Comparison of Post-combustion CO2 Capture by Solutions of Ammonia and Organic Amines: Assessment Using Direct and Indirect Contactors

Abstract : Simulation results of the thermal power plant fed with pulverized coal (PC) including CO2 capture have been performed using the Aspen Plus software. The flue gases containing CO2 from post-combustion have been captured by ammonia and monoethanolamine solvents. Ammonia solvent has been used in two processes by direct contactor (without a membrane contactor) and by indirect contactor (membrane). A parametric study has been conducted to clarify the optimal conditions to capture CO2 by ammonia. The comparative study suggests that the use of ammonia as a solvent in chemical absorption is the most interesting process for the PC thermal power plant. The capture process by indirect contactor (membrane contactor) reduces efficiency decrease to only 6.3 points.