Optimization of carbon dioxide adsorption from industrial flue gas using zeolite 13X: A simulation study with Aspen Adsorption and response surface methodology

Abstract

One of the best ways to prevent further warming of the planet and reduce pollutants is to remove or adsorb and recover carbon dioxide gas from the exit of cement factory exhaust. So far, several methods have been proposed for this; In this research, zeolite 13X adsorbent is used considering the operational conditions. To remove CO2 gas from the desired gas mixture, an adsorption operation unit with a column filled with zeolite 13X adsorbent was simulated in Aspen Adsorption V14 software. Changes in parameters such as temperature, and pressure and their effects on adsorption rate, adsorbent saturation time, and output heat rate were investigated to achieve higher system efficiency and optimal operating conditions. The adsorption unit was optimized by RSM to achieve maximum CO2 adsorption. Temperature and mole fraction of CO2 were identified as key influencing factors determining the adsorption performance of zeolite 13X for CO2 adsorption. It was found that the system should be operated at a temperature of 28.07 °C and a pressure of 1.202 bar to achieve maximum adsorption. Finally, 2.784 mol% CO2 gas was captured by the said process in optimal operating conditions. Further analysis revealed higher temperatures slightly decrease CO2 adsorption capacity, while increasing pressure enhances it. Conversely, elevated flow rates reduce breakthrough time, indicating a trade-off between adsorption capacity and capture efficiency.

Keywords

• CO2 adsorption
• Zeolite 13X
• Aspen Adsorption
• Optimization
• RSM