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Absorber modeling for NGCC carbon capture with aqueous piperazine
Yue Zhang1, Brice Freeman2, Pingjiao Hao2
1Texas Carbon Management Program, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E Dean Keeton St, C0400 Austin, TX 78712-1589, USA. gtr@che.utexas.edu.
Faraday Discussions
|August 11, 2016
Summary
A hybrid membrane and amine scrubbing system offers a cost-effective carbon capture solution for natural gas power plants. Optimizing absorber design and eliminating direct contact coolers significantly reduces capital costs.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants are significant sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
- Effective carbon capture technologies are crucial for mitigating climate change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a hybrid membrane-amine scrubbing system for CO2 capture from NGCC flue gas.
- To optimize the design and operating conditions for cost-effective carbon capture.
Main Methods:
- A hybrid system integrating membrane pre-enrichment with aqueous piperazine (PZ) amine scrubbing was modeled.
- Various direct contact cooler (DCC) options, absorber configurations, and intercooling strategies were analyzed.
- Performance was evaluated across a range of CO2 concentrations (4-18%).
Main Results:
- Amine scrubbing without DCC is the superior design for NGCC applications.
- Pump-around cooling at the absorber bottom effectively manages temperature and enhances CO2 absorption.
- Increasing CO2 concentration from 4% to 18% reduces total absorber CAPEX by 60%, with an additional 10% saving by eliminating DCC.
- In-and-out intercooling is optimal for high CO2, while pump-around intercooling suits low CO2 concentrations.
Conclusions:
- The hybrid system provides a viable and cost-effective approach to CO2 capture from NGCC plants.
- Optimized absorber design, particularly eliminating DCC and strategic intercooling, significantly reduces capital expenditure.
- Dry cooling is a feasible alternative when cooling water is scarce.
