Instrumentation and control in a laboratory-scale process for CO₂ capture post-combustion

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Process Control

Background:

• Thermoelectric power plants generate significant flue gases requiring effective carbon dioxide capture.
• Industrial-scale CO2 capture often utilizes packed columns, necessitating robust monitoring and control systems.
• Developing low-cost, reliable instrumentation is crucial for advancing CO2 capture technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To instrument and control a laboratory-scale post-combustion CO2 capture process (CO2-CP).
• To implement a low-cost data acquisition system for real-time monitoring and control of key process variables.
• To validate the monitoring system and evaluate the CO2 absorption process performance.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a low-cost data acquisition system with an open-source graphical user interface.
• Real-time acquisition and processing of temperature and flow rate data.
• Experimental testing of a 10% monoethanolamine (MEA) solution in a packed column setup.

Main Results:

• The CO2 absorption process using MEA is exothermic, causing a ~2°C temperature increase at the column outlet.
• The system reached saturation after approximately 300 seconds.
• Mass balance was maintained, confirming stable operation and measurement reliability.

Conclusions:

• The developed low-cost system effectively monitors and controls a laboratory-scale CO2 capture process.
• The system provides reliable data for understanding process dynamics and ensuring stability.
• This approach supports the development of efficient and cost-effective CO2 capture solutions for industrial applications.