Process simulation of aqueous MEA plants for postcombustion capture from coal-fired power plants

This study evaluated different configurations of post-combustion amine processes using 30wt% aqueous MEA solvent. The configurations were compared with respect to total energy consumption including thermal and electrical energy involved in its operation to capture 90% CO₂ from an exemplary sub-critical PC-boiler power plant [1]. The improved amine processes reported in the literature were analysed and simulated using the Honeywell UniSim process simulator to evaluate their performance and it was suggested that they could be further improved by appropriate modifications. Simultaneous implementation of several improvement methods has been explored in order to reduce further the reboiler heat duty. Several alterations to the base configuration can achieve greater reduction in reboiler duty (or equivalent work) compared to simple modifications based on a single variation. The extent of energy saving must be evaluated carefully through the implementation of appropriate process simulations since we have shown that the overall effect is different from a simple sum of the saving effects estimated individually.