NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) researchers, in partnership with Inventys, are working to establish the technical feasibility and economic viability of Inventys’ VeloxoTherm^TM post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture process. VeloxoTherm is an intensified temperature swing adsorption process that uses a patented architecture of structured sorbent and process design to economically capture CO₂ from industrial flue gas streams. Previously validated for CO₂ capture from natural gas, the project will progress the technology for testing on a 10 MWe equivalent, or greater, coal-fired flue gas slipstream and address associated contaminants and process integration. Process testing completed previously was performed with the intent to de‐risk the technology for multiple applications, including coal. During Phase I, NRG will determine the scope, configuration, and design basis of the system; determine optimal size and host site location on one of NRG’s coal plants; complete techno-economic and technical gap analyses; and update the project management plan. The VeloxoTherm process presents a number of process integration opportunities, including the source of process steam, auxiliary power, and plant utilities, which will be considered in the evaluation of alternative NRG host sites and plant scales. 

Projects for the large-scale (equivalent of 10 to +25 MWe) pilot testing of post-combustion CO₂ capture technology systems are being conducted in two phases, with a competitive downselect to continue from Phase I into Phase II. This project was selected for Phase I; a Phase II application must be submitted to be considered for the full project.