Exploring the future role of retrofitting CCS in the pulp mill and integrated pulp and board mill

This study evaluated the technical and economic performance of retrofitting an amine-based post-combustion CO₂ capture process in the pulp and paper industry. Two fictive reference mills were assessed; a market Kraft pulp mill and an integrated pulp and board mill situated in Finland. CO₂ capture from the flue gases of the recovery boiler, the multi-fuel boiler and the lime kiln were evaluated, in addition to capture from a combination of these. The study addressed in detail solutions for heat integration and resulting effects on the steam and electricity balances. The market pulp mill produces sufficient excess steam for a 90% total CO₂ emission capture rate. In the case of an integrated pulp and board mill the amount of excess steam is smaller, and an auxiliary boiler is needed for high capture rates. The levelized cost of pulp (LCOP) increased by 20-154 /adt (4-30%) for the pulp mill and by 22-191 /adt (4-37%) for the integrated pulp and board mill, depending on CO₂ capture rate. The study showed that the LCOP was sensitive to policy frameworks, especially concerning the recognition of biogenic CO₂ emissions as neutral or negative.