Dynamic Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis for an MEA-Based CO2 Capture Absorber

The absorber is the key unit in the post-combustion monoethanolamine (MEA)-based carbon dioxide (CO2) capture process. A rate-based dynamic model for the absorber is developed and validated using steady-state experimental data reported in open literature. Sensitivity analysis is performed with respect to important model parameters associated with the reaction, mass transport and phy-sical property relationships. Then, a singular value decomposition (SVD)-based subspace parameter estimation method is proposed to improve the model accu-racy. Finally, dynamic simulations are carried out to investigate the effects of the feed rate of lean MEA solution and the flue inlet conditions. Simulation results indicate that the established dynamic model can reasonably reflect the physical behavior of the absorber. Some new insights are gained from the simulation results.