Dynamic Process Model Validation and Control of the Amine Plant at CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad

This paper presents a set of steady-state and transient data for dynamic process model validation of the chemical absorption process with monoethanolamine (MEA) for post-combustion CO2 capture of exhaust gas from a natural gas-fired power plant. The data selection includes a wide range of steady-state operating conditions and transient tests. A dynamic process model developed in the open physical modeling language Modelica is validated. The model is utilized to evaluate the open-loop transient performance at different loads of the plant, showing that pilot plant main process variables respond more slowly at lower operating loads of the plant, to step changes in main process inputs and disturbances. The performance of four decentralized control structures is evaluated, for fast load change transient events. Manipulation of reboiler duty to control CO2 capture ratio at the absorber's inlet and rich solvent flow rate to control the stripper bottom solvent temperature showed the best performance.