Pilot plant study of post-combustion carbon dioxide capture by reactive absorption: Methodology, comparison of different structured packings, and comprehensive results for monoethanolamine

► Comprehensive studies of the standard PCC solvent MEA in a pilot plant. ► The data establish a base line for comparisons with new solvents for PCC process. ► The data can be used for a validation of models of the PCC process with MEA. ► The results obtained using Sulzer BX 500 and Mellapak 250.Y packings are compared. ► A strategy for identifying the influence of kinetics on the results is proposed. Post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) from fossil fuel power plants by reactive absorption can substantially contribute to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas CO 2. To test new solvents for this purpose small pilot plants are used. The present paper describes results of comprehensive studies of the standard PCC solvent MEA (0.3 g/g monoethanolamine in water) in a pilot plant in which the closed cycle of absorption/desorption process is continuously operated (column diameters: 0.125 m, absorber/desorber packing height: 4.25/2.55 m, packing type: Sulzer BX 500, flue gas flow: 30–110 kg/h, CO 2 partial pressure: 35–135 mbar). The data establish a base line for comparisons with new solvents tested in the pilot plant and can be used for a validation of models of the PCC process with MEA. The ratio of the solvent to the flue gas mass flow is systematically varied at constant CO 2 removal rate, and CO 2 partial pressure in the flue gas. Optimal operating points are determined. In the present study the structured packing Sulzer BX 500 is used. The experiments with the removal rate variation are carried out so that the results can directly be compared to those from a previous study in the same plant that was carried out using Sulzer Mellapak 250.Y. A strategy for identifying the influence of absorption kinetics on the results is proposed, which is based on a variation of the gas load at a constant L/ G ratio and provides valuable insight on the transferability of pilot plant results.