Aspen Hysys and Aspen Plus Simulations for Amine Based Absorption Process Compared to Results from Experiments in CO2-RIG

Abstract

In this study, equilibrium-based and rate-based simulations in Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus were performed to compare the removal efficiency and physical properties of density and viscosity in a CO2 absorption column. The experimental results from our previous study were used for comparison. In the equilibrium-based simulations, removal efficiency at 40 kg/hr of solvent flow rate was fitted with simulation by adjusting the Murphree efficiency of 12% in all stages. Accordingly, the equilibrium-based performed for other considered flow rates by keeping adjusted constant Murphree efficiency for all the stages in the absorber column. The variations of physical properties like density and viscosity were simulated and compared with measured properties under three different liquid to gas (L/G) ratios. Performed rate-based simulations with default molar volume/density and viscosity models of Clarke model and Jones-Dole model respectively were able to predict the properties with acceptable accuracy, but a deviation of 25% between measured and simulated viscosities for the lean MEA mixture was observed.