CO2 water-lean capture: Mathematical modelling and analysis of the industrial process

Ulderico Di Caprio, Emine Kayahan, Min Wu, Peter Hellinckx, Tom Van Gerven, Steffen Waldherr, M. Enis Leblebici

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

The most mature post-combustion capture technology is absorption of CO2 into monoethanolamine (MEA). Typically, this process utilizes a solution of 30wt.% aqueous MEA as absorbent liquid; however, recent studies showed how increasing MEA concentration enhances mass-transfer coefficient in absorption columns. This work investigates effect of MEA concentration on the overall process. The main focus is given to regeneration heat. Heat duty at the reboiler per unit of recovered CO2 (HDUC) is utilized as the primary performance indicator. The analysis employs an Aspen HYSYS® model. Increasing MEA concentration reduces HDUC by 74% when MEA concentration goes from 30wt.% to 90wt.%. Another parameter affecting HDUC is stoichiometric ratio between moles of MEA and CO2. Halving molar ratio between MEA and CO2, at 30 wt.% MEA concentration returns a reduction in HDUC of 48%, while at 90wt.% MEA concentration, the observed reduction is 9%. Overall, increasing MEA concentration improves process efficiency.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3283-3288
Number of pages6
JournalComputer Aided Chemical Engineering
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 204003 Chemical process engineering

Keywords

  • CO capture
  • heat duty
  • HYSYS
  • monoethanolamine
  • water-lean solvent

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