Simulation-Based Optimization of Fixed-Bed Continuous CO₂ Capture Process with an Amine-Impregnated Solid Sorbent

A labscale continuous CO₂ capture system for coal-fired power plants with amine-impregnated solid sorbents was optimized using process simulation. The system comprises three-column fixed-bed sorbents, and a steam-aided vacuum swing absorption (SA-VSA) was used as the CO₂ capture/recovery process. The simulation was performed using Aspen Adsorption V10. First, the effect of three sensitive parameters, namely, regeneration steam volume, rinsing time, and feed-gas moisture, was simulated and the obtained results were compared with the experimental values. As a result, the simulated values agreed well with those of the experimentals. After the reliability of the simulator has been demonstrated, a cycle time and each process time was optimized by the simulation. As a result, the potential for further reduction of the regeneration heat without lowering the amount of CO₂ capture was measured by simulation. Finally, the simulation-suggested process was experimentally confirmed and then optimized with 540 s of cycle time, which successfully demonstrated a minimum regeneration heat of 1.2 GJ/t-CO₂ (not including electric energy of vacuum pump) with high recovery rate (≥90%), purity (≥99%), and continuous CO₂ capturing. Therefore, this simulation-based optimization technique would be useful for optimizing the CO₂ capture process with an amine-impregnated solid sorbent.