Energy consumption analysis and parameter optimization of CO2 desorption in a structured packaged column

Reducing the energy consumption of CO2 regeneration is crucial for enhancing the economic feasibility of CO2 capture processes. While most studies have focused on developing novel absorbents, the influence of operating parameters on gas-liquid mass transfer behavior and their subsequent impact on energy consumption has received limited attention. This study experimentally investigates the regeneration heat duty (Qreg) for CO2 desorption from a 1-(Dimethylamino)-2-propanol (1DMA2P)/2-Methylaminoethanol (MAE) aqueous blend in a lab-scale stripper equipped with high-efficiency Sulzer DX structured packing. The effects of key operating parameters, including rich CO2 loading, lean CO2 loading, solution flow rate, amine concentration, and synergistic parameters (Δα × L and C × L), on Qreg were systematically analyzed. The experimental results showed that all these factors greatly influenced Qreg. For example, the Qreg decreases as the lean CO2 loading (αlean), rich CO2 loading (αrich), and 1DMA2P/MAE concentration (C) increase, indicating that the Qreg can be reduced by optimizing these operating parameters. Additionally, compared with MEA, 1DMA2P/MAE reduces energy consumption by 51.5 % and decreases the stripper height by 35 %. This study underscores the critical role of operating parameters in reducing CO2 regeneration energy consumption. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing stripper performance and demonstrate the advantages of the 1DMA2P/MAE blend as an energy-efficient alternative to MEA-based solvents in industrial CO2 capture applications.