Analytical first-principles-based model for sprays-based CO2 capture

Abstract

CO2 removal from flue gases or air is directly proportional to the overall contact area between the solvent and gas flow. Spraying the solvent offers possibilities for large area/volume ratios resulting from the small size of solvent droplets. The overall mass transfer (KGAv) is a crucial indicator of the performance of the system and indicates the overall CO2 capture rate per unit volume at given working pressure. The maximum capture rate of spray systems considered in this study is 608 kmol/m3-hr. This study develops an analytical model to predict mass transfer in spray-based systems for CO2 capture by evaluating KGAv and capture efficiency. Model predictions are validated using two experimental studies for a range of liquid flow rate, inlet solvent loading, different nozzle types, and inlet CO2 partial pressure. The relative importance of the incorporation of equilibrium partial pressure of CO2 (P*) into amine with respect to CO2 partial pressure is also studied. It is found that its effect on KGAv is prominent in high liquid flow rate and low solvent loading regimes where the overall CO2 capture is high. Finally, the variation of key parameters such as KGAv, total mass transfer coefficient (KG), effective area (Av), solvent loading (α), and mole fraction of CO2 in the gas stream (XCO2) along the channel height is studied, which gives insights on optimization of the channel height for specified operating conditions.