Dynamic operation of amine scrubbing in response to electricity demand and pricing

This paper examines dynamic operation of CO2 capture with absorption/stripping using 7 m MEA, where the absorber is operated at full capacity with the stripper at reduced load. Depending on the cost of CO2 emissions, doing so in response to variations in electricity demand could improve annual profits by $ 10-$100 million or more at facilities with CO2 capture. Dynamic scenarios were simulated with a controlled, constant ratio of heat rate and solvent rate. With an 80% load reduction, scenarios that turn CO2 capture off and on affect stripper performance only slightly and reach the steady state in about 90 and 18 minutes respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.