Analysis of cryogenic CO capture technology integrated with Water-Ammonia Absorption refrigeration cycle for CO capture and separation in cement plants

Utilizing post-combustion CO capture technologies is among the most effective pathways to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, especially in industries like cement production, where renewables alone cannot sufficiently reduce CO emissions. In such scenarios, cryogenic CO capture (CCC) emerges as an effective solution for capturing CO from both large and small unavoidable point sources. Renowned for its high energy efficiency, minimal investment and operational costs, as well as low energy penalties compared to conventional post-combustion CO capture methods, the CCC process can significantly contribute to achieving CO neutrality by 2050. This study investigates the application of the CCC process integrated with water-ammonia Absorption Refrigeration Cycle (ARC) for capturing CO from the flue gas emitted by a cement factory. This study demonstrated that the CCC process can effectively separate CO from the gas mixture in both liquid and gas phases while the form of the separated CO minimally affecting the energy penalty of the process. Furthermore, the results indicate that incorporating the ARC significantly enhances the performance of the CCC process, reducing its energy penalty by up to 6% without necessitating significant increases in equipment costs.