CO2 capture in power plants: Minimization of the investment and operating cost of the post-combustion process using MEA aqueous solution

The post combustion process based on the CO2 absorption using amine aqueous solution is one of the more attractive options to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric power sector. However, the solvent regeneration is highly energy intensive affecting the total operating cost significantly. The CO2 removal target depends on the absorption and desorption processes where the main parameters of both processes are strongly coupled. Consequently, the simultaneous optimization of the whole CO2 capture process is essential to determine the best design and operating conditions in order to minimize the total cost.This paper presents and discusses different cost optimizations including both investments and operating costs. The impact of different CO2 emission reduction targets on the total annual cost, operating conditions and dimensions of process units is investigated in detail. Optimized results are discussed through different case studies.

► A predictive model to minimize investment and operating cost is developed.
► The distribution of the total purchased cost depends on the CO2 capture levels.
► Total purchased cost is strongly influenced by compressors and absorption unit.
► The distribution of the total operating cost is not varied by the CO2 capture level.
► Heating utility and electricity represent 67.0 and 21.0% of the total operating cost.