Modeling CO2 capture with aqueous monoethanolamine

Hilliard completed several thermodynamic models in Aspen Plus® for modeling CO2 removal with amine solvents, including MEA–H2O–CO2. This solvent was selected to make a system model for CO2 removal by absorption/stripping. Both the absorber and the stripper used RateSep™ to rigorously calculate mass transfer rates. The accuracy of the new model was assessed using a recent pilot plant run with 35 wt.% (9 m) MEA. Absorber loading and removal were predicted within 6%, and the temperature profile was approached within 5 °C. An average 3.8% difference between measured and calculated values was achieved in the stripper. A three-stage flash configuration which efficiently utilizes solar energy was developed. It reduces energy use by 6% relative to a simple stripper. Intercooling was used to reach 90% removal in the absorber at these optimized conditions.