Modeling and simulation of reactive absorption of CO2 with MEA: Results for four different packings on two different scales

•Rate-based model of PCC with MEA based on recently published fluid property model.•Detailed description of the model, discussion of uncertainties.•Proves that state-of-the-art models can be used for predictions and scale-up of PCC.•Generic results transferable to other industrial processes using reactive absorption.

A rate-based model for the simulation of post-combustion CO2 capture with aqueous solutions of monoethanolamine (MEA) is presented. It is based on a recently published and carefully validated physico-chemical fluid property model. The results of the simulation are assessed using pilot plant data with four different packings on two different scales: data from a pilot plant in our own laboratory which separates approximately 10 kg CO2/h and was equipped with the sheet metal packing Sulzer Mellapak 250Y and the gauze metal packing Sulzer BX, and data from a larger pilot plant at Esbjerg, Denmark, which separates approximately 1000 kg CO2/h and was equipped with the random packing IMTP 50 and the sheet metal packing Sulzer Mellapak 2X. The reboiler duty and the rich and lean CO2-loadings are predicted within ±7% for most experiments without any adjustment of parameters to the pilot plant results. The concentration and temperature profiles are also generally well described. The modeling of the mass transfer is identified as the most important source of uncertainty of the simulation and discussed in detail.