Simulation and Impact of different Optimization Parameters on CO₂ Capture Cost

The influence of different process parameters/factors on CO₂ capture cost, in a standard amine based CO₂ capture process was studied through process simulation and cost estimation. The most influential factor was found to be the CO₂ capture efficiency. This led to investigation of routes for capturing more than 85% of CO₂. The routes are by merely increasing the solvent flow or by increasing the absorber packing height. The cost-efficient route was found to be by increasing the packing height of the absorber. This resulted in 20% less cost compared to capturing 90% CO₂ by increasing only the solvent flow. The cost optimum absorber packing height was 12 m (12 stages). The cost optimum temperature difference in the lean/rich heat exchanger was 5 °C. A case with a combination of the two cost optimum parameters achieved a 4% decrease in capture cost compared to the base case. The results highlight the significance of performing cost optimization of CO₂ capture processes.