Validation of mass transfer correlations for CO2 absorption with MEA using pilot data

Good confidence in design and simulation are essential to better understanding of CO2 capture processes and for large-scale application. Four data sets from the Esbjerg CESAR (CO2 Enhanced Separation and Recovery) pilot plant for CO2 capture with aqueous monoethanolamine (30 wt% MEA) solution have been investigated using Aspen RateSep in order to compare several design correlations like mass transfer and interfacial area available in literature. Three kinetic models were used with the rate-based model and important design parameters such as pressure drop, temperature profiles and CO2 removal were compared to the pilot data. In the present work, a sensitivity analysis was performed to show the effect of kinetic models and design correlations on the performance of an absorber in a large-scale CO2 capture process. The study shows that the predicted absorber performance is affected by both the reaction kinetics and mass transfer correlations, and more confidence is required for applying the available kinetics and mass transfer models in rigorous rate based modeling of industrial absorber units. Model validation using pilot plant or commercial data for absorption system chosen is highly recommended.