Theoretical Estimation of Preferred Regeneration Temperatures of Aqueous MEA Solutions

Abstract

The regeneration conditions such as CO2 loading and regeneration temperature of CO2 absorbent using 10 wt% and 20 wt% aqueous MEA (monoethanolamine) solution were estimated in view of mole fractions of absorbent components in vapor phase at equilibrium. Mole fractions of absorbent components were calculated by “Flash” model library of AspenPlus using electrolyteNRTL property method and the preferred regeneration temperatures were estimated by a theoretical approach. Comparing the vapor phase mole fractions of H2O, MEA and CO2 at equilibrium under different CO2 loadings and regeneration temperatures, the preferred regeneration temperatures were estimated 105, 106, 107 and 108 oC for CO2 loading 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 of 10 wt% aqueous MEA solutions. The preferred regeneration temperatures of 20 wt% aqueous MEA solutions were estimated 106, 112, 116 and 118 oC for CO2 loading 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 respectively.