Mutah University
Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
Plant Design for Post-Combustion CO₂ Capture
Using MEA Scrubbing: Configuration of a Multi
Absorber Feed with Inter-heating Stripper
Student Name University ID Number
Omar Iyad Omar Al-Ghool 120200414008
Roaa Semreen 120230414002
Zaid Al-Maitah 120210414060
Lina Abu Shawer 120220414029
Nagham Shawawreh 120200414082
Supervisor
Dr. Bahia Al-Ma
′aitah
Date: May / 2025
Introduction
• The increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere significantly contribute to global
warming and climate change.
• Jordan, like many regions, faces challenges
such as rising temperatures, disrupted
precipitation patterns, water resource
depletion, and public health impacts due to
these emissions.
• Industrial activities, especially natural gas
burning, are major contributors to carbon
dioxide emissions. Despite efforts to reduce
these emissions, reliance on natural gas
complicates achieving global climate goals.
Uses and Storage
of Carbon Dioxide
• Geological Storage (Carbon Sequestration): CO₂ is
injected into deep underground rock formations,
such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline
aquifers, for long-term storage. This method is
commonly used in Carbon Capture and Storage
(CCS) projects.
• Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Captured CO₂ is
injected into oil reservoirs to increase oil
extraction efficiency. This both stores CO₂ and
improves oil production.
• Utilization in Industry (Carbon Capture and
Utilization - CCU): Chemical Production: CO₂ is
used to produce chemicals like urea, methanol, or
polycarbonates. Synthetic Fuels: CO₂ is combined
with hydrogen to produce fuels like methane or
synthetic gasoline.
• Food and Beverage Industry: Used in carbonation
(e.g., soft drinks), packaging, and refrigeration.
NEXT
Summary of advantages
and disadvantages of
CO2 capture routes
Capture method Advantages Disadvantages
Pre-combustion capture Less regenerative energy. High investment cost.
Small capture equipment Operation is limited.
required.
Oxy-fuel combustion High concentration of captured High oxygen demand increases
capture CO2. investment costs and energy
Less NOx formation. consumption.
Post- combustion capture Low investment cost. Lower CO2 partial pressure in flue gas
Fast technology introduction. increases capture energy consumption
Flexible operation to reduce and cost.
operating costs. Large capture equipment required.
CO₂ Capture Process
Overview
Pure CO2
Exhaust
gas Condenser
Cooler
Absorber Stripper
Flue gas
From NGCC
HEX P-19
Reboiler
Rich solution
pump Lean solution
pump
Figure : Post Combustion CO2 Capture using chemical absorption Standard Process Configuration
CO₂ Capture Process
Overview
Figure : Multi absorber feed flow configuration with interheating considered
Literature Review
Table : Ranking of Routes
Criteria Standard Amine Scrubbing Advanced Technological Modifications
Energy Consumption High Moderate
CO2 Capture Efficiency High Very High
Operational Reliability High Moderate to High
Cost-Effectiveness Moderate High (long-term)
Environmental Impact Moderate Low
Technological
Low High
Complexity
Scalability and
Moderate High
Flexibility
Process
Description
Flue gas rich with CO2 coming from pre-
processing unit at the end of the NGCC
plant power generation process is directed
into the absorber with a packed material
inside it, with column pressure 2.1 bar. A
gas with a flow rate of 357 Kg/sec, a
pressure of 2.2 bar, and a temperature of
54.78°c enters it, containing a carbon
dioxide content of 7.6%.
Cleaning gas comes out of the absorber, the
concentration of carbon dioxide in the
cleaned gas from the absorber is 0.76%. A
liquid solvent comes out of the absorber
with a flow rate of 1002 Kg/sec and a CO 2
loading ratio of 0.4266 mol CO2 / mol MEA.
