CFD simulations of absorption reaction in carbon solidification processes

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising task solution for reduction of CO2 emission from ships. To meet the IMO proposed target of 20% CO2 reduction from shipping by 2020, proposal of solidifying CO2 separated from engine exhaust had been made and tested by the authors. Laboratory experiment [1] on CO2 absorption has illustrated the feasibility of solidifying carbon onboard ships. To further verify the accuracy of results from CO2 absorption experiment, simulation with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of the CO2 absorption and solidification processes is carried out, including system modelling and meshing, reactions simulating and post-CFD treatments. Eulerian multiphase model and species transport model are applied for the simulation. These models will present the interaction between gas phase (CO2) and chemical solution in both physical phase interactions and chemical reactions between the species. The mass fractions of Na2CO3 in solution are monitored during the absorption process. Conclusions has been reached that the simulation results have a good agreement with the experiment results