Comparison of Post-combustion CO2 Capture by Solutions of Ammonia and Organic Amines: Assessment Using Direct and Indirect Contactors

Simulation results of the thermal power plant fed with pulverized coal (PC) including CO2 capture have been performed using the Aspen Plus software. The flue gases containing CO2 from post-combustion have been captured by ammonia and monoethanolamine solvents. Ammonia solvent has been used in two processes by direct contactor (without a membrane contactor) and by indirect contactor (membrane). A parametric study has been conducted to clarify the optimal conditions to capture CO2 by ammonia. The comparative study suggests that the use of ammonia as a solvent in chemical absorption is the most interesting process for the PC thermal power plant. The capture process by indirect contactor (membrane contactor) reduces efficiency decrease to only 6.3 points.