Can roll-bonded clad plates expand the economic viability of CCS and decarbonisation?

The stainless steel alternative driving CCS to a more economic future as the energy industry continues to look towards decarbonisation goals.

Reducing CO2 emissions is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The decarbonisation of industry and energy production is essential to achieving climate goals and limiting global warming. In addition to renewable energies and more efficient production processes, carbon capture and storage (CCS) plays a central role. Modern materials, such as roll-bonded clad plates, can contribute to making these technologies more economical and efficient. 

The importance of carbon capture plants

Carbon capture plants are designed to capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes such as steel, cement, and chemical production, as well as from fossil fueled power plants. The captured CO2 can then be stored or reused for industrial purposes, such as the production of synthetic fuels. The effectiveness of these plants strongly depends on the materials used, as the separation process often occurs under extreme chemical and thermal conditions.

Roll-bonded clad plates: A cost-effective alternative to stainless steel

One of the challenges in constructing carbon capture plants, such as amine scrubbers or HPC plants, is the corrosion resistance of the materials used. While solid stainless steel offers high corrosion resistance, it is also costly. Additionally, the relatively low strength of these materials results in comparatively high wall thicknesses and, consequently, increased material consumption.

Roll-bonded clad plates provide a cost-effective alternative. Clad plates consist of a base material, such as carbon steel, that is clad with a thin layer of corrosion-resistant alloy, such as stainless steel or nickel based alloys. Another advantage of roll-bonded clad plates is the almost unlimited selection of the base material’s strength, which ultimately leads to optimised plant design and reduced wall thickness.

This combination allows the advantages of corrosion-resistant materials to be merged with the cost-efficient properties of carbon steel. Roll-bonded clad plates offer the same excellent corrosion resistant properties as the corresponding solid grade against the aggressive media, which is present in CO2 capture processes, while simultaneously improving the economic viability of these plants.

Application of roll-bonded clad plates in CCS plants

Roll-bonded clad plates are used in various areas of carbon capture plants, including heat exchangers, pressure vessels and piping. These components are exposed to high chemical and thermal stress, particularly from acidic solutions and high pressures. Thanks to the cladded surface, they can be reliably protected while significantly reducing material costs compared to solid stainless steel constructions.

Conclusion

Decarbonising industry requires innovative solutions to effectively reduce CO2 emissions. Carbon capture technologies are a key component of this development, and the use of roll-bonded clad plates provides a cost-effective and technically advanced solution to enhance the efficiency and durability of these plants. By strategically utilising these materials, the costs for constructing CCS plants can significantly be reduced without compromising on quality and strength.

voestalpine Grobblech's entire product range, in particular the clad plates, are available with a CO2-reduced foot print in the 'greentec steel' edition, thus contributing to a further positive CO2 balance - even at project level.