Modelling and Optimisation of Industrial CO2 Production Process

Dauda Ibrahim, Babagana Gutti, Aliyu A. Bello

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069 Maiduguri, Borno State

*Corresponding author’s Email: didauda@yahoo.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.161514


ABSTRACT

To improve profitability and avoid emitting residual CO2 (Carbon
dioxide) in beverage production plants, an insightful understanding of operating conditions having significant impact on CO2 recovery is required. This research investigates the operating conditions that significantly impacts CO2 recovery in addition to proposing a new procedure for techno-economic optimisation of food-grade CO2 production process in beverage plant. The methodology applied in this research starts by collecting process data, followed by the development of a CO2 production process model in Aspen HYSYS. Lastly, the model is used to set up a case study and conduct optimisation studies. Numerical results show that by independently optimizing lean MEA (monoethanolamine) temperature, operating pressure, lean MEA flow rate, and lean MEA composition, CO2 yield increases by 0.3 %, 0.8 %, 0.8 % and 4 % respectively. Additionally, applying the optimum operating conditions simultaneously on the process increases CO2 yield by 10.20 %. Optimizing lean MEA composition independently has the highest impact on CO2 recovery compared with other operating conditions. Overall, the optimised process indicates an increase in benefit equivalent to 10,487 N/h, i.e., N 7,550,640 per month.

Keywords:

CO2 capture,
Beverage-grade CO2,
Operating condition,
Modeling,
Optimization