CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR ANODE EXHAUST OF A FUEL CELL

A carbon dioxide removal system includes: an absorption system including a first absorption stage and a second absorption stage. The first absorption stage includes: a first compressor configured to receive and compress a first carbon dioxide-containing exhaust stream from an anode of a fuel cell, and a first direct contact absorption cooling tower configured to absorb carbon dioxide from the compressed first exhaust stream and lower a temperature of the compressed first exhaust stream using a first solvent stream containing a physical solvent, to generate a second exhaust stream. The second absorption stage includes: a second compressor configured to receive and compress the second exhaust stream from the first absorption stage, and a second direct contact absorption cooling tower configured to absorb carbon dioxide from the compressed second exhaust stream and lower a temperature of the compressed second exhaust stream using a second solvent stream containing a physical solvent.