Absorption-based carbon capture; Aspen plus simulation; CESAR1 solvent; Experimental validation; Variable CO2 contents; ASPEN PLUS; Experimental validations; Performance; Post-combustion CO; Process-models; Rate based modeling; Variable CO2 content; Analytical Chemistry; Filtration and Separation
Abstract :
[en] CESAR1 is emerging as a benchmark solvent for amine-based post-combustion CO2 capture due to its promising performance. Reliable process models are essential to design, optimize, and scale up CESAR1-based capture plants. In this context, this work presents the development and validation of a new rigorous and comprehensive rate-based CESAR1 model in Aspen Plus software, including accurate sub-models for thermodynamics, physico-chemical properties, and kinetics. An open-access CESAR1 thermodynamic framework, extensively validated, is used as the foundation, while density and viscosity models are calibrated against experimental data to ensure accurate property predictions. Kinetic models for all rate-controlled reactions are implemented, with a specific focus on the selection of the AMP-CO2 reaction law. The global model is validated against pilot-scale data from the Technology Center Mongstad (TCM) facility, demonstrating excellent agreement (Average Absolute Relative Deviation (AARD) = 2.08%) across varying solvent flow rates, inlet gas temperatures, and capture levels. The validated model is applied to simulate industrial flue gases (from 3.5 to 21.8 vol.% CO2 in the gas to treat, representing gas-fired power, waste-to-energy, coal-fired power, and cement plants). Results show that CESAR1 reduces the specific heat consumption of the carbon capture process by 24%–28% relative to MEA at typical 90% capture, with the relative advantage decreasing at high capture rates (higher than 99%) under a fixed plant design. Overall, this study provides a new robust Aspen Plus model for CESAR1, offering a reliable tool for process design, simulation, and optimization, and supporting further studies towards industrial deployment.
Disciplines :
Chemical engineering
Author, co-author :
Verhaeghe, Antoine ; Université de Mons - UMONS > Faculté Polytechnique > Service de Thermique et Combustion
Dubois, Lionel ; Université de Mons - UMONS > Faculté Polytechnique > Service de Génie des Procédés chimiques et biochimiques
De Weireld, Guy ; Université de Mons - UMONS > Faculté Polytechnique > Service de Thermodynamique, Physique mathématiques
Thomas, Diane ; Université de Mons - UMONS > Faculté Polytechnique > Service de Génie des Procédés chimiques et biochimiques
Language :
English
Title :
CESAR1 Unlocked: A validated rate-based model enabling next-generation carbon capture design
F505 - Génie des Procédés chimiques et biochimiques F506 - Thermodynamique, Physique mathématiques
Research institute :
R200 - Institut de Recherche en Energie
Funders :
European Commission Walloon Public Service
Funding text :
Wallonia is warmly acknowledged for the funding of the NKL project in the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), initiated and financed by the European Union.
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