Simulation and energy evaluation of two novel solvents developed in the EU project HiPerCap

Simulation results on minimum specific reboiler duty (SRD) are presented for two absorption solvent systems selected in the HiPerCap project, here referred to as HC#1 and HC#2. An established base case has been used that represents a large scale application, where heat loss can be neglected. Parameter optimization is performed to estimate the energetic potential of these solvents. In particular, full closed loop sheet simulations are run to find optimum operations with respect to specific reboiler duty at 90% CO₂ capture. These simulations have been performed with the motivation of understanding the energetic potential for post combustion CO₂ capture from a coal source. The HC#1 and HC#2 solvents are substantially more efficient than MEA, based in thermodynamic efficiency, both in terms of thermal heat requirement (SRD) and solvent circulation rate, and will improve operational costs. The SRD found for HiPerCap solvent 1 (HC#)1 with the given defined base case was found to be 2.74 MJ/kg. The SRD was 2.94 MJ/kg for HiPerCap solvent 2 (HC#2) with the given defined base case was found to be 2.74 MJ/kg. In comparison, the SRD for MEA 30%wt was 3.61 MJ/kg. Both solvents are, based on the given assumption regarding kinetics, well suited for post combustion CO₂ capture.