Comparison of Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus simulation of CO2 Absorption into MEA from Atmospheric Gas

A CO2 capture process based on MEA absorption has been simulated with Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus. Both rate-based simulations and simulations with specified Murphree efficiencies have been performed. The differences between the equilibrium models and between Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus were small. The removal efficiency was calculated to be lower and the temperature profiles were slightly different in the rate-based calculations. The simulations were close to equivalent if the aim is to calculate CO2 removal efficiency as a function of circulation rate, number of column stages and inlet temperature.