Alstom has furthered its ambitions in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) field by signing an exclusive worldwide agreement with the Dow Chemical Company to develop advanced amine scrubbing technology.
Dow will use its expertise in gas treatment technology to support Alstom in developing amines to remove carbon dioxide from low pressure flue gases from fossil fuel fired power plants. Alstom’s objective is to develop the best amine-based carbon capture solution on the market, according to Philippe Joubert, President of Alstom’s Power Systems business.
The agreement between the two companies follows in the footsteps of a number of other power industry companies – including RWE, E.On and Kvaerner – that are involved in the development of post-combustion amine-based CCS technologies.
Dow is the world’s largest producer of amines. “As we move into the demonstration phase, we are optimistic about the positive environmental contributions this unique new technology will enable,” said Janet Giesselman, vice president and general manager of Dow Oil & Gas Solutions.
Alstom will be responsible for commercialising the developed process in carbon capture installations.
In September 2007 German utility RWE announced an agreement with BASF to develop amine-based CCS technology, while Aker Kvaerner is planning to construct the world’s first CO2 capture plant in Norway using its Just Catch technology.
