Modelling and simulation of intensified absorber for post-combustion CO₂ capture using different mass transfer correlations

Joel, Atuman S.; Wang, Meihong; Ramshaw, Colin

Abstract

This paper studied mass transfer in rotating packed bed (RPB) which has the potential to significantly reduce capital and operating costs in post-combustion CO₂capture. To model intensified absorber, mass transfer correlations were implemented in visual FORTRAN and then were dynamically linked with Aspen Plus® rate-based model. Therefore, this represents a newly developed model for intensified absorber using RPB. Two sets of mass transfer correlations were studied and compared through model validations. The second set of correlations performed better at the MEA concentrations tested as compared with the first set of correlations. For insights into the design and operation of intensified absorber, process analysis was carried out, which indicates: (a) With fixed RPB equipment size and fixed Lean MEA flow rate, CO₂ capture level decreases with increase in flue gas flow rate; (b) Higher lean MEA inlet temperature leads to higher CO₂ capture level. (c) At higher flue gas temperature (from 30 °C to 80 °C), the CO₂ capture level of the intensified absorber can be maintained. Compared with conventional absorber using packed columns, the insights obtained from this study are (1) Intensified absorber using rotating packed bed (RPB) improves mass transfer significantly. (2) Cooling duty cost can be saved since higher lean MEA temperature and/or higher flue gas temperature shows little or no effect on the performance of the RPB.

Citation

Joel, A. S., Wang, M., & Ramshaw, C. (2015). Modelling and simulation of intensified absorber for post-combustion CO₂ capture using different mass transfer correlations. Applied thermal engineering, 74, 47-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.02.064

• Acceptance Date: Feb 22, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 5, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 7, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: Applied thermal engineering
• Print ISSN: 1359-4311
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 74
• Pages: 47-53
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.02.064
• Keywords: Post-combustion; CO₂ capture; Chemical absorption; MEA solvent; Process intensification (PI); Rotating packed bed (RPB); Process simulation
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/412423
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431114001562
• Additional Information: Author's accepted manuscript of article published in: Applied thermal engineering, 2015, v.74 : 6th International Conference on Clean Coal Technologies CCT2013
• Contract Date: Nov 23, 2017