Exergy analysis of CO2 recovery process by specific consumption

Carbon dioxide has been identified as a major greenhouse gas responsible for a large part of the enhancement of global warming. CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) from power plants is drawing increasing interest as a potential method for the control of greenhouse gas emissions. Technically, the capture of CO₂ from the flue gas of power plants, using a monoethanolamine (MEA) absorption process is a viable shortcut to medium term strategy for the mitigation of the atmospheric CO₂ emissions from large point sources. Specific consumption analysis was performed on a CO₂ recovery process, which was firstly simulated in ASPEN PLUSE. And the simulation results were valid based on the experimental data. The conclusion is that the energy consumption is 4.25 MJ/kg CO₂, and the stripper accounts for the most energy loss. Measures can be taken to lower the energy consumption. In order to popularize large-scale CCS to power plants, technology improvement is greatly needed.