HiGee Intensified Low-Energy Carbon Dioxide Capture Using Phase-Change Absorbent: A Pilot-Scale Study

Phase-change absorbents are promising solutions for overcoming the high-energy consumption challenge faced by aqueous amine-based CO2 capture technologies. However, the practical applications are often impeded by difficulties in gas–liquid mass transfer in a viscous absorbent. In this work, a novel multicomponent phase-change absorbent was developed using an ionic liquid as a promoter. This absorbent has a fast phase separation time and very low regeneration energy consumption, which is 48.08% lower than that of conventional MEA solvents. The carbon capture process of the phase-change absorbent using HiGee technology was investigated on a hundred-ton-scale pilot plant. Compared to packed towers, both the capture efficiency and the regeneration energy consumption were improved by using an intensified HiGee rotating packed bed. The energy consumption was reduced to 2.01 GJ/t CO2, and capture efficiency reached 91.64% during long-term stable operation. This work provides a robust demonstration of low-energy carbon capture using a phase-change absorbent for practical applications.