POLICAP is an advanced research infrastructure for post-combustion CO₂ capture, developed by the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Milano within the framework of the national ECCSELLENT project, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 – Education and Research, Component 2 – From Research to Business, Investment 3.1, aimed at the creation of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures.
Technical and operational features
The plant is designed to treat gas flow rates in the range of approximately 50 to 180 Nm³/h, with inlet CO₂ molar concentrations between 4% and 20%, and a capture capacity of up to about 30 kg/h.
From a process standpoint, POLICAP is structured into four main sections:
- flue gas pre-treatment and cooling (Direct Contact Cooler);
- absorption section;
- heat exchange network;
- solvent thermal regeneration section.
The packed-bed absorption unit features innovative characteristics and high operational flexibility, including the possibility of varying the packing height. Downstream of the absorber, a liquid–liquid separator is installed for handling biphasic solvents.
The plant also includes:
- two absorption columns with different diameters and one stripper;
- a membrane contactor module for the investigation of low-TRL technologies;
- a complete and advanced instrumentation system (flow meters, temperature, pressure and pH sensors, FTIR spectrometers), enabling accurate reconstruction of mass and energy balances and detailed analysis of the performance of individual units.
Objectives and research areas
POLICAP is conceived as a platform for applied and demonstration research activities at a representative scale, operating at medium-to-high technology readiness levels (TRLs), while also maintaining the capability to support low-TRL studies.
Main areas of application include:
- experimental campaigns on real flue gases and comparison of solvents, including high-TRL ones, to foster industrial deployment;
- development and validation of new solvents (advanced amines, amino acids, water-lean and biphasic solvents);
- optimization of process configurations and thermal integration strategies;
- investigation of the impact of flue gas contaminants on solvent degradation and performance;
- testing of new measurement instruments and experimental methodologies;
- modeling and simulation of CO₂ capture processes;
- dynamic studies under flexible operating conditions.
The system is supported by a dedicated technical and scientific team responsible for plant operation and assistance to external researchers. The group also provides advanced expertise in CO₂ capture process modeling and simulation, using process simulation software and ad hoc numerical models.
The plant is currently under implementation within the ECCSELLENT project, with commissioning expected in 2025. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures, as well as legal, operational, and safety aspects, are under definition in accordance with the project’s health and safety plan.
Expected results
The experimental and development activities aim to:
- demonstrate the technology at TRL 6–7;
- validate and calibrate numerical models (e.g., in Aspen Plus) based on experimental data;
- achieve CO₂ removal efficiencies above 90% over a wide range of operating conditions;
- provide reliable data on stability, degradation, and energy efficiency of innovative solvents;
- contribute to the deployment and industrialization of CCUS technologies.
Location
Scientific coordinators
Prof. Manuele Gatti
Email: manuele.gatti(at)polimi.it
Prof. Matteo C. Romano
Email: matteo.romano(at)polimi.it
