Final Report Summary - CESAR (CO2 Enhanced Separation and Recovery) The scientific evidence for man-made changes in the earth's climate as a result of greenhouse gas emissions (in particular CO2) is now generally accepted. In January '07, the European Commission recommended new targets to cut their collective greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from the 1990 level by 2020 with the ambition to go to a 30% cut if other non-EU states are prepared to collaborate. The 27 European Union member governments approved these new targets at the Spring Council meeting of EU heads of government (March 8th '07). Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is considered as an essential component in the strategy to meet the ambitious emission reduction goals. CCS buys time needed for the transition to sustainable energy systems as it allows for continued use of fossil energy sources without CO2 emissions. Although technically possible a major obstacle for the large-scale introduction of CCS is the cost of capturing CO2. The main results for the project are: Selection of the best available Amine or Amino Acid Based Solvent, characterised and tested in the Esbjerg Pilot plant. CESAR1 performed best with 2.6 GJ/ton CO2 (including LVC and intercooling). CO2 Capture Process Models and Modifications including novel models and methodology, based upon solvent system properties investigating options like interstage cooling, vacuum or pressure desorption, flue gas cooling, split stream options and utilization of flash tanks. Determination of technical and economic performance. Assessment of CESAR 1 in five base cases. The benchmark MEA capture process with simplistic heat integration was calculated to incur costs of ?42 - ?68 per tonne CO2 abated across the five base cases. The CESAR 1 capture process with advanced integration was calculated to incur costs of ?35-?55 per tonne CO2 abated. Pilot Scale Validation (1% of full scale, 1 ton CO2/hr) of novel solvent systems in terms of operability and absorption performance, comparison with main stream, thus paving the way for large-scale demonstration. Pilot scale validation includes an environmental impact assessment by emission and degradation measurements and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study. Three pilot plant campaigns were performed (MEA and CESAR1 for 2000 hrs op operation, CESAR2 for 500 hrs of operation). Pioneering work has been performed regarding emission measurements. Post Combustion Capture is an essential technique needed to be successful in achieving society's main goal in achieving the ambitious emission reduction goals. CCS buys time needed for the transition to sustainable energy systems as it allows for continued use of fossil energy sources without CO2 emissions. The results achieved within CESAR will be taken further by the community to guarantee a successful start-up of the announced DEMO projects around Europe to prepare for full scale implementation. Many of the important players in the field are partner in CESAR, thay can use the knowledge for in the implementation phase. CESAR has also shown that it is hard to set a number for the reduction in costs at the start of a three or four year project. The prices of raw materials and of oil can change significantly during the running time of the project. CESAR, together with CEASAR and DECARit, have established a calculation method within the EBTF that is now regarded as a standard for cost calculations. This makes it possible to compare different techniques based on the same base numbers. CESAR has performed a lot of research in possible solvent candidates for post combustion capture. The most promising ones have been tested at pilot plant scale revealing a lot of information about the larger scale use of such solvents. This will be taken further in future developments. CESAR has also performed pioneering work in the field of emission measurements. On the issue of nitrosamine emissions, CESAR has send a statement on the results obtained within the project on this topic to the ZEP (Zero Emissions Platform). CESAR is one of the projects setting the research agenda for this important subject. As a direct results from the CESAR project a number of industrial parties have decided to initiate a long term test campaign at the DONG facilities in Esbjerg. This project has been ongoing since the autumn of 2010. Also a number of other projects have be initiated as a direct result and follow up of the CESAR project. Related documents Final Report - CESAR (CO2 Enhanced Separation and Recovery)
