Applied aspects for enhanced CO2 capture from reformer gas: Comparison between the performance of valve tray absorber and packed column, Part I. (November 2015) - Salem, Amin
Graphical abstract: Highlights: The CO2 capture by valve tray column was simulated in the presence of MEA. The calculated results were validated by the data obtained in the industrial scale. The performance of tray and packed columns were evaluated. The optimum conditions and appropriate structured packing were determined. The reported results can be useful in the industrial applications. Abstract: The CO2 capture from reformer gas is a technique to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this investigation, monoethanolamine (MEA) solution was employed as absorbent for the CO2 capture in valve tray column. The electrolyte NRTL and Redlich–Kwong equations were used to simulate the CO2 -H2 O-MEA system. The calculated results were validated by the data obtained from an industrial scale absorber. The effects of operational factors such as pressure, gas flow rate, MEA concentration, lean-MEA and inlet gas temperatures were evaluated on the performance of tray and packed columns. The optimum structured packing was determined and the appropriate conditions for achieving the maximum capacity were discussed in details. It was concluded that Mellapak Plus 452Y can provide the maximal capacity with an acceptable level of efficiency if operational pressure considered being lower than 2.5 bar. When the structured column operates at pressure of 3.5 bar, the Mellapak 350X is the appropriate choice to increase the absorption capacity. The reported results can be useful in industrial applications.