A new paradigm in process synthesis focus on design of power plants and industrial processes integrated with CO₂ capture

Process synthesis methods have only recently been applied for the design of CO₂ capture systems. At the crux of the CO₂ capture process is a separation technology (sorbent, membrane or phase separation) applied to CO₂/N2, CO₂/H₂ or O₂/N2 systems. Development of novel sorbents and membranes have been identified to be an important area of research to realize cost-competitive CO₂ capture technologies. Thus, there are different capture technologies at varying levels of maturity that need to be integrated with the power plant or industrial process. Traditional optimization based approaches to process synthesis of CO₂ capture systems, while important for mature process components, have a lesser role to play in this application wheer components are still in a constant state of development.

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of CO₂ capture, integrating other sciences such as process chemistry with process synthesis should be emphasized. This work will present novel approaches to process synthesis that represent a new paradigm in process synthesis. The focus of process synthesis is modified from identifying an “optimum” process, to using the framework of the discipline to provide feedback on optimum operating parameters/conditions of the novel separation processes. Motivation for visual and hybrid methodologies based on attainable region approach as opposed to the more common optimization based methods are presented.
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