Optimization of CO2 capture process with aqueous amines using response surface methodology

Amine is one of candidate solvents that can be used for CO2 recovery from the flue gas by conventional chemical absorption/desorption process. In this work, we analyzed the impact of different amine absorbents and their concentrations, the absorber and stripper column heights and the operating conditions on the cost of CO2 recovery plant for post-combustion CO2 removal. For each amine solvent, the optimum number of stages for the absorber and stripper columns, and the optimum absorbent concentration, i.e., the ones that give the minimum cost for CO2 removed, is determined by response surface optimization. Our results suggest that CO2 recovery with 48 wt% DGA requires the lowest CO2 removal cost of $43.06/ton of CO2 with the following design and operating conditions: a 20-stage absorber column and a 7-stage stripper column, 26 m3/h of solvent circulation rate, 1903 kW of reboiler duty, and 99°C as the regenerator-inlet temperature.