Abstract: The present invention relates to reactor vessels such as absorbing or stripping columns that are suitable for capturing carbon dioxide from flue gas streams of fossil fuel fired powered stations such as coal fired power stations generating 100 to 500 MW. The side walls of the reactors are made of concrete or structural ceramics that are preferrably steel reinforced. The reactors are on a sufficiently large scale such that a flue gas stream in the order of at least 1,000 t/hr and normally greater than 2,000 or 3,000 t/hr can be scrubbed of carbon dioxide in a single absorption column and then recovered in a stripping column. The absorbing and stripping columns may be free standing structures or, alternatively, the absorbing column may be located at least partially within the stripping column.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the realization that the carbon dioxide component of industrial gas streams also containing steam can be processed so to utilize either as latent and/or sensible heat the heat available from the steam component to assist in separating carbon dioxide from the remainder of the gas stream. For example, flue gases produced by power stations burning brown coal, black coal or natural gas inherently contain a useful amount of energy that can be harnessed according to the present invention. According to particular preferred forms of the invention, nitrogen and sulphur constituent such as SOx and NOx, H2S and other nitrogen containing compounds may also be removed from the gas stream through direct contact with the absorbing medium and used to produce by-products such as fertilizer material.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the realization that the carbon dioxide component of industrial gas streams also containing steam can be processed so to utilize either as latent and/or sensible heat the heat available from the steam component to assist in separating carbon dioxide from the remainder of the gas stream. For example, flue gases produced by power stations burning brown coal, black coal or natural gas inherently contain a useful amount of energy that can be harnessed according to the present invention. According to particular preferred forms of the invention, nitrogen and sulphur constituent such as SOx and NOx, H2S and other nitrogen containing compounds may also be removed from the gas stream through direct contact with the absorbing medium and used to produce by-products such as fertilizer material.