Experimental investigation into CO2 capture from the cement plant by VPSA technology using zeolite 13X and activated carbon

The article presents the application of the VPSA (Vacuum-Pressure Swing Adsorption) method, relying on solid adsorbents, in post -combustion CO 2 capture. Tests to assess the possibility of applying the VPSA method in post-combustion CO 2 capture in the cement industry were conducted in a bench-scale installation. Two types of adsorbents, namely zeolite 13X and activated carbon, were used in the tests. The obtained results indicate a potential of the VPSA technology for removing CO 2 from the streams of gases coming from cement plants, chiefly owing to the high CO 2 concentration, which translates directly into a higher CO 2 recovery and a purity possible to be attained in a one-stage VPSA process. The increasing the installation's output by raising the feed gas flow rate reduces the carbon dioxide recovery from the flue gas, however, it allows higher CO 2 purities to be attained, and vice versa. The effectiveness of the CO 2 capture process is also influenced by the adsorption time. Both for activated carbon and for zeolite 13X, CO 2 purity increases with increasing adsorption time.When comparing the CO 2 purity results obtained under identical process conditions for activated carbon and zeolite 13X, it can be noticed that higher CO 2 purities were obtained for using zeolite 13X. • The application of the VPSA (Vacuum-Pressure Swing Adsorption) method in post -combustion CO 2 capture. • VPSA technology for removing CO 2 from the streams of gases coming from cement plants. • Two kinds of solid adsorbents (activated carbon and zeolite 13X) used in the bench-scale VPSA unit.