UNION ENGINEERING
CO2 GENERATING PLANTS
CO2 GENERATING PLANTS
CO2 generating plants (CBU) are based on combustion
of various fossil fuels such as diesel oil, heavy fuel oil,
kerosene, natural gas, LPG or LNG.
Through combustion, scrubbing, absorption, stripping,
adsorption and separation technology, the CO2 generating
plants meet the strictest CO2 quality requirements
regardless of the fuel type.
All Union generating plants are based on the latest
technologies including NOxFlash and PUR-D.
Generating plants are based on absorption of CO2 from flue
gas into an aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solution,
which is subsequent heated by the combustion process to The electrical system for the CO2 generating plant consists of a
release the raw CO2 gas. To achieve the best combination combined MCC and control panel. From the control panel, which
of performance and long life of the equipment, a 9% MEA comprises the latest PLC technology, the plant is operated and
/water solution is used. Under this condition, the optimal monitored on a touch colour TFT display, ensuring easy and
ba-lance between CO2 load in the solution and avoidance continuous trouble-free operation.
of the corrosive effects are met.
The plant is started by an automatic start sequence and the
The NOxFlash technology is the result of an innovative operation is fully automatic. The entire process is easily surveyed
approach to process design and has been proven in on the operator panel, showing the status of all drives, readings of
our installations since 2006. Among other advantages, all transmitters and alarm warnings, which will also be indicated by
the NOxFlash technology replaces the traditional use audible alarm. All instruments installed on the skids are wired to
of scrubbing with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) junction boxes or remote I/O boxes and tested in our workshop prior
solution, thereby reducing cost and environmental to shipment, thus reducing installation and commissioning time on
impact. Furthermore, the NOxFlash system acts as proven site.
abatement for benzene (aromatic hydrocarbon) in the final
product. The plants are designed for high efficiency, availability and reliability
through components selected for long life and 24/7 operation.
The PUR-D technology is the final purification step,
consisting of a distillation column which enables separa-
tion/blow-off of noncondensable gasses, thereby redu-
cing O2 content in the final product to max. 5 ppm (v/v) and
obtaining corresponding CO2 purity of higher than 99.99%
(v/v).
FOOD & BEVERAGE CO2 GENERATING PLANTS
UNION ENGINEERING
CO2 GENERATING PLANTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CO2 GENERATING PLANTS
The plant is based on combustion of fuel in a MEA heater
equipped with a burner. After the combustion, the flue gas will
have a CO2 content of 10-14% v/v and will exit the MEA heater at
a temperature of approximately 250°C.
The flue gas is directed to a flue gas scrubber, in which the gas
is cooled and water condensed. Any SO2 present in the flue gas
will be removed by means of a chemical reaction with sodium
carbonate (soda ash). The soda ash is automatically added to
the scrubbing water by means of pH control. CO2 Generating Plant standard sizes 145 kg/hr
(measured as liquid food-grade CO2
285 kg/hr
produced):
After cooling and scrubbing, the gas is led via an exhauster 500 kg/hr
through an absorber, in which the gas flows counter-current 1000 kg/hr
to the MEA solution flow. By chemical reaction, the MEA
1500 kg/hr
solution absorbs the CO2 from the flue gas. The MEA solution
containing the absorbed CO2 (referred to as rich MEA solution) - other sizes available on request. 2000 kg/hr
is first pressurised and heated in a heat exchanger and then led
to the NOxFlash column. Here most of the contaminants are
removed from the rich MEA solution by flashing to the absorber Traces (if any) of acetaldehyde are also removed in the dehydrator. The
pressure. CO2 gas then passes through an activated carbon filter for removal of any
odour substances.
Further heating is added to the bottom of the NOxFlash column
for further reduction of the contaminants in the MEA solution. To remove the last non-condensable gases, the CO2 gas first passes a
This optimises the process yield to the best possible CO2 reboiler in the purification system (type PUR-D). It is then condensed at
product without any use of expensive chemicals (Union patent a temperature of approx. -27°/-21°C in a CO2 condenser, where the non-
pending). condensed gases are purged off.
Finally, the liquefied CO2 is led through the distillation column to an
Afterwards, the rich MEA solution is pumped to a stripper, insulated storage tank.
where the CO2 is released from the MEA solution by means of
the combustion heat generated in the MEA heater. The CO2 A refrigeration unit, controlled by the CO2 pressure in the CO2 condenser,
depleted MEA solution (referred to as lean MEA solution) is supplies the matching refrigeration capacity. The liquid CO2 is
recycled to the absorber. After exiting the top of the stripper, stored under a pressure of approx. 15-18 bar(g) and a corresponding
the CO2 rich gas is cooled in a gas cooler and washed in an temperature of approx. -27°/-21°C. During a non CO2 production period,
after-scrubber for removal of potential MEA carry-over. The the refrigeration unit is able to operate independently of the rest of the
gas is then compressed in two stages to approx. 15-18 bar(g) by CO2 plant in order to maintain the correct CO2 storage tank temperature/
the CO2 compressor. pressure.
Prior to liquefaction, the gas is dried to a dew point of approx. The CO2 produced has a purity higher than 99.99% (v/v) and fulfils quality
-60°C (10 ppm v/v H2O) in the dehydrator. Regeneration is done standards as a food/beverage ingredient.
automatic-ally by electrical heating and use of dry purge gas
from the CO2 condenser.
Pentair Union Engineering’s main activities are worldwide sales, engineering,
installation and commissioning of modular and individually designed CO2
plants. Union Engineering is headquartered in Denmark and belongs to Pentair
plc (www.pentair.com).
Pentair SGS Sites:
DAYTONA BEACH VENLO FREDERICIA
2361 MASON AVE MARINUS DAMMEWEG 30 SNAREMOSEVEJ 27
DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32117, USA 5928 PW, VENLO, THE NETHERLANDS 7000 FREDERICIA, DENMARK
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