Modelling of a post-combustion carbon dioxide capture absorber using potassium carbonate solvent in Aspen Custom Modeller

Abstract

The process models for an equilibrium CO2 absorber and a rate based CO2 absorber using potassium carbonate (K2CO3) solvents were developed in Aspen Custom Modeller (ACM) to remove CO2 from a flue gas. The process model utilised the Electrolyte Non-Random Two Liquid (ENRTL) thermodynamic model and various packing correlations. The results from the ACM equilibrium model shows good agreement with an inbuilt Aspen Plus® model when using the same input conditions. By further introducing a Murphree efficiency which is related to mass transfer and packing hydraulics, the equilibrium model can validate the experimental results from a pilot plant within a deviation of 10%. A more rigorous rate based ..