Simulation of CO2 Absorption Using the System K2CO3-Piperazine

CO2 is one of the main sources of global warming affecting the environment. It is one of the biggest challenges of future to reduce CO2 emissions in addition to capture and disposal of CO2 produced as a result of burning of fossil fuels. In this work, CO2 removal from biogas by absorption process is studied. For CO2 absorption from biogas, aqueous K2CO3 and piperazine solvents are used independently and then ultimately in a combination. Equilibrium studies are done to calculate capabilities of simulation tool Aspen Plus® towards the component systems CO2/H2O/PZ, CO2/H2O/K2CO3 and finally CO2/H2O/PZ/K2CO3. Validation and comparisons of equilibrium studies were made with literature data. Furthermore, all the mentioned systems were then compared using typical parameter ranges for biogas composition and conditions. The effect on absorption loading capacity of CO2 was studied by varying parameters of temperature, pressure and biogas composition.