Minimum Gas/Liquid Flow Rate for Absorption Columns

Abstract

Global warming has motivated a widespread concern about carbon dioxide emissions. Although various capture technologies are available, absorption is currently believed in the industry to be one of the most suitable. It is well known that high gas volumes with low partial pressure of CO2 make the chemical absorption more suitable than physical absorption that is more advantageous for high pressures and low temperatures. The suitability of absorption solvent alternatives is quantified according to its minimum flow rate. The potential of the absorbent used and influence of its alkaline chemical compound concentration on its minimum flow rate is evaluated in the present paper for different partial pressures of carbon dioxide. To simplify the problem, infinite analysis is applied for first time to the absorption process. In the early process design stages, simple models based only on thermodynamic data without the need of detailed unit specifications allow to take important decisions.