CO₂ liquefaction plants without access to cooling water rely on air cooling, typically via Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHEs). While this solution is attractive in terms of sustainability and location independence, it presents significant technical challenges, especially at high ambient temperatures above 35°C.
At such temperatures, the efficiency of ACHEs decreases, requiring larger heat exchangers to achieve the same cooling capacity. This leads to a larger footprint and higher capital costs. Furthermore, the limited cooling capacity directly impacts the liquefaction process.
To effectively condense CO₂ at higher temperatures, the pressure in the system must be increased. This results in higher energy consumption and lower overall efficiency of the installation. This creates a significant trade-off between design conditions and operational costs.
Hybrid solutions, which combine air cooling with an optimized refrigeration cycle, often offer a more efficient alternative. Additionally, it is essential to account for summer derating, whereby plants are designed with sufficient margins to guarantee performance during hot periods.
A well-designed air cooling system is therefore crucial for a reliable and efficient CO₂ liquefaction plant.
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