CO2 recovery process using DDR-Type zeolite membranes

JGC HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Outline

Carbon dioxide contained in natural gas is required to separate and recover according to the specifications of the product gas. At present, carbon dioxide is separated and recovered by an amine process and an organic membrane. However, there are some difficulties in cost and performance for high-concentration carbon dioxide-containing gas, therefore the development does not proceed currently.

The CO2 separation and recovery technology using DDR type Zeolite membrane, jointly developed by NGK, efficiently separates and recovers carbon dioxide from natural gas containing high concentrations CO2 and associated gas of CO2-EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery). For this reason, the DDR type ceramic membrane is expected to promote CO2-EOR, which can initiate CCS.

Description

Conventional organic membrane deteriorates by natural gas containing high concentrations CO2 and therefore cannot be used for such service. However DDR type Zeolite membrane (hereinafter DDR membranes) does not deteriorate and can be used for a long period for such service. As another feature, DDR membrane can achieve much lower methane loss to the permeation side than that of the organic membrane. CO2-EOR is a technology that enhances the recovery of crude oil by injecting carbon dioxide into depleted oil fields, and at the same time, carbon dioxide is stored underground and it is recognized that CO2-EOR is the technology which promotes CCS while monetizing.

Small scale demonstration test using actual gas (associated gas from shale oil field which is operated with CO2-EOR) has been successfully completed in 2017 in Texas, U.S.A. We are now preparing to start a large-scale demonstration test (same size as a commercial scale). The large-scale demonstration test is expected to take about one year, and after the successful completion of the large-scale demonstration test, commercial facility will be installed at the CO2-EOR site.

As described above, this technology is a very superior technology for promoting CCS, and through such technology, we hope to contribute and challenge to countermeasures against global warming.