NEQ rate based modeling of an absorption column for post combustion CO2 capturing

AbstractPost combustion CO2 capture via absorption into aqueous alkanolamine systems is considered to be the most mature and potential technique for CO2 removal from the power plants’ exhaust gases. Modeling and simulation of such plants have achieved an interesting place in research, and several steady state models already exist. Though steady state models are capable of giving an understanding of the process, dynamic models are most useful for controlling and optimizing the plants. A dynamic model for the absorption column in a CO2 removal plant is been developed. Usability of simple thermodynamics for modeling is checked with the development of this model, instead of using complex thermodynamic models which are very popular in recent research. It is concluded that the steady state simulation results show a good agreement with the trend of the available pilot plant data. Dynamic predictions of the model indicate that the model is capable of handling an excitation of the inputs and reaches steady states. Yet, the whole CO2 absorption plant has to be included into the dynamic model before it is ready to be used for control or optimization applications