This solvent is divided into three streams, the
first stream flows at a rate of 45% of the liquid And also a stripper inside it is a material packed
flow rate and flows to a heat exchanger called in the column with column pressure 1 bar, and
HX-2 and exits to the stripper with temperature the stripper contains two heat exchangers and is
75°c. The second stream flows at a rate of 45% also connected to the stripper reboiling at the
of the liquid flow rate and flows to a heat bottom of the stripper the gas coming out of it
exchanger called HE-1 and exits with returns to the stripper and a condenser above
temperature 80°c to a heat exchanger called the stripper, the liquid coming out from the
HE-3 and goes out to the top of the stripper with bottom of the stripper goes to a pump with a
temperature 90°c, and the third channel with flow rate of 12300 Kg/sec where it is divided into
10% of the liquid flow rate goes to the top of the two streams that go to heat exchangers.
stripper.
The second stream goes to a heat exchanger
located inside the stripper called Heater-2 then The first stream goes to a heat exchanger
exits to HE-3 then exits to HE-2 then to a cooler located inside the stripper called Heater-1 then
called cooler-1, with add a MEA as makeup with goes out to HE-1 then goes to a cooler called
30% MEA by wt., then enters the middle of the cooler-2 then enters the top of the absorber.
absorber.
Material and
Energy
Balances
At Steady State:
ṁin =ṁout
ṁin: Mass flow rate in (Kg/sec).
ṁout: Mass flow rate out
(Kg/sec).
Mass Balance on Component:
xi × ṁin= xi × ṁout
x: Mass fraction for i
component
Energy balance on Reboiler
Figure : Reboiler Schematic
Energy in = Energy out
(m To Reboiler × H To Reboiler) + Q R = (m Boil up × H Boil up) + (m Lean Amine × H Lean Amine)
(12350 × -11970) + QR = (42.64 × -14033.77) + (12300 × -11970)
Q R= 100000 KJ/Sec = 100 MW
Plant Layout and Plant Location
Al-Qatranah has been selected for the establishment
of the factory. It is a city located south of the capital,
Amman, approximately 90 kilometers away. This area
was preferred for several important factors, such as its
excellent location in the center of Jordan, which
means that the workforce is available, especially from
the nearest cities to it, such as Al-Karak and Amman. It
is characterized by a low population density, which is a
positive indicator to avoid legal issues and any
negative impact on the residents of the area.
Plant Layout and
Plant Location
After a visit we made to Al-
Qatranah electric station,
we were informed that they
do not have any type of CO 2
capturing methods which
means they are in need for
a PCC plant like this project.
Plant Layout and Plant
Location
• Al-Qatranah contains huge areas of empty land, which
means that the prices of these lands are low, and this will
certainly reduce costs. Also, available empty land pieces
give us the advantage of using them for underground CO 2
storage. We must not forget one of the most important
factors, which is its proximity to the Qatranah Electric
Power station. Which allows us to equip this power plant
with our PCC plant as an extension that will lower the CO 2
emissions. The station was established as part of one of
the main national projects in Jordan with a capacity of 373
megawatts and generates 12% of the national electricity
needs.
Safety Consideration
• Safety in post-combustion CO₂ capture is essential
to protect people, their environment, and the
facility.
- Objectives of the safety assessment:
• Identify potential hazards
• Ensure compliance with regulations
• Develop risk mitigation strategies
• Prepare emergency response plans
• Regulatory Framework and Standards:
Compliance with regulations ensures safe operations. Key
organizations include:
OSHA: Manages process safety.
EPA: Monitors air quality and emissions.
AIChE & ISO: Provide safety guidelines and best
• Process Hazard Analysis (PHA):
A. HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study):
Reviews engineering diagrams in detail.
Identifies risks like high pressure or leaks, and implements
safeguards.
B. FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis):
Assesses critical components and possible failures.
Evaluates severity and likelihood.
Plans risk reduction through backups and maintenance.
• Environmental Impact and Emergency
Response:
Emergency Procedures:
Spill containment systems.
Clear evacuation routes and regular drills.
Quick-response kits for incidents.
•
Environmental Strategies:
Advanced monitoring for leaks/emissions.
Eco-friendly solvents and chemicals.
Strong waste management practices.
Thank you, Any Question?
