Results from pilot-scale CO2 capture testing using 30 wt% MEA at a Waste-to-Energy facility: Optimisation through parametric analysis

Post-combustion carbon capture is a well-established technology for removing CO2 from industrial emissions. However, research is still underway to optimise the process and make it more energy efficient. The current work aims to present the results from pilot-scale (with a capacity of 1 tonne CO2/day) studies of CO2 capture conducted at Amager Bakke, a Waste-to-Energy facility in Copenhagen, Denmark. The pilot operation is fully automated, and the process control structure helps achieve multiple steady states at regular intervals. In addition, the pilot is capable of several configurations which can assist in optimising the energy required for solvent regeneration. The current work discusses the base case configuration of the pilot plant by employing 30 wt% MEA as the solvent. Experiments were conducted to analyse the influence of reboiler duty, solvent flow rate, and gas flow rate on the pilot's performance. The influence of these parameters on several aspects is discussed in detail, and recommendations for the optimal operation of such plants are provided. An optimum specific reboiler duty of 3.46 GJ/tonne CO2 is obtained at a solvent flow rate of 306 kg/h, flue gas flow rate of 113 kg/h, and reboiler duty of 17.5 kW excluding heat loss.