Numerical Evaluation of CO2 Capture on Post-combustion Processes

Abstract

This paper is focused on the evaluation of a CO₂ capture post-combustion process of three Mexican power plants. They were compared with each other to determine what obtains the biggest CO₂ capture flow using the same size of experimental absorption column, by means of the hydrodynamic behavior and maximum CO₂ absorption with 30 % Monoethanolamine in aqueous solution. The chemical absorption with amines is the best technology for post-combustion CO₂ capture, due to handle large volumes of flue gas, low pressures of operation, rapid response and low cost, although it is highly energy intensive because of the thermal energy requirement needed to regenerate the amine solution while another disadvantage is the loss of amine. Numerical evaluations were developed by computer simulation models applied to the structured packing. The results shows the greater CO₂ capture flow obtained was from a coal-fired Piedras Negras power plant with 3.03 t/d, followed by caldera gas type of Valley of Mexico power plant with 1.88 t/d, and the lowest one was the gas turbine type of Poza Rica power plant with 0.8011 t/d.