Simulation and Impact of different Optimization Parameters on CO2 Capture Cost

Abstract

The influence of different process parameters/factors on CO2 capture cost, in a standard amine based CO2 capture process was studied through process simulation and cost estimation. The most influential factor was found to be the CO2 capture efficiency. This led to investigation of routes for capturing more than 85% of CO2. The routes are by merely increasing the solvent flow or by increasing the absorber packing height. The cost-efficient route was found to be by increasing the packing height of the absorber. This resulted in 20% less cost compared to capturing 90% CO2 by increasing only the solvent flow. The cost optimum absorber packing height was 12 m (12 stages). The cost optimum temperature difference in the lean/rich heat exchanger was 5 °C. A case with a combination of the two cost optimum parameters achieved a 4% decrease in capture cost compared to the base case. The results highlight the significance of performing cost optimization of CO2 capture processes.