Solvent Selection and Recycling for Carbon Absorption in a Pulverized Coal Power Plant

Abstract

Simulated Annealing is used to optimize the solvent selection and recycling conditions for a carbon dioxide absorber in a pulverized coal power plant. The project uses Aspen Plus V7.1 to model a pulverized coal power plant and the carbon capture system. Simulated Annealing is introduced via the CAPE OPEN feature in Aspen Plus to find the best combination to absorb the most carbon dioxide while using the least amount of power for carbon absorption. With this optimal configuration, retrofitting carbon absorption into current power plants will cause a smaller drop in efficiency than that of the current practice. This project will lead to improved sustainability for fossil fuel power plants, by reducing the amount of emissions from fossil fuel power plants without a significant reduction in efficiency.