gas absorption Not affected by fluctuations in Biogas feed rates and Carbon

dioxide and Hydrogen sulphide concentrations within feed Resulting Biogas of improved quality with enhanced Calorific value Significant cost savings for power generation. Removal of Hydrogen sulphide allows increased plant longevity Upgraded Biogas or high energy BIOMETHANE can be used to

make SNG (Substitute Natural gas) for Gas to Grid or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas ) for use as FUEL for transportation.

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Biogas UpgradingRemoval of Carbon dioxide

Simulated BIOGAS [70% CH4-30% CO2])

Shut Down

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Biogas UpgradingRemoval of Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen sulphide (Simulated BIOGAS [60% CH4 - 38% CO2 - 2% H2S])

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Recovery & Utilisation of Captured CO2

A Major existing use of CO2 is for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

WRK is working on capturing CO2 from various sources and utilising the CO2 to produce useful products so that the process can be fully carbon neutral

Captured CO2 can be recovered by increase of temperature of saturated absorbent solution (approx 70-80 degC) depending on absorbent solution used

CO2 sequestration & carbonate production process, located where CO2 needs to be sequestered. Low-carbon magnesium hydroxide is used (as solid or aq.slurry) to strip CO2 directly from flue gas , landfill gas or even from air to permanently sequester and MINERALISE CO2 to form solid magnesium carbonate powders (various high-value commercial markets)

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WRK is also working with SereTech (UK) on an EU project (SPOTVIEW) - to assist in their novel patented technology process 'Elevated Pressure Sonication' (EPS) for the production of new fresh cheese and whey beverage products using CO2. Lower temperature (40-50°C) High pressure with Sonication, no chemical addition. Utilisation of ‘EPS’ technology for recovery of value added products from Dairy and Paper & Pulp industries.

CO2 captured and recovered from removed from raw input gas (like Air) could be used as a feedstock to make methanol /gasoline by existing Cu/ZnO and ZSM-5 routes, or Aviation fuel via existing Reverse Water Gas Reaction/Fischer-Tropsch route

Captured & Recovered CO2 used for Algal Bio-fixation Recovered CO2 can be used for Horticulture requirements.

(example – growing tomatoes)

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Recovery & Utilisation of Captured CO2

Further Information GRANTS RECEIVED BY WRK FOR CO2 CAPTURE PROJECTS

ADVANTAGE WEST MIDLANDS – PROOF OF CONCEPT (August 2010) ‘Biodiesel Production from Algae Using CO2 and Waste Water in a DGC Reactor’TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD – CARBON ABATEMENT TECHNOLOGIES (Dec 2010)‘Entrapment of Carbon Dioxide and Reuse’CARBON TRUST (UK) – ENTREPRENEURS FAST TRACK (May 2012) Business Analysis and Strategy Roadmap for the DGC Carbon Capture technology and Funding for Design of a 300 M3/Hr Biogas upgrading plant

CURRENT:INNOVATE UK –Energy Catalyst –Mid Stage (February 2017 – January 2018)Project: “Electricity and zero emissions from landfill sites”Collaborator with Cambridge Carbon Capture (Lead) for use of the DGC reactor for capture and utilisation of CO2 from Landfill Gas using CCC’s patented technology process of ambient pressure carbonation, based on Mg(OH)2 SPOT VIEW –EU PROJECT – SereTech (UK) (October 2016- August 2019)Consultancy for SereTech in Project - 'Elevated Pressure Sonication' (EPS)

PATENTS :UK PATENT APPLICATION No. 1213583.6 made by Patent Agents – Marks & Clerk LLP - for CO2 Entrapment from Air and Biogas Enhancement using a DGC Reactor – “APPARATUS & METHOD FOR SEQUESTERING A GAS” – (July 2012)

COLLABORATION AGREEMENT :STEP PRIVATE LTD, Mumbai, India – for use of the DGC reactor in CO2 capture & Recovery, Effluent Treatment, Environmental Projects & Fine Chemicals production in India (Sep 2013). 20

Contact DetailsDr. Sugat Raymahasay

Tel: 00 44 121 472 3934Fax: 00 44 121 275 6058Mob: 00 44 7838 137988

Email: raymahasay@wrkdesign.co.uk

Research Unit:UNIT 9

BIRMINGHAM RESEARCH PARKVINCENT DRIVE

BIRMINGHAM, B15 2SQ, U.K.Tel: 00 44 121 227 5284

Registered Address:84 Raddlebarn Road

Selly Oak; Birmingham; B29 6HH, U.K.

Website: www.wrkdesign.co.uk

Registered in England: 2902628

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