Simulation of CO2 capture for amine impregnated activated carbon - palm kernel shell (AC-PKS) adsorbent in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) using Aspen Adsorption

Abstract

The creation of energy from fossil fuel burning results in the release of greenhouse gaseous and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of the mature strategies to capture CO2 through an adsorption process. For the removal ofcontaminants from contaminated gas and liquid streams, activated carbon (AC) specifically palm kernel shell (PKS) has been acknowledged as one of the most efficient and helpful adsorbents in the adsorption process since its features include a large activesurface area, high adsorption capacity, well-developed porous structures, and strong mechanical qualities. Modification with imidazoles (IMs) in amine impregnated AC-PKS will improve the initial and working CO2 adsorption capacities and decrease the heat of adsorption. Recent adsorption technology used is pressure swing adsorption (PSA) due to easier operation, lower energy consumption and cost-effective for CO2 capture. This PSA have been used in industry and laboratory for separation, purification of gas mixtures. The PSA with modified amine-based adsorbent is rarely highlighted in previous studied. Hence, this study will focus on the simulation of CO2 adsorption for amine-impregnated AC-PKS adsorbent in the PSAsystem using Aspen Adsorption. The one-bed adsorption column is modelled and analyzed using extended Langmuir 1 equation. The product purity in terms of bedconcentration, product composition in bed, and bed gas inventory are evaluated. Feed concentration is the main factor contributingto adsorption performance. Maximum and minimum values need to be set and feed concentration (20%-80%) of CO2 and H2. Theperformance of the adsorption process is maintained at a high level, including its adsorption capacity, when the higher feed concentrationis used. Higher adsorption capacity helps to reduce the total cost of CO2 capture and secure the sustainability of the environmentconcurrently.