Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-02-04 Origin: Site
In carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and carbon capture systems, heat exchangers are critical components that directly affect energy efficiency, operating stability, and overall system cost. Among the various heat exchanger technologies, plate heat exchangers (PHEs) are widely used due to their high heat transfer efficiency, compact structure, and excellent suitability for liquid–liquid and gas–liquid heat exchange processes commonly found in CO₂ capture and regeneration systems.
A typical CO₂ removal system—such as amine-based absorption, ammonia-based capture, or other solvent-based processes—includes multiple thermal processes: cooling, heating, condensation, evaporation, and regeneration. Plate heat exchangers are extensively applied at these stages to recover heat and reduce energy consumption.
According to the process flow shown, plate heat exchangers are mainly used in the following positions:
Before entering the absorber, the lean absorbent solution must be cooled to enhance CO₂ absorption efficiency.
Plate heat exchangers provide rapid cooling using cooling water or chilled water
Maintain optimal solvent temperature
Improve CO₂ capture rate
In multi-stage absorption systems, intercoolers are installed between absorber stages.
Remove heat generated during CO₂ absorption
Stabilize column temperature profile
Increase overall absorption efficiency
Plate heat exchangers are ideal here due to their compact size and high heat transfer coefficient.
One of the most energy-critical components in a CO₂ removal system is the rich–lean solution heat exchanger.
Hot lean solution from the regenerator transfers heat to the cold rich solution from the absorber
Reduces steam consumption in the reboiler
Significantly improves system energy efficiency
Plate heat exchangers are preferred because they enable close temperature approach and high heat recovery efficiency.
After heat recovery, the regenerated lean solution still requires further cooling before reuse.
Plate heat exchangers ensure precise temperature control
Reduce cooling water consumption
Protect downstream equipment
In CO₂ stripping and regeneration sections, plate heat exchangers are also used as:
Wash solution condensers (ammonia slip condensers)
Reflux condensers
Regeneration gas coolers
Auxiliary reboiler heat exchangers
Their modular design allows easy integration into complex capture systems.
High thermal efficiency: Turbulent flow and large effective heat transfer area
Compact footprint: Ideal for skid-mounted and retrofit carbon capture units
Energy saving: Excellent heat recovery between rich and lean streams
Flexible materials: Stainless steel, titanium, or special alloys for corrosive solvents
Easy maintenance: Plates can be disassembled, cleaned, or replaced
While shell-and-tube heat exchangers are still used for high-pressure or phase-change duties, plate heat exchangers dominate in solvent cooling and heat recovery sections due to:
Higher heat transfer coefficients
Lower approach temperature difference
Reduced weight and installation cost
In many modern CO₂ capture projects, plate heat exchangers and shell-and-tube heat exchangers are used together, each selected according to process duty.
Power plants (post-combustion carbon capture)
Hydrogen and syngas production
Natural gas processing
Chemical and fertilizer plants
Biogas upgrading and CCUS projects
Plate heat exchangers play a vital role in carbon dioxide removal systems, especially in absorbent cooling, intercooling, rich–lean heat recovery, and regeneration-related processes. Their high efficiency, compact design, and strong adaptability make them a key technology for reducing energy consumption and improving the economic performance of modern carbon capture and CCUS projects.
