(567a) Packing Characterization: Advanced Model Development and Absorber Optimization

by Chao Wang^1,2,
Micah Perry², Gary T. Rochelle¹, Frank Seibert²

¹Department of
Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at
Austin

²Separations
Research Program, The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX 78712

Packing is widely used in post-combustion CO₂ absorption
process because of its low pressure drop, good mass transfer efficiency, and
ease of installation.  In this
paper, three dimensionless mass transfer models based on absorption system were
developed.  The effects of operating
conditions and packing geometries were considered.  The new concept, Mixing Number was proposed
to represent the packing geometry influence on mass transfer.  The
three dimensionless mass transfer correlations developed in this work are:

The economic analysis of the absorber for a 250 MW coal-fired power plant
was conducted, using the developed mass transfer models.  The purpose is to determine the optimal
design and operating conditions for the amine scrubbing post-combustion
absorber.  The Energy Cost (Energy)
and the Annualized Capital Cost (CAPEX) for the absorber were
calculated to determine the total processing cost as a function of the gas
superficial velocity (u_G).  For reaction film controlled system such
as CO₂ absorption, the optimum operating percent of flood is between
50 and 80% which is lower than the normal distillation design (usually between
70 and 90% of flood).  The optimal
absorber design is to use packing with 200 to 250 m²/m³
surface area and high corrugation angle.