Project Synopsis
Perform a technical and economic process alternatives evaluations to support a technology provider client in the optimum selection and design of a CO2 absorption unit designed to reduce CO2 emissions from the diesel engine exhaust of an oceangoing ship.
Project Summary
The client, a startup technology provider, contracted Process Engineering Associates, LLC (PROCESS) to provide engineering services to evaluate the design for a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) absorber to reduce CO2 emissions from the diesel engine exhaust of an oceangoing ship. The client has developed a CO2 reduction process scheme that involves using raw seawater and its natural alkalinity to absorb CO2 in ship engine exhaust. Several ideas for the absorption device were considered regarding gas-water contact arrangements, orientation, packing, and pressure drop. The initial evaluations concluded that a special absorber unit is the best option and this configuration was carried forward to more detailed technical evaluation. This preferred alternative was selected over other arrangements due to technical and logistical considerations.
The following variables were evaluated to meet the system performance goals and optimize the CO2 removal and minimize the absorption system power demands:
- Single absorber or multiple absorber configuration
- Absorber height and diameter
- Sea water flow rate
- Deisel engine exhaust flow rate
- Temperature (quenching) and system pressure drop
- Deisel engine exhaust cooling requirements
- Power consumption from seawater pump(s) and exhaust gas blower.
PROCESS developed a design basis with the client and subsequently created a process simulation in CHEMCAD software. The process was also simulated in OLI Systems Flowsheet. The CHEMCAD packed column unit operation gave comparable results to OLI and as such, the design was optimized with multiple cases using CHEMCAD.
PROCESS contacted several packing vendors with regard to optimizing the packing size and configuration to achieve the desired CO2 removal efficiency while minimizing pressure drop across the packing.
Based on all the information determined during the course of this project, PROCESS prepared a technical evaluation summary report for the absorption system for use by the client during the next phase of the absorption system design.
Industry Type
Emissions Controls Technology
Utilized Skills
- Process equipment alternatives evaluations
- Process simulation
- Packed tower design.