Optimal Steady-state Design of a Post-combustion CO2 Capture Plant Under Uncertainty

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a study on the effect of process uncertainty on the optimal design of a CO 2 capture plant. A recent method in the optimal design of large-scale chemical processes under uncertainty, which employs Power Series Expansion (PSE) models to approximate the process constraints, has been used in this work due to its computational benefits. Uncertainty in the CO 2 content in the flue gas stream entering the plant is assumed; the problem under analysis aims to find the most economically feasible design, by sizing the plant's process equipment, as well as obtaining its optimal operating conditions, in the presence of uncertainty. The results show that process uncertainty have a direct effect on the sizes of the absorber and stripper columns and operation of the reboiler duty, whereas the cross heat exchanger and condenser's heat transfer areas are not significantly affected.