Carbon Capture Process Modeling

Learn how to determine and properly setup the component properties and reactions needed to model carbon capture processes to meet sustainability goals

Identify the steps and unit operations involved in accurately modeling carbon capture processes. 

Learn how to setup, run, and interpret results using a realistic, rigorous approach allowing accurate prediction of model results which generally extrapolates better than conventional modeling approaches 

Use this detailed modeling approach to understand and improve process performance to achieve sustainability targets

• Course notes containing lecture materials, examples, and workshop files
• Lecture topics are reinforced with workshop simulations and problems throughout the course
• Instructor-guided demonstrations of features
• Questions relating the course material to real-life problems are encouraged

• EAP201 Physical Properties for Process Engineers
• EAP2211 Modeling Complex Processes with Equation Oriented Methods
• EAP301 Aspen Plus: Real Time Modeling and Optimization
• EAP2411 Improved Process Operability and Control Through Aspen Plus Dynamic Models
• EAP2311 Building Custom Simulation Models using Aspen Custom Modeler

• CO2 Removal Applications
• Highlight the various industrial applications of CO2 removal

• Physical Solvents for CO2 Removal
• Describe the approach for modeling CO2 removal using physical solvents
• Workshop: Apply the PC-SAFT property method to model CO2 removal using a methanol solvent

• PC-SAFT Property Regression
• Describe how to use Data Regression to determine property parameters for the PC-SAFT property method
• Workshop: Use the Aspen Plus Data Regression mode to calculate PC-SAFT binary data from mixture physical property data

• Introduction to Electrolytes
• Introduce Aspen Plus electrolyte system modeling capabilities
• Review the types of components present in an electrolyte solution
• Address special issues when modeling processes with electrolytes
• Using the Electrolyte Wizard
• Review the steps to set up the properties for an electrolyte simulation
• Workshop: Use the Electrolyte Wizard to set up an electrolyte-based calculation for a single-stage MEA stripper

• Electrolyte Chemistry
• Understand the chemical reactions generated by the Aspen Plus Electrolyte Wizard
• Consider the reactions generated for CO2 removal processes
• True vs. Apparent Component Approach
• Examine the consequences of the two available choices to represent electrolyte species – true and apparent
• Examine the different property sets specific to electrolyte systems
• Workshop: Using a single-stage MEA scrubber, utilize both true and apparent component approaches to meet a process design target

• Property Estimation for New Solvents
• Describe how to use Property Estimation to determine property parameters for a new CO2 removal chemical solvent
• Review the necessary property parameters and reactions for the ions and electrolytes for the new chemical solvent
• Workshop: Use Property Estimation to determine parameters for an amine component used to scrub a sour natural gas

• CO2 Removal Processes Using RadFrac
• Review how to use RadFrac to model unit operations used in CO2 removal processes
• How to model absorbers and strippers
• Common RadFrac options
• Basic convergence topics
• Workshop: Model an MEA scrubber using the RadFrac model

• Distillation Columns With Electrolytes
• Discuss and analyze RadFrac configuration settings for modeling electrolytic systems
• Workshop: Adjust and optimize electrolyte reactions in place on an MEA absorber model

• RadFrac Efficiency
• Review and explain the different types of efficiencies available in RadFrac for CO2 removal processes
• Workshop: Apply efficiencies to an MEA absorber column

• Unit Operations For CO2 Removal Processes
• Review the typical unit operations used in CO2 removal processes and the options for setting up these various models
• Workshop: Build a flowsheet for a CO2 removal process using a DEPG solvent

• Convergence of CO2 Removal Simulations
• Review convergence issues and challenges common to CO2 removal simulations
• Workshop: Close the solvent recycle stream and calculate adequate makeup flow for a CO2 removal process using DEPG solvent

• CO2 Removal Using Aspen Rate-Based Distillation
• Review differences between equilibrium and rate-based modeling in Aspen Plus
• Recognize the capabilities of Aspen Rate-Based Distillation for CO2 removal modeling
• Building the Aspen Rate-Based Distillation Model
• Identify and explain how to enable, specify, and run Aspen Rate-Based model
• Compare the operation of the equilibrium RadFrac model to Aspen Rate-Based model
• Demonstrate the conversion of an Aspen Plus RadFrac (equilibrium) CO2 Absorber column to a column that uses Aspen Rate-Based Distillation
• Workshop: Convert an equilibrium RadFrac model to the Rate-Based approach and analyze its performance using a Sensitivity Analysis

• Tuning the Aspen Rate-Based Distillation Model
• Identify and explain the rate-based distillation characteristics of the Pack/Tray Rating forms
• Demonstrate how to use the Aspen Rate-Based Distillation tuning parameters for CO2 absorption columns
• Workshop: Apply and study rate-based model tuning options and column sizing capabilities

• Rate-Based Reactive Distillation
• Recognize capabilities and options available for running Aspen Rate-Based Distillation with reactive processes
• Demonstrate how to model CO2 Separation reactions using Rate-Based Distillation
• Workshop: Build a rate-based CO2 removal column, incorporating equilibrium and kinetic reactions

• Convergence and Diagnostics of Rate-Based CO2 Removal Models
• Explain the Aspen Rate-Based Distillation calculation procedure
• Review the various convergence settings and options associated with Rate-Based Distillation
• Discuss typical problems encountered when running the Rate-Based Distillation model and provide troubleshooting techniques
• Workshop: Apply acquired troubleshooting techniques to solve a rate-based MEA Regeneration column

• Rate-Based Distillation in CO2 Removal Flowsheets
• Discuss options for using Rate-Based Distillation in CO2 removal flowsheets
• Workshop: Convert Absorber to rate based distillation in the DEPG CO2 removal flowsheet

• Appendix A – The Rate-Based Modeling Approach
• Illustrate the mathematical models of the Aspen Rate-Based Distillation non-equilibrium segment 
• Discuss the calculations of Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate (HETP) and tray efficiency