Selection of model parameter correlations in a rate-based CO2 absorber model aimed for process simulation

The selection of model parameter correlations, such as for physical properties, kinetics, heat- and mass transfer, and their effect on the mass and energy balance model are investigated. Two different cases based on different process conditions and data from two different pilot plants are studied. In the first case the conditions near the bottom of the absorber is close to chemical equilibrium while in the other the conditions are far from equilibrium. The model predictions from the two cases are compared with the respective pilot plant performance data. As expected, the sensitivity to transport parameters is low when close to equilibrium conditions. However, there is no clear trend with respect to the effect of the various approaches for the model parameters and thus the proper choice seems highly dependent on the operating conditions of the specific plant to be simulated. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.